Halo:Reach Review

Prologue: Ok before I begin this review I think the reader would benefit to hear from my history with the Halo series. When I was much younger a friend brought over a behemoth of a console over call and Xbox. My friend working at local video game store said it was the latest console by Microsoft at he just picked it up. The games he acquired were Fusion Frenzy a fun party game very similar to the Mario party series. Dead or Alive 3 was also there which pretty much had giggle physics as its selling point. Then there was Halo: Combat Evolved.

A good-looking FPS, that had an epic soundtrack. At first touch it felt different, tighter and better handling than any first person game prior. We soon had it hooked to two TVs for an old school system link. And for about two years this game would be played practically every Saturday till 5 in the morning. Fast forward a couple of years later and Halo 2 was all set to come out. I paid of my preorder and waited for the day, and noted it fell on a school day. I then promptly told my parents I’m staying home to play Halo 2 and that is final. They agreed after many a begging and on that fateful November day I played for a solid 14 hours, only to stop for a quick squirt.

Now we move to 2008 and Halo 3 was on the horizon. I was primed to buy it but felt that it would detrimental to work and school. Alas I threw caution to the wind and acquired Halo 3. On playing I found the obsession was still there. But something was different, off one might say. Almost as if I no longer had the heart for the game or perhaps I had grew too old for it. So after playing it for a couple of months it was retired to my shelf. Halo wars and ODST passed by with me hardly batting an eyelash.

Review

So one thinks everyone has to know is that Halo: Reach isn’t going to convert any non-Halo players. This game was made for Halo fans, and it’s great for that reason. The campaign is masterful in its level design, a culmination of 10 years of making some of the most successful games of all time. You won’t find yourself running through carbon copy room or moving through large landscapes aimlessly. Each level has its own distinctive theme and the flow and build up to each firefight is crafted expertly.

The story has you playing as Noble 6 a member of Noble team a group of Spartans that are tasked with defending the last stronghold of Planet Reach from the Covenant. Before you know it the Covenant are swarming and any knowledge of the Halo universe shows that Reach is meant to fall and all you can do is go along for the ride. Fighting alongside these fellow Spartans is a welcomed change from the cannon fodder marine of past games. Also it helps that they are fleshed somewhat to make you care about your computer controlled friends. Great voice work and no heavy-handed melodrama make’s this story wise the best Halo yet.

There is some armor abilities included in the game that is great for game changing events. Theses abilities are rechargeable and can really help change the flow of the fight depending on which one you have on.

Active Camo – It turns you invisible for a short period of time.

Armor Lock-up – Leaves you invulnerable but immovable for a few short seconds

Drop Shield – Drops a shield bubble similar to the shield grenade of Halo 3

Hologram – A copy of you is made that will take fire so you can flank your enemy

Jetpack – Lets you jump to far off distances for quick spurts.

Sprint – the answer to the Modern Warfare sprint lets you get the jump on enemies.

The campaign can be cleared between 6 to 10 hours depending on your level of competency. The enemy A.I is sharpened to be more aggressive and advance ground or to dig in deep when you’re wiping them out. Some of the cinematic take a node form half-life by having the action all given to you through the first person. A nice touches though not very original. At one point you are given control of a human ship and take on a couple waves of covenant ships. The change of pace was interesting but all together meaningless, as it held no reason aside from variation. The campaign is exciting the entire way through till you get to a somewhat lacking ending, but all I have to say is wait till after the credits and you won’t be disappointed.

The real meat of the game lies in the Forge world and Multiplayer. Forge world has been revamped so you can create any type of variation within your imagination, you can even tinker with game types like firefight in this setting. The level of detail in this editor makes Halo 3-forge look like a babies toy in comparison. Multiplayer has been given the massive overhaul, as every game type is available as well as a decent bunch of maps. IF you have ever enjoyed the Halo online experience this will pull you right back in. My personnel favorite is Firefight a mode where you and friends hold of a fixed position against waves of increasingly difficult covenant attackers. It’s a great romp that will truly test your skill and its balls to the wall fun.

Bungie has crafted a great game to end of this franchise, with a great campaign and a beefy multiplayer as well as forge world. This game is a value in itself of anyone that has enjoyed Halo in the past. A love letter for all Halo fans.

9/10