Halo: Reach
Score: 96/100
Suicide missions should be memorable. Halo: Reach, an epic first-person shooter that tells the tale of a group of human supersoldiers doomed to die along with an entire planet, is so good it will be remembered -- and played -- for years.
Halo fans know how this story, a prequel to earlier games, ends. But that’s OK. The single-player campaign tells a compelling story, and the wealth of multi-player options and game modes will keep players reaching for the Xbox 360 controller.
The campaign has humble beginnings -- a new recruit joins a group of veterans as a swarm of aliens, known as the Covenant, overwhelm the planet Reach. The action quickly heats up and the anonymous rookie, known as Noble 6, is soon wielding an Energy Sword, Needle Rifle and other familiar weapons alongside his fellow Spartan space marines.
This version of Halo looks better than ever. The eye candy is apparent in the wide-open vistas that set the stage for combat. There’s more than one way to approach the enemy, and more than one way for the enemy to assault the player. The less-linear, more-chaotic firefights ramp up the difficulty.
Also improved is the storytelling. Halo has not always had the strongest writing, but Reach, by dropping a lot of technical mumbo-jumbo, keeps it user-friendly. Though the Spartans are sci-fi stereotypes, they are a diverse bunch and their characters ably drive the story along.
There are no dud missions in the 10 or so hours of gameplay. Early missions can be challenging, including one where the player is locked in a room with grenade-happy Covenant.
Enemies are more devious. Improved artificial intelligence makes every non-grunt Covenant a challenge, particularly Elites, which move quickly, fully recharge their health in battle and tote awesome weaponry.
New weapons give the player a fighting chance. The Focus Rifle, excellent for sniping, and the Plasma Launcher, which hurls tracking explosives at enemies, are sure to be player favorites.
New armor abilities allow a player to swap out reusable components. Most fun is a jetpack, which lets players soar dangerously above the battlefield. Other abilities let a player sprint or erect a force field.
The good:
- Multiplayer options galore. Players can create their own maps.
- Co-op mode lets players share the campaign with a friend.
- Lots of checkpoints, so hard-earned progress is rarely lost.
- Flying is cool!
The bad:
- There's still no way for the player to take cover and return fire.
- Some frame-rate delay during busy scenes.
- Duel-wielding weapons have been dropped.
- Most players know how the story ends.
-- Reviewed on Microsoft Xbox 360. Rated: Mature.
New and notable:
- Professor Layton and the Unwound Future (Nintendo DS, Rated: Everyone) -- The professor is back, and the puzzles are more mind-bending than ever. A great time-traveling story makes this one of the best in the brainteasing series.
- Phineas and Ferb Ride Again (Nintendo DS, Rated: Everyone) -- Disney's madcap duo, and their platypus, race on skateboards, spaceships and solve puzzles while battling aliens and the evil Dr. Doofensmirtz.
- Plants vs. Zombies Limited Edition (PC, Mac, Rated: Everyone) -- The casual "Game of the Year" returns with a collectible zombie figure and the ability to hook even the hardcore with a lively blend of humor and strategy.
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