Summary of "X-Play Classic - Halo 1-4 (+ ODST, Reach and Wars) Review"

X-Play Classic - Halo 1-4 (+ ODST, Reach and Wars) Review

Storyline Overview

Halo (Combat Evolved): You play as Master Chief, a space marine fighting aliens on an uncharted planet. The story involves combating the Flood and activating Halo’s defenses to stop them. The narrative is advanced through cutscenes, and the game features both on-foot and vehicle combat.
Halo 2: Continues Master Chief’s story with new weapons, smarter allies, and the ability to dual wield. The Covenant discover Earth, leading to intense battles. The campaign is about a dozen hours long with strong gameplay and corny one-liners from Master Chief.
Halo 3: Wraps up the story with Master Chief returning to Earth. Features new vehicles, maps, and an expanded multiplayer experience. The AI is improved, and the campaign supports four-player co-op with replayability enhanced by skulls (game modifiers).
Halo 3: ODST: Set after the city of New Mombasa is attacked by the Covenant. You play as a lone Orbital Drop Shock Trooper (the Rookie). The campaign is non-linear and includes flashbacks. Firefight mode (a horde-style co-op) is introduced.
Halo Reach: A prequel focusing on Noble Team, an elite squad fighting the Covenant invasion of planet Reach. The story emphasizes squad-based gameplay and emotional connections with teammates. Features vehicle combat and armor abilities like sprinting and jetpacks.
Halo Wars: A real-time strategy game set 20 years before the original Halo. You command troops and build bases to fight the Covenant. The game balances RTS mechanics with streamlined console controls and includes co-op and multiplayer modes.
Halo 4: Developed by 343 Industries, it continues the Master Chief saga with new enemies (Prometheans), upgraded visuals, and new multiplayer features including an XP unlock system and new game modes. The story focuses on Chief and Cortana’s relationship.

Gameplay Highlights & Features

Halo (Combat Evolved):
- First-person shooter with cooperative play.
- Vehicle combat with cooperative driving and turret operation.
- Detailed environments and consistent frame rate.
- Classic gameplay that remains engaging.
Halo Combat Evolved Anniversary:
- Complete graphics overhaul with toggle between classic and updated visuals.
- Full Xbox Live multiplayer using Halo Reach engine.
- Faithful to original gameplay, no new weapons or dual wielding added.
- Multiplayer maps from Halo 1 and 2 included.
Halo 2:
- Dual wielding weapons introduced.
- Ability to hijack vehicles anytime.
- Revamped weapons and smarter allies.
- Intense 12-hour campaign with multiplayer.
Halo 3:
- 11 new multiplayer maps including larger maps like Sandtrap.
- New vehicles like the Elephant with unique features.
- Forge mode: map and game type editor with object placement and customization.
- Four-player co-op campaign with scored mode and skull modifiers.
- Save film feature for replay and strategy review.
Halo 3: ODST:
- Non-linear campaign with flashbacks.
- New weapons like suppressed SMG and classic-style pistol.
- Firefight co-op mode (wave-based survival).
- Includes Halo 3 multiplayer maps and new ones for achievements.
Halo Reach:
- Campaign encourages squad-based tactics and emotional engagement.
- Armor abilities like sprint and jetpack (one at a time).
- Multiplayer with 12 modes, 18 variations, 21 maps, and improved Firefight.
- Forge World: large map editor with vehicles and structures.
Halo Wars:
- Console-friendly RTS with streamlined controls.
- Campaign and multiplayer modes including co-op and skirmish.
- Focus on base building, troop management, and strategic combat.
- Hidden skulls unlock fun gameplay modifiers (e.g., rainbow shooting scarabs).
Halo 4:
- Visual upgrade with new enemy types (Prometheans).
- Multiplayer includes XP unlock system, random power weapon spawns, and new modes like Dominion and Spartan Ops (co-op).
- Story explores Chief and Cortana’s relationship with new emotional depth.

Strategies & Tips

Halo 2 Secret Weapon Unlock (Scarab Gun)

Start on Metropolis level.
Eliminate marines boarding the Scorpion tank.
Cross the bridge, destroy ghosts and races.
Eliminate marines that join the fight.
Take out banshees but leave one in the air.
Hijack a ghost before entering a tunnel.
Lure banshee into tunnel by shooting it periodically.
Clear warthog and marines near barriers.
Use positioning to free banshee stuck in corners.
Board the banshee after loading screen to unlock the scarab gun.

Halo 2 Multiplayer Glitch (Flying Master Chief)

Align passenger side of warthog to back of banshee.
Passenger locks onto other player.
Banshee pilot flies away.
Passenger exits warthog and flies toward banshee.

Halo Wars Skull Unlocks

Mission 4: Kill 50 elites, then find bronze statue near street base to get “Woo” skull (scarabs shoot rainbows).
Mission 5: Follow on-ramp near base to unlock fog of war skull (turns off mini-map).

Ratings

Game Rating Halo (Combat Evolved) 5/5 Halo Combat Evolved Anniversary 5/5 Halo 2 5/5 Halo 3 5/5 Halo 3: ODST 5/5 Halo Reach 5/5 Halo Wars 4/5 Halo 4 4.5/5

Featured Gamer / Source

Host: Morgan Webb (G4TV / X-Play)
Review and gameplay footage from the X-Play show on G4TV.

Overall, the video provides a comprehensive review of the Halo series from the original Combat Evolved through Halo 4, including expansions and spin-offs, highlighting story progression, gameplay innovations, multiplayer enhancements, and offering useful tips and secrets for players.