A number of minor improvements to an already great formula make this the definitive "Halo" title.
Since the original Xbox launched many years, there has always been one title associated with it; the powerhouse known as Halo. The first person shooter from Bungie has been a staple in the console's success, and in the latest, as well as final title in the series, Bungie sends it off fittingly, by adding minor improvements to gameplay across all modes, creating a plot that brings the whole Halo story full circle, and making quite possibly a contender with "LittleBigPlanet" on the PS3 for creativity with its map creation mode titled, Forge.
For those who are unaware, let it be noted that Reach is a prequel to the original Halo game, not a direct sequel.
Gameplay:
As with prior titles from Bungie, this is a first person shooter, with a fairly lengthy campaign lasting about 10-12 hours depending on skill level and difficulty setting. The campaign adds a lot of new features, including space battles which actually work really well, and feel similar to what "Star Wars: Battlefront II" offered back a few years ago. You also have some new weapons, though I wont go into detail, because some of them are pretty nice to have in some sticky situations.
Firefight returns as well, and is better than ever. I myself can say on "ODST", I did not play Firefight even once. I thought it was a total mockup of "Gears of War 2's" Horde Mode. Since it is the final Halo game though, I decided to give it a shot, and judging from the nonstop action, it seriously is a terrific game mode, especially in co-op. You can change various options, and it is a lot of fun to make yourself invincible and just tear every Covenant soldier to pieces.
Forge is also back, and this truly is the highlight if this game. If you look on the Playstation 3 and its exclusive "LittleBigPlanet", you can do almost anything in that game. Well, Bungie decided that they would raise the bar with their creation mode, and Forge is essentially the most creative mode on the Xbox 360, hands down. There have been very few games that let you customize this much, especially on a scale that Forge allows. You can spend hours on Forge World creating the ultimate map, post it in your file share, and let the world stare at the creativity of your mind.
Don't worry. I have not forgotten the staple of this series yet; the multiplayer. It is larger than ever, and rest assured, I see map packs a'plenty in the future. Some map do feel like new versions of older maps, but they are fun just the same, and provide excellent action. If you have played Halo at all in your life, than you know how it is. It is a seriously awesome game. Now, you can customize your character even more, with new armor plates, helmets, and other assortments of accessories.
Sound:
This game sounds terrific. Voice acting is top notch, and everything from the weapons to vehicle sounds and explosions, all sound great. The music is one again on an "epic" scale, as has all the Halo games. Though I will say, there have been a couple of times where something of a large nature happens, and all the audio cuts off completely, and will never come on unless you go to the dashboard. I am unaware if this is a major problem for many, or something that may just happen with me, though it is worth noting.
Story:
To avoid spoilers, this will be short. You play as a new recruit in a Spartan battle group known as Noble Team, and you go from mission to mission fighting for humanity. Each mission is varried, and increases in difficulty tremendously. To avoid spoilers, that will be all on the plot.
Graphics:
These are the best graphics in the series to date. While very similar to "ODST" in a lot of ways, fans will notice the detail that has gone into this game. Environments, weapons, vehicle, characters, etc.. all look amazing thanks to the new engine. The graphics also fit nicely into the dark atmosphere that the plot portrays, and it all really feels dark in a great way.
Presentation:
The game's menu system has also been revamped, and is sleeker and better than ever. You'll be able to view your friends who are playing Reach, join their games, send invites, or check their service record. They are easy to navigate, and feel more responsive as well. More responsive is, in my opinion, the theme for the game as a whole. Everything flows smoothly from one thing to the next. The only minor flaw is the fact that it still takes forever to load up your campaign progress, and creates a minor inconsistancy between everything else and that.
Conclusion
Bungie has always set the bar high in its games, and does the same with its final Halo title in the franchise. As the series in now done, one can only wonder where Bungie can go from here, and how they may or may not use Halo as inspiration for its next major series, which is set to span the next ten years of gaming. Halo Reach is not just a tremendous game, but an instant classic. Whether you have played the others or not does not mean you won't enjoy this amazing, immersive, and memorable game.
Gameplay Score: 9.5/10
Sound Score: 9/10
Story Score: 9.5/10
Graphics Score: 9.5/10
Presentation Score: 10/10
Replay Value: Extremely High