I just want to gush a bit about what Halo 4 means to me…

Halo 4 recently celebrated its eighth birthday. Today, it releases on PC as the final piece of the Master Chief Collection.

Between the visual enhancements, the addition of an FOV slider, in-game integration of the Terminals and Spartan Ops cinematics (no more Halo Channel!), the new Forge items, and everything else the team at 343 has lovingly delivered – this is the definitive way to experience Halo 4.

This game is one that means a great deal and has strongly resonated with me over the years, so I just wanted to gush a bit about it…

Read More I just want to gush a bit about what Halo 4 means to me…

Jameson Locke – A study of Halo’s most underappreciated character

“Show our friend here that there’s more to a soldier than his armour.”

Five years. Five long years. That’s how long it’s been since Halo 5 released…

On this particular anniversary, I wanted to write a long overdue character study that pulls together things I said four years ago in my novel-length analysis of Halo 5 and my two-part Halo: Nightfall dissertation back in 2017, as well as all the time in-between.

Jameson Locke is one of my favourite Halo characters. He deserves so much better.

Let’s dissect what really works about him, what doesn’t, why he’s woefully underappreciated, and what future role Fireteam Osiris could have in Halo Infinite.

Read More Jameson Locke – A study of Halo’s most underappreciated character

SHADOWS OF REACH – a review of one of Halo’s best books yet (NON-SPOILER)

Halo: Shadows of Reach releases October 20th 2020, author Troy Denning’s fifth novel for the series – and quite undoubtedly his best!

Bridging the gap between Halo 5 and Halo Infinite, the Master Chief and Blue Team return to Reach to extract some vital assets from Doctor Halsey’s lab at CASTLE Base that will help turn the tide against the Created. But an army of Banished stand in their way.

343 was kind enough to provide me with an early copy of Shadows of Reach, so here’s my non-spoiler review of what’s easily become one of my top ten Halo books…

Read More SHADOWS OF REACH – a review of one of Halo’s best books yet (NON-SPOILER)

Recapping EVERY Halo book in a sentence or two (feat. Hot Takes)

With Halo Infinite delayed to 2021, now seemed like the perfect time to help catch people up on the last two decades of Halo literature – in the quickest way possible!

You may have recently seen Brian David Gilbert’s delightful descent into madness in his Unravelled series, where he read all of the Halo books over the course of a year as a relative newcomer to the franchise.

I, with all the biases and hot takes of a twenty-year veteran, have similarly assumed the mantle of summing up all of the thirty Halo books in a sentence or two.

Read More Recapping EVERY Halo book in a sentence or two (feat. Hot Takes)

Debunking the false ‘leaks’ about Halo Infinite and 343 Industries

Following the delay of Halo Infinite to 2021, you may have heard some allegedly ‘leaked’ reports about the state of the game and 343 Industries from Brad Sams, which has been making the rounds, uncritically reported on by various news outlets.

I know, it’s 2020 and facts don’t matter any more, but it’s completely false information and easily debunked.

Read More Debunking the false ‘leaks’ about Halo Infinite and 343 Industries

Why Installation 07 is the perfect setting for Halo Infinite

“It was known as Installation 07. It has become a sacred tomb for millions, though some may still live. I do not know.”

It’s been known since 2018, but we have finally received concrete confirmation: Halo Infinite is set on Installation 07, ‘Zeta Halo.’

While this is a brand-new Halo ring for the games, fans of the expanded universe will no doubt be well-acquainted with it from Greg Bear’s masterful Forerunner Saga.

Let’s delve into the known history of Installation 07, and explore why it’s the perfect setting for Halo Infinite.

Read More Why Installation 07 is the perfect setting for Halo Infinite

Let’s analyse the Halo Infinite demo’s approach to storytelling

“Spartan, we thought you dead, yet here you stand…”

Now that we’ve had some time to digest everything we were shown for the Xbox Games Showcase, let’s analyse what 343 Industries had to show for Halo Infinite.

From the characterisation of the Master Chief, to the parallels and references to previous games, to our new antagonists – there’s a lot to discuss.

Step inside!

Read More Let’s analyse the Halo Infinite demo’s approach to storytelling

I was invited to a Halo Infinite media briefing with 343, here’s what I learned… (campaign insight, new composer, and more!)

“Set a fire in your heart, Spartan! Fight hard. Die well.”

Two years following its announcement, we have just seen our first glimpse at campaign gameplay of Halo Infinite!

I was lucky enough to be invited to a media briefing with 343 Industries’ own Chris Lee (Studio Head) and Paul Crocker (Associate Creative Director), who provided insight into new characters and features, along with the announcement of Halo Infinite’s second composer and more.

Here’s everything I learned…

Read More I was invited to a Halo Infinite media briefing with 343, here’s what I learned… (campaign insight, new composer, and more!)

How Mendicant Bias has shaped the Halo universe to finish the fight (and failed)

“I am Mendicant Bias. This is what I have done.”

Some of the greatest, most enduring mysteries of the Halo universe are instantly called to mind and summed up by that strange name. Beggar after knowledge. Mendicant Bias.

Where their (co-)creator, the Didact, sought vengeance for 100,000 years, Mendicant Bias has single-mindedly sought atonement.

This quest for redemption has made them a pivotal character behind the scenes, to the point where their actions set into motion all the major events of the Halo story (because they couldn’t find the brakes).

With Halo 3 now on PC, this is the perfect time to examine the full extent of Mendicant Bias’s involvement in the past, present, and what potential lies ahead for them in the future of Halo in their ongoing efforts to finish the fight.

Read More How Mendicant Bias has shaped the Halo universe to finish the fight (and failed)

Why the Banished are the PERFECT antagonists for Halo Infinite

“We stand together, brothers to the end. We are his will. We are his legacy. We are The Banished.”

It’s finally been revealed. We’re fighting the Banished in Halo Infinite!

The Brutes are back! Here’s why they’re the perfect antagonist for the next movement of the Master Chief’s odyssey…

Read More Why the Banished are the PERFECT antagonists for Halo Infinite