Burford of Kotaku called the level "superb", with a "constant sense that you're making progress as you play through the level". Lehto stated that "the Forerunner visual language didn't really come together for me until I worked on the level that became 'The Silent Cartographer' in Halo - the 'beach landing' level". The level was also used for early demonstrations of the game. Īccording to The Art of Halo, The Silent Cartographer was used to test aspects of the game while they were in development, such as lighting, visibility, objects and effects. The multiple paths and wide-open areas featured in the level's design forced the team to design missions that did not have to be done in a linear order. However, the fact that the Warthog was so "fun" to drive led the team to change the game's genre, making it an action game. The level was created while Halo was still being planned as a real-time strategy game, and was designed with wide-open spaces that were conducive to such gameplay. The level design was inspired by the environment of the Pacific NorthwestĪccording to Marcus Lehto, the art director of Halo: Combat Evolved, The Silent Cartographer's design was first inspired by the "amazing beauty" of the Pacific Northwest, when Bungie and its developers moved to Seattle after Microsoft acquired the studio in June 2000. When this is complete, they are evacuated via Pelican. There, the player must fight their way to the Cartographer and past a powerful sword-wielding Elite and their other squad members. Getting in a new Warthog, the player unlocks the previously sealed door and enters an interior area with more vertical combat. Following this, the player retrieves a rocket launcher from a downed Pelican. Following the player's unlocking of the door, they are also forced to contend with Covenant Elites equipped with active camouflage.
The aliens lock the door of a Forerunner facility, forcing the player back down the beach to find the unlocking system, guarded by a type of powerful Covenant known as Hunters. The player is encouraged to drive further down the beach, where they fight more aliens who have been dropped off by their own ship. After eliminating a group of hostile aliens, Foehammer drops a Warthog jeep for the player to ride. The enemies are too far away to hit effectively, forcing the player to charge up the beach and into the battle. After Master Chief and his fellow Marines touch down on the beach, combat immediately begins against the enemy Covenant.
The player, in the role of Master Chief, starts out flying towards an island on a Pelican dropship, piloted by the character Foehammer. It was also an important aspect of Halo 's development, crystallizing the decisions of the development team on the game's genre and visual design language. Called one of the most iconic levels in the Halo series, and one of the best FPS levels of all time, it is credited as a genre-defining level that changed how such levels would be designed in future games from linear, corridor-heavy designs to open spaces emphasizing player freedom. The level has received critical praise for its visuals and level design, as well as its use of vehicles to enhance gameplay. Taking place on the Halo ringworld, it follows the Master Chief and a group of UNSC Marines as they wage a daytime beachfront assault on the Covenant alien race in search of an ancient Forerunner installation known as The Silent Cartographer.
" The Silent Cartographer" is the fourth level in the first-person shooter (FPS) video game Halo: Combat Evolved. The Silent Cartographer in its remastered Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary incarnation.