Reach for ‘Halo’ Tuesday

Originally published in the Sept. 8, 2010 issue of the Coast Report
by Parker Shannon

Photo courtesy of Google

The latest installment of “Halo” will be released on Sept. 14.

Gamers the world over will be shirking responsibilities to play “Halo: Reach” when it’s released on Tuesday, Sept. 14.

The latest installment in Microsoft’s behemoth game franchise is set to be one of the year’s biggest releases. Those picking the game up at launch will get everything they’ve come to expect from a “Halo” title as well as several new features and game modes to enjoy.

Bungie Studios, creators of the “Halo” games, have brought back fan favorites including their map editor, Forge, the Firefight multiplayer mode, online matchmaking, cooperative play, saved films, file sharing, player customization and an epic campaign, but have radically overhauled them all.

“What are some of the tricks the community is using, and how can we make those not be tricks and just make those be tools?” Tyson Green, senior designer at Bungie, said in the announcement video for the updated version of Forge.

Green referred to the way the gaming community exploited the Forge system in “Halo 3” to create custom maps that would not be possible within the normal parameters of the map editor.

It was announced at this year’s San Diego Comic-Con that players will have the chance to assume the role of the invading aliens, the Covenant, in the popular Firefight multiplayer mode in “Halo: Reach.”

Online matchmaking will be supported for Firefight, cooperative campaign and competitive multiplayer modes, which is a first for a “Halo” title.

Players can also look forward to a much deeper player investment and customization system than in previous titles. Credits can be earned in all modes that will go toward purchasing in-game armor variants and effects as well as custom voices for Firefight mode.

Saved films and file sharing return in “Halo: Reach,” allowing players to tag and upload custom maps or films for others to download and explore via in-game menus or from Bungie’s website.

Bungie revealed on its website that they will make Reach its final endeavor in the “Halo” universe, and will break away from Microsoft to pursue a new project with Activision as their publisher.