For many console players, in addition to service and performance, the exclusive content that this console can provide is one of the important references for their purchase. As one of the three major console manufacturers, Microsoft was able to gain a firm foothold as a new force in the past, and the “Halo” series contributed greatly; it set many excellent benchmarks for console FPS, and the combination of science fiction and space opera also made the story of the Master Chief a legend. The excellent quality has made “Halo” one of the most evergreen series in the history of games, and also made it Microsoft’s first-party flagship IP.
Today, the gaming industry has reached the time of console generation replacement, and Microsoft has begun to adjust its next-generation strategy; focusing on service subscriptions, while also promoting its own works on other platforms. This strategy also includes the return or remake of many classic old games, including the “Halo” series. Through “Halo: The Master Chief Collection”, players can experience these classic works on the PC platform, and the first work is the “Halo: Reach”, which has a high reputation in the series, and it is also a remake that has been refurbished by 343 Studios.
Upgraded frontline battlefield
Halo: The Master Chief Collection was first released on Xbox One, which included most of the original games in the series, and optimized and upgraded the graphics and other aspects of the old games. This time, 343 Studios chose to launch Reach, which was not included in the collection at the time, as the pioneer, and the other games will be gradually released in 2020 in chronological order.
Compared with the original version on X360, this time, Halo: Reach adds support for native PC input devices, high resolution and widescreen support, and higher frame rate, which makes the overall picture clearer and the experience smoother than the original. Of course, since Reach itself is still based on the product of the previous generation of consoles, 343’s renovation of the game is not a remake but an HD level. Therefore, the texture maps and some special effects renderings of many scenes can easily make people feel the “sense of the times”. However, thanks to the atmospheric scenes and some artistic background of the original game, the overall expressiveness of Reach is still acceptable today. Relatively speaking, players do not need very high configurations to run smoothly, and the official will also provide MOD tools in the future. Considering the support of the Halo player community, both the game content and the picture performance are expected to be quite high.
In terms of sound effects, the Halo series’ own majestic soundtrack and melody still perform well. The built-in Chinese voice may bring back memories for many players (but the voice and the simplified Chinese subtitles do not match). However, the game’s other sound effects seem to have some problems that are difficult to ignore, such as the volume being sometimes loud and sometimes soft and the layers being chaotic, which can be regarded as affecting the gaming experience and immersion.
Combat Evolved
As a Microsoft masterpiece that has been popular all over the world for many years, Halo has its own unique features to succeed. These include breathing to restore health, optimized controller operation, multiplayer mode and campaign design, which are all important factors for its success, which can also be called the gameplay part. However, these unique elements may take some time for players who are accustomed to modern mainstream FPS designs to get used to.
The campaign of Halo has always been an important part of the game, but it is very different from the mainstream cinematic scripts or open world single-player FPSs of today (at least Bungie’s Halo works are like this). Take Halo: Reach, for example, it emphasizes the player’s mastery of weapons, level paths, and enemy attributes. That is, players are encouraged to frequently switch weapons to attack enemy weaknesses and choose the best route to fight in the level. This is especially true when the game is difficult or facing powerful enemies such as hunters or Jiraiya. The general understanding of players in other FPS does not apply here – for example, ARs and shotguns, which perform well in other games and are often used as main weapons, perform mediocre here, while pistols and DMRs perform better. The main gameplay encouraged by the game is to use different weapon strategies such as plasma weapons to break shields, backstabs from behind, and headshots with live ammunition weapons. Especially the levels and monster configurations of Halo itself are very particular, and challenging the legendary difficulty is one of the greatest pleasures of the game, but occasionally AI teammates will get stuck or spin in place when performing some actions or driving vehicles such as the Warthog. Of course, in this case, for players who don’t want to challenge high difficulty or be tormented by AI, calling friends to play online can also double the fun.
In addition to the campaign, the additional Gunslinging and Multiplayer modes also have their own charm.
Of course, the multiplayer mode of Reach is also very different from many mainstream FPS in terms of operation and features. For example, the right-click aiming on many weapons actually opens the HUD zoom instead of the scope, sprinting is not a standard feature but an ability, and the iconic “knocking each other” to unlock armor in online battles may make players feel uncomfortable for a while. Of course, even if you get used to it, there are many veterans who have transferred from consoles who can beat you dizzy. In short, the multiplayer mode requires players to accumulate a certain amount of experience before they can get started.
The beginning of the end
The reason why “Halo” has become a classic in the hearts of many people is closely related to its wonderful storyline and character portrayal. The Master Chief has also become one of the most famous characters in video games. However, “Halo: Reach” is about the story of another group of Spartans – the Noble Squad, and it is because of them that the legend of the Master Chief was able to set sail.
In terms of the order of the works, Halo: Reach is later in the series, but before Halo 1 in terms of the story order. Therefore, in this case, Halo: Reach assumes that players have been exposed to the previous works, so many plots and organization names are not described in detail. For players who entered the Halo series from PC Reach this time, the plot in the early stage of the game may be a little difficult to understand. But overall, this is a story about the great war of the Covenant invasion and the selfless sacrifice of the Noble team, leaving a spark of hope for the future. The “survival” of the mission and the final separation of the Pillar of Autumn moved many players. Even if players have not been exposed to other Halo works before, the storyline of this game can still be called excellent.
From the perspective of the work, “Halo: Reach” is also the farewell work left by the creator of the series, Bungie. Its excellent story and quality can be regarded as a perfect explanation. It can be regarded as a watershed in the entire Halo series and the conclusion of the first trilogy. Subsequently, the development rights of the “Halo” series were taken over by 343 Works, and a new chapter was opened with “Halo 4” with a change in style and story direction. Now, after many years of absence from the PC, Bungie’s last work, as the first step to return to the PC platform, has once again topped the sales platform popularity list. Players’ enthusiasm remains unabated, which is somewhat touching. This also proves that classics are hard to fade at any time.
Summarize
As the first step back to the PC platform, Halo: Reach is a powerful pioneer; it takes players into Reach, where the story begins, to witness a grand battle that is destined to end in failure but leaves hope as the beginning, and the sacrifice and dedication of the Noble team is also the most unforgettable moment in the history of Halo. Behind the tragic epic, players can experience the game’s ingeniously designed campaigns with upgraded image quality and frame rate. It is fun to play online or challenge the legendary difficulty. The additional multiplayer and gunfire modes, as well as the MOD functions that will be added in the future, will also keep the game alive for a longer time in the future.
Although some of the game’s settings and operations may take time for players familiar with modern mainstream shooting games to adapt, and occasional audio confusion and AI errors also affect the gaming experience. But “Halo: Reach” on PC is a great opportunity for players who want to relive the classic journey or for new players who want to get in touch with this series. And with the future updates of other works in “The Master Chief Collection”, the great ambition of this epic journey will gradually unfold, leading players to further appreciate the huge charm of “Halo”.
