ZenCier
BACKER
Log Status
Completed
Playing
Backlog
Wishlist
Rating
Time Played
38h 0m
Days in Journal
37 days
Last played
February 2, 2024
First played
October 12, 2023
Platforms Played
High-value collection that bundles multiple renowned games in a fairly streamlined experience with nice features like unified interfaces or an instant graphics switch for older entries.
I rated each game separately for their campaigns only and looked at them from a mostly modern perspective having never played anything Halo-related before.
Halo: Reach (7 hours, 8/10):
+ unique narrative of a hopeless defense against an alien invasion
+ atmospheric soundtrack that usually wouldn't be associated with a shooter
+ action-packed maps with impressive war backdrops
+ decent variety in mission types
- occasionally unclear objectives
- minimal story with some abrupt scene changes especially at the start
Halo: CE (8 hours, 5/10):
+ fun, straightforward experience overall
+ significantly more refined if less atmospheric visuals than the original version
+ memorable introduction of a simple but frightening enemy faction
- repetitive environments
- badly designed levels in the second half (making you run and avoid random instakill attacks the whole time)
Halo 2 (7 hours, 8/10):
+ high-quality cutscenes for the first time in the series
+ bold perspective change partway through
+ further improved gunplay with added dual-wielding
+ quite a few spectacular set pieces
+ cleanly remastered sound design
- mediocre ending for a standalone game
- too many tedious stationary arenas
Halo 3 (7 hours, 7/10):
+ more interesting enemy, weapon, and vehicle types
+ new ability system for some extra combat depth
+ decent amount of NPC cooperation
+ varied environmental design
- bothersome gameplay interruptions
- noticeably flawed story writing (with corny dialogue)
Halo 3: ODST (4 hours, 5/10):
+ interesting narrative approach with a more grounded perspective and actual squad relationships
+ a few almost tranquil moments supported by beautiful music
+ decent shooting even with the removal of dual-wielding
- obtrusive HUD
- overall unimpressive and often recycled environments
- clichéd writing that seems ambitious but really doesn't achieve much
- bad implementation of a new map system and object finding missions
Halo 4 (5 hours, 7/10):
+ well-integrated cinematics of consistently awesome quality
+ new set of extremely satisfying weapons — at the cost of nerfing old ones
+ good variety of impressive set pieces in the first half
+ more involved story with notable consequences (ignoring some tired tropes)
+ technically much-improved if aesthetically divisive graphics
- uninteresting main antagonist with an anticlimactic final confrontation
- tedious second half spent in sterile corridors
I rated each game separately for their campaigns only and looked at them from a mostly modern perspective having never played anything Halo-related before.
Halo: Reach (7 hours, 8/10):
+ unique narrative of a hopeless defense against an alien invasion
+ atmospheric soundtrack that usually wouldn't be associated with a shooter
+ action-packed maps with impressive war backdrops
+ decent variety in mission types
- occasionally unclear objectives
- minimal story with some abrupt scene changes especially at the start
Halo: CE (8 hours, 5/10):
+ fun, straightforward experience overall
+ significantly more refined if less atmospheric visuals than the original version
+ memorable introduction of a simple but frightening enemy faction
- repetitive environments
- badly designed levels in the second half (making you run and avoid random instakill attacks the whole time)
Halo 2 (7 hours, 8/10):
+ high-quality cutscenes for the first time in the series
+ bold perspective change partway through
+ further improved gunplay with added dual-wielding
+ quite a few spectacular set pieces
+ cleanly remastered sound design
- mediocre ending for a standalone game
- too many tedious stationary arenas
Halo 3 (7 hours, 7/10):
+ more interesting enemy, weapon, and vehicle types
+ new ability system for some extra combat depth
+ decent amount of NPC cooperation
+ varied environmental design
- bothersome gameplay interruptions
- noticeably flawed story writing (with corny dialogue)
Halo 3: ODST (4 hours, 5/10):
+ interesting narrative approach with a more grounded perspective and actual squad relationships
+ a few almost tranquil moments supported by beautiful music
+ decent shooting even with the removal of dual-wielding
- obtrusive HUD
- overall unimpressive and often recycled environments
- clichéd writing that seems ambitious but really doesn't achieve much
- bad implementation of a new map system and object finding missions
Halo 4 (5 hours, 7/10):
+ well-integrated cinematics of consistently awesome quality
+ new set of extremely satisfying weapons — at the cost of nerfing old ones
+ good variety of impressive set pieces in the first half
+ more involved story with notable consequences (ignoring some tired tropes)
+ technically much-improved if aesthetically divisive graphics
- uninteresting main antagonist with an anticlimactic final confrontation
- tedious second half spent in sterile corridors