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- It’s been 14 years since Bungie presented the magnificent Halo: Reach, concluding an era.
- From Combat Evolved to Reach, Bungie made every subsequent entry memorable and entertaining.
- Though 343 Industries did a solid job, Bungie’s time with Halo will remain unsurpassed.
I still vividly remember the day I got my Xbox 360. Sitting through school anxiously in anticipation and finally coming home to boot up Halo 3 is one of my fondest memories. Looking back, Halo has been an integral part of my childhood, and I’ve certainly enjoyed my time with this legendary series.
Halo’s popularity during the 2000s-10s was unlike any other game. A complex and entertaining shooter you could enjoy in couch co-op or online, we owe it all to Bungie’s efforts. Today, I’ll be paying my respects to Halo: Reach, Bungie’s final work.
Why it matters: Halo is undoubtedly among the biggest video game franchises, and we owe it all to Bungie, who concluded its time with the series with Halo: Reach 14 years ago.
14 Years Of Halo: Reach
I still can’t believe it’s been 14 years since Halo: Reach, way to make you feel old. When I first got it, all I had was a big smile on my face, not knowing of the upcoming change. I was free of these worries and just wanted to live in the moment.
While I write this, that iconic main-screen theme and visuals are vividly playing in my mind. It was set before Combat Evolved, but I was too busy blasting foes in what I considered mind-blowing visuals. Shooter campaigns were a different breed back then.
Looking back, the plot and characters weren’t the game’s strongest suit, but that doesn’t make it a less worthy “best Halo game” contender. It’s the gameplay where it shined the brightest. With additional maneuverability features and smooth combat, while feeling the same Halo you know and love, Reach is still one of my all-time favorites.
Halo Reach is still a stunning game nearly 14 years later.
byu/Woddie_321 inhalo
Halo: Reach, A Perfect Sendoff From Bungie
Not only did Reach take mechanics and elements from all past games, but it blended them perfectly to create a magnificent send-off. Featuring improved visuals, gameplay strengths, and impressive multiplayer elements, Halo: Reach was a living proof of Bungie’s years of efforts.
Bungie practically shook the world with Combat Evolved, and no, this is not an overstatement. Halo 1 was, in a single word, legendary. More so than any other game before it. Forget GoldenEye 007; Halo 1 was the true turning point of multiplayer shooters.
Flexing creative sci-fi gameplay where everything feels unique, a jaw-dropping single-player campaign, and both couch and online multiplayer elements, Halo: Combat Evolved started a decade-long influx of Halo clones. By the time Halo 2 came out, the series had blown way out of proportion compared to what it had so far.
Played Halo: Combat Evolved for the first time and it was a blast!
byu/Hermiona1 inpatientgamers
Along came Halo 3, and everyone was just dying to play it on the Xbox 360, myself included. Then Halo: Reach was released, and it was so much of a love letter to all the fans and Bungie’s years of history with the series.
343 Industries Didn’t Quite Reach That Bar For Me
After Halo: Reach, 343 Industries picked up the mantle of the series, beginning with Halo 4. Subsequent entries aside, I think we can agree that Halo 4 was a job really well done. There’s a lot of pressure when you’re in charge of a legendary series like this, but 343 Industries handled it with finesse.
Halo 4 is right up there with Bungie’s titles for me, but that absence of the original was felt. This became stronger as we moved to Halo 5 and, ultimately, Infinite. While solid titles, no doubt, they weren’t Halo in its prime time, that’s for sure.
Good job, 343 Industries. Behemoth looks and plays great. CTF is awesome on this map. The art style in this game is perfect. I felt like I was in Halo 3 again.
byu/theSaltySolo inhalo
343 Industries has done a great job, but it couldn’t reach the heights Bungie set for the series. From the overall atmosphere to level design and iconic moments, the OG Halo levels are unbeatable.
Thank You, Bungie
Regardless, it doesn’t change the fact that 343 Industries is doing well with the series, and that’s all that matters. If it had devolved into something completely different and insulting, that would’ve been heartbreaking.
Halo Reach was the perfect sendoff for Bungie's time with the series
byu/Forhaver inpatientgamers
Anyway, today’s about Halo: Reach and how Bungie brought the series to where it is today. From Combat Evolved to Reach, the developer was constantly dedicated to making each subsequent Halo excel and pushing the boundaries of design and gameplay.
For the 14th anniversary, I urge you to go back and play Halo: Reach, be overwhelmed by how complete and perfect a send-off it was, and then join me as we appreciate one of the best video game series ever.
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Shameer Sarfaraz has previously worked for eXputer as a Senior News Writer for several years. Now with Tech4Gamers, he loves to devoutly keep up with the latest gaming and entertainment industries. He has a Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science and years of experience reporting on games. Besides his passion for breaking news stories, Shahmeer loves spending his leisure time farming away in Stardew Valley. VGC, IGN, GameSpot, Game Rant, TheGamer, GamingBolt, The Verge, NME, Metro, Dot Esports, GameByte, Kotaku Australia, PC Gamer, and more have cited his articles.
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