Halo: Reach for Windows

Halo Reach gets a PC version

Fans of the Halo’s Master Chief Collection are in for a treat as the popular game series is now available on PC starting with Halo: Reach. Originally released for Xbox 360, players can now experience the action on their computers. Join the Noble Team as they try to defend humanity’s last fortress against the encroaching Covenants. This first-person shooter will give you epic battles against brutal aliens.

Still the same story

If you love Halo: Reach on Xbox, you’ll be happy to know that the PC version brought the game in its entirety. From the campaign and matchmaking to custom games and firefight, all are available for the players. Of course, you cannot leave the story.

For new players, the story of Halo: Reach is a prequel to Halo: Combat Evolved. Set in the Halo universe, it depicts the Fall of Reach. The game takes place on the UNSC fortress during the weeks before the events in Halo: Combat Evolved. The Covenants have begun their brutal assault on the planet, and the UNSC is trying to halt the brutal alien invaders.

The game will follow the Noble Team, a six-man operations unit of one SPARTAN-II and five SPARTAN-III. You, the player assumes the role of the team’s latest member, SPARTAN-B312 or Noble and will defend Reach from its ultimate downfall at the hands of the Covenants. Halo: Reach consists of 11 levels.

Throughout the game, you will visit various maps on and above planet Reach. Among the locales are remote civilian homesteads, high-tech ONI facilities, and the metropolitan city of New Alexandria. Aside from the members of the Noble Team, Halo: Reach will also introduce you to some indigenous characters, such as the Moa and the Gúta.

Halo: Reach does not feature any kind of tactical squad mechanic. While the Noble Team accompanies you for most of the game, you cannot interact with them, just like in Call of Duty. The only time you will interact with the player is during scripted dialogues and actions.

PC gameplay

As mentioned, the PC version of Halo: Reach took the entirety of the Xbox game. However, it has been updated for modern PC players. This version is optimized for PCs and looks better with its support 4k and ultrawide resolutions as well as FOV options. With this, you can play the game in higher resolutions and framerates. This is a great update to the 30 fps and motion blurring in the original release. 

Halo: Reach also offers other PC native settings, including mouse and keyboard support, ultrawide support, and adaptive sync support. More, players can now bypass anti-cheat to safely “play around with campaign and customs” without being banned.

The game also updated its multiplayer campaign. Instead of the original 17 maps, it now boasts over 20 unforgettable multiplayer maps. This is in addition to the classic game modes, such as Firefight and Invasion. More, it now features an overhauled progression system and generation-defining player customization. 

Halo: Reach’s multiplayer suite is given for free, while the main campaign and Firefight experience comes as a premium DLC. More so, Halo: The Master Chief Collection is required to play this game. 

Final thoughts

The original Halo: Reach release is already a great game. But with this re-release, it has become even better. Its support for 4k resolution allows you to play the game in higher quality. More, the overhauled multiplayer campaign gives you lots of options. Still, this version needs polishing up as there are few issues here and there. For one, the audio sounds grainy with no depth. Also, the control doesn’t feel smooth. If these minor issues are fixed, Halo: Reach can become a nostalgic action-packed game it promises to be.