Halo Nightfall Elite: A Bittersweet Conclusion

In the thrilling conclusion to Halo Nightfall, a poignant scene unfolded as Aiken detonated the bomb, sealing his own fate and presumably ending his life on the dying world of Alpha Shard. As the joint Sedran/ONI mission seemingly succeeded, the focus shifted from the larger implications of the Sangheili terrorist attack to the immediate struggle for survival.

While I had hoped for a deeper exploration of Aiken's backstory and motivations, his final monologue provided some insight into his character. We saw a man who found meaning in his humble Sedran life, rather than as an elite super-soldier. Unfortunately, it appears that we may never learn more about Aiken's time as a Spartan or why he was allowed to leave the program.

The sacrifice of Aiken is disappointing, given the richness of his unexplored background. However, Steven Waddington shone in his role, bringing depth and emotion to Aiken's character as he reflected on years of hardship and made the tough decision about who would live or die. The manipulation of drawing straws to ensure his own demise was a clever touch.

The finale handled its emotional weight well, leaving me hopeful that Agent Locke will fare better in Halo 5. While the writing and Mike Colter's performance haven't fully won me over, Aiken's fate seemed inevitable from the start. The emphasis on Nightfall as the debut of Agent Locke ahead of his appearance in Halo 5 was understandable, but it meant that surprises were few and far between.

As Ramos and Horrigan struggled to survive alongside their captive smuggler, the tension mounted in 'Devil Take the Hindmost' as two factions fought for the escape craft. Ultimately, Aiken's sacrifice allowed Locke and Macer to escape, setting the stage for the next installment of the Halo saga.

Halo nightfall elite