Editing Halo: Reach

{{Status|RealWorld}}{{Status|Featured}}

|primary-dev=[[Bungie|Bungie LLC]]

{{Quote|From the beginning, you know the end.|Game tagline<ref>[[Halo: Reach Announcement Trailer]]</ref>}}

'''''Halo: Reach''''' is a [[Wikipedia:First-person shooter|first-person shooter]] video game set in the [[Halo universe|''Halo'' universe]] and direct prequel to ''[[Halo: Combat Evolved]]'', depicting the [[Fall of Reach]]. It was developed by [[Bungie|Bungie, LLC.]]  and published by [[Microsoft Game Studios]] for the Xbox 360 console.<ref>[http://halo.bungie.net/Projects/Reach/default.aspx '''Bungie.net''': ''Halo: Reach Project Page'']</ref><ref name="worth">[http://worthplaying.com/article/2009/9/16/interviews/68467/ '''Worthplaying.com''' - ''"Halo 3: ODST" Developer Interview'']</ref> It was announced by [[Joseph Staten|Joe Staten]] during Microsoft's Media Briefing at E3 2009; ''Reach'' was released on September 14, 2010, in [[Wikipedia:North America|North America]], [[Wikipedia:Europe|Europe]], [[Wikipedia:Australia|Australia]], and [[Wikipedia:Asia|Asia]] with the exclusion of [[Wikipedia:Japan|Japan]] whose release was a day later.<ref name="bnet">[http://halo.bungie.net/News/content.aspx?type=news&cid=26642 '''Bungie.net''': ''Halo: Reach Launches 09.14.2010!'']</ref> On [[2015|December 17, 2015]], ''Halo: Reach'' became available on the [[Xbox One]] via backwards compatibility.{{Ref/Reuse|bw compatibility}} After several testing flights, it was added to ''[[Halo: The Master Chief Collection]]'' on December 3, 2019.

[[File:HR NobleAndCivilians Concept.jpg|300px|thumb|Concept art showing NOBLE Team interacting with civilians and UNSC Army troopers.]]

The player assumes the role of the team's latest member, [[SPARTAN-B312]] or "Noble Six", a SPARTAN-III from [[SPARTAN-III Beta Company|Beta Company]] with a mysterious past, assigned to the team as a replacement for its [[Thom-293|previous sixth member]]. Other members of the team include [[Carter-A259]], the leader; [[Catherine-B320]], the intelligence specialist and Carter's second-in-command; [[Jorge-052]], an experienced heavy weapons specialist and only SPARTAN-II on the team; [[Emile-A239]], an audacious assault and close combat specialist; and [[Jun-A266]], the team's talkative sharpshooter.

[[File:Noble Briefing.png|thumb|250px|NOBLE Team being briefed prior to deployment.]]

Two days later, on July 26, NOBLE Team is called in to [[Office of Naval Intelligence|ONI]] [[Sword Base]] near the [[Babd Catha Ice Shelf]]. As explained to the team by the [[Artificial intelligence|AI]] [[Auntie Dot]], Sword Base is under attack from a [[Ceudar-pattern heavy corvette|Covenant corvette]], but due to the sensitive nature of the facility, the use of [[orbital defense platform|orbital MAC rounds]] is prohibited. NOBLE Team clears the main courtyard of enemies, and is then sent on a mission to re-activate [[Farragut Station]], a communications station they can use to get into contact with command, and [[Airview Base]], where they need to activate [[M71 Anti-Aircraft Gun|an anti-air battery]] to clear the skies. The Spartans move into Sword Base and NOBLE Six assists [[Emile-A239|Emile]] in driving off several [[Kez'katu-pattern Phantom|Phantoms]] and [[Type-26 Ground Support Aircraft|Banshees]]. After the skies have been cleared, the UNSC sends in a pair of [[GA-TL1 Longsword|Longswords]] to push the corvette away from the base's immediate vicinity. The Covenant vessel begins to retreat, only to be shot out of the sky by an orbital strike. After the mission, NOBLE Team is debriefed by Dr. [[Catherine Halsey]], who inquires as to the death of [[Laszlo Sorvad|one of her scientists]], who was doing research at the relay. She says he mentioned a "latchkey" discovery and that the information was essential. Learning that he was killed by [[Sangheili Zealot|Zealot]]s, Halsey reprimands [[Carter-A259|Carter]] for not pursuing the leader, as the scientist's research was potentially important to [[Covenant religion|their religion]]. Fortunately, [[Catherine-B320|Kat]] had stolen the data module off of the scientist, and hands it over to Halsey.

In the morning of [[2552#August|August 12, 2552]], a massive UNSC [[Order of battle (Viery, Reach)|joint assault force]] is put together, with the objective of mounting a counterattack on the Covenant-occupied Viery Territory. As revealed by Auntie Dot in the mission briefing, the Covenant have infiltrated to the region in force, deploying ground forces and installations, including several massive [[Deployment spire]]s. NOBLE Team's objective is to destroy one of these spires, designated [[Spire One]]. After pushing through Covenant forces and destroying several Covenant [[Cheru-pattern Tyrant|anti-air batteries]], [[Jorge-052|Jorge]] and NOBLE Six deploy to the spire in a [[UH-144 Falcon|Falcon]]. However, the aircraft crashes after being disabled by the electromagnetic field created by the Spire's shield. After the crash, the pair proceed into the Spire, where it is revealed that the Spires actually contain [[teleporter]]s used to transport Covenant forces to the surface, linked to an unknown source. After proceeding to the Spire, NOBLE Six utilizes a [[gravity lift]] to reach the top, and disables the shield. [[SPARTAN-B312|Noble Six]] is flown away from the tower by a Falcon containing Carter and Jorge. {{UNSCShip|Grafton}}, a [[Paris-class heavy frigate|heavy frigate]], uses a [[Magnetic Accelerator Cannon|MAC]] round to demolish the spire. Seconds later, a [[Sh'wada-pattern supercarrier|Covenant supercarrier]] uncloaks and fires on the ''Grafton'', completely destroying it.  

On August 14, NOBLE Team arrives at the [[Sabre Program Launch/Research Range]], where Noble Six and Jorge commandeer a UNSC [[FSS-1000 Sabre|YSS-1000 "Sabre"]], a recent development intended for Inner Colony orbital defense. They launch into the hostile space over Reach, where they protect a UNSC space station, [[Anchor 9]], until its defenses come back online. Next, they rendezvous with the {{UNSCShip|Savannah}}, which sacrifices its slipspace drive for the mission. They then board the Covenant corvette, ''[[Ardent Prayer]]'', and using its re-fueling course at the supercarrier as an excuse, get close enough to detonate the slipspace bomb and destroy the ''Long Night of Solace''. Unfortunately, the detonator for the makeshift bomb is damaged and Jorge is forced to manually detonate it, sacrificing himself to destroy the supercarrier. However, the victory is short lived: mere moments later, a massive Covenant fleet arrives, making the destruction of one supercarrier pointless.  

Once inside, NOBLE Team is reunited, in what Emile calls a "family reunion." Colonel Holland makes emergency contact to the team, ordering them to immediately re-deploy to Sword Base to destroy sensitive information. The communications are cut off, and Jun notes several Covenant vehicles leaving the area. Soon afterward, the Covenant begin to glass the city near the building, generating a massive shockwave NOBLE Team barely manages to avoid. The team takes an elevator down to the bottom level, where they run to an underground radiation bunker as Carter explains that they are to be redeployed to Sword Base to destroy all sensitive data. Just before they get inside, Kat is killed with a single shot from a [[Gadulo-pattern needle rifle|Needle Rifle]] to the back of her head. Three days later, the team exits the shelter, and a [[Pelican]] arrives to transport them to Sword Base.  

[[File:Carter Death.jpg|thumb|200px|Carter-A259 ramming his Pelican into a Scarab.]]

The pair are blocked by a [[Deutoros-pattern Scarab|Scarab]], but Carter arrives and sacrifices himself, piloting the Pelican in a kamikaze strike on the Scarab. Noble Six and Emile continue towards the ''Pillar of Autumn''. Once there, Emile mans a [[Mark 2488 Onager|Mk. 2488 Onager MAC]], while Noble Six fights off masses of Covenant infantry. [[Jacob Keyes|Captain Jacob Keyes]] then arrives and receives the AI from Noble Six. Before the Captain can take off, a Covenant [[Ket-pattern battlecruiser|battlecruiser]] arrives, and prepares to fire on the Autumn. Meanwhile, a Covenant Phantom arrives on scene and dispatches the Devoted Sentries to Emile's location. Emile kills one with a shotgun, before being stabbed through the abdomen by another. The Marines on Keyes's dropship offer that Noble Six board the Pelican, but Six declines, as without cover from the MAC, the ''Pillar of Autumn'' couldn't escape. After fighting through the Zealots, Noble Six takes control of the cannon and defends the Pelican as it returns to the ''Autumn''. As the Covenant ship prepares to fire, Noble Six fires into its [[Energy projector|main weapon]], disabling the Cruiser as the ''Pillar of Autumn'' escapes from the planet.  

[[File:1INSURGENTWINTERCONTIGENCY.jpg|300px|thumb|A gameplay preview of NOBLE Team questioning a civilian.]]

The weapon selection has been streamlined from that of ''Halo 3'', so that every weapon has a specific role. The number of different grenade types has also been reduced from that of ''Halo 3'', and [[Orgudam Workshop firebomb|incendiary grenades]] and [[Type-2 Antipersonnel Fragmentation Grenade|spike grenades]] did not return. Human weapons all hit more or less instantly after pulling the trigger, as opposed to the projectiles being affected by in-game physics. There is no longer dual-wielding available in ''Halo: Reach'', following the same path as ''Halo 3: ODST''. Compensating for this, the weapons that were known as dual weapons in ''Halo 3'' that are now in ''Halo: Reach'' became drastically stronger. The M6G Magnum, for example, is now almost as powerful as the M6D Pistol in ''Halo: CE'', and has an even higher rate of fire.

*[[Spire (map)|Spire]]

{{Main|Armor customization (Halo: Reach)}}

{{Armor/Permutation/HR}}

====Human====

*[[Catherine-B320]]

====AI====

====Sangheili====

*****[[AMX-4]] {{1st}}

*****[[AMX-42]] {{1st}}

****[[Naval Logistical Operations Command]] {{Mo}}

****[[FSS-1000 Sabre|Sabre program]] {{1st}}

**[[Battle of Trove]] {{Im}}

*[[M45E shotgun]] {{1st}}

*[[M460 automatic grenade launcher]] {{1st}}

*[[Plasma grenade]]

**{{Pattern|Anskum|plasma grenade}}

*[[Energy sword]]

**[[Type-1 energy sword]]

*[[Gravity hammer (fiction)|Gravity hammer]]

**[[Paegaas Workshop gravity hammer]] {{1st}}

*[[Spiker]]

**[[Paegaas Workshop Spiker]]

*[[Plasma pistol]]

**{{Pattern|Eos'Mak|plasma pistol}}

*[[Plasma rifle]]

*[[Shade]]

**{{Pattern|Rizsheda|Shade}}

*{{Pattern|Gadulo|needle rifle}} {{1st}}

*[[Fuel rod gun]]

**{{Pattern|Korva|fuel rod gun}}

*[[Needler]]

**[[Type-33 needler]]

*[[Concussion rifle]]

**{{Pattern|Elo'Nakada|concussion rifle}} {{1st}}

*{{Pattern|Nakata'vho|plasma repeater}} {{1st}}

*{{Pattern|M'tara|focus rifle}} {{1st}}

*[[Plasma cannon]]

**{{Pattern|Pek|plasma cannon}}

*{{Pattern|Kopasa'mada|plasma launcher}} {{1st}}

*{{Pattern|Cheru|Tyrant}} {{1st}}

*Void maker

**{{Pattern|Riruku|antimatter charge}} {{1st}}

*[[FSS-1000 Sabre]] {{1st}}

**''[[Echo 001]]'' {{1st}}

**''[[Echo 002]]'' {{1st}}

**''[[Echo 003]]'' {{1st}}

**''[[Echo 004]]'' {{1st}}

*[[D77-TC Pelican]] ([[Easter egg]] only)

*[[Egret Spaceliner]] {{1st}}

*[[Wraith]]

*[[Banshee]]

*[[Ghost]]

*[[Revenant]]

**{{Pattern|Rizvum|Revenant}} {{1st}}

**{{Pattern|Ket|battlecruiser}}

**{{Pattern|Kerel|assault carrier}}

**{{Pattern|Ceudar|heavy corvette}}

***''[[Ardent Prayer]]'' {{1st}}

**{{Pattern|Sh'wada|supercarrier}}

***''[[Long Night of Solace]]'' {{1st}}

**{{Pattern|Morsam|Seraph}} {{1st}}

*[[Spirit]]

*[[Banshee]]

**{{Pattern|Elsedda|Banshee}} {{1st}}

*[[Scarab]]

*[[Phantom]]

**{{Pattern|R'shwupa|Phantom}} {{1st}}

*[[Covenant watchtower]]

*[[Fusion coil|UNSC fusion core]]

Bungie made use a completely redone version of the ''Halo'' engine for ''Halo: Reach'', with no component left untouched.{{Ref/Reuse|EDGE}}{{Ref/Reuse|GI}}<ref name="cvg">[http://www.computerandvideogames.com/article.php?id=261532 '''ComputerAndVideoGames''': ''Interview: Halo Reach'']</ref>

The environments, while larger than in the previous games, are far more detailed. The graphical effects have been drastically improved, allowing for a new atmospheric effects system and more dynamic lighting for dramatic shadows and moving light sources in interiors. The engine was improved with "[[impostering]]" technology; this allows very cheap textures far away, and moving closer will make them improve.{{Ref/Reuse|cvg}} This was proved with the map, [[Forge World]]. Rain and fogging effects are also improved. ''Halo: Reach'' also features a new animation system, which smoothly blends movement between standing, walking and running as well as jumps, grenade throws and firing. The facial animation system has been completely revamped, including motion capture. Weapon effects are amplified to be more powerful and visceral than before, giving them a more serious tone. Human weapons sound more powerful and emit smoke and showers of sparks. Plasma bolts now burn through material as they hit, and explosions throw clouds of dirt and debris around.

''Halo: Reach'''s engine is able to support up to 40 active AI characters or 20 vehicles with AI characters on screen at once, twice as many as in ''Halo 3''. In addition, distant battles between AI characters follow automated behavior models, which convert into scripted behaviors as the player gets closer, and finally convert to full AI.{{Ref/Reuse|EDGE}}{{Ref/Reuse|GI}}

The music of ''Reach'' was referred to as being more somber and more visceral, as the plot is more character-driven than previous ''Halo'' titles and that it focuses on a planet known to have fallen.<ref name="audio">[http://gamevideos.1up.com/video/id/27382 '''GameVideos''': ''Halo Reach VGA Interview'']</ref> While stated before release that the ''Halo'' Theme would not appear in ''Reach'',{{Ref/Reuse|EDGE}}{{Ref/Reuse|GI}} an orchestral re-imagining does indeed appear as the opening segment of the track [[Tip of the Spear (music)|Tip of the Spear]], while certain motifs are also present in several other tracks.

The in-game effects such as weapon sounds have also been amplified to sound more powerful and realistic. In addition to various different audio filters for interiors and exteriors, the space environment in the level ''Long Night of Solace'' required an entirely new audio filter to make the environment feel more realistic.<ref>[http://www.gametrailers.com/episode/gametrailers-tv/102 '''GameTrailers TV''' — Episode 102]</ref> A significant improvement in the game's audio technology allows for more fluid transition between different layers of music; whereas the first Halo could barely manage more than two layers of music at once, ''Reach'' can run seven layers at once, coordinating which ones fade in and out based on relatively minor changes in the player's behavior.{{Ref/Reuse|popular}}

''Halo: Reach''<nowiki />'s matchmaking allows players to compete with each other over the Xbox Live online service or System Link, for 16 players on the Xbox. The matchmaking system has been improved and redesigned from ''Halo 3''; instead of having experience and rank as two separate features, ''Halo: Reach'' combines these two into a credit system where the player is scored on how well they play in each individual performance, instead of a win/loss system. As players gain credits, they achieve higher [[Rank (Halo: Reach)|military rank]], and are able to buy [[Armor customization (Halo: Reach)|armor permutations]] to customize their SPARTAN and Elites character model. A new matchmaking system called the [[Matchmaking#Halo: Reach|Arena]] is introduced for hardcore/competitive players where they  play in month-long seasons and be put into divisions of either Onyx, Gold, Silver, Bronze or Iron, depending on how well they play. Along with this, Bungie announced that Campaign would also have matchmaking support.<ref>[http://halo.bungie.net/News/content.aspx?type=topnews&link=BWU_082010 '''Bungie.net''': ''Bungie Weekly Update 8/20/20'']</ref> Players are able to vote on which Campaign mission to play, similar to how voting works in competitive Matchmaking. On October 25, Bungie announced in the weekly update that Campaign Matchmaking has been released, and can now be accessed in the Co-op playlists along with Firefight Matchmaking and Score Attack.<ref>[http://halo.bungie.net/News/content.aspx?type=topnews&cid=28689 '''Bungie.net''': ''Bungie Weekly Update 9/17/10'']</ref>

The character models in ''Halo: Reach'' differs significantly than their previous architecture in ''Halo 3''; both character models are now composed of different hitboxes and have different gameplay properties. The Elite character models are formidably larger, and physically superior, having faster shield regeneration and the ability to regain health fully over time than their SPARTAN counterpart. SPARTANs are smaller and weaker than their Elite counterpart and would only regain health to thirds over time unless they pick up a health pack. For these balancing issues, only specific gametypes in matchmaking allow SPARTANs and Elites to face each other in team-based games.

{{Main|Remember Reach|Day Before|Patrol|New Life|Spaceport (Remember Reach)|Deliver Hope}}

{{Halo: Reach editions}}

*'''2019''' - Re-released in ''[[Halo: The Master Chief Collection]]'' for Xbox One and PC, all Multiplayer activities included in base-game.<ref>https://www.express.co.uk/entertainment/gaming/1212647/Halo-Reach-MCC-release-PC-Xbox-On-Microsoft-free-update</ref>

{{Halo: Reach reviews}}

However, the game was criticized by certain members of the online ''Halo'' community, namely that it conflicts with the previously established canon in the novel ''Halo: The Fall of Reach''. These members argued that since the game has too many inconsistencies with the novel, it should not be considered canon. Even though Bungie had already stated that "the game's events supersede anything else",<ref>[http://multiplayerblog.mtv.com/2010/09/14/bungie-on-the-contradictions-between-halo-reach-and-halo-the-fall-of-reach-novel/ '''MTV Multiplayer''': ''Bungie On The Contradictions Between 'Halo: Reach' And 'Halo: The Fall Of Reach' Novel'']</ref> a website, named "Halo: Reach is not canon.net", dedicated to such criticism was launched, and the site became a source for debating across the internet.<ref>[http://haloreach.isNot canon.net '''HRINC''': ''Halo Reach Is Not Canon'']</ref> However, most of the inconsistencies are later explained in the ''[[Halo: The Essential Visual Guide]]'', Dr. Halsey's personal journal included in the game's limited edition, the 2011 edition of the ''[[Halo Encyclopedia (2009 edition)]]'', and the [[Data Drop]]s released on Halo Waypoint.

**Currently, ''Halo: Reach'' has 59 achievements, with '''7''' achievements added during the release of the Noble Map Pack on November 30, 2010, and '''3''' added with the release of the Defiant Map Pack on March 15, 2011. This could still be a reference to '''7''' (5 + 9 = 14, 14 / 2 = 7)

File:HR Early Six 2.jpg|Pre-release screenshot of the Winter Contingency level.

File:Gallery pic 3450 0 30040.jpg|A multiplayer match on [[Spire (map)|Spire]].