With its first new-gen ‘Halo,’ Microsoft reshapes its iconic hero
By Matt Miller | Game Informer Magazine
Halo 5: Guardians
Platform: Xbox One
Style: 1-Player Shooter (24-Player Online)
Publisher: Microsoft Studios
Developer: 343 Industries
ESRB: T, for Teen
343 Industries walks a tight rope with “Halo 5” between an established framework and desired innovation, offering a higher focus on speed and mobility, a story that takes characters off their established courses, and a multiplayer mode that veers dramatically from expectation. The balancing act is not without stumbles, but even when things feel a little off, Guardians is still fresh and surprising.
“Halo 5’s” gameplay is all about motion and speed. New mantling, slamming, and dashing maneuvers make your Spartan feel like a superhero, flitting about the battlefield in a flurry of action. That sense of maneuverability shines on Normal and Heroic difficulties, and the inclusion of distinct A.I. teammates layers in an additional level of joyful chaos. Legendary difficulty doesn’t feel quite right, however. The sense of speed is neutered (since turtling up is often the only option), your allies make bad decisions about revives, and checkpoint placement feels archaic. The absence of large gun magazines on lower difficulties leads to constant change-ups and a breathless pace, but the low ammo on Legendary is frustrating.
Cooperative online play is a blast, especially because of some excellent challenge scaling based on number of players. However, I am bummed about the absence of local co-op, which has long been my preferred play style.
For the first time, “Halo” is fully embracing the broader fiction established in other mediums, drawing in characters and concepts of greater complexity. As a result, the universe feels more nuanced, even if some less devoted players may get lost in the jargon. Beautiful cut scenes lend a cinematic vibe to the adventure, which sees Master Chief chasing the one thing that can turn him away from duty, and a new generation of Spartans ordered to bring him back.
Along the way, the franchise maintains its reputation for varied settings and explosive situations. Snow-blanketed cliffs under bombardment give way to tank battles on a glassed colony planet and mysterious ancient alien ruins on the homeworld of the Elites. The bombastic window dressing hides a simple plot that recalls the cliffhanger quality of “Halo 2;” this is far from a standalone tale. I love the broader cast of characters, and the way their personalities play against one another. The constant banter between teammates enlivens the narrative, as do hidden audio logs, which double as secrets to track down
Competitive Arena play harkens back to the best of previous entries, albeit with an increased focus on precision and speed. The game modes offer something for everyone, from classic Slayer and CTF matches to specialty fights like elimination-style Breakout or twitch-based SWAT. After an initial batch of randomized skill check matches, the matchmaking is excellent, with dedicated tiers that govern who you’re up against. With a tight radar radius, 15 complex maps, and a focus on headshots, “Halo 5” is geared to reward high-skill players at the expense of a more beginner-friendly experience.
I have mixed feelings about “Halo 5’s” other competitive mode. Warzone draws inspiration from MOBAs and Battlefield to take shape as a large-team battle for 24 players. It combines capturing of bases with points garnered for A.I. alien kills. The concept often delivers impressive skirmishes, and the well-designed maps provide strategic sophistication. However, the majority of the matches I played ended in landslide victories or losses, where early leads were often highly predictive of a win. I’m also frustrated by score distribution on A.I. kills; only the final kill shot scores for your team, making it far too easy to steal points. Long respawn runs keep you out of the action for too long and you can’t spawn on teammates. The game also does a poor job of explaining the mode and its scoring, leading to confusing early matches.
Warzone’s issues are accentuated by requisitions, a progression system that provides random, one-use items that can turn the tide of a fight, like a tank or fuel rod cannon. Requisition packs can be earned in-game, but also purchased with real money. As such, those who pour in a lot of cash have the potential to more frequently pull out the big guns late in each Warzone match to save the day. Even disregarding the microtransactions, I don’t like having to juggle my own inventory of supplies during every match, and the random nature of requisition drops often prevents one from playing with their favorite toys. At the same time, I enjoy the regular flow of cosmetic customization unlocks, which are plentiful and visually striking.
If the last major installment represented 343 taking possession of the Halo house, this new installment shows it is ready to move the furniture around and make it their own. Some aspects of the game feel different than what longtime players have come to expect, but I’m happy to see a willingness to innovate. Despite some missteps, “Halo 5” is an easy recommendation for the predominant moments during which the game shines.
