Hands-on  Mythic Map Pack Impressions

The wait is over as Mythic is unleashed on the world, but was it worth it?

By Dimorphic

©2009 Ryan Fernance

Being an ardent Halo (check out our Halo 3 review) fan I have been patiently awaiting the release of the new Mythic Map Pack that Bungie have been cooking for the better part of the last six months. I’ve been teased with the weekly updates hinting on the layout and design of the maps and was overjoyed when they were finally revealed.

So you can imagine my excitement when I got my hands on an early code so I can write these impressions. After giving them a good bash it would be simple for me to just say BUY THEM, but I am going to put a little more effort into it than that.

The Mythic Map Pack comprises three new maps; Assembly, Orbital and Sandbox.

All of which offer decidedly different play styles than what is already on offer and from each other. Ranging from small quarters slayer oriented skirmishes to larger objective based battlefields, the Mythic Map Pack is sure to appeal to all Halo fans and FPS fans alike.

Assembly:

Assembly is the first map I booted up and upon entering I instantly found it to be somewhat familiar. Those that played Halo 2 probably remember the map Midship and while Assembly is a different design it still gives off a Midship feeling. The setting for the map appears to be in a Covenant Scarab factory surrounded by coolant that looks decidedly like immulsion from Gears of War.

Overhead the bodies of unfinished Scarabs cross over on an air lift which produces a hum which provides the ambient noise of the map. The entire feeling is one of being deep behind enemy lines, in the bowls of a Covenant factory and it works well for a map.

But how does Assembly play? It’s a small, circular symmetrical map that fills a niche that Halo 3 hasn’t really addressed yet. The map has a lower and ‘upper’ level, both of which can been seen from anywhere on the map. Down below funnels into the middle room which houses a Gravity Hammer and seems like a good spot for grenade spam for a few easy kills as undoubtedly people will be running for the power weapon. There are also small gravity lifts that suck you up to the top level into the bases.

There are ramps leading up to the second level which all connect into the middle room which houses a cool power shield with an active-camo power up in the middle. The second level also has the bases which radiate out from the centre are a focal point of combat.

The map will play well catering for smaller conflicts such as free-for-all and 4-4 team slayer. It is also suited to multi-flag CTF games and even King of the Hill. The many choke points will make for cool last stand situations as it is very versatile and probably my favourite of the pack.

Orbital:

The second map I tried out was Orbital. Different from Assembly, Orbital is set on the Quito Space Tether, which is a UNSC space elevator and as such have a very different feel than Assembly.

Being set on a space station gave Bungie an interesting design issue, as space is usually seen as sterile and plain. It has been given a human touch with screens and computers throughout giving off red and blue hues as well as plant life growing over balconies and stairwells, giving that colourful human touch to an otherwise plain station.

Looking out the windows of the base gives off a spectacular view of the Earth below and it’s obvious from this how much crafting Bungie put into their creations. Every little detail is taken care of right down to the garbage spilling out of the bins, making the world feel lived in an not just a ‘map’.

The two main corridors of the map overlap each other leading into two atrium’s. The atrium’s will be the focus point of the map being that they intersect with every other path or hallway in the playing space. There is a winding stair case that leads to the upper level of the atrium and has maintenance corridors leading back out into the corridors.

Interestingly the map does house vehicles, the default ones being Ghosts and Mongooses. I don’t really think they will play much of a part in combat though as in the confided spaces it will lead to easy stick’s.

Orbital seems like it is designed for medium sized games, Team Slayer and will be good for one-flag CTF and one-bomb Assualt. It is an asymmetrical map and it will lead to some good, competitive games.

Sandbox:

The third and final map in the Mythic Pack is Sandbox. While Assembly and Orbital focused on frantic firefights Sandbox is a Forgers delight, offering the most dynamic customisation options I’ve seen in an FPS map. The default setup lends itself well to large objective games with Warthogs and Choppers littered throughout the map, but it really is Forge where this map will open up and invite players in.

The design is similar to Sandtrap in that it is surrounded by a desert and venturing out too far will see the giant monolith towers blast you to smithereens. The towers also beam the maps lighting which makes it feel almost like a sporting arena. Dark skies also make for a moodier atmosphere. The whipping sand and ever present buz of combat make for a nice battlefield.

As awesome as the default set up is, this map has much more than meets the eye. There are three tiers to Sandbox, two of which you cannot see unless you open up Forge. Along with the ground level is the Crypt and the Skybox. By removing a key-stone on the ground or going through a teleporter in Forge you can access these areas and the full scope of this map comes into play.

Skybox is designed around letting players create their own high-flying wire fighting maps where falling off the edge means instant death. Think Blackout or Guardian but fully customisable and you’re getting the idea.

The Crypt on the other hand is a cavernous underground area which looks perfect for Grifball but will also make for some cool tower type map structures. The freedom is well and truly placed in the players hands with this one. Not only is everything changeable but there are some cool new Forge items as well.

You have access too base lighting, so you can colour your own red and blue bases, or just add some colour lighting to the map. Also the Kill-ball makes its first appearance. The Kill-ball is a large, spherical, orange ball of pure death. If you touch it at all you die so it makes for a great environmental hazard.

The wrap up

One interesting to come with the Mythic Pack is the introduction of multiplayer skulls. On each of the three maps is a hidden skull which unlock achievements, and collecting them all unlocks yet another. No word on what they will do just yet but no doubt Bungie have a plan in store for us.

All in all I would say that the Mythic Map Pack is well worth a purchase. The variety offered here is three fold and each map fills a spot in the Halo 3 library. Production and design values are all through the roof and as with every Bungie production they are just simply fun. Skulls and Forge aside the maps play well but with those added bonuses it makes the pack too good to pass up.

I’ll say it again, BUY THEM!

True value“9/10

Or WIN them in the great OXCGN Halo Wars

Limited Edition Competition

©2009 Ryan Fernance

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