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Halo: Reach Limited Edition package shots drop in
For nearly three months you've stared long and hard at the $150 Legendary Edition of Halo: Reach, but let's face it -- handing over $80 for the Limited Edition is a lot more palatable. Here's what you'll get: Custom case modeled after a recovered ONI data module In-game Elite armor set for multiplayer Artifact bag, which contains the personal notes and documents of the creator of the Spartan program: Dr. Catherine Halsey Dr. Halsey's ONI security badge An embroidered Spartan II patch Seventy bucks saved! %Gallery-97430%
Halo: Reach Achievements partially revealed
The latest Bungie Weekly Update revealed the studio's fairly brilliant strategy for foiling the attempts of haxx0rs who planned on leaking the Achievements for Halo: Reach. All the team has to do, you see, is leak the Achievements first. Not the full, detailed list, mind you -- just the icons, which are posted in the image seen above. The game's 49 unlockable honors are broken down into five groups, Campaign (23), Firefight (7), Multiplayer (4), Training (6) and Player Experience (9). You can find the descriptions of six of the Achievements posted after the jump. For all the rest, you're just going to have to use your imagination. For instance, that one with the Caduceus on it? We're pretty sure that's the Achievement for when you put down your guns, go back to school, and become a Registered Nurse.
Halo: Reach getting plasticized by McFarlane Toys
Did you really expect any less? Of course Halo: Reach is getting a full line of toys ... er, action figures, with which you can tastefully decorate your abode. Also, those of you attending the upcoming San Diego Comic-Con will find an "exclusive" figure only available there (or until it's decided that it gets sold everywhere else). We've got a full list of the wares just after the break, and pictures can be found over on Spawn.com.
Pre-order Halo Reach at GameStop for exclusive armor
For those of you who have to keep your Spartan dressed in the latest styles, GameStop is offering exclusive armor and helmet configurations with pre-orders of Halo: Reach. Those who reserve the game will receive tokens for a Spartan Recon Helmet with Visor/Blast Shield and a UA Multi-Threat Mjolnir Mark V(B) Armor, which features a unique chestplate design and a grenade belt. Can't you hear it? "Hey, (your name here)! Looking good in that UAMTMMVBA!" You and your Multi-Threat, Blast Shield-sporting friends can mock the Spartans who dare to show up wearing default armor. Of course, you also receive a $20 coupon, just like those offered by Walmart and Amazon.
Halo: Reach returns to Blood Gulch in new video
Today is July 7, a normal day for most human beings but a very special day for Bungie devotees. That's right, it's the seventh day of the seventh month, which signals the arrival of Bungie Day, along with a special present for Halo: Reach fans in the form of a new video from the folks at Rooster Teeth. Blood Gulch, probably the most well-remembered map in Halo history, returns and, as you'll see, it's both very familiar and very different (especially considering that you can leave the canyon). The video also teases a new armor ability -- which could be a joke, mind you -- that allows players to create a holographic decoy. And hey, is Sarge using the jet pack and carrying the flag? That was a no-no during the beta. Check it out after the break.
Halo: Reach already on sale for $45 on Newegg
Oh, Halo: Reach? That old thing? It's been out, like, forever. You definitely shouldn't be paying full price for that ancient relic. Newegg's got you covered -- for a limited time, you can (pre)purchase Bungie's old-as-dirt shooter for $44.99. C'mon, gang -- do your part to preserve the classics. [Thanks Lekko!]
Halo Elite costume sets the bar for DIY
Oh, you've made your own assault rifle from Halo? That's cute. Wait, you've made your own Spartan suit? Meh, it's okay, we guess. See, the dudes at Peter Mander FX have ruined us forever, because they've produced about the best homage to Halo one could ever hope for: the ultra-realistic Elite suit you see above. Largely comprised of plastic, TLC and dark magicks, the suit not only looks impressive, but it's animatronic. We can't imagine the blood, sweat and/or tears it took to produce such a lifelike recreation of this Covenant class, but we can get some idea from the video documenting the creation of this behemoth, which you can find past the break. [Image source: Device Magazine]
Preview: Halo: Reach (Firefight)
I'm one of those rare gamers who prefer shooting computer controlled bad guys instead of good old-fashioned human beings. Competition doesn't bother me as much as the jerks on the other side; the whiny pre-teens, racists and cheaters. Forget about deathmatch. I'd rather cozy up on the couch and enjoy single-player. Halo 3: ODST changed that, thanks to Firefight mode. Bungie took my love for slaughtering AI bad guys and fused it with team-based play, where up to four players work co-operatively to outlast progressively difficult waves of Covenant. It was essentially the best of both virtual worlds, where I satisfied my desire to murder bots while cracking jokes with friends. That's why Halo: Reach is high on my radar. Firefight returns, but with a slew of new options that make it even more rewarding, starting with online matchmaking. Now you can play this mode 24/7 with anyone in the world. Yes, that means I could randomly wind up with three jerks, but at least one thing remains constant, and that's the Covenant. Even if my team goes rogue, I can still set off and murder aliens. %Gallery-96257%
Bungie considered a 'Halo 4' before proceeding with Reach
Before Bungie started work on creating a game based on the planet-glassing excitement that is the fall of Reach, discussions at the studio momentarily went in the direction of a Master Chief resurrection tale -- a direct continuation of the Halo trilogy's story as "Halo 4." Bungie community man Brian Jarrard told the MTV Multiplayer blog as much in a recent interview, saying, "Even before the idea to build a game based around Reach came about, a lot of other concepts were explored, up to and including a proper 'Halo 4,' where Master Chief was going to wake up from cryo-sleep and we were going to tell that story." So he is in cryo-sleep and not dead?! ... Ahem, please excuse us. Jarrard continues, adding that while Reach is a prequel to the first Halo title, it's not meant just for hardcore fans of the trilogy. "We don't want to open up a whole bunch of doors that we're not going to close. By the end of this, it's all going to come to a nice, neat finish, and if people want to then go play the Halo trilogy, I think they'll have a better understanding of what's going on, but it's not required at all." He also confirms that the Chief is nowhere to be found in Reach (though, canonically speaking, the Chief is on the planet during the game's timeline), which just about breaks our fragile space heart into a million pieces.
Video: Seven minutes of Halo: Reach Firefight
The headline says it all: there's new footage of the Halo: Reach Firefight mode courtesy of Halo Waypoint. Keep an eye out for surprises like the return of the bubble shield. We also noticed that drop ships seem to appear on the HUD -- possibly after being marked by other players a la Battlefield.
Halo: The Fall of Reach comic adaptation coming from Marvel
click to view the full cover Marvel and 343 Industries have announced a new comic adaptation of the novel Halo: The Fall of Reach (not to be confused with the upcoming re-issue of the novel itself). The comic will be written by Brian Reed, who's work has worked in both comics and games. The art will be drawn by Felix Ruiz. For those unfamiliar with The Fall of Reach, the book covers events that took place before the original Halo game, including the creation of the Spartan II project and its indoctrination of John 117, better known to Halo fans as the Master Chief. Boot Camp #1, the first of four issues, will hit the shelves this September. %Gallery-96144%
Preview: Halo: Reach (campaign)
What's the biggest change being made for Bungie's final Halo game? Some would argue that the visuals, powered by a brand new graphics engine, make the greatest impact. Sure, Halo: Reach looks better than any Halo before it -- but that's not what I was taken aback by. Others would argue the lack of Master Chief makes Reach feel different from its predecessors. Yes, the Spartan-III jumps a bit differently, but that doesn't define Reach's new emotional direction. No, the biggest game-changer is this: the Covenant don't speak English. Before you angrily hit the "Back" button on your browser, hear me out. In the previous Halo games, the Covenant were like movie villains; they could even quip one-liners at you. Some would even squeal, comically, as they ran away from an overpowered Master Chief. However, because Halo Reach isn't a story about a triumphant victory -- rather, a tragedy against an overwhelming alien force -- Bungie was left with a challenge: how do you reinvent the Covenant -- familiar to a generation of Halo gamers -- and make them threatening again? You make them truly alien. While it may seem like a rather cosmetic change, this creative decision represents a maturity in Bungie's storytelling abilities. The developer wants you to take the story seriously -- so much so that the flaming helmet included in the $150 Legendary Edition can't be used in the campaign. (Apparently, having someone's head on fire in cutscenes drastically reduces its gravitas.) %Gallery-96148%
See the Halo: Reach Firefight mode in action
Look, E3 is a busy time around these parts. So busy that sometimes, somehow we manage to overlook something. Case in point, this trailer for the new Firefight mode in Halo: Reach. If, like us, you missed it last week, you should watch it now. If you've already seen it, you should watch it again anyway, because it's sweet.
Halo: Reach gets new and improved Firefight mode
There it is: Halo: Reach includes Firefight. Did any of us doubt it for a second? We certainly didn't, and our troops on location at a Reach event tonight have relayed some info relevant to your interests. First of all, Reach will include a new class: Medic. This Spartan comes packing a Dropshield ability -- the precursor to Halo 3's Bubble Shield. But that's not even the best part: The new Firefight will have a host of customization options. Players can create their own tailor-made Firefight modes, changing the enemy types, weapon loadouts and other modifiers, including Covenant health and aggression. You could seriously create a mode where it's nothing but peace-loving Grunts, if you want. Then, you can fill out some info and share your custom version of Firefight through your file share. Tonight's demo only has two playable maps, but we're working to confirm the total number planned for the final release. One final interesting tidbit we'll leave you with is this: Bungie said Generator Defense in the Reach beta was actually a test for Firefight.
Halo Reach campaign, space battles revealed in E3 trailer
For your viewing and re-viewing (and re-viewing) pleasure, we've uploaded the official Halo Reach E3 trailer after the break. Yes, you can expect footage from the campaign, but even more exciting: space battles. Battles. In space.
Fan totally Nerfs the Halo assault rifle
The Halo assault rifle has had a difficult time earning respect. It was totally outshined by the pistol in Halo: CE, ditched entirely for Halo 2 and brought back again in Halo 3 -- only to lose the spotlight to the battle rifle. Now, thanks to a creative Halo fan, the assault rifle has been brought to life ... and completely nerfed. (Like, it's actually a Nerf gun -- get it?) Taking a stock Nerf rifle and an "infamous knock off dollar store assault rifle," a modder known as Moz cobbled together this Halo assault rifle, adding custom pieces and paint. The best part: It actually works; albeit with a slightly lower rate of fire than an actual assault rifle. See it in action after the break. [Via Kotaku]
You beta watch this Halo: Reach thank you video
As a quick, dirty and violent thank you to everyone that participated in the Halo: Reach beta -- and there were a lot of you -- Bungie has released a video montage of some of the greatest and weirdest moments captured by players. Check out the video above for some killer snipes, super sticks and some truly bizarre bugs. While we're at it, why not share some of your own badass moments in the comments?
Halo: Reach grabs September 14 release date
According to an Associated Press report, Bungie has revealed that Halo: Reach will hit store shelves worldwide on September 14 (with the exception of Japan, where it will launch the following day). That's going to be a rough, rough way to start your school year. The report also reveals that over 2.7 million players logged more than 16 million hours and 1.1 billion kills in the Reach beta during its 18 days of availability. Some may see that as a precursor to Reach's certain retail success -- we see it as a testament to Halo players' startling murder efficiency. [Via VG247]
Halo: Reach beta extended to Thursday, May 20
We'll keep this quick: Bungie's Brian Jarrard has just informed Joystiq, "Our official plans as of now are to turn off the Reach beta on Thursday, 5/20 at 10AM PDT." Previously, the beta was scheduled to end tomorrow, May 19, at an unspecified time. That's what we call a reprieve! Get back into the fight, folks. %Gallery-91245%
Halo: Reach beta Generator Defense playlist now live
The Halo: Reach beta has less than a week to go, and now you have one more reason to put a few more hours into it: Generator Defense. The new playlist is now live, presenting players with a 3-on-3 match of Spartans vs. Elites. The objective is simple: Elites attack the generators and Spartans defend them. Be sure to remember that the actual playlist is called "Network Test 1" -- an apt title, if our first few laggy games were any indication. But hey, what's a little lag when the survival of the whole human race is at stake? In other news, a second episode of Halo: Reach Betabusters is available, and it includes plenty of things you might not know about in the beta (including the ability to assassinate players through glass). Find it after the break.
