Photo by:
After a three-year absence from the gaming industry, the Spartans have returned with Bungie’s latest release “Halo: Reach.”
There has been much speculation and anticipation surrounding the new “Halo” that it is difficult for gamers to know exactly what to expect. However, for better or worse, Bungie has spent the last three years revamping “Halo” gameplay.
“Halo: Reach” is not just a redub of the ever-popular “Halo 3.” Instead “Reach” plays and feels like a completely different game, especially online, where many people will spend the brunt of their gameplay hours.
The major differences between “Halo 3” and “Reach” include an entirely redefined online gaming experience that has elements of “Call of Duty” and “Borderlands” within it. It certainly is a much faster-paced game than its predecessor.
The long, drawn out battle rifle skirmishes, the staple of “Halo 3,” have been replaced with lightning quick engagements that feel more like “Call of Duty” than “Halo.”
In fact, the semi-automatic spray of the BR battles has been completely replaced with the one-shot accuracy of the designated marksman rifle.
Power-ups and equipment on the map also have been replaced with a pre-defined gear option at the beginning of every spawn.
Gamers can now choose whether they want to start with an assault rifle, a shotgun or a DMR that also comes with unique power-up options such as sprinting, jet-packing or a few seconds of invincibility.
The physics of the game also have changed grenades are thrown much faster and are much more erratic. Spartans are not able to jump as high and health appears to dissipate much quicker.
There also are a few new gaming modes such as firefight, which is fun to play with your friends and rack up large numbers of killing sprees on Covenant troops.
The campaign feels and plays the same as it always has in “Halo,” and the storyline is interesting and gripping as usual.
The graphics in the campaign are improved, and the variation of enemies that gamers will face has grown considerably.
Unfortunately, the graphics appear different in the online experience and seem more arcade-ish and cartoony.
