Multiplayer is a huge focus of every Halo game, but with Halo 5: Guardians, 343 Industries set out to fix everything that was wrong with Halo 4's competitive offerings. Gone are the numerous, unnecessary Call of Duty-esque mechanics, replaced by a wealth of new features that feel right at home in Halo's sandbox. From everything that fans have seen, Halo 5: Guardians' multiplayer could be some of the best in the series.
That being said, 343 Industries has been tight-lipped about the game's launch day multiplayer suite. Sure, Warzone and Arena have been the focal points of the game's pre-release marketing push, but those modes are just a part of Halo 5's larger competitive modes. So, what else will be available on Day One?
Well, thanks to 343 Industries' multiplayer designer Quinn DelHoyo (via IGN), fans finally have an idea of what to expect. Obviously, Warzone and Arena will have a big presence - they are the game's two major modes, after all - but there will also be a slew of Halo classics for fans to jump into:
Warzone
One of Halo 5's flagship modes, Warzone is a huge 12-on-12 battle. Players will fight to capture bases, take down enemy Spartans and even face A.I.-controlled bosses. The map selection is a bit limited, true, but given the scale of the matches, it's understandable.
• Escape from A.R.C.
• Raid on Apex 7
• March on Stormbreak
Warzone Assault
Free-for-All is typically where things get a bit nutty, but for launch day, 343 Industries is keeping its lone wolf playlist relatively tame. Slayer is the playlist's only mode, so if you were hoping for something like Oddball or King of the Hill, you'll have to look elsewhere.
• Eden
• Regret
• The Rig
• Plaza
• Orion
• Pegasus
There's also mention of a special community playlist dubbed the 'Weekend Special.' While details on the timed playlist are still scarce, 343 did confirm that, by voting through Halo Waypoint, players can choose which mode gets featured. There's also a promise of bonus experience and special REQ boosts, but again, details are still few and far between - it looks like we'll have to wait until launch to see what 343 has up its sleeve.
All in all, Halo 5: Guardians' Day One multiplayer lineup looks solid. The offerings here aren't quite as varied as previous Halo games, but considering how unplayable The Master Chief Collection was at launch (and, for many players, still is), it's easy to assume that 343 wants to start off with something a bit more focused, make sure everything is running smoothly and then expand from there.
Thankfully, it won't be long before fans can dive back into some of the best multiplayer in the industry: Halo 5: Guardians hits store shelves on Oct. 27.
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