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If a couple days ago we’ve seen the Noble Team in action via GTTV’s interview with Bungie, now it’s G4TV’s Hands On that shows us some new and exciting Halo: Reach campaign gameplay. Adams Sessler from G4TV sits with Marcus Lehto, Bungie’s Creative Director, and talks about the developer’s latest entry in Halo’s universe.
Exciting Halo: Reach Gameplay Footage Shown in G4TV's Hands On In the first part of the Halo: Reach Hands On Preview, Marcus and Adam discuss some interesting things about Halo: Reach’s bigger environments, new weapons and modes and redeveloped Artificial Intelligence.
Halo Reach The Most Anticipated Game of 2010
As it was obvious from all the Halo: Reach gameplay videos and trailers we’ve seen so far, Reach is the first game in the series that gives the feeling that players are really participating to an epic battle. One of the focuses for Halo: Reach was to have more characters out on the battlefield than in any other game that Bungie ever created. Marcus Lehto says that it was an opportunity for the developer to express just how epic the battle against Covennant is, by showing what’s going on not only in the player’s immediate gameplay zone but battles that are happening in other parts of the planet or just over the horizon (MAG deja-vu anyone?).
In this new Halo: Reach gameplay footage (scroll at the end of the article) we can see one of the new weapons in action – the grenade launcher with its EMP alternate fire mode. The EMP fire mode is especially interesting since Marcus says that it will allow players to disable and eventually board Covenant Wraiths and Banshees.
Halo: Reach reintroduces the Covenant Elites from Halo: Combat Evolved as a formidable enemy. These enemies have a completely redesigned AI that brings a new sense of intelligence to their character.
Will the Banshee be boardable in Halo: Reach? It seems like it.
Will the Banshee be boardable in Halo: Reach? It seems like it.
In the second part of the Halo: Reach Hands On, Adam asks Marcus about Reach’s graphical engine, the Co-Op mode, story, customization and other cool stuff.
Again, as evidenced by the Halo: Reach gameplay videos we’ve seen, the game has suffered a huge graphical overhaul. One of Bungie’s goals in Reach was to create much bigger environments than ever before. So in order to accomplish this, most the game’s engine was completely redesigned.
Regarding the story, Bungie’s creative director says that, initially, the Noble Team is sent to investigate why a military group has disappeared. So their job is to understand what happened and to deal with whatever caused this problem. More about the Noble Team can be found out in the Halo: Reach A Spartan Will Rise Trailer.
Banshee
With regards to character customization, Bungie has taken the limited possibilities that were present in Halo 3 and really expanded them (there are now lots of helmet customizations as well as chest, armor, forearm, thighs, knee pads and stuff like that). Also players will be able to choose the gender of their character so, if a woman Spartan is more to your liking, you can have it your way. What is also pretty cool is that the customizations that you’ve done to your avatar are completely mirrored over the course of the whole game and also in the cinematics.
It’s also great to know that the team has handpicked the aspects that worked great in all Halo games, from Combat Evolced to ODST, and polished them even further in Halo: Reach. So the great AI Combat in open spaces from Halo 1 will return as well as the elements that made Halo 2′s storytelling awesome and some of the weapons and vehicles introduced in Halo 3.
Elites Vs Spartans In Halo Reach
The Halo: Reach release date is September 14th. If you pre-order the game from Gamestop (Standard, Limited, Legendary) you will receive an exclusive in-game UA Multi-Threat Mjolnir Mark V(B) Armor (it provides Spartans with the most impact across all combat scenarios), a token to download the Spartan Recon helmet with the Visor/Blast Shield (available both in single and multiplayer) and a chance to win a life-sized Halo: Reach Spartan Soldier.
If you prefer Amazon (Standard, Limited, Legendary) you will get $20 off a future video game purchase.
Microsoft will also release a Xbox 360 Limited Edition Halo: Reach Console (Amazon, GameStop) that might be a justified enough reason to expand your gaming universe.
Overture Inc recently compiled their GameVoice video game industry report, which searches out forum posts (to which we're sure we've all contributed our fair share), comments, twitter posts, and other social media outlets to find out which video game properties are being mentioned the most.
A result that surprised absolutely no one is that Halo Reach had the most mentions (and hence anticipation) of any upcoming game. What is surprising about the result is by just how much. Halo Reach had three times as many mentions as Call of Duty: Black Ops, which was the next most anticipated game, in spite of Halo Reach only releasing on one console.
We know that there are lots of you here that, like us, cannot wait for Halo Reach. Now, at least you know you're not alone.So, I provide you with a custom checklist of what you need to have to prepare for Halo Reach and come release day have endless gaming without any interruptions. Here's your list:
Noble Team statue expertly crafted by the artisans at McFarlane Toys. Individually molded and hand-painted
UNSC-themed custom packaging
An exclusive in-game Spartan armor effect
Complete contents of the Halo: Reach Limited Edition, including: ONI data module box, Dr. Halsey’s Journal, Embroidered Spartan II patch, Dr. Halsey’s ONI Badge, and the Limited Edition Elite in-game armor
Special Offers and Product Promotions
Edition: Legendary Edition
Order Halo Reach Legendary or Limited Edition and get $20 off a future video game purchase. The promotion code will be applied directly to your Amazon.com account up to two (2) business days after your product ships. To redeem your reward, add a Video Games item sold and shipped by Amazon.com to your shopping cart and proceed to checkout. The discount will be visible after you have begun the checkout process. Offer valid when shipped and sold by Amazon.com. This offer will be extended to all existing pre-orders. Amazon reserves the right to change or terminate this promotion at any time. Offer valid for one purchase per customer.
Pre-order Price Guarantee! Order now and if the Amazon.com price decreases between your order time and the end of the day of the release date, you'll receive the lowest price.
Game Disc in custom case modeled after a recovered ONI data module
A custom in-game Elite armor set for use in Reach's multiplayer modes
Artifact Bag containing a brand-new piece of the extended Halo universe: The personal notes and documents of the creator of the SPARTAN program: Dr. Catherine Halsey
Dr. Halsey's ONI Security Badge
Embroidered Spartan II Patch
Special Offers and Product Promotions
Edition: Limited Edition
Order Halo Reach Legendary or Limited Edition and get $20 off a future video game purchase. The promotion code will be applied directly to your Amazon.com account up to two (2) business days after your product ships. To redeem your reward, add a Video Games item sold and shipped by Amazon.com to your shopping cart and proceed to checkout. The discount will be visible after you have begun the checkout process. Offer valid when shipped and sold by Amazon.com. This offer will be extended to all existing pre-orders. Amazon reserves the right to change or terminate this promotion at any time. Offer valid for one purchase per customer. Here's how (restrictions apply)
Pre-order Price Guarantee! Order now and if the Amazon.com price decreases between your order time and the end of the day of the release date, you'll receive the lowest price. Here's how (restrictions apply)
Xbox 360 Halo: Reach Wireless Controller Product Description
The planet depends on you.
Blast Covenant forces like never before with the Xbox 360 Halo: Reach Wireless controller. Designed by Bungie in sleek silver and complete with a Halo: Reach
*Up to 30 ft range Product Features
Features artwork created by Bungie, inspired by Halo: Reach, the blockbuster prequel to the award-winning Halo trilogy.
Features all the functionality of the award-winning Wireless Controller while fitting in perfectly within the Halo: Reach mythology.
Includes a token for a Banshee aircraft Avatar item.
Features all the functionality of the Wireless Headset, a distinctive silver color and artwork created by Bungie that was inspired by Halo: Reach, the blockbuster prequel to the award-winning Halo trilogy.
Product Description
Every squad needs a leader. Let the game go to your head with an Xbox 360 Halo: Reach Wireless Headset. Custom designed by Bungie in sleek, game-inspired silver, this exclusive limited edition headset keeps you connected to the team in online multiplayer game play as you storm the battlefield and save humanity. Xbox live gold membership is required for online multiplayer.
Description: The Storyline fro the very start of Halo All the way to the siege on Planet Reach. Can The Spartans Overcome the Formidable Force Of The Covenant?
Description: Want To know everything surrounding Halo Reach even before the release date on September 14, 2010? Read about every strategy and all of the new elements and jump-start your gaming.
BELOW YOU CAN FIND ALL OF THE ABOVE ITEMS!!
There are two deals that I found on the web that give the best price for pre-order of a low price between $45.00 - $50.00 and not a cent more. Here's some great links , as well as an Amazon Store with the Halo Reach Game & and Gaming Gear:
Here It is, The most widely anticipated, and hyped, game of 2010, HALO REACH. The wait is almost over. Halo: Reach on Xbox 360 has a confirmed release date on Tuesday, 14 September 2010. It is 32 days left until you can play Halo: Reach on your Xbox 360 in the USA.There is over 10 million anxious gamers awaiting the release on September 14. Support us by purchasing Halo Reach from Amazon.com and get a free $20 gift card!http://astore.amazon.com/haloreach-beta-updates-preorders-20:
We all have some friends or a Friend that knows a friend that knows a friend that have reportedly seen another player playing Halo Reach by looking at their service record and seeing that a player has achieved some of the Halo Reach achievements. You're first thought is what, then you get an anxious -jealous feeling and think to yourself, I want this jerk banned. Well, Bungie has done just so, even if the leaked downloads was the fault of Microsoft. Guys, did you think that the gaming community wouldn't catch you? C'mon some of these gamers live to harass, ridicule, or judge other gamers either wrongly or in good ways. I really think that these over-zealous geeks got what they deserved and god riddance to people who have the wit to do that anyway, they could be ex-hackers or something. Well, here's the elongated explanation of the hoax that never was.
Gamers who have decided to forgo the 3-week wait and download illegitimate copies of Halo: Reach will suffer some less than pleasant consequences.
A group of modders managed to nab the entire build from Xbox Live without paying the steep price of 99999 MS Points ($1250). While the group said it had no intention of releasing the hacked build to the public, it inevitably ended up on file-sharing sites where many anxious gamers have purportedly snatched the opportunity to play Halo: Reach early.
Unfortunately for them, Microsoft is tracking these pirates down and slamming them with a permanent ban from Xbox Live, according to a policy document obtained by MaxConsole. The “Notification of Permanent Suspension” cites “prerelease title play” as the cause for the ban, stating that players will never be able to connect to Xbox Live again. Microsoft has yet to say whether they will ban the GamerTag or the Xbox 360.
When GameSpot reached out for comment, Microsoft released the following statement:
“Microsoft’s commitment to combat piracy and support safer and more secure gameplay for the 25 million members of the Xbox Live community remains a top priority. All consumers should know that piracy is illegal, violates the Xbox Live terms of use, and will void their warranty and result in a ban from Xbox Live.”
Microsoft’s director of policy and enforcement for Xbox Live, Stephen Toulouse, said on Twitter:
“As with all unauthorized play on Xbox Live, anyone playing any unauthorized title runs the risk of account permaban and console. Remember, legit store bought copy runs no risk of ban. Key word: UNAUTHORIZED. We have ways of knowing.
Halo Reach "The Most Anticipated Game Of 2010" has definitely lived up to the hype. People are so desperate to get a copy that they are willing to risk their reputation and online play ability, that's never been heard of in past game releases. People are anxious, desperate, excited, enthralled, and kooky about getting their copy of Halo Reach because of the cool elements, gametypes, plot, story, weapons, maps, and changes that have brought on a more fair and tailor made gaming experience. We all know that after these last three weeks that Halo will no longer be Halo but some synthesized version of a 1st person shooter and RPG. The versatility and explosive game play of this game is going to revolt Halo's legacy and eternal the series that was. Gamers have to get used to a whole new way of gaming, not by just what you do in the game, but how you prepare ; choosing your loadouts, armor, and Personnel, and how fast you can think in a game situation where it calls for a certain strategy or loadout ability to overcome your opponent. Gaming will be a lot more cerebral and no longer will there be a boring repetitiveness about it. No, Halo has taken the best out of a RPG and combined that with awesome graphics, killer weapons and vehicles, ingenious maps, creative gametypes, and has tried to appeal to gamers with more fair and explosive gameplay. This is an equation for the best game of the year , and perhaps of the next five years. So, don't be cheap and get your below at the two best selling locations: Microsoft [Free Shipping = Good deal] Or Amazon where thereafter your purchase of Halo Reach you will automatically receive a $20.00 amazon gift card or credit guaranteed and also free shipping.
With the release of Halo Reach just around the corner, let’s take a look at the good and the bad. Keep in mind that I am speaking from a competitive aspect and I don’t mean to bash the “fun” additions Bungie has decided to waste their time on.
The Good:
3). The Elites Don't Look like dinosaurs:
Seriously, a big reason why COD outsold Halo 3 was because of the quality of the graphics and personnel. Halo 3 got a little too crazy when they designed the Elites, and made them look like dinosaurs. Despite the huge contrast in looks, the Elites didn't have any special or unique abilities; just a big head to to shoot at. Elites in Halo 3 were for the jokesters, MLG players, and the noobs. In Halo Reach, the playing field is level with unique abilities, loadouts, and physical attributes being assigned to each kind of personnel. The Elites look a lot more sleek, formidable, and fast in Halo Reach which is going to create some strategy aversions and awesome Elites Vs Spartans game play.Thumbs up to keeping the Elites relevant in Halo Reach.
2). The Elites And Spartans Have their Unique Attributes:
In Halo Reach a rift has already been pronounced between Elite And Spartan Personnel. The Covenant attack the Spartans on Planet Reach, the last stronghold before Planet Earth. Well, Bungie added on to this rivalry and made Elites And Spartans completely different in matchmaking. Spartans have low hops, more health, farther lunging ability,and a sleeker design. Elites have Unsurpassed Speed [there regular speed is that of Spartan in Sprint], more maneuverability with larger jumping and roiling ranges, more shields [less health], and overall the advantage with wielding close- range weapons because of their stealth and speed. Yes, the strategy pf whether to play as a Spartan or as an Elite is huge and can be adaptable to certain maps. For example, on a small map like Zealot; you would choose an Elite because of their attributes fit that level better and on Reflection choose a Spartan because their attributes go better in that level.
1). Strategy Is A Staple:
In Halo Reach, everything you do is based on strategy: whether to choose a Spartan Or An Elite for a particular map, which loadout to start out with, hat gametype to play to achieve the greatest credits so you can upgrade your armor, when to use your grenades, which load-out combination to have for different game situations, and the general gaming tactics.
1.) Single shot marksman weapons return.
Are you one those people who thought the Battle Rifle was good? Think again. The spread on the Battle Rifle made Halo gameplay extremely inconsistent which ruined one of the best and most consistent games on the console. Bungie FINALLY realized that simple games are better games. Halo: Reach introduces the Designated Marksman Rifle or DMR which is the Battle Rilfe’s replacement. The new mid to long range weapon will take 5 shots to kill your opponent (the last one being a head-shot of course). I am very excited to use the DMR and see how well it compares to the Battle Rifle. The pistol makes a return as a close range weapon which also takes 5 shots to kill, hopefully this time around they make the pistol useful. Thank you Bungie for going back to your roots.
2.) Fall Damage and Health are back
I am so glad Bungie is adding fall damage & health as it adds another component to manage which makes the game require more strategy and skill instead of “hide for 5 seconds then push.” When fall damage was removed it made players reckless and random, now players have to actually be aware of their surroundings and move around with caution. Bungie hasn’t said anything about reducing fall damage by crouching like in Combat Evolved so we just have to wait and see.
3.) Spartans don’t have hops anymore! (Reduced Jump Height)
From the beta preview you can clearly see that the jump height is greatly reduced. I am not going to say much more but if your armor weighed a ton, would you float like you did in Halo 2 or 3? I didn’t think so.
The Bad:
1.) My armor does what???? Lock it up. Literally.
Bungie is introducing new armor abilities kind of like the Arbiter was in Halo 2. In Reach you can turn on your choice of a cloak, jetpack, armor lock, sprint, or a barrel roll. I am not a fan of this at all, imagine 2 or 3 guys with camo whenever they choose. It is not like in Halo: Combat Evolved where you and your team would actually work for the power ups and weapons. These “abilities” make the game less difficult so now just press x to become invisible instead of fight for who gets it every minute. Halo Reach has similar traits to a RPG which is very different fro mall 1st person shooters.
2.) Loadouts….
Why? Halo is different than Call of Duty, Battlefield, and Killzone. Just because the other games do it doesn’t mean it is good. Classes or loadouts is simply not how Halo is, there is a particular strategy when your given certain weapons and have to make your way through the map to get better weapons before the other team does. Bungie needs to stay as a trend setter and quit worrying about following what their competition does.
3.) Assassination Animations
The new animations are fancy but take away from the stealth factor. Lets say your behind 3 opponents, there is no way your going to be able to kill all 3 quickly and quietly. Instead your going to go into a 4 second animation that totally gives away your position. I’m not a fan of the fancy assassinations, Bungie should stop wasting time on the flashy garbage and make the game good, not fancy.
So the hype locomotive is storming down the tracks and the next stop looks to be Halo:Reach. The Halo series is unquestionably one of the biggest franchises out there and anything they do is bound to be newsworthy. So now that they have started to role out the tid-bits about their newest venture, gamers everywhere have started to get that familiar foaming at the mouth sensation…..just me?…..moving on. Past the break are my five reasons that Halo:Reach is going to be good like a solid gold candy bar and 5 reasons why it’ll suck.
5)It is set on Reach, humanities main military planet
Inside of the Halo canon Reach is probably the second most important planet, the first being earth (overrated planet if you ask me). And it is the foremost planet in military research. So if you do the word math, you are pretty much adding up to a awesome planet. With awesome new toys to play with. Like civilian vehicles. It will be like in a cop show where they yell, “Stop, Police! I need to borrow your vehicle” except since it is halo it will be without sissy things like informing them of what you are doing and more kicking them in the face while you commandeer their vehicle.
4)New enemy types
Oh Grunts, at least you show up...right?
New enemy types are going to be a sweet addition to any game. I don’t know about all of you out there in internetlandia but I do get a little tired of killing the same enemies all of the time. So with new enemy types, such as the Skirmisher, I look forward to bashing new heads in. Cause that's what I do in Halo. I bash heads in. Ya dig
3)New Weapons
You know what people need in shooters? Guns. You know what Halo:Reach is going to have? Guns. I know earth shattering. And nothing gets us excited like bigger and better guns. That picture above used to be new and exciting. Now it is old news. So get pumped, because new guns equal new ways to kill people. And that is always good news.
2) New Engine
Now I know a lot of people were a little upset about the amount of content Halo 3: ODST had to offer for the price. One thing most people weren’t to upset about was how much more the team at Bungie managed to squeeze out of the Halo 3 engine. But for the new game they have completely scrapped it for a new improved engine. Nothing says next gen like brown levels! Here’s hoping guys!
1) A Whole Team of Spartans
Master Chief is cool. We get it. He saves the universe and looks good doing it. But he must get lonely all alone. No other super-strong super soldier friends to hang out with. Well Halo Reach fixes that. A whole team of Spartans to pal around with, bashing in alien skulls and taking names! Now that is what I am talking about. Can I get a what what up in here?
On the other hand there is reason to be concerned. The last entry wasn’t exactly ground breaking. So here are my five reasons Halo: Reach might blow like Louis Armstrong.
5)It’s not really based of the Eric Nylund novel
You remember paper pages? Me neither
So if you have read any of the Halo books Eric Nylund is pretty much the bee’s knees of the novels. His novels make the Covenant look scary and the Spartans look scary. And that is just the way we like it. The new game, while taking inspiration from the novel, is striking its own course through Reach. I hope that was a wise decision.
4) Got a case of the same old same old
Everyone has heard the jokes about space marines every time a new shooter comes out. But there is some truth in the jokes. And this is another Halo game where you play as a soldier shooting some Covenant. Nobody was sure how long Bungie was going to keep making games in the Halo universe. Should they have branched out a little more? I guess we will find out.
3)How is the Story Going to Be
.......get it.......west side STORY.....heh heh
I know I already touched on the fact that it doesn’t really follow the novel. And that’s a shame, because it is quite good. Does anyone remember the story lines for Halo 2 and Halo 3? As Gwen Stefani would say, it was B-A-N-A-N-A-S. Serious case of “yea man, that’s awesome. What if some more stuff that doesn’t make sense happens and we add some explosions. High five!” (yea they yelled high five). Who knows how they are going to handle Reach.
2) You Kind Of Already Know how it Ends
Fitting no?
Even if you haven’t read the book (have I said book enough yet?) you know how it ends. Master Chief is the only Spartan left in the Halo series. And I believe it was Confucius who once said that one is the loneliest number that you’ll ever know. So knowing the ending might put a damper on your party.
1) No Master Chief
I know that we are supposed to branch out and make new friends. But don’t you miss the big lug. I mean we’ve been through a lot together. Bashed some skulls, rode on some bombs, good times. Now that he isn’t the star for the third straight game my hearts got a little Spartan shaped hole in it. Well it’s not really that small, more like a Shaq sized whole. And that a lot of heart hole to fill.
