Halo: Reach is the newest installment to the otherwise loved Halo series. According to fans it is probably the worst as well. Regardless of the story mode the game-play is overall slow and inaccurate. Whatever the flaws, the game has one of the best story modes in the series.
Halo: Reach follows a Noble Team which is a six man operational unit in a war against the Covenant. Instead of taking the form of Spartan 117 the player now assumes the role of a new character Spartan-B312. The Noble Six will ultimately attempt to defend Reach. Players will also visit different areas of the campaign that depict actual maps from the game, except they are extended versions. Some of these extended maps include Boardwalk, and ONI Sword Base. The plot of the series lies behind a squad controlled by Colonel Urban Holland who at first investigate the scene of a sudden wreckage. It is then identified that it was the works of the Covenant. The Covenant then begin their assault and begin to terrorize the planet as the UNSC begins their mission to take down the Covenant forces.
In the Sword Base arena Halsey shows them an ancient artifact which is believed to help the Nobles win the war. Two of the members (Carter and Emile) hold this artifact otherwise known as Cortana, and attempt to take it to The Pillar of Autumn. Unfortunately, a charge is detonated and the artifact is completely destroyed along with the information that will lead to their war victory. During the mission some of the Noble Six characters do not make it to the end.
The game then takes you to the Autumn dry dock level where Carter is unfortunately killed by a fatal Banshee wound. However, Emile and Noble Six live safely when they slide of a Pelican. After a fight off they eventually encounter one of the deadliest Covenant forces the Scarab, which in most installments of the series attempt to kill the Spartans. After Carter’s sacrifices Emile and Noble Six reach the ship breaking yards.
The gameplay of Halo: Reach is somewhat questionable. The HUD is somewhat better adding an extra life bar and a better range of motion. One of the best installment is probably the addition of Armor Abilities which allow a wide range of different kinds of motions including jetpacking, evade, and the famous sprint. One of Halo: Reach’s best additions is probably the addition of the M6G Magnum. It has a higher rate of fire than the C.E Pistol, however with the cost of doing less damage. Another addition from Halo 3 to Halo: Reach is the ability to be able to customize your characters armor. You can chose from a wide variety of helmets, chest plates, and even armor effects. Both multiplayer characters have different customizable traits from Elites to Spartans. The Halo: Reach campaign is definately an exciting one. It even features some outer space combat and there’s even a map where you can lift and battle with no gravity.
The end of the game then depicts the opening scene of Halo: Combat Evolved. At the end of the series Noble Six is in danger when he is surrounded by a group of unbeatable elites. At the end his shattered helmet is all that remains. In fact if you notice during the opening scenes of the game you can see the helmet imprint on the ground.