First Impressions – Halo: Reach
Halo: Reach - out today - is to be the last Halo game made by Bungie, the game studio that created the series.
And what a way to go out. After last year's introverted Halo 3: ODST, Halo: Reach is an extroverted and bombastic end to the Bungie years.
In many ways it's a 'best of Halo' - focused exclusively on the epic battles against the Covenant alien forces that made the series so popular (the Flood are noticeable by their absence).
The solo campaign is a prequel to the first Halo game. It tells the story of how the human-populated planet of Reach was invaded by the Covenant and building up to the events in Halo: Combat Evolved.
And it's great. Yes it does stick to the Halo formula and offers little in the way of innovation, but when your formula is this good why stray from the template?
Then there’s the multiplayer options, the culmination of Bungie's efforts to create the ultimate online gaming experience. With so many options to choose from, there's little doubt people will still be playing Halo: Reach long after completing the solo missions.
A triumphant exit for Bungie then and a reminder to the studio that will inherit the series of just how high a bar they will need to reach.
Comments
Drunken Max
2 years ago
I think the physics of movement are pretty crap. When you have games like COD / MW about, this is a bit crappy graphically. The graphic quality hasn't moved on at all. In fact, it seemed to be a bit worse than the last one. The rendered scenes are great but the game play graphics are average at best. I've not played online yet but it seems like more of an add-on to the last episode. ODST was better although not without its faults either.
The_Corporal
2 years ago
Personally the graphics don't bother me, not that they are bad. Its all about the gameplay for me and online is a complete improvement in every way. Its not a campers paradise like mw2 our a complete borefest like bc2 played it for a good few hours round a mates house yesterday and thoroughly enjoyed it. Especially jet pack duels.
Ttreb
2 years ago
It's on my Xmas wish list, along with a new XBox. Lets hope the missus gets the hint.
Drunken Max
2 years ago
Well the more I get into the campaign, the more I'm enjoying it. It has a bit more narrative. Having read the Fall of Reach book as well helps as I identify with the characters
The_Corporal
2 years ago
@ Ttreb, avoid the 4GB model otherwise you won't be able to play some aspects of the multiplayer, that require the HDD. In rather underhanded move by MS it doesn't state this on the game box.
Drunken Max
2 years ago
Further to the Corporal, the new Xbox 360 is not compatible with the original 360 disk drive.