Halo 5 just got a whole lot bigger with the Hammer Storm update, available now.
For starters, the update adds a number of new game modes. Griffball, Halo's "sport" gametype that has players attempting to run a ball into the opposing team's goal while avoiding the hammers and swords of opponents, is now available, as is a new Assault gametype that requires players to plant a defend bomb. The random weapon madness of the Fiesta gametype also makes a triumphant return.
All those new games modes are just the tip of the iceberg. A new map has been added to the game's Arena playlists, as have a few new weapons. The Gravity Hammer joins Halo 5 for Griffball but will see use in numerous other modes. Longtime Halo fans may tear up at the sight of the latest weapon to be added to the game. Last month, 343 Industries added the classic Halo 2 Battle Rifle to Halo 5, and now, they've gone a step further by adding the most powerful weapon in Halo history.
We are, of course, talking about the magnum from Halo: Combat Evolved. The powerful side-arm was a mini-sniper rifle and more useful than the vast majority of the original Halo's other weaponry. Bungie took the magnum down a notch in subsequent games, but it looks like 343 is restoring the weapon to its former glory. Headshot kills with the weapon will even trigger a death animation taken straight from the first game.
If that's not fan service, we aren't sure what is. Along with the magnum, a number of new REQs have been added in the form of new armor, assassinations and more.
It's a lot to take in, but 343 is already teasing what's next. That would be the return of Firefight, the popular "Horde" style mode made famous in Halo 3: ODST. Players will team up to take out waves of AI opponents without the fear of having enemy players breathing down their backs. There aren't a whole lot of details about the return of the mode just yet, but it should make more than a few Halo fans happy. You can watch the trailer for the Hammer Storm update below.
