Halo 5: Guardians Campaign Review

Fourteen years ago a game launched with the fledgling original Xbox that revolutionised the way first-person shooters were played on all consoles. Many gamers of the modern era will take for granted that twin-stick controlling is simply the way it’s always been; left stick for movement, right stick for looking around. However, until Bungie’s Halo: Combat Evolved burst on to the scene this simply wasn’t the case. Not only did the original Halo make FPS games infinitely better in terms of controls, it had mind-blowing physics, intelligent enemy AI and a deep universe that made it an unparalleled masterpiece. This is not to mention the dedicated online multiplayer experience that was successfully nurtured by Microsoft (the idea of console multiplayer originated with Sega consoles, sleep well sweet Prince) and transformed this game into a veritable phenomenon.

As epic as it looks

Fast forward fourteen years, two generations of consoles and four more entries in the series later and we have the highly-anticipated Xbox One exclusive, Halo 5: Guardians. After golden child developer Bungie finished its trilogy of Halo games and moved on to Destiny, the mantle of responsibility (nerdy reference intended) fell to 343 Industries (343i) to take the reins of Microsoft’s flagship franchise and preserve its formidable legacy. Xbox 360’s Halo 4 was proof that 343i could not only walk the path carved out by their forerunners (also intended), but blaze a path of their own and put their stamp on the series. On the strength of the fourth numbered entry in the legendary (stahp) series, 343i have continued the Halo legacy and given Xbox One owners something to truly crow about. A superb story is told through action-packed and clever gameplay coupled with beautiful cinematics that bring a cast of both old and new characters to life. 343i embraces the advances of a new generation and the fruits of their labour feels like a natural evolution of the games that have gone before it. While maintaining the signature Halo flavour but now running at a crisp 60fps at 1080p, Guardians is faster, fiercer and more visually striking than any other entry in the series. While the relatively short campaign and lack of split-screen or matchmade co-op dampens some of the enjoyment, the quality of what’s on offer in terms of story and production values manage to compensate.

Guardians’ campaign begins by introducing us to Osiris Team, a group of four Spartan-IIs lead by Jameson Locke. The team is tasked with extracting a high-value asset in the form of Dr Halsey, a brilliant (if occasionally unethical) scientist who has vital information on recent Forerunner attacks on several human colonies. Halsey is being held by Jul ‘Mdama, the Covenant leader who wishes to use Dr Halsey’s knowledge of Forerunner technology to suit his own purposes in his civil war against a force led by the False Arbiter. Lost yet? If not, you are likely a Halo fan and are familiar with the backstory of the characters who appear in the Haloverse. If this intro has you scratching your head, it is likely you will find a lot of the story to be a little esoteric. The game makes no apologies for the fact that it is both a direct continuation of Halo 4’s story and features a campaign that draws and relies deeply on the universe in which it is set. It is strongly advised for those wishing to glean maximum satisfaction from Halo 5’s tale that you seek a primer that will prepare you with some of the finer details as to what makes this expansive world tick.

While Osiris are extracting Halsey, Spartan John-117 (better known as Master Chief) is on a routine operation retaking an ONI research ship lost to the Covenant. During the restoration of the Argent Moon, Master Chief is contacted unexpectedly by a spectre from his past. Pursuing this spectre will see him directly defy UNSC directives and be declared officially AWOL, and Spartan Locke and his team are subsequently assigned to hunt down the iconic supersoldier and bring him back to the UNSC. The game has been openly sold on the premise of playing Locke and his team hunting down the decorated Big MC, but initially I thought the reasons for assigning an ex-ONI assassin to bring him in were a little tenuous. Surely humanity’s finest hero has earned the UNSC’s trust and deserves the benefit of the doubt. However, as the campaign continues the gravity of the situation and the part the Master Chief has to play in it becomes apparent and the UNSC’s drastic actions become plausible in the context. As a great threat emerges, friends will become foes, old enemies will become new allies, and the fight for the preservation of all will be placed in the hands of a chosen few.

The story is well told and is beautifully represented in detailed cutscenes peppered throughout the campaign. 343i obviously want to emphasise the sheer awesomeness of the Spartan IIs and have crafted long action sequences that are simply awe-inspiring. The very first scene in which Osiris Team land on the icy surface of Kamchatka and start laying waste to Covenant and Promethean hordes deserves an Academy Award for greatest action scene in a video game ever created. 343i have nailed a cinematic feel to these cutscenes and also the development of the Spartan’s particular personalities conveyed through well-scripted dialogue. While some characters shine brighter than others, like ex-ODST and larrikin Buck, each Spartan feels like their presence is important. Halo fans will recognise many familiar faces that anchor the story and this gives it a sense of continuity. Dr Halsey, Captain Laskey, Roland and the Arbiter are all integral players in the Halo story and each contributes to the unfolding drama in interesting ways.