| High Noon | |
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| Map overview | |
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Game: |
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Map file name (?): |
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| Lore information | |
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Location: |
Forerunner slipspace portal generator facility,[1] Reach[2] |
| Gameplay overview | |
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Terrain: |
Multi-leveled building |
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Recommended number of players: |
4-12 |
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Recommended gametype(s): |
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| “ | Despite millennia of abandonment, transportation facilities like this one continue to function flawlessly. | ” |
High Noon is a multiplayer map included in Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary and the Anniversary Map Pack for Halo: Reach. It is the remake of Hang 'Em High from Halo: Combat Evolved.[1]
Universe and lore
- Main article: Menachite portal complex
High Noon is set inside a massive Forerunner portal generator complex on Reach, which powers an enormous slipspace portal - connected with an unknown number of locations across the galaxy and the Ark outside it. Passage through this system requires a Forerunner keyship.[3][4][2][5]
The playable area itself is an observation platform, barely sheltered from a storm raging just outside, creating a whirlwind of dust and debris around the center of the portal. Part of the structures in the playable space is also partially covered in sand.[1]
Overview
Layout
High Noon Map.
An overhead view of the map.
Callouts
The following are locations on the map that are so named on the player's heads-up display during gameplay:
- Red Base
- Red Bunker
- Red Tunnels
- Blue Base
- Blue Bunker
- Blue Tunnels
- Overlook
- Overlook Room
Overlook Room, and some of it's view.
- Portal Overlook
- Portal Footbridge
- Central Area
- Covered Ramp
- Lower Catwalk
- Upper Catwalk
- Outer Catwalk
- Trench
Trench. Portal Footbridge and Portal Overlook can be seen in the far distance.
- Construct of Mordia
- Overlook Footbridge
- Long Ramp
Production notes
According to 343 Industries, the map's setting and aesthetic went through a number of iterations before the decision to use a Forerunner theme. For the map, Certain Affinity and 343 Industries' Franchise team did a significant amount of exploration on the architecture and mechanics of Forerunner technology.[1] The map was later revealed in 2020's Halo: Shadows of Reach to be a portal complex situated on Reach leading to the Ark - since confirmed as such by 343 Industries' Jeff Easterling.[2]
Trivia
- The map's name references the 1952 western film High Noon. Hang 'em High itself also references to another western film called Hang 'em High which was released in 1968.
- An Easter egg can be found at the base of the middle structure (labelled "Construct of Mordia" as you stand on top) reading "In Memory of Peter Marks", the original creator of Hang 'Em High.
- According to gameplay footage found on YouTube and 343's website, it appears that the red base and blue base have been switched.
- It is to be noted that while on Forge, the cubic Forerunner objects seemingly planted in the ground are known as "tombstones", meaning that there is a possibility that this is a Forerunner burial ground. Alternatively, it might be a reference to the Halo 2 remake of Hang 'em High, Tombstone, or the description of the original Hang 'em High, which read "tombstones for everyone".
Gallery
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Browse more images in this article's gallery page. |
Environmental concept art of High Noon.
All-around view of High Noon.
Support structure on High Noon.
Bridge structure on High Noon.
Multiple smaller structures on High Noon.
A slipspace portal generator on High Noon, on Reach.
A slipspace portal as seen from the Forerunner observation station on High Noon.
Sources
- ^ a b c d Halo Waypoint: The Halo Bulletin: 10/19/11
- ^ a b c Reddit, Halo Shadows of Reach Spoiler Discussion Thread: "Been waiting to see who might catch this. ;)" - Jeff Easterling (Retrieved on Jun 1, 2020) [archive]
- ^ Halo Waypoint, The Halo Bulletin: 11/9/11 (Retrieved on Jun 1, 2020) [archive]
- ^ Halo: Shadows of Reach, chapter 21
- ^ Halo Waypoint, Canon Fodder - Point Taken: "That’s right, the location of the map High Noon is none other than the recently-revealed portal complex on Reach" (Retrieved on Jun 1, 2020) [archive]
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