Halo: Reach 'Pre-Beta' video walkthroughs, gameplay footage

Note: This footage is best viewed in high definition. Click 'HD' to enable it.

Halo fanatics will finally get their hands on Halo: Reach when the multiplayer beta, included with the purchase of Halo 3: ODST, is activated next week. You've already read our impressions but now you get to see some of the action, with hours of Halo: Reach Pre-Beta footage carefully trimmed down to the essentials.

By showing the new armor customization options, control changes, comparisons to Halo 3 and Halo 3: ODST and full gameplay matches in high definition, we're hoping to answer as many of your questions as we can before you get your own quality time with Reach on May 3.

Note: This footage is best viewed in high definition. Click 'HD' to enable it.

Like Halo 3 before it, Halo: Reach changes the the default controls players have grown accustomed to. Melee is pushed to the Right Bumper while reload has been returned to the 'X' button. We walk you through it all, and take a peek at Theater Mode.

Note: This footage is best viewed in high definition. Click 'HD' to enable it.

With equipment years away from development (within the Halo timeline, that is), Reach includes special armor abilities that players can select during multiplayer matches. Here we walk you through the abilities we played with during the Pre-Beta and give you a quick montage of the weaponry found in the upcoming online test.

Note: This footage is best viewed in high definition. Click 'HD' to enable it.

At first glance, Halo: Reach might not appear to be a visual upgrade from previous entries in the series but put side-by-side and you'll notice the changes immediately. To show off some of these changes, we've compiled a video comparing HD footage of Halo 3 and Halo 3: ODST to Halo: Reach.

Note: Footage of 'Boneyard' is best viewed in high definition. Click 'HD' to enable it.


Note: Footage of 'Powerhouse' is best viewed in high definition. Click 'HD' to enable it.


Note: Footage of 'Sword Base' is best viewed in high definition. Click 'HD' to enable it.