It has been 16 years since Halo: Reach was released. With its tragic campaign ending and rich multiplayer modes, the game remains highly regarded by many veteran players. It is also the final Halo title developed by Bungie.
Unlike the main series entries starring Master Chief, this title allows players to create their own Spartan, "Noble Six," and join the elite "Noble Team." The story takes place on the human colony of Reach, revolving around the Covenant's invasion and the planet's eventual fall.
The campaign serves as a direct prequel to Halo: Combat Evolved, featuring a darker tone than previous entries. Battles range from burning city streets to confined spaces, with members of Noble Team sacrificing themselves one by one in a seemingly hopeless situation, leaving the player to make a final stand alone on Reach.
The final mission, "Lone Wolf," concludes the story with the objective: "Survive." While players cannot change the fate of Reach, the missions carried out by Noble Team set the stage for future events. This narrative of fighting on despite knowing the inevitable outcome has become the game's most memorable hallmark.
In addition to the single-player campaign, Halo: Reach offers modes such as playing as Covenant Elites, Infection, Firefight, and a map editor. Players can create custom multiplayer maps and game types, earn in-game currency to unlock armor and other cosmetics for their Spartans, and bring these custom looks into both campaign and multiplayer modes.
Compared to Halo 3: ODST, which used the Halo 3 engine and similar systems, Halo: Reach featured rebuilt character models and visual assets. As Bungie's final entry in the series, it is currently playable via The Master Chief Collection.