While many games are hitting store shelves with less and less content these days, the Halo series has always launched with a ton of stuff to play through on Day One. Between the single-player campaign, co-op modes and traditional multiplayer, it's hard to argue that Microsoft has ever shortchanged players with a Halo game.
Now that Halo 5: Guardians is getting ready for launch, it's time to look at what 343 Industries' latest game has to offer. Players know all about the story of Master Chief and Agent Locke, and 343 Industries has been awfully generous with showing off the game's multiplayer - but does that actually translate into a lot of content, or has Microsoft already shown its hand?
Well, after a few dozen hours of play, it's safe to say that Halo 5: Guardians has enough to keep gamers busy for a long while. Between a lengthy campaign and a ridiculous number of different multiplayer options, fans of the series won't have to worry about how much of the game is actually on the disc.
Campaign
Total number of levels:
• 15
Estimated completion time:
• Approximately 8 hours
For the most part, Halo 5: Guardians features a campaign that's pretty traditional for the series. As was the case with the past few games, up to four players can take on the story-based campaign. That being said, there have been a few changes - most notably, the ability to play via split screen. While it's still possible to play with other people online, if you want to play with a buddy on the couch, you'll need a second setup.
At fifteen levels total, it's one of the longer campaigns in the series from a purely numerical standpoint - though it'll take seasoned players roughly the same amount of time to complete as the other games in the franchise. Returning fans should expect to get roughly eight hours out of the campaign, while newer players can add a few hours to that.
That being said, Halo 5 is definitely worth playing through for a second time. The level design is some of the best in the series to date, with multiple paths to explore and a wealth of collectibles to find. It won't change how the story plays out at all, and the enemy encounters are still the same, but they way you approach everything will change vastly depending on how much of the level you explore. Simply put, Halo 5: Guardians' campaign is definitely worth a second look.
Multiplayer
Number of Day One multiplayer maps:
• 18
Number of free DLC multiplayer maps:
• 15 (announced)
When it comes to multiplayer, the true stars of the show are a pair of modes called 'Arena' and 'Warzone.' Arena is all about smaller matches in close-quarters maps; it's been designed from the ground up with e-Sports in mind. These are typically shorter games, consisting of modes like SWAT and the brand new Breakout.
Warzone is on the complete opposite end of the spectrum. Taking place on massive stages, Warzone is about capturing bases, defeating A.I. bosses and killing the enemy team. Since Warzone is its own custom game type, you won't find a bunch of different modes within it - though you can play both symmetrical and asymmetrical variants. Warzone matches also tend to go on for quite a bit longer than Arena games - expect to put roughly 30 minutes of playtime into a single Warzone match.
And just because the game's new modes have the spotlight doesn't mean that classic Halo modes won't be making a return: expect to play plenty of Slayer, Capture the Flag and Strongholds (formerly known as Territories) alongside Warzone and Arena.
When it comes to maps, Halo 5: Guardians contains about what you'd expect from any other game in the series. While 18 maps are included with the game, there are a few caveats: Warzone maps are not available for Custom Games (though that may change in the future), and several of the maps are Forge variants on a central theme. For instance, the widely-publicized 'Breakout' maps are all different versions of the same arena. Even so, there's still a sizable number maps included on the disc - and it gets even better from there.
343 Industries has confirmed that all of Halo 5: Guardians multiplayer maps will be free. Microsoft likely has other paid DLC in the works, but you'll never have to pay just to play on the same stages as your friends. As it stands, 343 Industries has confirmed that Halo 5 will see an additional fifteen maps added in throughout the months following the game's release - anything after that is still up in the air.
Finally, for the creative types, the Forge creation tool also makes a return - and there are more possibilities than ever. There are more maps, objects and customizable options than ever before - and the same goes for Theater Mode, which returns to help players save their best moments from both the campaign and multiplayer. However, while Theater Mode will be available on Day One, Forge is being held back for the time being - expect it to launch sometime later this year.
As with any Halo game, Halo 5: Guardians is packed to the gills with plenty of stuff to do and modes to play. For those who have been waiting three years for another chance to dive into the world of Halo, don't worry - Halo 5: Guardians won't disappoint.
The wait is almost over: Halo 5: Guardians hits store shelves on Oct. 27.
Be sure to follow T-Lounge on Twitter and visit our Facebook page!
