Is The Silent Cartographer Halo's Greatest Level?

[@BenPlaysGames]

✅ Subscribe: kzbin.info 🖱 Support the channel: www.patreon.com/ben_plays_games I've got a much larger analysis of Halo: Combat Evolved in the works, similar to this video but covering the entire game. So, do keep an eye out!

[@343Films]

I have so so much nostalgia for The Silent Cartographer. My first experience with Halo was playing the Halo: CE demo on PC. The only campaign level included was this one and I played it dozens of times. I love this mission so much, from the freedom it gives you, to the unique set pieces, to the amazing intro and soundtrack throughout.

[@BenPlaysGames]

It's easy to see why it was the demo mission, it's got a little bit of everything. That and Assault of the Control room will for me always be the two levels I think of when I think about the best examples of the Halo experience. They're both a great mix of short and long range combat with vehicles thrown in for variety.

[@leviathandrumming2175]

@@BenPlaysGames Easily chosen for the best beta gameplay. It was the best, and you got it on the dot for most of our opinions, my dude.

[@Zipperskull_]

Dude same, I love this level ALOT. The music made it memorable to me.

[@TheHiralis]

What if you could play it with up 15 other people in a multiplayer server?

[@zippo71111]

Can relate to this 100% The freedom along with the visuals at the time was almost mindblowing for me. I've always had a thing for tropical levels and it was at this time i wished for more open levels like this one where you can choose a different path from the start. The spv3 version wasn't bad either, especially on the surface. Not a fan of the halo 5 campaign but the warzone maps had a level similar to this in firefight and goes to show that they can make something good if they know what to do with it. If only the campaign used assets such as ai from warzone in the campaign and more of the locations from there, the game could've been much better.

[@markmulder9845]

No one ever: Halo: You are also equipped with the pistol in case you want to engage from long range.

[@BenPlaysGames]

So true! It's still one of my favourite weapons too, used to spend hours playing Hang Em High on pistols only with mates.

[@markmulder9845]

@@BenPlaysGames Damn. Thats sounds pretty fun! Me and my pals would do boarding action with magnums only. Not that we had much of a choice tho. XD

[@Thantazify]

@@BenPlaysGames thats actually what me and my cousin did. All the time! Hang 'em high, pistols and strafing around eachother in a circle. First to 25 kills.

[@A2goddess]

You could use a plasma pistol but people thinks it's useless but actually it's not.

[@machina5]

@@A2goddess It is useless compared to the Magnum

[@Kyotosomo]

Cool to see that this is the mission 343 is most looking to capture the spirit of in Halo Infinite

[@BenPlaysGames]

It's definitely the one to try and copy (and 343 Guilty Spark if the flood's gonna be included). Did they say that in an interview or?

[@A2goddess]

This is the mission that 343 industries is Targeting to make halo infinite free roam map. Fuck I'm Soo friggin intrigue about this game. I'm wanting to know when it's released but I hear that it's delayed into 2022. Silent cartographer is the mission's name.

[@flaskanbottle9250]

@@A2goddess december 8

[@A2goddess]

@@flaskanbottle9250 oh yeah so do uncharted for steam.

[@CLNCJD94]

Once you return to the surface at the end of the level, if you decide to drive a warthog back to the start you will see the group of marines you stormed the beach with have been killed. It’s a small detail but the radio chatter and the fact Foehammer doesn’t have any marines inside the pelican adds onto the fact events are happening outside of your control.

[@bonzwah1]

i played halo as a little kid and I remember experiencing so much frustration that I couldn't ever save all the marines.

[@CLNCJD94]

@OakTreesRX true, but you HAVE to return to that spot and discover that those marines are dead

[@Sir_Guardus]

@@CLNCJD94 they should have atleast added dead elites and grunts surrounding the marines like I’m talking a lot like in the flood missions

[@marksheen4873]

Yes but i used to basically double the level time to actually walk to the other warthogs, load them up with marines and keep putting them in that room down below and if you somewhat blocked the door with one warthog so the elite couldn’t get them, the marines would survive

[@creepymaster9584]

bro dont ever quit utube just found out about u and i am hooked mark my words u will break bad this year

[@BenPlaysGames]

Thanks so much mate, this feedback has made my day! And, fingers crossed!

[@RogueAkai]

Good video mate, definitely agree. Back when Official Xbox Magazine gave out demo discs every month, The Silent Cartographer was chosen to represent Halo CE. I think that was a good idea. The level feels like the whole game in microcosm, with it switching between open terrain/vehicle gameplay and the claustrophobic corridor sections. It really awed me as a wee lad and it felt light years ahead of the other FPSs I was playing at the time like Goldeneye, Quake, and Doom.

[@BenPlaysGames]

Agreed, it was a real gamechanger. It always impresses me how much quality it packed in, as it's not just the single player which is amazing, but also the split screen co-op and amazing multiplayer.

[@antsonseadoos1287]

You are literally the only person who parks the warthog in the middle of all the enemies and gets out to fight them on foot im kidding. love you cus you play in classic graphics

[@BenPlaysGames]

Ha, you gotta jump out for a dust up!

[@atoma8921]

I have a feeling this channel is gonna blow up big eventually.

[@BenPlaysGames]

Ha thanks dude, keep your fingers crossed for me!

[@georgethakur]

"Touchdown! HIT IT, MARINES!" Words that never left my ears the first time I played the Halo: CE demo I found on my first laptop at 10 years old. The goosebumps and spirit I felt haven't been topped yet.

[@ImTooSlippery]

I recently replayed halo ce’s campaign for the first time since like 2002 I’ve got to say it was a challenging but highly enjoyable experience my only real gripe is how often the game recycles the same areas or uses identical areas.

[@BenPlaysGames]

It can be a bit back and forward at times, especially when you go through the same level in two different directions!

[@sandman8993]

That used to bother me but now it doesn’t. Did you play on legendary? Because I think that’s where the games at it’s best.

[@thedeepfriar745]

@@sandman8993my brother and I beat Halo CE on legendary , the way god intended because Halo is better with a Player 2

[@ireneparkin3360]

Fun fact:- the warthog run in Halo 3 goes around a rocky formation where the Silent Cartographer would have been.

[@shortbusheros4]

Over the years I've garnered many fond memories of playing the Halo games, both online and in the campaign, but this is the only level that I still have vivid memories of playing for the first time almost 2 decades ago. It's THAT good!

[@BenPlaysGames]

Definitely one of the most iconic levels of all time - hopefully 343 can find some of that spark in Infinite!

[@Rosecain27]

Same :’)

[@cboelcke694]

This mission on Coop was a goddamn blast, esp getting the Warthog into all the areas it reeeally wasn't supposed to be. Both Hunter fights are much easier when you have a Warthog.

[@Headless_Bill]

And you can get on top of the level too!

[@Whoami691]

....y....you are aware a single pistol round to the squishy orange part of the hunter is an insta kill right?

[@taquito1561]

There's just something so fun, interesting and even stragely nostalgic about this level, it is also one of the best to play on split-screen co-op

[@BenPlaysGames]

Such a good level for coop! Same with Assault on the Control room which follows.

[@Headless_Bill]

Very fun on co-op. Due to the abundance of warthogs on this level, it's only a matter of time before warthog-jousting takes place. And with those Halo CE physics and indestructible human vehicles, it's a blast for the ages

[@Ursmoov]

This map is what made me fall in love with halo, when I was a kid I used to go over to my friend's house who had halo and I would always ask if we can play the beach level (I didn't know the name until I was much older) because it was so much fun. It's something about hopping off the ship and landing on the shoreline that just sucks me in every time. I am currently doing a legendary play-through and had a blast playing this level.

[@ColossalDave]

I think you're correct about this level. I always thought of Halo or Assault on the Control Room as my favourites as a kid but the points you've made are spot on.

[@ColossalDave]

10:08 it's right for the cutscene, literally unwatchable /s

[@BenPlaysGames]

Thanks man! I absolutely adore assault on the control room too - the moment when you go down the lift and then out into the first huge snowy area really is something else.

[@Pieetrr]

As a kid, after the beach assault i always took the warhog and went the opposite direction, from the very first playthrough. It was that gamer instinct that doesn't really belong in fps games but its more of an rpg thing, to make sure you havent missed something you go down the path that you feel its not the main progression route for the level. I always thought it was really nice that such behaviour was "rewarded" in this mission.

[@djstoneface999]

Great stuff Ben, one suggestion is that you do a great job of referring to the score and the importance of the music. Not sure if copyright allows it, would be great to cut in a few moments of music when you highlight it. Also, would provide listeners with an auditory break from the VoiceOver which is steady throughout. Awesome video and great nostalgia. I remember loving this level as it was the one campaign level provided in the demo. Played it hundreds of times!

[@BenPlaysGames]

Cheers Edward! And that's a great idea, I'll figure out a way of better highlighting music I mention going forward. I'd actually played the game on Xbox already by the time the PC demo released, but still played it a ton as I was so excited to be able to play CE using a mouse and keyboard! Oh and to play pistols and snipers only online on Hang 'Em High.

[@jimmym9967]

Really good point about the brief during the opening cutscene, cortanas straight to the point style really helps for first time players

[@BenPlaysGames]

Thanks mate! Level's full of nice little touches like that, one of the reasons, for me, Halo Combat Evolved is the best the series has to offer.

[@lordcydonia4924]

This one for me has so many memories. Having never heard of Halo as a very young teenager, but playing this demo made me a Halo fan forever.

[@Usernamehear]

It’s been a long time sins I played halo but man it still looks good maybe it’s nostalgic but man the explosions on the sand just looks cool to me

[@BenPlaysGames]

I still love it just as much as the day it released, 20 years later and it's still amazing.

[@dougbrown04]

I'll never forget rounding that corner in the year 2000 seeing hunters for the 1st time and saying "wtf are those!".

[@JoshSweetvale]

And then it shoots a ball of green at you.

[@witherwolf3316]

Every time I hit the beach with the marines with the theme in the background feels the best. I also like how the levels in CE feel smaller, but denser and more connected. Replaying through Halo 4 it was just a long linear path, from point to point through areas that felt the same as the rest. I honestly can't remember the majority of the setpieces of those levels because the path is so incredibly narrow and laser-focused on getting to the next marker that all that comes to mind is geometry. But I can distinctly remember the unique intricacies of so many settings from the Bungie games.

[@cold_chili3356]

Has there always been that white bar along the horizon?? I don't seem to remember that! Great video, by the way!

[@BenPlaysGames]

Never actually noticed that but gotta be a glitch right?

[@cold_chili3356]

@@BenPlaysGames Well I looked up more videos of Silent Cartographer and they all seem to have it! I'm surprised I never noticed it before!

[@ac-140]

Before even watching a second of this Vid. Yes, yes it absolutely is the best halo Co-op or even fps Co-op game EVERRRR

[@BenPlaysGames]

Best coop game ever indeed, spent so many hours playing it back in the day.

[@zynel413]

The Silent Cartographer is the "While My Guitar Gently Weeps" of FPS game design imo. Great song/level with 3 distinct areas in it.

[@BenPlaysGames]

That is an amazing way of describing it, Zynel!

[@danteaghoulfromspace2996]

it was probably not intended this way, but in the cutscenes you see "y skip" and i really like that because it's like the game is asking you "why skip? i got great cutscenes" also ive seen a couple of your videos, theyre really good!

[@BenPlaysGames]

Ha that's funny, never thought of it that way - and thanks for the awesome feedback Dante!

[@26six]

Also if you go back to where the marines stayed before you get on the pelican, you see that they all died too.

[@BenPlaysGames]

Good spot! Did not realise that.

[@no-barknoonan1335]

I tried as a kid to save them. The only way I found to save them, was to put them in a warthog and hide them in the tunnel to the side of the entrance of the main facility. You can put them on warthogs and hide them there, when you come out they survive. Perhaps that implies the covenant never found them? Sadly you can't bring them on the pelican with you.

[@Patchoo]

As a 6 year old, it took me over a week to get through this level. Encountering the first 2 hunters scared me so much that I had to get my uncle to help me out lol. Only later found out about their weakness, which then made me so jaded fighting them lmfao

[@CoffeeCrowgasm]

If you want an extra challenge, sneak your way down to the cartographer, then fight all the new enemies and the ones you left over on the way back up lol

[@Cheezmonka]

Recently discovered your channel. Very solid stuff all around

[@BenPlaysGames]

Cheers dude, appreciate that! Apologies this is particularly old video from when I was still learning the ropes, hence the dodgy quality voiceover etc. Newer videos are more polished, promise haha.

[@Cheezmonka]

@@BenPlaysGames Yeah, the first vid of yours that I watched was your recent one about The Library from CE, and you've absolutely made huge progress as a creator bewteen this vid and that one.

[@benmontey3438]

Personally, despite popular belief, I've always favored Assault on the Control Room. I've never understood why this level is favored by many. That said, thanks for explaining it. I still favor AOTCR but now I understand y'all a bit better.

[@BenPlaysGames]

I love Assault on the Control Room too, the big open battles are amazing. To be honest, there's not really any bad missions in Combat Evolved's first half.

[@Rosecain27]

For me it’s just how incredibly memorable that initial beach firefight is

[@theia1653]

Silent Cartographer was the first level that had highly ornate Forerunner structure designs. It's like a church, it's beautiful yet ominous, and you can almost imagine where pews would be in the entrance to the map room structure before you go down the ramp into the shaft but the partitioned walls are likely meant to be used as cover against "something". And the esoteric murals and glyphs. Even before the Flood, you can just feel something's not right.

[@BaronLickilicky]

Fantastic analysis of the level. You really went into a lot of detail. 'Silent Cartographer' is, in my option, the best level in any Halo game. The mix of settings, feeling of different genres as you progress, and the option to play the level out of order give it so much replayability. As a kid I just loved driving the Warthog around on the beach (＾∇＾)

[@BenPlaysGames]

Nice one Baron! I have such a hard time deciding between my favourite (although Silent Cartographer and 343 Guilty Spark are the prime candidates), but there is something very special about this one. Just watched this video and may well redo it at some point in the near-ish future, the audio quality is pretty shocking and hadn't quite got the cadence of my speech right either 😂

[@BaronLickilicky]

@@BenPlaysGames Thanks for your reply! The audio and editing seemed fine to me, haha! You've got a great style - hopefully more people will discover your fantastic channel (as I recently did). Keep it up!

[@BenPlaysGames]

@@BaronLickilicky No worries dude and thanks again for the kind words mate!

[@stefanlazarevic5995]

11:55 my first time was like doing bungee jumping while fearing to look from 1st floor down

[@Alpha-5]

The sword elite did scare me for a split second until it died. I just so happened to park my warthog and trusty gunner Steve at the other end of the corridor.

[@jimmy12347654]

By far my favourite level of the whole series

[@djmustang000]

Fun to think this level was the level for the game's Demo back in the days.

[@BenPlaysGames]

Perfect demo level I reckon, it's got a little bit of everything that makes the game so special.

[@O6i]

I had a mod of this entire map as a custom game map made by a guy named sword. We made a battle royal game type on it and played it endlessly

[@aidangriffiths5075]

I fucking LOVED this level haha

[@BenPlaysGames]

Me too Aidan, ridiculously good mission!

[@warlordgank1318]

the way, you talk, hu-urts, my brain.

[@BenPlaysGames]

I really struggled with talking into the mic when I first started, find it hard to watch some of the earlier videos back now I've improved. If you check out some of the newer vids, I promise it's (hopefully) a lot better now!

[@warlordgank1318]

​@@BenPlaysGames Your newer videos are good. This one was really noticeable is all.

[@ItsDaKoolaidDude]

I've *_NEVER_* seen the fight on the beach continue, more often than not all the marines cleared that place out and was just waiting for base building material

[@bamlett5352]

Awsome video man

[@BenPlaysGames]

Thanks Dan, really appreciate it!

[@BoulderPunch]

This level is so iconic it has its very own wikipedia page. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Silent_Cartographer

[@BenPlaysGames]

Didn't realise it was going to be in the film, would have loved to have seen that!

[@nessx007]

Your intonation is mesmerizing

[@BenPlaysGames]

Thanks nessx, that's really kind of you to say!

[@BenPlaysGames]

I also just watched your Balamb Garden video - it's wonderful!

[@nessx007]

@@BenPlaysGames oh wow thank you! I recorded that loooong ago, much appreciated

[@alecgarcia963]

Fantastic video my guy

[@BenPlaysGames]

Thanks Satsuma!

[@bigbobwalker5527]

on this level after the first fight when you get the warthog i used to always drive the marines to the area you normally to next and let them out and when you get back and the hunters have spawned the marines will be fighting them its even better if you leave them a warthog for the turret its possible to give them both warthogs if you don't mind walking around the island!

[@YRTLOPEZ]

Imo the pillar of autumn, assault on the control room, and the maw were my favorite levels growing up and playing halo CE all the time, those 3 were the best for me and coincidentally they are the beginning, middle, and end of my favorite halo game and as I grow up 343 guilty spark has become probably one of my favorites too and I would say that those 4 are the best of the game and some of the best in the entire franchise but I do agree with you on how good the silent cartographer is especially with the guitar halo theme underground. That was the fuckin best💯👌

[@BenPlaysGames]

My favourite Halo campaign is still Combat Evolved, there's so many strong levels in it, even if there are also a few stinkers!

[@YRTLOPEZ]

Ben Plays Games yea if I had to pick the worst levels I’d probably pick the library and two betrayals, but even with that no other game in history will ever be better in my humble opinion, and love your halo vids bro, especially the 343 guilty spark horror video, 10/10 vid and really got a good channel going on here

[@NobodyInParticular...]

Assault on the control room was my favourite

[@DoriansPortrait]

Assault.....on....the.....control.....room and The Two Betrayals. Big map, lots of Covenant, The one map you get the Scorpion, introduction to my favorite vehicles of all time. (The Wraith), not to mention you get its dark sister The Two Betrayals later minus the tank but everything else plus the flood and sentinels.

[@thenkk4914]

My first experience with halo was 343 guilty spark on legendary. I was 7 and my brother bet his console I couldn't beat it. I died to the grunts that were running away and was sad I didn't get to play more.

[@dawsonjenkins4403]

The level is good but I feel like there are a few moments in the level that could be changed a bit like the opening objective which is the clear the landing beach but that only takes up to 2 or 3 minutes they could've made it a bit more challenging add hunters or wraiths to the battle when you go back to main structure to find the silent cartographer there are not as many enemies on the way down compared to making your way back up they just have some enemies in the wrong places

[@Nomorehats]

great review! Very entertaining!

[@BenPlaysGames]

Cheers mate!

[@freakydeaky1435]

the graphics are still extraordinarily good in my opinion for the time in which the game was released. Absolutely mental to think that this is a 20 year old game. The AI also still looks fine, which again is crazy given how long ago it was.

[@BenPlaysGames]

AI was pretty much the best in the business at the time, agree it still holds up remarkably well!

[@KhoaLe-uc2ny]

Every beach landing is amazing

[@BenPlaysGames]

Definitely, not a bad one among them honestly. Here's hoping for another in Infinite!

[@ngreen2013]

great vid dude

[@BenPlaysGames]

Cheers mate, much appreciated!

[@cghern75]

Another great video, Sir. 👍👍👍

[@BenPlaysGames]

Cheers for watching Carlos mate!

[@cghern75]

@@BenPlaysGames A final thought, Sir... Isn't it impressive how well all the AI (friend & foe) were done, even almost 20 years ago? The soldiers actually help MC, in all aspects of the game, like shooting, running, and driving. The enemies were spot on also. Bungie did really great early on!

[@Zipperskull_]

One of my favorite levels 😍

[@BenPlaysGames]

Mine too Zipper!

[@rm25088]

the only thing i have always found weird about CE is the 1 shot hunter kill. other than that i love the game.

[@stefanlazarevic5995]

10:12 turn right ? It was always right

[@26six]

I hope halo infinite brings back these kind of battles I loved going in war with all the marines

[@BenPlaysGames]

Me too mate, the larger the scale the better!

[@Owen902]

I'm a year to late, but after you get into the locked door you actually take a RIGHT to get the little rocking kicking cut scene not left like you stated in the video 😉

[@freemangrist]

Love talking about how daunting the second pair of hunters is while downing them with two side steps and two shots of a pistol haha

[@sproge2142]

Christ that one shot kill on the hunters with the pistol 😂 What difficulties can you do that on?

[@brd5964]

all difficulties

[@A2goddess]

I hope halo infinite has this kind of mission. But the plasma pistol is OP.

[@Wistbacka]

I don't know... I never fancied this mission. The beginning with the assault on the beach is epic, but the rest I was never a fan of. The narrow corridors and tunnels was just annoying. I never enjoyed this map. My favorite levels were always assault on the control room and two betrayals 😂. Followed by keys and the maw After listening to you, I do admit the first part of this mission is beautiful with all its multiple choice ways to approach this level and the order you can do things. I don't think any other level in the entire series does this. I just wish the corridor sections in this map weren't so tedious, and that there would be more story told here.

[@tupacshakur5868]

The AR is not really specifically for close combat, tap fire has super high range and close to no real bullet spread

[@torinjones3221]

Silent cartographer is the best halo level ever from all the games even the 343 ones

[@BenPlaysGames]

Can't argue much with that mate!

[@samtheweebo]

Yes

[@BenPlaysGames]

Maybe.

[@yumengliu8347]

Same. Silent carto is the best for me followed by two betrayals

[@BenPlaysGames]

Combat Evolved has so many good levels, I could honestly play most of them (not you, Keyes) for hours and never get bored!

[@s0n4r89]

Hot take here, but I think two betrayals is the second worst level (library being the worst)

[@kodiredhawk]

how the hell did the sword elite show up at the near end of the level for you? it's scripted to be in your way as you head down to get to the mini cutscene above the chasm. it should be impossible to miss

[@BenPlaysGames]

Are you sure mate? He has always turned up for me when you head back up to the door at the very end of the level, I've never seen him prior to/during the journey further inside.

[@jb-cw7mx]

Imagine playing on legendary from the start of Halo and never experiencing anything else through the halo games.

[@Andernol]

There's a reason they made it the demo level for Halo CE.

[@MrPs391]

I played this level atleast 99999 times as a kid

[@marksheen4873]

It can’t be the best because it’s just too short. If it was longer it would be the best halo level of all games period

[@bricecate]

Not sure if its the best level, but I've put more hours into this level than almost any other game.

[@nochillwill4667]

Simple, THIS WAS THE PART OF THE GAME BUNGIE PUT IN THE DEMO. Demos are a games moment to put its best foot forward and CE picked this...

[@Dustweaver]

Halo's best level is obviously the Library.

[@BenPlaysGames]

I have a video featuring my views on that! I'm not a huge fan personally, but I've had a lot of people say they really enjoy it.

[@markusmitchell8585]

This level was the demo

[@BenPlaysGames]

Best. Demo. Ever.

[@Liam01-02]

Hunters aren't hard to kill.

[@BenPlaysGames]

Definitely not, but I like the way the level uses them in different scenarios to ramp up the difficulty during the level. Such a shame they removed the one hit kill in later games, always really enjoyed doing it.

[@Liam01-02]

@@BenPlaysGames I think it's better.

[@wok.4859]

Def not lol but honestly i cant decide my favorite

[@BenPlaysGames]

It's got to be 343 Guilty Spark for me I think, such a memorable level!

[@wok.4859]

@@BenPlaysGames that shit was scary lmao if i had to pick one itd prolly b the maw or halo

[@pinkypriyadharshinichittib1110]

Simply put "it is the best level"

[@BenPlaysGames]

Can't argue with that!

[@elchasqui6986]

The newsreader voice is so overdone I couldn't watch more than a couple of minutes.

[@BenPlaysGames]

Ha sorry about that mate, it was an issue I had when I started out due to my struggles speaking slowly! If you check out some of my more recent efforts (although you by no means have to!), fingers crossed you'll find something of an improvement.

[@kanaka118446]

@@BenPlaysGames I was going to try to write a respectful yet unwarranted comment about your narration, with the tone and pacing of which you deliver your lines. In this video it feels very robotic and the changes in octave are very noticeable and the patterns are a tad distracting. Of course I mean no offense, I can barely speak English and it is my native language. I will check out some of your newer content after I write this comment to see if it has changed. Good content regardless

[@BenPlaysGames]

@@kanaka118446 Haha no worries man - check out my more recent videos and hopefully you'll notice a big improvement!

[@ernestopoisota9918]

great video dude!!!!!!

[@BenPlaysGames]

Cheers Draco mate!