Halo: Reach

 Xbox 360
Halo: Reach Image
Metascore
91

Universal acclaim - based on 99 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.4

Generally favorable reviews- based on 3018 Ratings

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  • Summary: From the beginning, you know the end. In Halo: Reach, players experience the fateful moments that forged the Halo legend. It's the story of Noble Team, a squad of heroic Spartan soldiers, and their final stand on the planet Reach, humanity's last line of defense between the terrifyingFrom the beginning, you know the end. In Halo: Reach, players experience the fateful moments that forged the Halo legend. It's the story of Noble Team, a squad of heroic Spartan soldiers, and their final stand on the planet Reach, humanity's last line of defense between the terrifying Covenant and Earth. This darker story is echoed by grittier visuals amid a backdrop of massive, awe-inspiring environments. Characters, enemies and environments are rendered in amazing detail by an all-new engine designed to deliver epic-scale encounters against the cunning and ruthless Covenant.… Expand
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 93 out of 99
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 99
  3. Negative: 0 out of 99
  1. MS Xbox World
    100
    Halo: Reach is without doubt Bungie's finest Halo game, and best of all it has the story and structure to the campaign to finally deliver the Halo experience that some of us have been waiting for since the original Halo: Combat Evolved launched on Xbox back in 2002.
  2. Joystiq
    100
    ODST could have been a clever little shimmy, but it came out a misstep. Reach brings us right back into the dance that hooked us nine years ago, introduces some cool new steps, and leaves us twirling in enchantment as Bungie graciously bows out. Just keep twirling, Spartan.
  3. Impulsegamer
    99
    If you're a fan of the Halo series and were a little disappointed with ODST and a little apprehensive in purchasing this title, don't be. Bungie have redeemed themselves by not only creating an engaging and coercive story but have brought the game back to its roots and tweaked the gameplay, both offline and online to make this the definitive game of the series.
  4. Console Monster
    92
    In closing, Halo Reach is a must have title for any fan of the series (which by now, you should know if you are or not) and even if you aren't a fan of the previous titles you may find that the lengths Bungie have gone to refine their formula will now win you over.
  5. D+PAD Magazine
    90
    It's not the perfect shooter by any stretch, if indeed such a thing could exist, but as a multiplayer effort there's every reason to expect the game to reach far into the coming year and beyond.
  6. GamingXP
    89
    It maybe not be the perfect ending for the franchise because of its prequel flair, but in the gameplay and story-telling aspects it easily earns the crown of the series.
  7. GameShark
    50
    Halo is still a superlative multiplayer game, and with a group of friends, there's nothing quite like a well-tuned game mode or a white-knuckle finish to a Firefight. It's a shame that Halo: Reach couldn't add $60 worth of improvements to it.

See all 99 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 587 out of 737
  2. Mixed: 88 out of 737
  3. Negative: 62 out of 737
  1. victor1103
    Sep 14, 2010
    10
    This game delivered on every front. From the intense single player campaign stuffed with variety to the excellent voice acting, story andThis game delivered on every front. From the intense single player campaign stuffed with variety to the excellent voice acting, story and sound effects Halo:Reach is an absolute must buy for every Xbox360 owner. It is so rich in content that it can easily race for the top spot among the other heavy weapons in the genre. Although the graphics look quite good they are not on a Gears of War or Bad Company 2 level but they still look very convincing and that improvements are visible. I haven't really had time to dug into the multiplayer part of the game but seeing a lot of official review we can say that Halo: Reach is one of the most rich FPS when it comes to its content. All together if you are an Xbox owner, fond of FPS, have 60 bucks or a fan of the series pick this up! U won't regret it, because Bungie really kept its promise and finished the series with a BANG. Now its only up to Microsoft not to screw it up in the future.… Expand
  2. WilliamKotoco
    Jan 9, 2020
    10
    The first game in the chronological order of the history and it's the best Halo's game.
  4. aaronrs2
    Mar 28, 2012
    10
    Do you know hat does epic mean? It means HALO REACH, an infinite game, with a good campaign, (the only problem is that you don´tDo you know hat does epic mean? It means HALO REACH, an infinite game, with a good campaign, (the only problem is that you don´t use master chief) and the perfect multiplayer.
    You have got as maps as your XBOX flash drive can have, because with forge you can create whatever you want. Races, battles with lasers...
    You can play also the epic firefight mode, and the classic matchmaking, but the best thing is to play in your own maps with 15 friends!
    Graphics don't matter, you will LOVE this game.    … Expand
  5. PcTran
    Dec 28, 2011
    9
    This is the only FPS I'm not tired of. All the shooters have made me feel burnt out. For new innovative experiences I play many indie games.This is the only FPS I'm not tired of. All the shooters have made me feel burnt out. For new innovative experiences I play many indie games. But this is the only game that has me coming back. The campaign takes 3rd place in the Halo series in my book, behind ODST and 2. The Forge is probably the best map editing/creating tool for consoles. It's simple and clean to use. The firefight is improved greatly from ODST. But what always had me coming back is the multiplayer. The thrill of owning someone who isn't as skilled as you is always satisfying. But that's what separates Halo from most shooters out there. This requires skill. Precision, timing, and choices are all factors in how you play. You can't just aim you gun, spray and hope you get a kill. This is indeed a worthy swan song to Bungie's time with one of the most beloved franchises in all of gaming.… Expand
  6. DominicO
    Dec 8, 2010
    9
    Over all, I enjoy this game ALOT! graphics, online multiplayer, and all those other things.

    The campaign however is somewhat lacking the    Over all, I enjoy this game ALOT! graphics, online multiplayer, and all those other things.

    The campaign however is somewhat lacking the theatrical feeling you get when you play story-mode on other games but it is indeed action packed and the story was impressive.

    The online is is excellent like always. Sometimes it's pure mayhem and other times simple and intense. I personally enjoy how the had the return of the Halo 1 Pistol and the Elites vs Spartans game.

    Firefight has improved since Halo ODST; it's customizable as in adjust was and what aliens come after you and it's also a matchmaking playlist online as well.

    Forge seems appealing to me but I spent MOST of my Halo Reach time matchmaking and completing daily challenges. I know you can get even MORE creative in Halo 3 since they made it more convenient as in you can making Objects float instead of doing some weird $%&@.

    In visuals they improve pretty much EVERY little thing since Halo 3, the armor look more realistic, environments, even the helmet looks better.
    I give it a 9/10    … Expand
  7. shprea
    Jun 27, 2013
    8
    The real jewel in Halo: Reach is its campaign mode. One of my main issues with Halo 3 was its bland campaign. Halo: Reach fixes this issue.The real jewel in Halo: Reach is its campaign mode. One of my main issues with Halo 3 was its bland campaign. Halo: Reach fixes this issue. The story here is awesome, full of cool characters, awesome set pieces, and actual moments of grief and sadness. It's probably the best story of any Halo game to date, and it continues to impress me even after multiple playthroughs. Another awesome addition to reach was the improved Forge mode. Nothing is more fun than going to Forge world, giving your characters super human abilities (like jumping up 20 meters and running faster than a vehicle) and having an all out brawl.
    The multiplayer is just a refined version of Halo 3, which is not a bad thing.

    Reach is one of the best Halo games to date, and it's definitely worthy of your attention.    … Expand
  8. j2ton
    Dec 25, 2013
    0
    Sprint, bloom, armour lock, loadouts, bad maps …bungie clearly did not care what they did to the halo franchise and were more focused onSprint, bloom, armour lock, loadouts, bad maps …bungie clearly did not care what they did to the halo franchise and were more focused on testing things out for destiny.

    Still better than halo 4 though    … Expand

See all 737 User Reviews

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Awards & Rankings

6
#6 Best Xbox 360 Game of 2010
1
#1 Most Discussed Xbox 360 Game of 2010
2
#2 Most Shared Xbox 360 Game of 2010