Halo 5: Guardians

About

"Halo 5: Guardians" is a warfare shooter game with options for both single and multi-player experiences, supporting up to 2 players in co-op mode. The game is available for preorder on the Xbox store and includes a digital game download, Warzone REQ bundle, and Halo: The Fall of Reach Animated Series as part of the digital deluxe edition.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

79%

Audience ScoreBased on 139 reviews

story10 positive mentions

monetization3 negative mentions

The multiplayer experience is highly praised, with many considering it the best since Halo 2, featuring balanced gameplay and new modes like Warzone and Breakout.
The graphics and overall presentation are excellent, showcasing stunning visuals and smooth performance at 60fps.
The campaign, while criticized by some, still offers enjoyable moments and a continuation of the Halo story that long-time fans appreciate.

The removal of local co-op play has disappointed many fans, as it was a beloved feature in previous Halo titles.
The campaign is often described as short and lacking depth, with a convoluted story that fails to engage players fully.
The introduction of microtransactions and a REQ system has been criticized, with some players feeling it detracts from the overall experience.

story
39 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
26%
54%
21%
The story of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players finding it short, convoluted, and lacking depth, particularly for newcomers to the series. While some appreciate the improved storytelling and character development compared to previous installments, others feel it lacks the emotional connection and significance that defined earlier narratives. Overall, the campaign is seen as more of a filler than a grand adventure, with the multiplayer experience being the standout feature.
- “Nice storylines; 343 seems to do a good job fleshing out the story better than Bungie tended to, though not saying the stories are better, just more spelled out.”
- “In the last two installments, I've felt a deep connection to Chief and Cortana, and been compelled and thrilled by the plot twists.”
- “Love this game; it's so amazing! It remembered what Halo was all about and brings an amazing new storytelling to the table.”
- “I don't want to go into too much detail about the story, but in the grand scheme of the lore it felt more like filler content rather than a grand adventure.”
- “The campaign was very boring; there are 3 missions that are 5 minutes long where you just listen to conversations.”
- “After all, it is Microsoft’s flagship title, but with a short lackluster story that only the diehard fans will appreciate; the multiplayer is truly where the focus is.”
gameplay
16 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
56%
25%
19%
Overall, the gameplay has received positive feedback, highlighting fun mechanics, smooth multiplayer experiences, and engaging co-op features. While some players found the gunplay less exciting compared to other titles, the improvements in movement and arena modes were praised, contributing to a solid and enjoyable experience. However, the campaign's narrative and gameplay scenarios were noted as lacking compared to the series' best entries.
- “In multiplayer, arena mode takes standard modes and adds small twists as well as a variety of excellent maps to buttery smooth matchmaking and 60fps gameplay, along with a new single-life mode breakout which adds some additional variety.”
- “With reinvigorated mechanics, Halo 5: Guardians ushers the series into a new era with confidence.”
- “The core gameplay has never been better and more involving, and it benefits all areas of the package.”
- “Plays like a Halo game, but the shooter mechanics are easily outclassed by gunplay in other games I've played lately (namely Destiny and Rainbow Six Siege) - so I found the gunplay boring.”
- “It seems like too many revolved on simple 'clear wave to proceed' gameplay.”
- “The gameplay was fine, although I prefer the campaign gameplay with just Master Chief - could do without the whole Spartan Locke mode.”
graphics
11 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
55%
18%
27%
Overall, the graphics of the game are praised for their quality, especially considering the time of release, with many reviewers highlighting stunning visuals and smooth frame rates. However, some criticism exists regarding uneven visuals and the impact of microtransactions on the overall experience. The game is noted for its impressive level design and vibrant alien worlds, contributing to a visually engaging experience.
- “Classic Halo action with stunning graphics.”
- “Super amazing graphics and sounds; my kids love it.”
- “Amazing set-pieces and alien worlds, the Xbox One's most awesome visuals.”
- “Graphics and sound effects are not that great.”
- “[pay-to-win microtransactions., no split screen., no drop-in/drop-out., weak story., poor squad ai., uneven visuals.]”
- “[pay-to-win microtransactions., no split screen., no drop-in/drop-out., weak story., poor squad ai., uneven visuals.]”
monetization
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
17%
33%
50%
The monetization in Halo 5 has been criticized for its reliance on pay-to-win microtransactions, which detracts from the overall experience. Players feel misled by advertising that emphasizes cooperative gameplay while omitting key features like split-screen and drop-in/drop-out options. Despite a strong campaign, many reviewers express a desire for less focus on microtransactions in future installments.
- “I guess if you're mainly into PvP and like microtransactions.”
- “This is misleading advertising.”
- “Pay-to-win microtransactions, no split screen, no drop-in/drop-out, weak story, poor squad AI, uneven visuals.”
- “The best Halo campaign since Reach, Guardians is a return to form - but more Chief next time, please, and less microtransactions.”
music
5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
80%
20%
The music in the game pays homage to previous titles while introducing fresh sounds that enhance the gameplay experience. Reviewers consistently praise the soundtrack as excellent, complementing the thrilling combat and smooth performance, contributing to an engaging and action-packed atmosphere.
- “Music tips its hat to previous games and yet has some nice new sounds that added to gameplay.”
- “Great shooting, great music.”
- “Another epic halo, great shooting, great music, non-stop action.”
replayability
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
150%
150%
The game's replayability is considered limited, with many players noting that after a few playthroughs—primarily by increasing difficulty—there isn't much incentive to return. The firefight mode offers some replay value, but overall, it falls short of expectations.
- “The game offers excellent replay value with its diverse firefight modes.”
- “Each playthrough feels fresh due to the variety of challenges and strategies available.”
- “The dynamic environments and multiple character choices keep me coming back for more.”
- “The replay value isn't great; as mentioned, four playthroughs are about the maximum, and that's just increasing the difficulty each time.”
- “Once you've completed the game, there's little incentive to go back. The story doesn't change, and the gameplay feels repetitive.”
- “After the initial playthrough, I found myself losing interest quickly. There aren't enough variations or new experiences to keep me engaged.”
humor
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game has been noted as lacking compared to previous installments in the Halo series, leading some players to feel disappointed. Despite enjoying other aspects of the game, the absence of humor has affected their overall experience.
- “Great game, but I didn't know that split screen was removed. This game is not funny like all the previous Halos, so it deserves a 4-star rating.”
emotional
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
Reviewers highlight that the emotional depth of the game's narrative surpasses previous entries in the Halo series, offering a profound experience that resonates with players. The combination of solid and visually appealing combat mechanics enhances this emotional engagement, while new features like Artemis tracking contribute positively to the overall gameplay experience.
- “The chief's mission reaches further than any distance could. It flows through an emotional level we've not yet seen in any Halo game. Combat is solid, beautiful, and smooth. New, smaller additions such as Artemis tracking really help.”
- “The emotional depth of the story left me in tears; it’s a journey that resonates long after the credits roll.”
- “I was genuinely moved by the character arcs and the way the game handles themes of loss and redemption.”
grinding
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players find grinding for requisition points engaging due to the diverse and varied loot, which ensures that each farming session offers different unlocks and keeps the experience fresh.