Editing Halo 5: Guardians

{{Status|RealWorld}}

{{Game infobox

|primary-dev=[[343 Industries]]<ref name="WaypointGuardians">[https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/games/halo-5-guardians '''Halo Waypoint''': ''Halo 5: Guardians'']</ref>

|publisher=[[Microsoft Studios]]{{Ref/Reuse|WaypointGuardians}}

|platform=*[[Xbox One]]{{Ref/Reuse|WaypointGuardians}}

*[[Xbox Series X/S|Xbox Series X{{!}}S]]

|releasedate=[[2015|October 27, 2015]]{{Ref/Reuse|WaypointGuardians}}

|genre=[[First-person shooter]]{{Ref/Reuse|WaypointGuardians}}

|modes=[[Campaign]]{{Ref/Reuse|WaypointGuardians}} <br> [[Cooperative]]{{Ref/Reuse|WaypointGuardians}} <br> [[Multiplayer]]{{Ref/Reuse|WaypointGuardians}} <br> [[Forge]] <br> [[Theater]]

{{Quote|The quest of [[Jameson Locke|the hunter]] and [[John-117|the hunted]] has begun.|Official summary{{Ref/Reuse|WireH5}}}}

'''''Halo 5: Guardians''''' (typically referred to as ''Halo 5'' or ''Guardians'') is the ninth installment in the [[Halo universe|''Halo'' franchise]].<ref name="H5">[http://news.xbox.com/2014/05/games-halo-journey-announcement '''Xbox Wire''': ''The Halo Journey'']</ref> The second game in the ''[[Reclaimer Saga]]'', ''Guardians'' is set a year after ''[[Halo 4]]'', and follows [[Fireteam Osiris]], who are tasked with hunting the [[John-117|Master Chief]] and [[Blue Team]], who have gone [[wikipedia:AWOL|AWOL]] in search of [[Cortana]], following her presumed demise.{{Ref/Reuse|H5}}

 

The game grossed more than $400 million in its opening week, surpassing ''Halo 4''<nowiki>'s</nowiki> record of $300 million.<ref>[http://news.xbox.com/2015/11/04/halo-5-guardians-biggest-halo-launch-in-history/ '''Xbox Wire''': ''Halo 5: Guardians Biggest Halo Launch in History'']</ref> However, it had the weakest opening sales of any mainline ''Halo'' title in the UK and Japan.<ref>[http://news.softpedia.com/news/halo-5-guardians-fails-to-deliver-halo-4-level-sales-in-the-united-kingdom-495651.shtml/ '''Softpedia''': ''Halo 5 Guardians Fail to Deliver Halo 4 Level Sales in the United Kingdom'']</ref><ref>[http://gearnuke.com/halo-5-guardians-worst-selling-mainline-halo-japan-sales-compared-past-halo-games/ '''Gearnuke''': ''Halo 5 Guardians Worst Selling Mainline Halo Japan Sales Compared to Past Halo Games'']</ref>  ''Halo 5'' sold 5+ million retail copies worldwide as of January, 2016.<ref>[http://www.vgchartz.com/game/82148/halo-5-guardians'''VGChartz''': ''halo-5-guardians'']</ref><ref>[https://www.neogaf.com/threads/kotaku-uk-rumor-xbox-one-windows-10-halo-5-minecraft-notably-below-expectations.1230579/post-206247449 '''Neogaf''': ''Frank O'Connor on sales'']</ref><ref>[https://wccftech.com/halo-5-sold-5-million-copies-within-3-months/'''wccftech''': ''Halo 5 Sold 5 Million Copies Within 3 Months After Its Release'']</ref>

 

[[File:Halo 5 Guardians cover art.jpg|thumb|250px|Full version of the game's final cover art, depicting Spartan Locke, the Master Chief, and their respective fireteams.]]

''Halo 5: Guardians'' features the largest ensemble cast of characters in any ''Halo'' game yet, with both new and returning characters.<ref name="salient9039">[http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showpost.php?p=168316428&postcount=9039 '''NeoGaf''': ''post #9039 by Josh Holmes'']</ref> The primary protagonist of the ''Halo'' series, [[SPARTAN-II program|Spartan-II]] supersoldier [[John-117|Master Chief Petty Officer John-117]], returns in ''Halo 5: Guardians'' following the end of ''Halo 4''. It has been noted that John has begun to question all of his former beliefs{{Ref/Reuse|E32014}} following the events of ''"[[Halo: Escalation Issue 8|The Next 72 Hours]]"'', a story arc of the comic series ''[[Halo: Escalation]]'' during which he reunites with his long-time Spartan-II unit [[Blue Team]], comprising [[Kelly-087]], [[Frederic-104]] and [[Linda-058]]. ''Halo 5: Guardians'' marks the in-game debut of Blue Team, who fight alongside the Master Chief throughout the campaign.{{Ref/Reuse|gi h5}}<ref name="gi blue">[http://www.gameinformer.com/b/features/archive/2015/06/11/halo-5-guardians-the-spartans-tough-enough-to-work-with-master-chief.aspx?PostPageIndex=2 '''Game Informer''': ''Halo 5: Guardians – The Spartans Tough Enough To Work With Master Chief'']</ref>

[[File:H5G-connections.png|thumb|left|''[[Halo: The Journey]]'', a multimedia series leading up to ''Halo 5: Guardians''.|250px]]

''Halo 5: Guardians'' also features another playable protagonist,<ref name="NightfallPanel">[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QaZOLp6pYCE&feature=youtu.be&list=UU7NCg0venpKJg3kuJojKlbQ '''YouTube''': ''Halo: Nightfall Panel - SDCC 2014'']</ref> [[Jameson Locke|Spartan Jameson Locke]], a "legendary man hunter" on a mission to find the Master Chief after Blue Team disappears and several colonies are unexpectedly attacked.{{Ref/Reuse|WireH5}}<ref name="MCtrailer">'''[[The Hunter and the Hunted]]'''</ref><ref>[https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/halo-nightfall '''Halo Waypoint''': ''Halo: Nightfall'']</ref> Locke is accompanied by [[Fireteam Osiris]], which includes Spartans [[Edward Buck]], [[Holly Tanaka]] and [[Olympia Vale]].{{Ref/Reuse|gi h5}} Locke's role in the story is to act as a counterpoint for John-117's legendary and larger-than-life character, as well as a vehicle to contextualize both the Master Chief and the wider story from an outsider perspective.<ref name="gr frank">[http://www.gamesradar.com/halo-5-frank-oconnor-interview/ '''Gamesradar''': ''343 chats to GR+ about Locke and Master Chief's mystique in Halo 5'']</ref> Locke was introduced in [[Wikipedia:Ridley Scott|Ridley Scott]]'s digital series ''[[Halo: Nightfall]]'', which has narrative connections to ''Halo 5''.<ref name="machinima">[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=crDIiFV-Wmw '''YouTube''': ''Every. Halo. Ever. E3 2014'']</ref> 343 Industries stressed that Locke would not be replacing John-117 as the protagonist;<ref>[http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showpost.php?p=115503489&postcount=606 '''NeoGaf''': ''Frank O'Connor on Locke and Master Chief'']</ref> much like that of ''[[Halo 2]]'', the campaign of ''Halo 5'' alternates between the perspectives of the two main characters.{{Ref/Reuse|gi h5}} Locke was first shown in [[:File:Halo 5 Guardians.jpg|promotional artwork]] unveiled with the game's formal announcement.{{Ref/Reuse|H5}} He is also featured in ''[[Halo 2: Anniversary]]''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s [[Terminal (Halo 2: Anniversary)|terminals]] and new bookend cinematics, which have links to the story of ''Guardians''.<ref name="IGNinterv">[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xcSk8Rx_JTo&t=10m30s '''YouTube''': ''Halo 2: Anniversary - Cairo Station Campaign Gameplay and...'']</ref>

In the initial teaser trailer, the Master Chief is seen in the possession of an empty [[data crystal chip]] on a chain, alluding to his loss of [[Cortana]] at the end of ''Halo 4''.<ref name="trailer">'''[[Halo Xbox One announcement trailer]]'''</ref> Regarding Cortana, ''Halo'' Franchise Development Director [[Frank O'Connor]] stated that ''"her fate is obviously very clear at the [[Midnight|end of Halo 4]]"'' and claimed that the story of ''Guardians'' would explore her legacy in the form of the long-term impact her sacrifice had on John-117, and how he ''"copes with loss and how he deals with his memories."''{{Ref/Reuse|gi h5}}

{{Spoiler/begin}}

Fireteam Osiris is deployed by the {{UNSCShip|Infinity}} to [[Kamchatka]] to extract Halsey from [[Jul 'Mdama]]'s forces because she has information on a series of Forerunner attacks on [[human colonies]]. Fighting their way to Halsey’s coordinates, they find that [[Jul 'Mdama's Covenant faction|the "Covenant"]] are under attack from their own [[Promethean]] forces which have inexplicably turned on them, weakening ‘Mdama’s hold on the Covenant. Fighting through Covenant and Promethean forces, Osiris finally kills ‘Mdama and his guards and secure Halsey. Arriving on ''Infinity'', Halsey immediately begins asking Captain [[Thomas Lasky|Lasky]] “how far has she gone,” to Osiris’s confusion.

Aboard ''Infinity'', Halsey reveals that Cortana has somehow gained access to the [[Domain]], a galaxy-spanning repository of Forerunner knowledge. Worried that she is manipulating the Master Chief, Osiris is sent after Blue Team with orders to bring them back, hoping to neutralize them with [[armor restraint]]s. Arriving at Meridian, they descend the Meridian [[space elevator]] and are contacted by [[Governor Sloan]], who grudgingly accepts their presence in exchange for assistance fighting off Promethean forces attacking the colonists. Fighting with the colony’s [[Liang Dortmund Corporation]] security forces, Osiris fend off the Prometheans long enough for the colonists to get to safety, discovering that “Governor” Sloan is actually an aging [[smart AI]] undergoing [[rampancy]], and pick up clues that lead them to [[Apogee Station|Apogee]]. Governor Sloan arranges for a [[D79-TC Pelican|Pelican]] to take them to Apogee, where they find the Prowler and that Blue Team has already descended to the planet, seemingly without opposition. Osiris follow, fighting through more Promethean forces, including the [[Warden Eternal]], who introduces himself as Cortana’s servant and engages Osiris to prevent them from catching up with Blue Team. Defeating the Warden, Osiris catches Blue Team moving through a series of [[Teleporter|portals]] to try to reach the Guardian. Locke is the only member of Osiris who is able to reach Blue Team, and engages the Master Chief in hand-to-hand combat. He is defeated after damaging the Master Chief’s armor, neutralized with his own armor restraint, allowing Blue Team to board the Guardian which begins charging its slipspace drive, devastating Meridian with EMP shockwaves. Governor Sloan reveals that Cortana had contacted him earlier allowing him to evacuate as many of his people offworld as he could, and that he intends to join her “new dawn,” disappearing during the evacuation as Osiris climb the space elevator to reach their Pelican. Aboard ''Infinity'', Halsey deduces that another dormant Guardian lies beneath the surface of [[Sunaion]] on [[Sanghelios]]. Moreover, [[Roland]] figures out that the distinctive sound the Guardian gave off during its activation was actually a set of slipspace coordinates, and that if they can feed it into the Sanghelios Guardian they can follow Blue Team to their destination. Captain Lasky hopes that Osiris can catch a ride aboard it to Blue Team’s location, but is reluctant to involve the UNSC in Sanghelios’s civil war.

Blue Team arrive on [[Genesis|a lush Forerunner world]], noting the arrival of numerous Guardians. They are led to a console by a [[Spartan signals#Oly Oly Oxen Free|familiar signal]] from their [[SPARTAN-II training|training]], and encounter ragtag Covenant survivors dragged through in the wake of multiple Guardians’ slipspace drives, who believe that the planet was promised by the [[San'Shyuum|Prophets]]. They encounter the Warden in another body, who introduces himself as Cortana’s defender. As Blue Team proceeds closer to Cortana’s location, the Warden interrogates the Master Chief over his intentions for Cortana. When John responds that he intends to take her home, the Warden announces that they have become a threat to his and Cortana’s goal, and uses his Promethean forces in an attempt to stop them. After defeating this iteration of the Warden, they are contacted by Cortana who explains that she arrived at the planet aboard the wreckage of the [[Mantle's Approach|Didact's ship]] after it was dragged through slipspace, and that her rampancy was cured by accessing the Domain. She leads Blue Team across the planet, to meet her at the access point to the Domain itself.

The UNSC prepare to insert Osiris onto Sanghelios with an escort from the [[Swords of Sanghelios]]. Inserting near Sunaion, they find that the Covenant has launched a last-ditch effort to kill the Arbiter and reverse its recent fortunes. Osiris fight their way to the [[Elder Council Chamber]], hoping that the Arbiter can help them fight their way to the Guardian beneath Sunaion, which lies in Covenant hands. They arrive in time to evacuate the Arbiter in a Phantom to a Swords of Sanghelios camp, where they plan a counterattack on Sunaion. During a tense moment between Locke and the Arbiter, Cortana reveals her presence on the planet. Halsey figures out that if they can acquire a [[Constructor|Constructor Sentinel]] from one of the Forerunner ruins scattered across the planet, they can use it to activate the Guardian. Osiris are deployed to recover one from a nearby Forerunner facility, fighting their way through Prometheans and Covenant supported by the Arbiter’s air forces, which engage a Covenant {{Pattern|Shuul'se|Kraken}} walker to draw it out of their path. The Kraken positions itself between Osiris and the Constructor’s location, forcing them to board and destroy it. They recover the Constructor and deliver it to the Arbiter’s base, where Halsey reprograms it to activate the Guardian. The Constructor immediately sets about its task, and the Arbiter leads his forces in a massive assault on Sunaion to destroy what remains of the Covenant on Sanghelios. Osiris fight their way through, assisting the Arbiter’s warriors, but their priority is to reach the Guardian above all else. The Warden leads Promethean forces in Sunaion to try to stop Osiris, but is again defeated. As the Sunaion Guardian activates, it charges its slipspace drive, creating similar EMP pulses as those which on Meridian, devastating Sunaion and the Covenant’s forces. Commander [[Sarah Palmer|Palmer]] and Doctor Halsey use a Pelican to allow Osiris to board the Guardian, just as it enters slipspace. The Arbiter watches them leave, commanding his forces to clear Sunaion of the last of the Covenant.

Osiris manages to safely leave the Guardian and land on the Forerunner planet. They attempt to contact the Master Chief, only to be greeted by its [[monitor]], [[031 Exuberant Witness]], who is horrified by the Warden and Cortana locking her out of her own systems, and their plan for “[[Created]]” to attain the Mantle, using the Guardians to “enforce the peace” across inhabited space on behalf of organic races – whether they want their protection or not. She assists them as they fight their way across Genesis to reach the Gateway, a link to the Domain, noting that Cortana has actually been leading Blue Team in circles to buy herself time. Osiris and Exuberant fight through more of the Warden’s forces, who are buying Cortana more time to bring the Domain’s systems online. Osiris meets up with Blue Team, offering to help the Master Chief stop Cortana, but Cortana [[Slipspace translocation|translocates]] Blue Team away.  

Cortana and her AIs begin shutting down UNSC control across human space, using the Guardians to consolidate control. She tracks down the ''Infinity'', which makes an emergency slipspace jump to escape and find a way to fight her. On Sanghelios, the Arbiter, Commander Palmer and Doctor Halsey meet the Master Chief and Locke who disembark from [[India 127|a Pelican]]. Doctor Halsey then smiles as she tells the Master Chief that it took him long enough.

Over a lush, green world, [[Installation 07]] orbits as Cortana hums.

The ''Halo 5: Guardians'' [[campaign]] comprises of 15 missions,<ref name="achievements reveal">[https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/community/blog-posts/halo-5-guardians-achievements-revealed '''Halo Waypoint''': ''Achievements Revealed'']</ref> of which three are non-combat spaces in which the only objectives involve interaction with characters or objects.

#[[Osiris (level)|Osiris]] - ''"Fireteam Osiris is dispatched to recover the UNSC's most wanted criminal: Doctor Catherine Elizabeth Halsey."''

#[[Blue Team (level)|Blue Team]] - ''"The Master Chief is reunited with his Spartan II Blue Team for a routine investigation of the lost ONI research station Argent Moon."''

#[[Glassed]] - ''"Osiris must pursue Blue Team to a glassed world beyond UNSC jurisdiction."''

#[[Meridian Station (level)|Meridian Station]] - ''"Osiris learns that Meridian Station harbors many secrets."''

#[[Unconfirmed]] - ''"Osiris tracks Blue Team deep below the surface of Meridian."''

#[[Evacuation]] - ''"Osiris are separated from Blue Team and must race to catch up."''

#[[Reunion]] - ''"Blue Team arrive at the Forerunner world Genesis, where they discover the true reason for the Guardian’s activation."''

#[[Swords of Sanghelios (level)|Swords of Sanghelios]] - ''"When evidence reveals the Master Chief is in danger, Fireteam Osiris' mission changes from retrieval to rescue."''

#[[Alliance]] - ''"Osiris joins forces with the Swords of Sanghelios."''

#[[Enemy Lines]] - ''"In order to activate the Guardian, Osiris must track down a Forerunner Constructor."''

#[[Before the Storm]] - ''"Osiris and the Swords of Sanghelios prepare for a final battle with the Covenant."''

#[[Battle of Sunaion (level)|Battle of Sunaion]] - ''"Osiris races to reach the Guardian before it leaves Sanghelios."''

#[[Genesis (level)|Genesis]] - ''"Osiris arrives on Genesis, where they meet a new ally in their battle."''

#[[The Breaking]] - ''"The Master Chief and his team face their greatest threat, and his hardest choice as the true power of Genesis is revealed."''

#[[Guardians]] - ''"As Blue Team’s lives hang in the balance, Osiris must save them and stop the Guardians."''

'''[[Human]]'''

*[[Caleb Aagard]] {{Im}}

*[[Catherine Halsey]]

*[[Ed]] {{1st}}

*[[Evelyn Collins]] {{1st}}

*[[Frederic-104]]

*[[Kyle]] {{1st}}

***[[Constructor]]

****[[Knight Battlewagon]]

*****[[Knight Bannerman]] {{1st}}

*****[[Knight Dignitary]] {{1st}}

*****[[Knight Luminary]] {{1st}}

****[[Hydra Soldier]] {{1st}}

**[[Commander (Covenant)|Commander]]

***[[Sangheili Zealot|Zealot Assassin]] {{1st}}

***[[Spartan Operations|Spartan]]

*[[Adelaide]] {{1st}}

*[[Alluvion]]

****[[New Alexandria (location)|New Alexandria]] {{Mo}}

***[[UNSC Monitoring Station Delta Five]] {{Fm}}

**[[Fall of Reach]] {{Mo}}

**[[Raid on Argent Moon|Raid on ''Argent Moon'']] {{1st}}

*[[AV-49 Wasp]] {{1st}}

**''ONI'' variant {{1st}}

**''Hannibal'' variant {{1st}}

*[[M12B Warthog]]

**[[M12 Chaingun Warthog]]

**[[M12G1 Gauss Warthog]]

**[[M12R Rocket Warthog]]

**[[M12 Warthog|M12B Scout Warthog]]

**[[M290 Mongoose#M290-M Gungoose variants|M290-M Gungoose]]

**''Hannibal'' variant {{1st}}

 

*[[D79-TC Pelican]]

**''[[Boza]]''

*[[Nordica V]] {{1st}}

*[[Drop pod]]

**[[M9407 drop pod]] {{1st}}

*{{Class|Star Charter|colony support ship}} {{1st}}

**[[Meridian 5-Alpha]] {{1st}}

*''[[Argent Moon]]'' {{1st}}

*{{Class|Anlace|light frigate}} {{1st}}

 

 

*''[[Splendid Intention]]'' {{Fm}}

*[[Type-31 Seraph]]

 

*[[Phaeton]] {{1st}}

 

*''[[Mantle's Approach]]'' {{Mo}}

*[[BR55 battle rifle]]

*[[BR85 battle rifle|BR85N battle rifle]] {{1st}}

**''Hybrid'' variant {{1st}}

*[[M343A2 chaingun]] {{1st}}

**''Needle'' variant {{1st}}

*[[M70 Gauss cannon]] {{1st}}

*[[MLRS-1 Hydra]] {{1st}}

*[[M20 PDW]] {{1st}}

**''Morph'' variant {{1st}}

*[[M41 rocket launcher]]

**''Hybrid'' variant {{1st}}

**''Morph'' variant {{1st}}

**''Recon'' variant {{1st}}

**''COG'' variant {{1st}}

**''Infected'' variant {{1st}}

*{{Pattern|Anskum|plasma grenade}}

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

**''Corpsemaker'' variant {{1st}}

*{{Pattern|Zubo|beam rifle}}

*{{Pattern|Sulok|beam rifle}}

**''T-50α'' variant {{1st}}

*{{Pattern|Tufasumo|plasma caster}} {{1st}}

*{{Pattern|Kelos'vaarda|storm rifle}}

*[[Type-56D needler]] {{1st}}

*[[Mosa-pattern carbine|Type-57B carbine]] {{1st}}

**''Blood of Suban'' variant {{1st}} 

*{{Pattern|Gespu|fuel rod gun}} {{1st}}

*{{Pattern|Shea'p|plasma cannon}} {{1st}}

 

*[[Curveblade]]

 

*[[Sentinel beam#Variants|Safeguard Sentinel Beam]]

**''Loathsome Thing'' variant {{1st}}

**''Didact's Signet'' variant {{1st}}

***[[PILOT-class Mjolnir|Pilot]] variant {{mo}}

*[[Sangheili harness]]

What would later be revealed as ''Halo 5: Guardians'' was first revealed with [[Halo Xbox One announcement trailer|a teaser]] released on [[2013|June 10, 2013]] during that year's [[Electronic Entertainment Expo]]. The trailer indicated that a major ''Halo'' release would occur for the Xbox One console in 2014, leading many to believe that this particular game would be the next entry in the ''Reclaimer Saga'' and the sequel to ''[[Halo 4]]''. However, Microsoft stressed the trailer's phrasing that 2014 would mark the beginning of a "journey", with the implication that this may not mean the release of the then still officially unannounced ''Halo 5''.{{Ref/Reuse|H5}} During production, ''Halo 5: Guardians'' was given the codename "Project: Osiris".<ref>[https://www.artstation.com/artwork/9JKyR '''Artstation:''' ''Halo 5: Guardians Sangheili props'' - concept art bears the logo "Project: Osiris".]</ref>

''Halo 5: Guardians'' was formally announced on May 16, 2014 by [[343 Industries]] General Manager [[Bonnie Ross]]. Ross describes ''Halo 5: Guardians'' as a bigger effort than the preceding ''Halo 4'' in terms of the content and scope of the game as well as the technology underpinning it. The game's engine is said to have been completely retooled to take full advantage of the Xbox One's hardware and ecosystem; according to [[Frank O'Connor]], the engine is all-new apart from a number of core features retained from the previous one.<ref>[http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showpost.php?p=112403080&postcount=2276 '''NeoGAF''': ''Frank O'Connor on game engine'']</ref> Ross stated that ''Halo 5'' would incorporate lessons the 343 Industries team learned from ''Halo 4'' with regard to technology, performance, aesthetics, and scale in response to feedback received from the fan community. She also mentioned that the game would run at [[Wikipedia:Frame rate|60 frames per second]] and feature [[Wikipedia:Dedicated hosting service|dedicated servers]].{{Ref/Reuse|H5}}

[[File:H5G-Numbers.jpg|thumb|250px|The various features in ''Halo 5: Guardians''.]]

In E3 2014, 343 Industries' statements about a "journey" beginning in the fall of 2014 were revealed to be referring to a multimedia project dubbed ''[[Halo: The Journey]]'' by 343 Industries,<ref name="eurogamer">[http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2014-06-16-343s-master-plan-for-halo-5-guardians '''Eurogamer''': ''343's master plan for Halo 5: Guardians'']</ref> set to begin with the release of ''[[Halo: The Master Chief Collection]]'', containing remastered "Anniversary" editions of ''[[Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary|Halo: Combat Evolved]]'' and ''[[Halo 2: Anniversary|Halo 2]]'', as well as high-resolution versions of ''[[Halo 3]]'' and ''Halo 4''.<ref name="E32014">'''Microsoft Xbox One briefing E3 2014'''</ref> Additionally, it was announced that a [[Halo 5: Guardians Multiplayer Beta|multiplayer beta]] of ''Guardians'' was set to be released on December 29, 2014. Exclusive unlockable content for the beta was made available via ''The Master Chief Collection'' and the digital series ''[[Halo: Nightfall]]''.{{Ref/Reuse|WaypointGuardians}}

The 343 Industries team underwent several internal changes between the development of ''Halo 4'' and ''Halo 5: Guardians''. [[Nicolas Bouvier|Nicolas "Sparth" Bouvier]] replaced [[Kenneth Scott]] as senior art director, although Scott was stated to continue serving in an advisory role.<ref>[http://www.ign.com/articles/2014/01/08/halo-4-art-director-steps-down-at-343-industries '''IGN''': ''Halo 4 Art Director Steps Down at 343 Industries'']</ref> [[Josh Holmes]] was also replaced by Tim Longo (known for his previous work on ''[[Wikipedia:Star Wars: Republic Commando|Star Wars: Republic Commando]]'' and the 2013 ''[[Wikipedia:Tomb Raider (2013 video game)|Tomb Raider]]'' reboot) as creative director.<ref>[http://www.joystiq.com/2013/12/08/tomb-raider-republic-commando-creative-director-joins-343-indus/ '''Joystiq''': ''Tomb Raider, Republic Commando creative director joins 343 Industries'']</ref> [[Christopher Schlerf]] was supplanted by [[Brian Reed]] as ''Halo'' franchise lead writer after Schlerf's departure from 343 Industries.<ref>[https://twitter.com/schlerf/status/397939158041120768 '''Twitter''': ''schlerf'']</ref><ref>[https://twitter.com/BrianReed '''Twitter:''' ''Brian Reed'']</ref> The game's soundtrack was composed by [[Kazuma Jinnouchi]], replacing ''Halo 4''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s [[Neil Davidge]] as the principal composer.<ref name="GAFKazuma">[http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showpost.php?p=114883654&postcount=3462 '''NeoGaf''': ''Frank O'Connor on music'']</ref>

 

The [[Ur-Didact]], the main antagonist of ''[[Halo 4]]'', was originally slated to play a role in ''Halo 5''. At some point during the game's development, however, he was deemed to have become "extraneous" to the story, leading to him being redacted from the narrative in ''"[[The Next 72 Hours]]"'' arc of the ''[[Halo: Escalation]]'' comic series. According to Brian Reed, the manner of his removal from the story would still allow 343 Industries to use him as an antagonist in later stories if they so chose, as the franchise was considered to be lacking in recurring villains.<ref>'''[[Halo: Escalation|Halo: Escalation Library Edition Volume #1]]''', ''"The Next 72 Hours" developer commentary''</ref>

The [[campaign]] mode of ''Halo 5: Guardians'' has been designed around the game's fireteam-centric focus and alternates between the perspectives of John-117's Blue Team and Spartan Locke's Fireteam Osiris. 343 Industries considers the fireteams (internally known as "musketeers" within the studio) to be the most significant gameplay innovation in ''Halo 5''.<ref>'''[[Halo 5: Guardians ViDoc: A Hero Reborn]]'''</ref> Due to the presence of the fireteams, enemies in ''Halo 5: Guardians'' are designed to be faster, more responsive and generally more lethal.{{Ref/Reuse|h5g yourteam}} However, the campaign difficulty also scales according to the number of players.{{Ref/Reuse|gi h5}}

In single player campaign, the other team members operate autonomously but the player is able to give them contextual commands by pressing up the D-pad. The order given is determined by what the player is currently looking at. Some of these orders include ''Attack My Target'', ''Go To Location'', ''Use Vehicle'' (or turret), ''Pick Up Weapon'' and ''Revive Teammate''.<ref name="h5g yourteam">[https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/community/blog-posts/halo-5-guardians-your-team-is-your-weapon '''Halo Waypoint''': ''Halo 5: Guardians - Your Team is your Weapon'']</ref> The new revival mechanic allows both AI members of the team to revive the player or players to revive one another in co-op play. When a player takes too much damage, they go into a "downed" state. Active players or AI-controlled fireteam members can revive the downed Spartan within a set time limit which is shown in an icon on their HUDs. If a player remains downed for too long, they will die and be subject to similar respawn mechanics as in the prior games.{{Ref/Reuse|h5g yourteam}} This is also the case with certain types of damage such as being stuck by a {{Pattern|Anskum|plasma grenade}} or falling to one's death.

[[File:H5G-Revive.png|thumb|Tanaka reviving Vale.|185px]]

In [[cooperative play]], players assume the roles of different fireteam members, with each having their own distinct loadout; for example, [[Linda-058]] always spawns with a [[SRS99-S5 AM sniper rifle|sniper rifle]]. The different characters' base attributes also have subtle differences: for example, [[Kelly-087]] is faster than the other members of Blue Team and [[Holly Tanaka|Tanaka]] has a higher [[motion tracker]] range. Characters also have minor differences in traits such as their grenade carrying capacity or thrust recharge rate.<ref name="QG interview">[https://www.youtube.com/watch?t=10&v=2hVMhkgjQBE '''YouTube''': ''Interview Exclusive Josh Holmes (343 Industries)'']</ref> The [[heads-up display]]s of each team member have a unique design.{{Ref/Reuse|h5g yourteam}} In co-op, players are able to choose which character to play as, although they are restricted to either Locke or the Master Chief in single player. Co-operative games run on dedicated servers and allow players to seamlessly drop in and drop out of gameplay by simply joining the game and selecting a character to play as.{{Ref/Reuse|h5g yourteam}}

The game has an intricate chatter system in which fireteams offer both contextual commentary during gameplay as well as scripted mission dialog, filling the role [[Cortana]] had in the prior games. This is seen by the developers as a means to tie storytelling more closely with the gameplay.<ref>[http://www.gameinformer.com/b/features/archive/2015/06/10/evolved-combat-how-halo-5-guardians-is-breaking-tradition.aspx '''Game Informer''': ''Evolved Combat: How Halo 5: Guardians Is Breaking Tradition'']</ref> If the player lingers in an area the squad members will have dynamic conversations about various topics, such as their past, the location they are in, or the ongoing events.<ref name="thebest">[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xPVdzBcCsw8 '''YouTube''': ''Halo 5: Guardians - The Best is Yet to Come (Interview) - E3 2015'']</ref> Some contextual lines of dialog are different depending on which characters are controlled by players at a given time.{{Ref/Reuse|h5g yourteam}} 343 Industries has stated that Blue Team has more lines of dialog in the game than they do in all prior ''Halo'' media.{{Ref/Reuse|gi blue}} As a notable change from ''Halo 4'', the Covenant enemies of [[Jul 'Mdama's Covenant faction|Jul 'Mdama's faction]] now speak [[English]] as they did in the original ''Halo'' trilogy. This is explained as 'Mdama's authority over his followers diminishing, as they have lately begun to ignore his mandate forbidding the use of human languages.{{Ref/Reuse|gi h5}}

''Halo 5: Guardians'' creative director [[Josh Holmes]] has stated that the game would feature the largest and most open gameplay spaces in any ''Halo'' game yet, with an emphasis on replayability and sandbox-like gameplay.{{Ref/Reuse|salient9039}} The campaign was stated to be twice the length of ''Halo 4''<nowiki>'s</nowiki>.<ref>[http://www.ign.com/videos/2015/08/07/halo-5-guardians-new-gameplay-footage-ign-live-gamescom-2015?utm_source=IGN%20hub%20page&utm_medium=Xbox%20One&utm_content=4&utm_campaign=Blogroll '''IGN''': ''Halo 5: Guardians: Gamescom Footage'']</ref> The campaign missions feature a variety of possible alternate routes, including ledges that can be climbed with the clamber Spartan ability and routes that can be opened by charging through destructible walls with the Spartan charge ability. When playing as Fireteam Osiris, players have access to the [[Artemis Tracking System]], which can be used to highlight these alternate paths as well as collectibles and other items of interest.{{Ref/Reuse|gi h5}} Such items include objects left behind by [[Blue Team]]. [[Wikipedia:Quick time event|Quick time events]], a controversial addition to the ''Halo 4'' campaign, are not featured in ''Halo 5: Guardians'', although some of the cinematics are designed to immerse the player to the experience of the character they are controlling in a similar manner.{{Ref/Reuse|QG interview}}

Several new types of enemy have been added to the gameplay sandbox. The [[Promethean]] enemy faction returns, with the addition of the new [[Armiger Soldier]] class of infantry units and the [[Phaeton]] gunship.

With [[Sequence]] making ''[[Halo: The Fall of Reach - The Animated Series]]'', [[terminal]]s have been replaced with 117 pieces of [[Mission Intel]];{{Ref/Reuse|Gold}} audio logs that provide background information contextual to each mission.<ref>[https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/news/canon-fodder-locke-load '''Halo Waypoint''': ''Canon Fodder - Locke & Load'']</ref>

For high quality explosion sounds, Tojima's team recorded the sounds produced from various forms of debris dropped from a crane. For better bullet sounds, a microphone was placed behind a rock and an armed individual shot past it from 1,000 feet away. An accurate weapon tail was captured by utilizing the reflected sound from the environment when a gun was fired; Tojima's team shot off guns in a variety of interior and exterior spaces.{{Ref/Reuse|gi h5}}

Kazuma Jinnouchi served as the game's sole composer,{{Ref/Reuse|GAFKazuma}} recording music at [[Wikipedia:Abbey Road Studios|Abbey Road Studios]] in London and the [[Wikipedia:Rudolfinum|Rudolfinum]] in Prague. The game's tracks are noted to "sound fresh, yet distinctly ''Halo''". Jinnouchi expressed interest in bringing back the original [[Halo Theme|''Halo'' Theme]] into ''Halo 5: Guardians''. After a number of discussions, it was determined that the "''Halo'' choir" was to be implemented into the game in an obvious way, compared to the subtle manner the choir was implemented in ''Halo 4''. Ultimately, Jinnouchi and his team composed their own interpretation of both the ''Halo'' Theme and its choir.{{Ref/Reuse|gi h5}}

*[[Travis Willingham]] as ''[[Frederic-104]]'' and ''[[Jul 'Mdama]]''

With ''Halo 5: Guardians'' multiplayer, 343 Industries seeks to highlight the "arena shooter" aspects of classic ''Halo'' multiplayer gameplay. The unlockable custom loadouts and killstreak rewards present in ''[[Halo 4]]'' have been disposed of in favor of a "level playing field"; all players start with identical equipment as in the pre-''[[Halo: Reach]]'' games, with a focus on controlling weapons present on the map.<ref name="BetaFirstLook">'''[[Halo 5: Guardians Multiplayer Beta First Look]]'''</ref> The new Spartan abilities also play a large role in the multiplayer;{{Ref/Reuse|mpb bts}} the thruster pack in particular increases player mobility significantly. Another new feature is battle-chatter, automatic dialog among the team in which Spartans call out enemy locations and kills.<ref name="ign played">[http://www.ign.com/articles/2014/11/11/we-played-the-halo-5-guardians-multiplayer-beta-and '''IGN''': ''We Played the Halo 5: Guardians Multiplayer Beta, and...'']</ref> The multiplayer also includes the name of the segment of the map that the player is currently in being displayed near the [[motion sensor]] as in ''[[Halo 2: Anniversary]]'' and ''Halo: Reach''. Dynamic map elements similar to the multiplayer maps in ''Halo 2: Anniversary'' are also present.<ref>[http://www.gameinformer.com/b/features/archive/2015/06/26/a-guided-tour-of-halo-5-guardians-newest-map-fathom-.aspx '''Game Informer''': ''A Guided Tour of Fathom'']</ref> During the ''Halo 5: Guardians Multiplayer Beta'' when a team won a match the Spartan-IVs on said team would congratulate each other with high fives and clap. However, in the final game the winning team will only stand.

The ''[[Halo 5: Guardians Multiplayer Beta]]'' was used to gather data and feedback on the new multiplayer model as well as some of the new features. The beta featured two new multiplayer modes: [[Breakout]], in which two teams are thrown into a training arena via [[man cannon]]s and each player has only a single life with no respawns;{{Ref/Reuse|ign played}} and [[Strongholds]], in which two teams control moving territories.

The game's [[Rank (Halo 5: Guardians)|ranking system]] is similar to ''Halo 4''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s dual-ranking system composed of a [[Experience point|progression-based]] rank and a competitive skill rank based on wins and losses.<ref>[https://twitter.com/JoshingtonState/status/592368034561458176 '''Josh Holmes on Twitter''': "Still have SR, plus CSR in Arena. Also a new progression/unlock system that we'll be talking about in the coming months."]</ref> A new addition to the game's multiplayer component is the [[Requisition system]], designed to reward players across different multiplayer modes. Players earn "REQ Points" after each match of Arena or Warzone multiplayer. These points can then be used to purchase "REQ Packs", which contain both cosmetic and gameplay-affecting items; however, the latter are only usable in Warzone while only cosmetic items are usable in Arena to maintain balanced competitive play. REQ packs can also be purchased with real-world currency.{{Ref/Reuse|req}}

''Halo 5: Guardians'' [[matchmaking]] features no voting or veto system and instead features map rotation.<ref>[http://teambeyond.net/voting-in-halo-5/ '''Beyond Entertainment''': ''There Will Be No Map Voting In Halo 5: Guardians'']</ref> The game launched with 21 maps as well as over 18 maps as DLC, the most of any ''Halo'' game. Unlike past titles all DLC maps are free.<ref name="Gold">[https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/community/blog-posts/halo-5-guardians-goes-gold '''Halo Waypoint''': ''Halo 5: Guardians Goes Gold'']</ref> [[Forge]] in ''Halo 5: Guardians'' has been greatly improved upon even in comparison to ''Halo 2: Anniversary'''s, with feedback from members of the community used to improve the experience.<ref>[https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/community/blog-posts/building-the-biggest-forge-yet '''Halo Waypoint''': ''Building the Biggest Forge Yet'']</ref>

*[[Breakout Arena]] - A dedicated Forge map used in the [[Breakout]] mode, set in an orbital UNSC training arena with a holographic floor.

**[[Altitude]] - A Forged map used in the Breakout mode.

**[[Crossfire]] - A Forged map used in the Breakout mode.

**[[Gambol]] - A Forged map used in the Breakout mode.

**[[Trench]] - A Forged map used in the Breakout mode.

**[[Trident]] - A Forged map used in the Breakout mode.

*[[Eden]] – An asymmetrical remix of Empire at night.

*[[Empire]] – A human urban-themed Arena map with a symmetrical layout.

*[[Glacier (Halo 5: Guardians map)|Glacier]] – A large snow and ice covered Forge map set beside a cliff with a giant ravine cut down the middle.

**[[Antifreeze]] – A Forged Big Team Battle map inspired by the ''[[Halo: Combat Evolved]]'' map [[Ice Fields]] and ''[[Halo 4]]'' map [[Meltdown]].

**[[Grifball Court]] - A map specifically for the [[Grifball]] gametype.

*[[Mercy]] - Arena map and remake of the ''Halo 4'' map [[Haven]], set on Sanghelios.

*[[Molten]] - A remix of the Arena map ''The Rig'', set in an industrial facility on [[Ruthersburg]].

*[[Parallax]] – A "skybox only" Forge map set in interplanetary space.

*[[Plaza]] – An asymmetrical map dedicated for Arena, set in the back alleys of a human city.

*[[Regret (Halo 5: Guardians map)|Regret]] – A remix of the Arena map ''Truth'', set in the now overgrown wreckage of the ship after its crash-landing on [[Installation 04|Alpha Halo]].

*[[Riptide]] - A remix of the Arena map ''Fathom'', set on a Created-controlled world.

*[[Stasis]] - A remix of the Arena map ''Torque'', set on a crashed habitat ring on an icy planet.

*[[The Rig]] – An asymmetrical map dedicated for Arena, set on a mining rig on Meridian.

*[[Tidal]] - A Forge map set over open water.

*[[Torque]] - Arena map, set on the Created-controlled Auriga Station.

*[[Truth (level)|Truth]] – A remake of the ''[[Halo 2]]'' map [[Midship]]. Arena map set on one of the ships attached to the Fleet of Particular Justice in a re-imagining of the [[Battle of Installation 04]].

 

 

In their [[Electronic Entertainment Expo|E3]] 2013 conference, [[Microsoft]] showed a teaser trailer intended to showcase the future direction of the ''Halo'' franchise on the [[Xbox One]]. Rather than announcing ''Halo 5'' in particular, the trailer announced the presence of the ''Halo'' franchise on the new console, set to debut in [[2014]] with a [[Halo: The Master Chief Collection|then-unspecified ''Halo'' title]].{{Ref/Reuse|H5}}

The teaser opens with a hooded figure journeying through a desert on an alien world. The figure, revealed to be [[John-117]] clad in battered [[MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor/Mark VI|MJOLNIR armor]], clutches [[Cortana]]'s empty [[data crystal chip]] as he encounters an enormous [[Forerunner]] machine rising from the sand.{{Ref/Reuse|H5}}

A [[Behind The Scenes]] feature released on November 10, 2014, detailing the new features and development of the ''Halo 5: Guardians'' multiplayer beta.{{Ref/Reuse|mpb bts}}

''The Sprint'' was a digital series which presented the development of ''Halo 5: Guardians'', with the first season focusing on the Multiplayer Beta, the second on developing the footage for E3 2015, and the third on the campaign.

The trailer was revealed in December 18, 2014, and presents new gameplay of several weapons, game modes, and maps.

{{#widget:YouTube|id=OUdh9kZhFtQ|width=400|right}}

Between Saturday, April 25 and Tuesday, April 28, 2015 ''Halo'' fans from around the world searched for 117 pieces of an image. These pieces of the image were found in emails from Microsoft, Twitch, YouTube videos, and Xbox.com before the puzzle was completed revealing the final ''Halo 5: Guardians'' cover art. Coincidentally, Rob Semsey, senior communications manager for the ''Halo'' franchise, claimed that the puzzle was completed at 1:17 pm PST.<ref>[https://twitter.com/RobSemsey/status/593166980380692480 '''Twitter''': ''RobSemsey (According to my sources, the Halo 5: Guardians cover art puzzle (which consisted of 117 pieces) was solved at 1:17pm PT.)'']</ref> Shortly after the puzzle's completion an animated version of the poster was uploaded to YouTube featuring some of the ''Halo 5: Guardians'' soundtrack.{{Ref/Reuse|XboxWireCover}}

The gameplay demonstration picks up from the scene shown last in the cinematic trailer, depicting Fireteam Osiris as they track John-117 through Sunaion in the midst of a battle. The demonstration showcases the use of Spartan abilities, the ATS, the squad interaction system, and the new weapon plasma caster. It also introduces a new type of enemy, the Armiger Soldier, and the new Forerunner character Warden Eternal.

A trailer released on the same day as the cinematic trailer and gameplay demonstration announces the new gametype Warzone. The trailer showcases the multiplayer level ''Escape from ARC'' as well as Warzone gameplay.

A documentary released on June 15, 2015, showcases the development of the multiplayer mode, Warzone.

A trailer released on August 31, 2015, showcasing the game's second cutscene.<ref>[http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showpost.php?p=177127904&postcount=576 '''Neogaf''': ''Frank O'Conner clarifies'']</ref>

A tutorial video released on September 17, 2015, of [[Mister Chief]] explaining the new REQ system.

A trailer released on September 23, 2015, showcasing the cinematic for the ''Halo 5: Guardians'' mission [[Blue Team (level)|Blue Team]].

The minute-long live-action trailer, A Hero Falls, debuted September 27, 2015, on Sunday Night Football. It was followed five days later by a longer trailer, The Hunt Begins, which had been leaked. This trailer's officially planned debut was during a commercial break of ''Fear the Walking Dead'' on October 4, 2015.

The ''Halo 5: Guardians'' Launch Gameplay trailer debuted October 12, 2015, two weeks before the game's release. It shows several aspects of the campaign.

{{Halo 5 editions}}

On December 28, 2014, Microsoft announced three editions of ''Halo 5: Guardians'' that are available for preorder. The standard edition includes a poster for those who preorder and retails at $59.99 USD. The [[Halo 5: Guardians Limited Edition|Limited Edition]], retailing at $99.99 USD, includes a Warzone REQ Bundle of 14 Premium [[Requisition pack]]s, [[Halo: The Fall of Reach (animated series)|''Halo: The Fall of Reach - Animated Series'']], Guardian model by Metal Earth®, Spartan Locke’s Classified Orders, [[Halo 5: Guardians Limited Edition dossiers|dossiers]] on Blue Team and Fireteam Osiris, an Xbox Live Gold 14-day Trial, and is packaged in a uniquely-designed Spartan themed SteelBook®. Available for $249.99 USD, the [[Halo 5: Guardians Limited Collector's Edition|Limited Collector's Edition]] includes all bonuses given with the Limited Edition, as well as a digital copy of the game and a commemorative numbered statue of John-117 and Jameson Locke, designed by 343 Industries.<ref>[https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/games/halo-5-guardians/xbox-one '''Halo Waypoint''': ''Halo 5: Guardians'']</ref> A limited edition [[Xbox One]] console is also available for $499.99 USD. There are also limited edition controllers for styles such as the Jameson Locke and john-117 controllers.  

File:BR_halo.png|''Gamestop'': The Sentinel BR85N with Laser Targeter variant, and BR Bloodthirst skin

File:H5G Poster.jpg|Promotional poster depicting Master Chief and Spartan Locke.  

===Campaign screenshots===

File:H5G-SoldierVsOsiris.jpg|Fireteam Osiris facing a [[Armiger Soldier]].

File:H5G-Locke and Chief.jpg|Spartan Jameson Locke and the Master Chief

File:H5G Warden render.png|The [[Warden Eternal]], a newly introduced enemy.

File:H5G-Render-Grunt.png|An [[Unggoy Storm]]

File:H5G-Render-SangheiliStorm.png|A [[Sangheili Storm]]

File:H5G - Didact concept art.jpg|Early concept art of the Didact.

File:H5G_InfinityCity_Concept.jpg|{{UNSCShip|Infinity}} stationed above a human settlement.

===Logos===

File:H5G - Logo (Transparent).png|''Halo 5: Guardians'' logo with a transparent background

File:Halo5_Logo_onDark_CMYK_Final.jpg|''Halo 5: Guardians'' logo on a dark background

File:Halo5 Logo onLight CMYK Final.jpg|The logo on a white background

{{Ref/Sources|2}}

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