Halo is in new hands. After chronicling humanity's defeat in
Halo: Reach,
developer and series creator Bungie passed the reins to 343 Industries,
who has charted a new course for the iconic Spartan and his AI
companion, Cortana. In Halo 4, the duo confronts a fresh new threat to
the human race and grapples with mortality in a way the series never has
before. The result is the most compelling story a Halo game has ever
told, conveyed through a campaign that combines the excellent combat,
pacing, and environmental design that have long been hallmarks of the
series. The intriguing new cooperative mode feels flimsy, but the
competitive multiplayer reasserts itself as one of the most exciting
offerings in the genre. Halo 4 doesn't just take the franchise baton in
stride; it sprints out confidently to keep Master Chief and company at
the head of the pack.
At the end of
Halo 3,
Master Chief and Cortana were adrift on a derelict ship, having just
struck the final blow to bring an end to the Covenant's devastating
campaign against the human race. Chief then entered cryo-sleep for the
next four years, while humanity poured its energies into fortifying its
defenses and expanding its galactic presence. A captivating opening
cutscene shows this new initiative taking a critical look at the past,
foreshadowing some interesting tension later in the game. Meanwhile,
Chief and Cortana are roused when they stumble upon a dire threat to
humanity's existence. This foe provides the series with its first proper
villain, one whose roots in previously-vague Forerunner mythology soon
come into frightening focus.
These galactic machinations are dramatic and intriguing, and they are
brought to life vividly by Halo 4's stunning technical prowess. From
sweeping panoramic vistas to claustrophobic jungle clearings, the
environments are rich with detail enhanced by thoughtful lighting and
sharp textures. The excellent artistic design that makes human,
Covenant, and Forerunner architecture so instantly recognizable is on
display once more, helping to create a cohesive sci-fi world. Expressive
facial animations bring characters to life, imbuing the cutscenes with
extra emotional weight and making the story that much more engaging.
It's all tied together with an amazing soundtrack that complements every
aspect of the game. Alien environments ring with eerie strains,
characters' emotions are reflected in plangent chords, and the intense
action is driven along by urgent orchestrations.
Yet for all the excitement and emotion of the main plot, the most
engrossing drama of Halo 4 takes place between Master Chief and Cortana.
Everyone's favorite artificial intelligence is nearing her expiration
date, forcing these two all-but-invincible characters to face the
prospect of death in a way they never have. This delicate, degenerative
process is handled eloquently, and great voice acting, animation, and
writing combine for some poignant moments. 343 Industries delivers a
compelling narrative on both an intimate and a grand scale, with a
satisfying conclusion that will make you excited for what's to come.
Halo 4 is a striking step up in storytelling for the series, but when it
comes to the action, things are more familiar. Halo has always been a
shooter built on clear gameplay systems that combine in complex and
gratifying ways. The crafty and aggressive enemy AI squads work
together, adjusting their tactics as you assault their ranks. Your
four-pronged arsenal of guns, grenades, melee attacks, and armor
abilities fuels a variety of different battlefield strategies. And the
environments both large and small provide enough space to maneuver
creatively, occasionally furnishing a vehicle or two for your driving
enjoyment.
These systems are a through line in the series and they continue to hold
up well in Halo 4, right down to the Covenant enemies that you fight at
various points throughout the campaign (apparently not everyone knows
the war is over). They still make great foes, but the new Promethean
enemies offer a fresh combat challenge. Canine crawlers fire from a
distance or swarm up close, while hovering watchers flit back and forth,
offering maddening support to their allies. The hulking knights look
fearsome and put up a mean fight, teleporting both defensively and
offensively to make killing them from a distance a tricky proposition.
New enemies come with new weapons too, and though these guns fit
familiar niches, neat tweaks like the boltshot's shotgun-esque alternate
fire and the scattershot's ricocheting bullets make them feel distinct.