The Halo franchise is one that gamers absolutely adore. It made Bill Gates little Xbox gaming console grow some legs and run off with one of the most influential titles to ever come to console gaming. The memories of the single player mode blasting Covenant aliens as Master Chief are embedded in the minds of many. For others, Halo’s lauded multiplayer was their vice during high school and college where long nights of studying were capped off with a few rounds of death match. Personally, I have enjoyed Halo but haven’t been the fanatic that many have become over the title. But after playing through the prequel to all of the Halo madness, I must say that I’m hooked and completely understand the adoration for the title. The game is one of the finest titles to be released in a calendar year that has featured some monster titles. It’s the Halo that you are familiar with, but covered in a distinct gloss that enhances the game’s complete package.
Halo: Reach is devoid of long time protagonist Master Chief. Here, gamers will take control of Noble 6, a nameless and customizable hero who is part of a squad of Spartans known as the Noble Team who embark on a suicide mission to protect the human race. Without giving too much away, Halo: Reach is a very grim tale that proceeds the events in the Halo trilogy. The squad of Spartans and their story is quite engaging as each of the Noble Team members have a unique personality and all come to grips with their mission being one they will probably not live through. If you are familiar with the Halo story, the events that take place are that much more significant. However, if you’ve never played a Halo title, you won’t find yourself as a fish out of water when trying to wrap your head around the narrative.
The mechanics of Halo: Reach are quite familiar for those who have played the game. But that doesn’t mean that it doesn’t add a few wrinkles to keep things fresh. The large battlefields filled with aliens and Spartans blasting each other into oblivion are present. But it gets a kick in the rear when you are side by side with fellow Noble Team members as you shoot your way to survival. Halo has always been known for it’s great vehicles. This time there are an even wider variety of vehicles for you to command. The amazing space and helicopter missions are sure to stick into the minds of anyone who grips the controller. Remember these things before you play: jet packs, armor abilities and deep space. Simply put, Halo: Reach is Halo enhanced in every aspect.
The single player mode is a thrill. What starts out as a relatively normal first person shootout escalates into some mind blowing set pieces that are worthy of many, many “wow” moments. Just when you thought that Halo couldn’t trump itself, Reach features some levels that are worth playing over and over again for their sheer innovation to the series.¬† The campaign – which must be played on “Heroic” to get the full experience – should take a decent gamer 10-12 hours to finish. Halo buffs might slam through it in 8-10. But even after the final credits roll and the last sequence leaves your jaw agape, there is the good old multiplayer to keep you playing well into 2011.
For many, the campaign probably won’t be played for several weeks because of the robust multiplayer experience. The common multiplayer competitive matches are present, but with all of the new toys at your disposal, Halo: Reach’s multiplayer is one that gamers will most certainly pour hours of their lives into. Playing a big team game of headhunters is enhanced when you have the ability to fly around the massive maps with jet packs. There’s not much that can be said until you actually play it online. It’s familiar but expanded to a degree where you’ll be just as engaged as you were when you first picked up Halo on the Xbox. Not to mention that everything you do earns credits that allow you to customize your character to your liking. Different helmets, armor, colors and various other customizable parts are at your disposal to make your Spartan look different from all the others in the Halo online universe. Daily and weekly challenges created by the crew at Bungie will also keep players on their toes as they compete in numerous challenges.
There’s also co-op modes like the campaign and firefight that are just additional cherries on top of cherries that make this game one hell of a ride from beginning to end.
Halo: Reach is a fantastic game that lives up to and exceeds the hype since the title was announced some time ago. Everything you could possibly want in a first person shooter is present. A great story, excellent multiplayer and numerous other enhancements make Halo: Reach the best title in the franchise. It’s certainly a game that shouldn’t be missed.
Pros
- Excellent Narrative
- Multiplayer is incredibly robust and sure to steal months away from people’s lives
- Graphics are top notch
Cons
- This is Bungie’s last Halo title
- A few frame rate issues
Rating: 4.75 out of 5
