Feature Article

Where's Our Halo 5: Guardians Review?

GameSpot may receive revenue from affiliate and advertising partnerships for sharing this content and from purchases through links.

Our opinion is on its way.

Halo 5: Guardians releases on Tuesday. It's 343 Studios' first release since Halo: The Master Chief Collection, and the developer's second original title to date. But although the review embargo is up for the shooter's impending release, we're holding our full scored opinion until we're confident the public servers are running smoothly tomorrow. If all goes according to plan on Halo 5's end, you can read the review soon, along with a video portion to show the series' new gameplay mechanics and sci-fi worlds.

The strength of the servers notwithstanding, I have played through the campaign in both single and four-player cooperative modes. And I'm torn: Its level design leads to some of the best missions in the Halo franchise, with varying elevations, open-ended sandbox areas, and gorgeous sci-fi worlds. The campaign's structure is also more nuanced than those of previous installments, bouncing you between two teams of Spartans as they chase--and evade--the other across alien worlds.

Please use a html5 video capable browser to watch videos.
This video has an invalid file format.
00:00:00
Sorry, but you can't access this content!
Please enter your date of birth to view this video

By clicking 'enter', you agree to GameSpot's
Terms of Use and Privacy Policy

There are problems with its story, though--not so much in what it says, but how it says it. Cutscenes end prematurely, character motivations shift on a whim, and I'm often confused as to what planet I'm on, or how I got there. This campaign is energetic and fast-paced, and seldom slows down to let you breathe. But it lacks the storytelling splendor I was hoping for with such a diverse cast of characters.

I've also played classic competitive multiplayer modes such as Slayer, Team Slayer, Capture the Flag, and Swat across a variety of maps. These modes, now comprising what 343 is calling Arena mode, are still as fine-tuned as always. They also ditch the loadout-based progression system--a la Call of Duty--introduced in Halo 4. Instead of unlocking new weapons to outfit your character at the outset of each match, Arena scatters power items throughout each environment, bringing back that classic Halo feel in a welcome return to form.

But Halo 5's multiplayer also diverts into unexplored territory with a brand new mode. It's called Warzone, and it contains some of the most dynamic, thoughtful, frantic multiplayer matches I've seen since the franchise marked the dawn of Xbox Live. Warzone is inspired by the pervasive MOBA genre. It combines player vs. environment and player vs. player elements, and there's no one way to win a match.

Please use a html5 video capable browser to watch videos.
This video has an invalid file format.
00:00:00
Sorry, but you can't access this content!
Please enter your date of birth to view this video

By clicking 'enter', you agree to GameSpot's
Terms of Use and Privacy Policy

You can mow through enemy AI, kill opposing human players, bring down skilled mini-bosses, and capture neutral strongholds. Almost anything you choose to do contributes to your team's efforts, and the sprawling maps encourage multiple avenues of approach. Warzone may be the thing to keep me hooked on Halo 5. And the Requisition system, which grants you weapon, vehicle, and ability cards to burn in Warzone maps, creates a rewarding economy for consistent players.

In the end, Halo 5 introduces some of the most drastic changes to the longrunning franchise. Both in multiplayer and campaign, there are additions and iterations in almost every area, and even veteran players will find a fresh experience waiting for them. If 343's multiplayer servers perform as they should after tomorrow's release, we'll have a review up afterward, with in-depth analysis of all the changes in Halo 5: Guardians.

Mike Mahardy on Google+

Got a news tip or want to contact us directly? Email news@gamespot.com


mmahardy

Mike Mahardy

Writer and Host. New Yorker. Enthusiast of gin, cilantro, and rock and roll.

Halo 5: Guardians

Halo 5: Guardians

Follow
Back To Top
415 Comments  RefreshSorted By 
GameSpot has a zero tolerance policy when it comes to toxic conduct in comments. Any abusive, racist, sexist, threatening, bullying, vulgar, and otherwise objectionable behavior will result in moderation and/or account termination. Please keep your discussion civil.

Avatar image for silversix_
silversix_

26347

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

My only question about the review is, will it be posted under the "dynamic resolution"?

9 • 
Avatar image for pointingmonkey
PointingMonkey

833

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 5

@silversix_: No, but from what I've heard they plan to post it, with widescreen black bars at the top and bottom of the review. To make it more cinematic.

9 • 
Avatar image for silversix_
silversix_

26347

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

Edited By silversix_

@pointingmonkey: So just like quality bluray movies? That's great news, at least its not 810p upscaled to 1080p with insane amount of shimmering and jaggies that give you eye herpes. Thanks god, you're a savior.

9 • 
Avatar image for Beardof_Zeus456
Beardof_Zeus456

90

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

@silversix_: Bloody hate eye herpes!

Upvote • 
Avatar image for pointingmonkey
PointingMonkey

833

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 5

Edited By PointingMonkey

@silversix_: Yeah expect that the black bars count towards the resolution on The Order 1886 (which is how they achieved 1080p visuals), yet they don't with a Blu-ray. Blu-ray's use that technique because there are many different aspect ratios within films. You'll notice that a film such as Ben-Hur will have higher bars than something like Star Wars, due to Ben-Hur being filmed at 2.76:1 whereas Star Wars was filmed at 2.35:1. Which is why TVs use the 16:9 ratio, to allow the many different aspect ratios fit on the screen, without looking odd.

10 • 
Avatar image for skiggy34
skiggy34

1104

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 8

User Lists: 5

Edited By skiggy34

@pointingmonkey: This is an honest question to you. I read this comment and am sitting here asking myself, who the hell verifies or even checks into the ratio of Ben Hur and Star Wars? Like did you actually look that up and if so for what reason???

Sorry to say but you need to seriously get a life dude...

Upvote • 
Avatar image for pointingmonkey
PointingMonkey

833

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 5

@skiggy34: Did it ever occur to you that knowing about aspect ratios may well be involved in my job? The fact that Ben-Hur is the most extreme widescreen ever filmed, it is common knowledge with people who need to understand the workings of aspect ratios to know that it is 2.76:1. As for Star Wars, I was making an educated guess on that one. I willing to bet that Star Wars was either 2.35:1 or 2.39:1. As they are both the most common widescreen formats for cinemas.

If you can't understand why I needed to list the aspect ratios from those films, you obviously need to improve your reading comprehension, it's all there in my original comment. But I'll see if I can spell it out to you, the black bars on Blu-ray movies, are there because films are not filmed in a standard format. There are many aspect ratios (15 common ones), which dependent on Director/Cinematographer will differ from film to film. Those black bars are not there to achieve a 1080p image, unlike The Order 1886. But rather keep the artistic integrity of the film. The only other option is to use Pan and Scan, which a lot of people in the film industry including Steven Spielberg are against. Pan and Scan will give you a full screen image, with no black bars, but you'd also lose almost 50% of the original image in the process.

Also I'm not sure that I'll take advice about getting a life, from a guy who uploads a picture of the backside of a woman on a gaming site.

Upvote • 
Avatar image for SythisTaru
SythisTaru

881

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 2

User Lists: 0

Edited By SythisTaru

@pointingmonkey: The Order is still the best looking game ever made, and this coming from a PC gamer 95% of the time.

3 • 
Avatar image for ALLIAMOS
ALLIAMOS

751

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 3

User Lists: 0

Edited By ALLIAMOS

the order 1886 vs wreck and ralph movie,

the order 1886 is better because you can watching with controller

Upvote • 
Avatar image for skiggy34
skiggy34

1104

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 8

User Lists: 5

@SythisTaru: That goes to show that graphics are overrated..........

Upvote • 
Avatar image for vegasgamerdawg
VegasGamerDawg

83

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

@SythisTaru: ......and still no one cared or bought that pos. Just sayin, stay a fanBOY virgin, it's cool.

Upvote • 
Avatar image for deathblow3
deathblow3

794

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

@SythisTaru: too bad it sucked

7 • 
Avatar image for pointingmonkey
PointingMonkey

833

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 5

Edited By PointingMonkey

@SythisTaru: Who said anything about the looks of the game, just pointing out that both consoles are failing to deliver on true 1080p visuals, and resorting to tricks to make it appear to be 1080p 60fps.

8 • 
Avatar image for wkadalie
wkadalie

1129

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

Edited By wkadalie

@SythisTaru: It is amazing. I don't know why they don't make games like that on PC. Since it has all that power.

Upvote • 
Avatar image for silversix_
silversix_

26347

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

@pointingmonkey: Halo 5 looks barely better (textures/lighting/shading) than Halo 4 and runs at the same or a little bit better resolution. The order, with its black bars is about three and a half leagues ahead of Halo 5 visuals. the day a halo game looks like something made for current gen is day we will be comparing graphics. As of now, the best comparison for Halo 5 is a game released in 2012 aka Halo 4. Which is sad.

6 • 
Avatar image for skiggy34
skiggy34

1104

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 8

User Lists: 5

Edited By skiggy34

@silversix_: Actually its not. The Order isn't even half the size of Halo 5 and its filled with cinematics and QTE's. The actual game gameplay isnt even an 8th of Halo's size. So sure they are going to be able to make it look great. On top of that Halo 5 focuses on 60fps. Framerate is where gaming is at!! Look at Diablo 3 for PS4 and Xb1, game looks good, nothing at all epic graphically, plays at a pretty solid 60fps and is still one of the best games. At what point this gen are you people going to stop this graphics crap?? You want graphics, get a pc with a $700 graphics card....

Upvote • 
Avatar image for demonkingx5
demonkingx5

664

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

Edited By demonkingx5

@skiggy34: Please stop this. "You want graphics, get a pc with a $700 graphics card....".

You don't need a $700 video card to stomp the PS4 weak GPU, a cheap GPU like a 290 will do & it cost $239.

Upvote • 
Avatar image for turianshepard
TurianShepard

1197

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 5

@demonkingx5: A 290 murders a ps4. But your point still stands.

Upvote • 
Avatar image for overkillerjr
overkillerjr

56

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

Edited By overkillerjr

@silversix_: Every reviewer has stated that halo 5 looks absolutely amazing. in every way. why dont you go read instead of making stupid comments.

5 • 
Avatar image for pointingmonkey
PointingMonkey

833

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 5

Edited By PointingMonkey

@silversix_: I never said anything about the looks of the game, just the fact that The Order 1886 was using tricks to fool people into making it seem like a 1080p game. It's not like I brought up Killzone Shadowfall's multiplayer or anything.

8 • 
Avatar image for cvantu
cvantu

210

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 1

User Lists: 5

Edited By cvantu

@silversix_: Oh look, the well known Sony troll saying ignorant things because he hates Microsoft. It's never shocking to see you here, and even less shocking to see something being said that is so stupid.

Fact: Halo 5 is native 1080p. It downscales during times of intense graphical output. This keeps the game running a smooth 60fps.

Fact: Halo 4 is 720p. It runs at 30fps with frame dips throughout the game (really bad ones, especially during cutscenes)

Fact: The Order's bars does help prevent stress to keep the game at 1080p. It also only runs at 30fps. The environments and scale are much lower than Halo 5, which allows more to be achieved graphically.

Early reviews have had nothing but praise for the graphics in Halo 5.

Now I'll await to hear your stupidity on the subject again.

24 • 
Avatar image for Sokol4ever
Sokol4ever

6717

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 23

User Lists: 0

@mjc0961: You forgot to mention, rock solid 30 frames which would make no impact if they were 60 frames on a game like The Order 1866.

Story was not stupid, you just didn't like it - that's your opinion not a fact and the game sets up it's ending for a sequel.

3 • 
Avatar image for skiggy34
skiggy34

1104

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 8

User Lists: 5

@Sokol4ever: The story wasnt stupid but the game sucked... No point on arguing for it. Halo vs The Order is like arguing The Patrtiots and the Bucs...

Upvote • 
Avatar image for jedikv
jedikv

294

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 1

User Lists: 0

@Sokol4ever: 60fps makes a big difference for anything reaction based. The Ready at dawns excuses for being 'cinematic' was kind of sad. The story is pretty lame considering the final boss is literally a re-skin of a mid-game boss with the exact same QTEs....

Upvote • 
Avatar image for cvantu
cvantu

210

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 1

User Lists: 5

@mjc0961: the pixel size of the game itself is 1080p. It may not fill the screen, but the size of the pixels are the same. That is what I meant.

2 • 
Avatar image for whereisyourgodn
WhereIsYourGodN

71

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

@cvantu: Gottem

Upvote • 
Avatar image for deactivated-5a30e101a977c
deactivated-5a30e101a977c

5970

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 5

User Lists: 0

@silversix_: Keep playing the resolution game. Gameplay > gfx, and the gameplay is amazing if the other reviews are correct. Keep hatin' though ;)

6 • 
Avatar image for silversix_
silversix_

26347

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

@FastRobby: yes gameplay>graphics but Halo 5 isn't released, Halo 4 was average, MCC was a mess so how do you know that Halo 5 gameplay is good? You don't. All you can judge right now are the visuals you see in the trailers and those look ugly.

5 • 
Avatar image for skiggy34
skiggy34

1104

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 8

User Lists: 5

@silversix_: No no no.... Halo 4 was better than Average,. Didnt it score a 9?? Also MCC was NO mess.. The games were perfect! The matchmaking was a mess. 4 campaigns, 5 if you include the free ODST were perfect and looked beautiful. Driveclub is a mess! Not only does the game suck, the mechanics suck its 30fps and it too had/still has some internet issues. Thats a mess. No Halo game will ever be a mess....

Upvote • 
Avatar image for overkillerjr
overkillerjr

56

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

@silversix_: We know because there are other reviews out there stating that game play is amazing as well the mechanics are rock solid and the multiplayer is even better and may be as good or not better than halo 2 . Man you comments keeping getting dumber and dumber

Upvote • 
Avatar image for korusuk
KorusUK

217

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 5

@silversix_: Who the **** is this guy and who does he think he is? PS4 is a great console but the jelly is very strong with this one.

8 • 
Avatar image for feeblemind77
feeblemind77

57

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

@silversix_: You're ridiculous applying the word ugly to the graphics in Halo 5's trailers. You're trying too hard to hate on a game that is obviously gorgeous (according to anyone that has gotten their hands on the game) and is one of the best games coming out this year on any platform. But please, don't let me keep you from spouting random nonsense because you feel bad that you don't have anything exclusive to play on the PS4 this year. Just go buy an XB1 and stop the fanboy hating. You'll be welcome with open arms.

5 • 
Avatar image for cvantu
cvantu

210

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 1

User Lists: 5

@silversix_: well, for one...there was a multiplayer beta. It allowed those to find out how well the mechanics work as well as how balanced the new additions were. Guess what? The game played great. Reviews are also backing that up.

5 • 
Avatar image for deactivated-5a30e101a977c
deactivated-5a30e101a977c

5970

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 5

User Lists: 0

@silversix_: Reviews....

Upvote • 
Avatar image for fiskamat4
Fiskamat4

123

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 5

Story opinions are soo inaccurate always. Dont even try it

11 • 
Avatar image for vegasgamerdawg
VegasGamerDawg

83

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

@fiskamat4: They way you perceive the world is inaccurate,lol.

6 • 
Avatar image for Bowser05
Bowser05

1141

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 149

User Lists: 0

@fiskamat4: They're opinions. They are completely accurate to the reviewer's tastes.

10 •