Randy Plavajka | Banner Ashley Essex, newcomer to the Halo franchise and freshman English and theater double major, plays through the campaign of “Halo 5: Guardians,” which now features the ability to complete missions cooperatively online.
“Halo 5: Guardians” debuted exclusively on Microsoft’s Xbox One Oct. 27 with plasma cannons blazing and a new multiplayer experience that 343 Industries has refined for the new release.
Halo has been one of the most popular franchises since its release in 2001 and since then has brought a new storyline and exciting gameplay.
Each prior release rocked the Halo fan base and each individual game in the series was relentless in providing cutting-edge graphics and mechanics to a crowd that is eager for the best experience technologically achievable.
For anyone buying a copy, the notorious quality and style is noticeable within a few moments into the game.
The game play is tight, fast-paced and is brilliantly designed to provide a lot of fun for the players. However, for any seasoned Halo fanatic, this is not the same Halo of years past.
Instead, it takes cues from its competition to enhance its own platform. “Halo 5: Guardians” strays away from the original Halo mechanics and takes on a new formula.
Connecting to matches online is much easier though, in comparison to the other games that Halo borrows aspects from.
The shooting resembles Call of Duty because of the immediate and rapid in response to the controller. The running, jumping and amount of violence, feel genuine to the Halo franchise.
Although the formula is brand new to game developer 343 Industries, it works well. Players should not feel as if they are playing two different games. Instead, the pair can be compared to chocolate and peanut butter; a great combination.
The campaign’s differences may not be so easily overlooked because it is designed for four player co-operative missions.
In “Halo 5: Guardians,” a player on their own is expected to command the team to accomplish tasks and defeat enemies, as opposed to the typical “lone wolf” style that has been at Halo’s single player mission core for the previous games.
Cooperative missions used to be a bonus, but are now the focal point. Whether or not this new focus is good or bad is to be determined by the audience as time progresses.
