Halo Reach To Be Visually-Inspired AAA Title

Bungie's propaganda for achieving world domination comes one step closer with the next iteration of Halo, titled Reach the game not only rewinds the clock to focus on events that crafted the existence of the Spartan program and its subsequent utilization in the war against the Covenant, but also looks to fulfill the promise of delivering a brand new graphical engine that pushes the visual aura of the game to suit the current generation.

[interrergator]

well theres no doubt about that im excited to see the plot in this

[Capt CHAOS]

I'm sure it'll be fab!

[Michael Jackson]

I'm excited about this too. Just bought a 360 to go along with my PS3. I love it! Stop the hating.

[La Chance]

It looks like theyre doing a complete overhaul. I guess we'll see more next year since its only coming out fall 2010 and MSFT always usually dont hype their games more than a year or a couple of months from release.

And I dont know why but I have a feeling there wont be Gears 3 next year so Halo Reach will have to fill in the slot for end of the year blockbuster...that alone makes me sure its gonna be something huge.

[interrergator]

maybe well see an awesome super bowl commercial like the halo 3 one

[JokesOnYou]

Halo3 had the best commercials I've ever seen for a videogame...those Finish the Fight ads with all the epic battle scenes and the old USNC soldier talking about "the war" and how Master Chief saved the day was just amazing, I actually had tears in my eye. Its a little hard for me to talk about...uhm hold on give me second....>>sniff<, err the memories come and go, >>sobs<<, I, I, I, did you hear that?...sorry I can't do this.

JOY

[Qui-Gon Jim]

I was very surprised to see a new Halo announced before Gears 3. Microsoft had said shortly after Gears 1 launched that they would be alternating between Gears and Halo each year. Maybe they will release both Gears 3 and Halo: Reach in the same year. They would eat up some of each other's sales, but that would make a killer holiday for 360 sales, especially with Project Natal launching at probably about the same time.

[StanLee]

I don't see how they eat up each other sales. Halo is traditionally released in September and Gears of War in November. Gears of War 2, Call of Duty World at War and Left 4 Dead show that XBox 360 owners will buy high profile releases regardless of how closely they're released. 2010 could be a phenomenal year with Mass Effect 2, Alan Wake, Crackdown 2, Halo Reach and Gears of War 3 as well as what other unannounced projects Microsoft has on the dockets. Maybe something substantial from Rare, finally, and Fable 3.

[ShabzS]

a new graphics engine... that makes me feel gooood

[shocky16]

All their games have been AAA so far so I can't wait for this one!

[Qui-Gon Jim]

Yeah, you're probably right. I don't have a 360, so don't pay that close attention to the release dates, but if there's a good separation, that would help. I do think there would still be some people who hold off on buying one because they're still enjoying the other. It may not be a huge number, but there would be some delayed sales.

[Jaces]

Well it's about time. Pretty excited to see how this is going to turn out.

[phosphor112]

That's why they left MS in the first place, to do their own thing, but I'm sitting here expecting yet even more Halo games from them. Everyone has discussed this already, but so far Bungie seems like a one-trick-pony, but they aren't.

Come on Bungie, you are one of the only AAA companies that have made games exclusive to MS...sign up for a new IP and make a great game that once again, wont use the UE3 engine...*crosses fingers*

[N4Flamers]

halo3 canibalized many games, the film industry even blamed it for a lousy box office weekend when it released. It is no secret that too many great games comming out at one time tend to effect each others' sales. I think youre right and MS will probablylaunch one next year and gears 3 for the next xbox, or in 2011.

I still think they shou;d launch gears 3 with the 360 and have an updated one packed in with the next xbox. Probably the xbox galaxie. Just made that up.

[king dong3]

i dont think they are myself. unless microsoft really aren't thinking about releasing new hardware for another 3-4 years. if they do build a new engine, and microsoft release a new console in a couple of years, then halo4 will be running on said engine. i cant see microsoft coughing up for two new engines in a couple of years.

if bungie have crafted something new, then expect a couple more halos this gen after halo reach....which is good for me coz i like halo games anyway.

anyway, i'm really looking forward to halo reach and odst. the fall of reach wasn't a bad book(nothing compared to some of the other books i read, but a pretty decent sci-fi novel), and the story could translate into something good. the halo universe is so big, bungie could quite easily leave halo at number 3, and dig into the past to make another 10 halos.....and they would legitimately have more spartans!

[Bnet343]

All Halo games made by Bungie are AAA. They won't stop any time soon. They are a very talented group on individuals and love their fans.

[SaberEdge]

I have high hopes for Halo Reach. I am sure it will be an amazing game.

[NewZealander]

i just bought the fall of reach book so i can learn a bit about the back story before the game comes out, and the more i learn about halo the more i love it, and i dont care what people say, i loved halo 3 and the lighting and colour in that game still impress me, better then the grey enreal engine any day.

more halo please!

[The Master Chief]

If this is true

Everything = Pwned

...but if its not true and graphics barely get better...

Everything still = Pwned

lmao

[Meus Renaissance]

I'll see it when I believe it. I remember how much they sang about Halo 3's visuals in Single Player and we all know how THAT turned out.

[JokesOnYou]

"I'll see it when I believe it."

-That just sounds weird, shouldn't you believe it when you see it?

Well for me, I don't remember them overly praising Halo3's graphics, I think the only time Bungie really came out publicly stating Halo3 graphics will be great is when alot folks criticized the graphics after the Beta started, they said those were not the final graphics and the game will look great, which it did...the HDR is still amazing, I think the art style being totally different(not realistic) compared to all the other big blockbuster shooters is why Halo3 gets alot of hate, for me its part of the charm when I go back to Halo3 every now and then its unique color and art style makes me really feel like I'm playing a totally different shooter. Still I own almost every decent shooter and Halo3 is overall just more fun than ANY of them. Once you learn the nuances of its competitive multiplayer and start to win a bit, its satisfaction is the most rewarding imo. I just wish I had more time from work to actually play enough to stop getting my ass handed to me by 12 yr olds....sadly I'll only be working more as the holidays near but I got a good gig and it pays well.

JOY

[littletad]

Bungie never made it out to be a graphics showcase. Instead they delivered an engine that set out to make their game playable and most importantly... fun. The physics in Halo 3 is still some of the best on any console to date.

[leila01]

Halo 3 is fantastic on every level, I don't get why so many people hate the game.

Bungie has never disappointed so I'm sure REACH will be good as well.

[edhe]

yeah the visuals in halo3 can still blow the pants off most titles.

It's a shame it's not 720p, but they made the choice to give up on that so that they could get the title out with the HDR. The lighting in the game's tremendous, which is artistically more important than resolution anyway [something i've always maintained].

Better tech begets better art, but better tech is not better art.

[peeps]

"yeah the visuals in halo3 can still blow the pants off most titles. "

they really don't lol but cus it's such a good game it doesn't matter. i mean ppl still play counterstrike lol but for Reach they deffo needed a new engine. i'm looking frwd to it a lot more than ODST anyway

[edhe]

Riiight..

Name 100 titles from this generation (654 titles on 360 + community games [328 currently]) that look better than halo3. Specifically HDR & colour palette use.

Don't try to mock a valid comment.

[really duh]

What makes you think they're using the old Halo engine despite what they are saying? or working by themselves? You remember what they said about Halo 3? like what HDR lighting?

[da720izcumin]

i mean let's not forget about the x-engine thing...
hopefully, they will improve the graphics much, while also improving on the fun and story (halo's greatest strength).

[Tarasque]

While i am sure the story and the gameplay will be good. Far as the graphical feat goes i will wait and see on that one.

[Mr Remington]

If they can stick carefully to Eric Nylund's book, then the story should be superb.

I never liked the Halo games, but they make hella great books.

[Halo_FaN]

Cant wait for this game , as an Halo Fan i only think it will be AWESOME!

[The Master Chief]

Bubbles to you Halo fan :)

[DragonWarrior46534]

More Halo? Man they better go a new direction or Im done with the series completely. And Im not just saying visuals, because thats least important to me. Im talking revamped controls(run button please), more weapons cause im sick of the same ol battle rifle and needler that does more harm then good. Really, I would love to see Bungie do a totally new IP.

[leila01]

Moar Halo please.

[CRAIG667]

Why do you need a run button? i thought the left analogue stick did a pretty good job myself,but its ur prefernce and i must admit if they got rid of the run button in gears it would suck!But for me the controls in halo 3 are just fine tbh.

[mastiffchild]

I think he just means a sprint button for a chnage in running speed not just a button to run-I didn't notice-are they putting one in for ODST as I thought the reason HaloCE,2 and 3 didn't have one was because of MC's suit making hinm quicker than others anyway?

It's odd but the first time I remember wanting a sprint option was when I first played Galo3 and not in the earlier games. I guess you get used to it in other games but in ODST not [playing as MC maybe there is a possible reason to include one. IDK but it would help differentiate the gameplay between H3 and ODST at a simple stroke.

I was a little disappointed in the gfx of Halo3 but possibly just because it didn't feel like a generational jump and the ads had me expecting Jesus' very own video game! That said it does look OK on a decent TV even if others have surpassed it by now-it wasn't ever ugly was it?

[Pizzagaki]

Nice, i am curious to see what they deliver.

[Reibooi]

Personally I think the plot matters more then the graphics when it comes to something that's gonna be about Reach as anyone who has read the Halo books know the story behind Reach and what happened there is a incredible one.

That said it would be nice to have a Halo game that looked Stunning as the Halo games have never really pushed anything graphically.

[kwicksandz]

i thought halo 2 was ahead of the pack for its time. Even as a pc gamer during the Ps2/xbox era that game looked good.

[PS360PCROCKS]

Yeah. Halo 2 has really good graphics, that why it was weird when Halo 3 wasn't as impressive visually.

[dawgsfan117]

Halo 2 had some of the best graphics of the last generation. I think thats one of the reasons that Halo 3 was seen as such a letdown graphically.

[mastiffchild]

Yeah Dawhz-I feel that H3 didn't feel like the massive jump to HD mainly because they did such a great job with the way Halo2 looked-it was breathtaking for it's day and surprised me on the first Xbox.

[SaberEdge]

Halo and Halo 2 had some of the best graphics of their day. Just read some of the reviews and you will see that people thought the graphics were outstanding.

Here are just a few examples of what reviewers had to say about Halo's graphics:

"The graphics are amazing - as in better than what you've seen on a PC. They are just incredible to look at and you'll drool in awe." (GamePen)

"The attention to detail blew me away. The graphics are beyond anything I imagined." (PGNx Media)

"Graphically it bench presses any other console FPS out there, and the gameplay is varied, interesting and full of superb environments." (Media and Games Online Network)

"With a story good enough for a full length novel, audio and visual elements as detailed as any you've ever seen and excellent pacing, Halo is the reason for Xbox and vice versa." (IGN)

"Its graphical prowess is truly unprecedented, lighting up the screen with a flurry of chaotic effects that can best be described as glorious." (GameInformer)

"The animation on each Marine you encounter is remarkable, possessing almost endless moving parts and distinct facial features, while the lighting, textures, and massive landscapes prove Halo and the Xbox to be without equal on the console market." (All Game Guide)

[DailyAddict]

More than likely there won't be a Gears of War title next year. They usually release Gears of War and Halo in alternating years, which is smart for them to do as it sort of guarantees at least one blockbuster every year. Not to mention, launching any game around a Halo has always resulted in horrible sales and I'm sure Epic and Cliffy B. don't want to see how popular their game "really" is when it launches next to a Halo title.

I'm glad to see a graphical overhaul for Halo, though. I don't think the Halo games look bad, but it's time to step it up. Given that Sony's Uncharted 2 took all of the best graphics awards from E3 by most sites I'm sure Microsoft wants to come back swinging, otherwise they'd have to eat those "we're just as powerful as PS3" comments they've made time and time again.

[Pizzagaki]

on the other hand, epic and cliffy need to eat, so they have to release games.
So its still possible we could get a gears in october, and a halo in december, or vice versa.

Ofcourse you could be right, but then i expect a new graphical engine for gears 3 as well. (longer develop time)

[mastiffchild]

Maybe we'll see Gears AND Reach next year-and a new engine for both as well. As long as they put Gears out first or there's a couple of months I don't see an issue there really.

Plus the gap in tech and quality from Gears1 to 2 was tiny, imo, and Epic WERE working(and still will be) on new engines-if it's ready for 360 we'll see Gears 3 on it as well and even if it's not coming til next Xbox(the engine) who's to say Epic won't NEED to release it(Gears3) sooner? They do need revenue to build new stuff too.

I'm a bigger Gears fan than a Halo fan these days as well if I'm really honest. I doubt I'm alone so why shouldn't they release in the same year-they're both big boy franchises?

[AngryTypingGuy]

Awesome! I love Halo, but it is in need of a graphical update.

[donnie-2105]

no doubt this will be a record breaker regardless of AAA status or not, especially as the userbase has expanded since halo3 by quite some margin.this is the good thing for MS they have a brand in halo which is a household name and brings in massive sales.this is the problem sony have got this gen allthough they have great games none of their ips are well known outside gaming circles and sales reflect this.on the graphics front halo has never been a graphical showcase but more about the enemy AI,large battles/enemy on screen and awesome multi player which causes the slight downgrade compared too killzone2 cod4 etc.

[dantheman1515]

Am I the only one who thought tthe last Halo game didnt look half bad?

Sierra 117 was and is still one of the best looking single player levels I have ever seen. The HDR lighting is just amazing.

An entirely new engine built on top of prior knowlege on the platform will make this a great looking game.

Not that it matters any how, all the graphics whores only have a PS3 and will bash a halo game no matter how great it is.

[Qui-Gon Jim]

Maybe this will be the launch of the rumored x-engine and improved dev tools that microsoft put out recently.

[qOHellReaperOp]

this is wat i figured out so far...
Reach is a human occupied planet that was destroyed by the Covenant just prior to the events of Halo: Combat evolved, making this game a prequel to the main trilogy.

At the age of six, a boy was torn from his parents and conscripted into the UNSC military for a top-secret project. His name was John, later known only as the Master Chief Spartan-117, and he joined 70 some-odd others in a rigorous regimen on the planet Reach that would turn these gifted children into soldiers of unrivaled effectiveness. Just when the group finished its brutal training, the soldiers are subjected to a series of risky biophysical enhancements. Only 33 of the originals survive the entire ordeal with Master Chief emerging as their leader.

now since the covenant are trying to destroy Reach, its your duty to "TRY" to stop them.

[DARK WITNESS]

just read the books

most of what you wrote is right anyway, but if you want more details just read the book.

[Hooby]

It could, and probably will cover a hefty time period. Reach is the most important human settlement next to earth. The spartans all grew up and essentially "lived" on reach. It is where Master chief met all his friends, and more or less where all his friends died. So I'm hoping it does a lot to explore the feelings of MC since he's devoid of any in the previous games. I'm sure him being with his kin (other spartans) will add a lot of emotional quality...

But yes, I think the large scale epic battles that were sort of missing from H1-3 (and I mean gigantic open wars) will show up in this game since it's about the all out invasion of a planet, not just little skirmishes. While technically, the largest covanent fleet ever happened is H2, that was broken up by the rebellion and the flood. This is just all out human vs covenant.

[Spike47]

If Bungie can give Halo the graphics of say...Bad Company, that would be more enough. I'm sure the fans will buy it regardless of the graphics.

[peeps]

they already have the gameplay though so it would be nice to have some shiny graphics to go ontop

[Shiva]

I hope the engine is a bit grittier, a bit darker. I'm not talking Killzone amounts of grey, but at least lots less jarring purples and greens. This series needs to get a bit more militant I think.

I have to say, though I enjoyed Halo 3, there were none of the heart stopping set pieces I was hoping for. Bungie ought to take a note out of Infinity Ward's book on that score.

[DARK WITNESS]

well, i actually enjoyed halo CE for the sharp contrast between the covenant and UNSC colours. I mean they were so distinct... and who is to say that a gathering of Alien races are going to be using the usual military greens and browns for their colour code !

all the Marines and UNSC stuff looked very typical earth military as one would imagine, and all the alien stuff, well looked alien.

i would like it to feel more militant in the sense that i would like to see less slapstick comedy from the marines. If you listen to the dialog in halo CE, i liked the fact that most of the time the marines sounded serious ( with the occasional joke ) while halo 2 and 3, the marines felt like they were just there for comic relief and canon fodder, which i thought was a shame.

I know what you mean about it being more military like, but there are many ways they could achieve this, the bright colours made the covenant very distinct especially compared to the usual aliens in all the other boring shooters out there.

[walker_dawg]

I bought my first xbox because of Halo and I will always be a fan of the series, not because of the graphics, but because of the gameplay elements. Halo 3 was definitely an improvement graphically and also in gameplay. I personally can't wait to see what direction Bungie will go with Reach. It will be a standinlinemidnite buy for me...LOL

[peeps]

i've never got midnight launches. any time i order games online they usually come a day before and i even got GTAIV a day early simply by going into a local independant store and the guy said he would sell it as soon as he had copies

[mastiffchild]

Nah! I got my first 360 and my Wii at midnight launches(and loads of games in the past-I think OoT was prolly the first I did just to get the speccy edition gold cart!

You have no romance peeps.

[PS360PCROCKS]

I believe it. I highly doubt Bungie after all the criticism they took would release an all new game 5 years into the 360 life cycle that wasn't very impressive. Anyways Halo 3 did not have bad graphics, I mean I can't see how else to say that to people. Their was a lot of stuff happening on screen, very technical.

[IQUITN4G]

The graphics won't knock you out at first but hdr really is quite stunning and it would look decidedly flat without it

Textures are particularly nice and the lighting tech bungie used for it is no slouch

A ton of stuff happening at any one time with enemy and marine AI all independently thinking - iv'e counted some 40 or so vehicles and troops on some parts all running at the same time and you just don't see that very often if at all in a game of this type

Then you have to consider that these areas are really large with great draw distance

On top of all this though, the most important thing of all, it's all such a laugh that i regularly play campaign and it's always so fresh and random that you can't help but have fun

I'm approaching 200 campaign played now and i think that says a lot about how much fun you can have with this game

It's true Halo1 feels more epic in scale and i shall likely always prefer the Chief's first outing, but Halo3 plays a notch above it regards to it's more refined mechanics - easily my most fave game on 360 and i don't that often even go near multiplayer - which of course is also a very strong component

Looking forward to the new engine but in truth Halo doesn't have sh!tty visuals once you soak them all up as a whole and start noticing just how much is really happening under the bonnet - the subtle beauty like hdr is definitely a good example, becoming more noticable with each play - it hit's you as you imagine how unrealistic some of the scenes would actually look without it

[Gorgon]

Meh.

[IQUITN4G]

Makes me feel good seeing comments like that

[Another One]

the crappiest website to post "news" to N4G. First off, those job listing about creating an engine are not for Reach. Dont you think a game that only has a year left before it releases would have the engine built quite a while ago? Not to mention that no where in the job listings do they mention anything about Halo. Bungie does have other IP 's in the works. And secondly, there is no conformation that the Reach beta will release on the 22nd of September. If fact I can all but guarantee it wont.

So basically Skoar is a bogus website that posts made up "news".

[HolyOrangeCows]

Let the hype for the fourth rehash of Halo, BEGIN!

[kissmeimgreek]

ill buy this no matter what with the comfort that bungie always make good games. however i really hope its a squad based fps... probably only because i never got a republic commando sequel. but i think it would be cool having 4 spartan all with different abilities togethter lead by a young MC. i hvnt read th book though so dont even know if this style fits in with that story. o wel..heres hoping.

[BlackTar187]

Graphics dont make games so if this is fun and the graphics arnt good who cares. With that said I would love to play a halo with top notch graphics like gears or something(obv differnt colors) and more dark settings and i hope this reach it . Cant wait : )

[Bluemaster77]

The graphics didnt suck at all it actually ranks among my top , the visual effects in halo are very subtle have to sit back and be noticed and the amount of things happening on the screen just adds to the greatness

[silverchode]

640p xD