Secrets Of Games
Secrets, News, Tips, Guides, Cheats and MoreNew Halo: Reach map pack is apparently called "Defiant". Step right up for all the blurry screens (Halo: Reach)
Posted on February 10, 2011
One of the many winning qualities of the internet is its ability to host high-res images that make your pupils go positively wobbly at the knees (well, it that wasn’t anatomically impossible). Unfortunately, you won’t be getting a single image with a respectable resolution here. Instead, what we can give you is brand new, leaked screens, which have apparently been taken from Halo: Reach’s latest map pack, Defiant.
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Go to Source (GamesRadar)
Halo 5 Logo Spotted at a Microsoft Showcase
Posted on February 10, 2011
At a Microsoft presentation given to Channel 4 Reporter at Microsoft Redmond’s Offices during the presentation a Halo 5 logo was spotted during the Smart Home section of the showcase. Right next to “Grandmas house” and Project Gotham Racing, but here is the main question; what happened to Halo 4?
read more (Shogun Gamer)
GamesRadar guides: Halo: Reach, Black Ops, and Ass Creed: Brotherhood Multiplayer (Halo: Reach)
Posted on December 20, 2010
When you wake up on the 25th there’s a good chance one of the following games is gonna be under your tree; unless you’re not Christian, in which case you already bought and beat it. Either way, you’re gonna want some tips in your never-ending quest to humiliate all the scrubs online who keep getting lucky and embarrassing you. Good news, we’ve got a huge batch of multiplayer tips and strategies for Assassin’s Creed: Brotherhood, Halo: Reach and Black Ops right here, including a cool new Achievement video guide for Black Ops. So sit back, pour some Egg Nog (or other non-holiday related beverage) and read up, because the only thing worse than coal in your stocking is an embarrassing kill/death ratio.
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Go to Source (GamesRadar)
Halo Wars Not Losing Stat-Tracking After All
Posted on December 08, 2010
A couple of weeks ago, Halo Wars fans were upset to learn that their beloved console strategy title was going to lose dedicated forums and online stat-tracking in mid-December. Now one week before the plug was scheduled to be pulled, Microsoft and 343 Industries have had a change of heart.
A post on the Halo Waypoint forums brings the good news. The Halo Wars dedicated forums will be still be merged with Halo Waypoint’s next week, but the game will continue to have online stat-tracking “for as long as possible.”
The post says that 343 Industries revised their decision in response to a loud and negative reaction from both Halo Wars fans and fans of the Halo FPS games concerned about their future support (or lack thereof). After seeing the response, they realized that shutting down Halo Wars was “not in line with our intended plan of loyal support for Halo games.”
As rare as it may be, it’s always nice to see fan outcry being met with a genuine and helpful response from a publisher. Anyone planning to celebrate the news with a few rounds of Halo Wars multiplayer?
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Go to Source (Game Informer)
X-Play Recommends You Get The Halo: Reach Noble Map Pack
Posted on December 07, 2010We know you’re still playing Halo: Reach and you’re loving every minute of it. If you’re ready to add something new to your gaming experience might we suggest the Noble Map pack. This DLC pack includes three new maps and 250 achievement points. X-Play’s Blair Herter explains why Anchor 9, Break Point and Tempest are well worth the 800 points.
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Go to Source (G4TV.com)
Reviews: Halo: Reach Noble Map Pack Overview
Posted on December 04, 2010John Funk provides an overview of the new Noble Map Pack for Halo: Reach.
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Go to Source (The Escapist – EscapistMagazine.com)
Halo: Reach Noble Map Pack – A Survival Guide
Posted on November 24, 2010
The Halo: Reach Noble Map Pack is out today, bringing three new maps to your Xbox 360 multiplayer mayhem. So how about a survival guide for Anchor 9, Breakpoint, and Tempest to start your Thanksgiving week off right? That’ll give you something to be thankful for, and it might just make you take other titles out of your tray and put Reach back in rotation.
But enough talk. Keep reading for a breakdown of the three maps which launch on November 30 for 800 MS points, along with our handy video guides that will let you know where you should hide, where the good weapons are, and what to avoid. Namely, laser beams. Big, giant laser beams. There are new Achievements in here offering up 250 gamerscore points, so learn the maps and start working.
Anchor 9
“Orbital dockyards provide rapid refueling and repairs for a variety of UNSC vessels.”
This low-orbit drydock for UNSC aerial vehicles looks like your basic, low-rent space station at first glance. But, it’s actually a virtual killbox. Designed to mimic the fully symmetrical look of The Pit from Halo 3. There’s a two-story orange base and a blue base on either side or a central passageway, with two vehicle docking bays sealed off by force fields. Each base has a turret mounted opposite each other, and those force fields lead to low-gravity outer space, where you can use gantries to sneak behind the enemy and into their base. There’s a lot of attention to detail here, and it’s a perfect map for two to eight players, especially in Free For All.
Things To Keep In Mind:
- The shotgun spawns in the central passageway, just near the entrance.
- The rockets are located on the curved gantry, just outside the station.
- You have an unlimited oxygen supply, so use those force fields as cover
- Jet packs will allow you to each inaccessible areas, including a small platform on the top of the ship being repaired.
Breakpoint
“ONI officials believe the data buried within this artifact is key to our survival.”
Things To Keep In Mind:
- Vehicle control is key here. Control the ground with a Scorpion/Wraith, or the skies with a Falcon/Banshee, and you’ll rack up kills quickly.
- Each side of the map has a sniper rifle, shotgun, and rocket launcher. The side under the artifact has the rockets in the room sealed off with portable barriers and his flashing lights inside. On the other side of the map, the rockets are leaning against the modular building at the top of the front-facing stairs.
- The bridges and the tunnel both tend to be choke points for ground based vehicles. Avoid them, or explore alternate vantage areas that still give you a line of fire.
Tempest
“Though we may never fully understand these devices, it is not our nature to leave ancient stones unturned.”
- It’s great having turrets, but these are both facing each other. You really need to try and control both, or you’re just a giant target.
- Watch that laser in the sky, because while you might be angling for that perfect Banshee shot, you might zap yourself and tumble to the ground.
- Caves: learn them early. Sneaking through these is going to give you a great way to enter the enemy base undetected.
- The rocks scattered about the middle of the map offers great cover, particularly for snipers or someone with rockets looking to take out a vehicle.
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Go to Source (G4TV.com)
VIDEO: Halo: Reach's new maps in action (Halo: Reach)
Posted on November 22, 2010
Three new Halo: Reach maps will be downloadable to all – for free – on Tuesday, November 30. But why wait to see what’s in store? We flew to Bungie’s brand new headquarters near Seattle to bring you back custom gameplay footage of each map: Anchor 9, Tempest and Breakpoint. Take a look…
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Anchor 9
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Tempest
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Breakpoint
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Go to Source (Games Radar)
Links Of TheFeed: Halo Heaven
Posted on October 30, 2010
I consider myself to be a decent Halo player. I beat Reach solo on legendary, and can generally hold my own in multiplayer. But I never really thought about who was behind the Spartan I was controlling, and why he could just appear out of thin air again after I got him killed. CollegeHumor clears all of that up in their latest animated video. Click on this week’s links, and check it out.
- The crew on the FilmDrunk Podcast interviews the guys from $#@% My Dad Says, recites some slam poetry, and discusses the four loko controversy. [FilmDrunk]
- What happens when a Halo: Reach Spartan dies? Does he go to heaven? [CollegeHumor]
- Debate of the day: Too old for Halloween? [UnrealityMag]
- Check out the 25 worst candy names of all time. [Manofest]
Go to Source (G4TV.com)
Reach's Noble Map Pack Trailer Includes Explosions, Face Stabbings
Posted on October 25, 2010
A little over a month from now, you’ll be able to spend 800 Microsoft Points on a new Halo: Reach map pack. Until November 30 rolls around, watch this clip, drool over it, and use it as fanfic fodder.
(Please visit the site to view this media)
If you’re still catching up on the Noble Map Pack, here are the official descriptions on the its three (!!!!!!!) maps:
• Tempest – Though we may never fully understand these devices, it is not our nature to leave ancient stones unturned. This abandoned shoreline facility bends both sea and sky to an unnatural purpose, but the ground itself has quickly become another all too familiar battlefield. Though the two opposing symmetrical bases may never reveal their ancient purpose, both now offer makeshift shelter and access to strategic routes perfectly suited for small- and large-scale skirmishes alike. Tempest supports 8 – 16 players and offers a variety of modes including Free for All, Team Slayer, Team Objective,nd Big Team Battle. Tempest also provides players with a huge Forge palette, allowing them to create new custom map variants that can be shared with the community-at-large.
• Anchor 9 – Orbital dockyards provide rapid refueling and repairs for a variety of UNSC vessels. Within the confines of this low orbit dry-dock, UNSC craft undergo rapid repair and rearmament in support of the enduring war effort. But for the small squads of infantry who now fight over the mirrored interior hallways and open central hangar bay, this platform no longer provides any safe harbor – whether the close quarters combat is occurring inside or out of its artificial gravitational field. Anchor 9 allows 2-8 players to face off in game variants including Free for All, Team Slayer, and Team Objective.
• Breakpoint – ONI officials believe the data buried within this artifact is key to our survival. Atop this icy precipice, the Invasion continues. These modular archaeological labs were never intended to withstand such a large-scale onslaught of Covenant military power, but the information being extracted here may prove vital to humanity’s survival. In response to the imminent Covenant threat, UNSC ground and air assets have been deployed to bolster entrenched Spartan countermeasures. This dig site must yield salvation, or it will become a grave. Breakpoint offers multiplayer mayhem for 8-16 players, and supports the Invasion and Big Team Battle game variants.
Go to Source (Game Informer)
Halo: Reach Noble Map Pack Dropping November 30
Posted on October 15, 2010
The war between the UNSC and the Covenant continues with a new map pack slated to drop November 30. The Noble Map Pack is the first DLC for Halo: Reach, and adds three new environments to the online fray. Bungie details that the scope of the maps ranges from small skirmishes to full-scale invasions. You can find the official description of Tempest, Anchor 9, and Breakpoint below.
Tempest
“Though we may never fully understand these devices, it is not our nature to leave ancient stones unturned.” This abandoned shoreline facility bends both sea and sky to an unnatural purpose, but the ground itself has quickly become another all too familiar battlefield. Though the two opposing symmetrical bases may never reveal their ancient purpose, both now offer makeshift shelter and access to strategic routes perfectly suited for small and large scale skirmishes alike. Tempest supports 8 – 16 players and offers a variety of modes including Free for All, Team Slayer, Team Objective and Big Team Battle. Tempest also provides players with a huge Forge palette, allowing them to create new custom map variants that can be shared with the community-at-large.
Anchor 9
“Orbital dockyards provide rapid refueling and repairs for a variety of UNSC vessels.” Within the confines of this low orbit dry-dock, UNSC craft undergo rapid repair and rearmament in support of the enduring war effort. But for the small squads of infantry who now fight over the mirrored interior hallways and open central hangar bay, this platform no longer provides any safe harbor – whether the close quarters combat is occurring inside or out of its artificial gravitational field. Anchor 9 allows 2-8 players to face off in game variants including Free for All, Team Slayer and Team Objective.
Breakpoint
“ONI officials believe the data buried within this artifact is key to our survival.” Atop this icy precipice, the Invasion continues. These modular archaeological labs were never intended to withstand such a large scale onslaught of Covenant military power, but the information being extracted here may prove vital to humanity’s survival. In response to the imminent Covenant threat, UNSC ground and air assets have been deployed to bolster entrenched Spartan countermeasures. This dig site must yield salvation, or it will become a grave. Breakpoint offers multiplayer mayhem for 8-16 players, and supports the Invasion and Big Team Battle game variants.
The Noble Map Pack will be available to download for 800 Microsoft Points.
In addition to adding official content, Bungie is also calling Halo fans to arms for the “Forgetacular Map Design Contest,” which kicks off today. Participants are tasked with using Halo: Reach’s in-game map editor to create a unique new multiplayer map for the masses. The prize is one of seven Xbox 360 Limited Edition Halo: Reach consoles, and the notoriety of having your map showcased alongside Bungie’s own.
The deadline for submissions is November 28. For more rules, check out the contest page here.
Go to Source (Game Informer)
First Halo Forerunner Novel Revealed
Posted on October 10, 2010
The Greg Bear-penned book Halo: Cryptum will release in January 2011, and is the first of a planned trilogy of Forerunner novels with Tor Books. Check out the full cover image after the jump.
Tor Books explains the setting:
“Halo: Cryptum will begin the first deep exploration into the time of the Forerunners, the creators and builders of the Halos. Almost nothing is known for sure about this ancient race. Worshipped by the Covenant as gods, their engineering relics pepper the galaxy, and their connection to humanity remains unanswered. Devoted fans of both the books and games will finally get to delve deep into the era of these enigmatic beings, and discover for themselves the epic story behind one of the great mysteries of the “Halo” universe: the complete disappearance of the Forerunners from existence.”
“The enigma of the Forerunners is really at the heart of the drama and mystery of the Halo universe,” says Frank O’Connor, Franchise Development Director for 343 Industries. “In all the games and the books so far we’ve only scratched the surface of the terrible events that engulfed the Forerunners and the Galaxy they protected 100,000 years ago, and we’re very lucky to have a writer with Greg’s experience and creativity to help us finally shed some light on why the Halos are really here.”
I’ll definitely have to ask Matt Miller for a summary of this book after he blazes through it!
Go to Source (Game Informer)
F1 2010 Dethrones Halo: Reach in UK Charts, Players Complain of Bugs
Posted on September 27, 2010F1 2010 has performed the impressive feat of bumping Halo: Reach from the top of the UK weekly sales charts after only one week at the top for Bungie’s shooter.
Market research firm ChartTrack reports that, after claiming the top spot for the week of its September 14 launch, Reach suffered an 80% drop in sales, allowing the racing sim to beat it to the chequered flag last week. However, it hasn’t been a smooth ride.
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Go to Source (ShackNews)
Is Bungie Already Teasing Reach DLC?
Posted on September 27, 2010
It’s hard to say whether or not it’s intentional, but a new picture in Bungie’s weekly update clearly points towards new DLC. As you can see above, it lists 59 achievements for 1,250 gamer points. Reach features 1,000 points right now, so it looks like some new challenges are on the horizon at some point. Considering Halo 3 wound up with a whopping 1,750 possible points, this news comes as no surprise. We’ll let you know if we hear more regarding Reach DLC.
Go to Source (Game Informer)
Average Halo Reach Playtime Is 23 Hours And Other Interesting Facts From Raptr
Posted on September 23, 2010
Raptr is an online gaming service that tracks what games you’ve been playing across multiple platforms. Recently a large chunk of their user base has been playing Halo Reach, so they decided to collect some data and put it together. This isn’t culled from the whole huge Halo-playing community, but there are thousands playing Reach on Raptr who have sunk in a total of over 1.5 million hours since the game launched last week, so there are some interesting tidbits here.
So what does Raptr have to say? Well, in the first week, Halo Reach took over Modern Warfare 2′s spot as most-played game on Xbox 360. Modern Warfare 2 playtime dropped by 50 percent last week, and both Halo 3 and Halo 3: ODST experienced similar heavy drops in activity.
In the first week, the average playtime among Raptr users is 23 hours, and 37 percent of players have completed the campaign (although only 11.8 percent have finished it on Legendary difficulty). The rarest Achievements are “Make It Rain” and “An Honor Serving,” both of which require reaching a high rank in the game.
There’s a ton more facts in the full blog post on Raptr. Personally, my Reach playtime is nowhere near 23 hours. Looks like I have some catching up to do tonight.
Go to Source (Game Informer)
How To Unlock A Racing Mini-Game In Halo Reach
Posted on September 23, 2010
It turns out shooting up tons of Covenant isn’t the only way to spend your time in the Halo universe. The Halo-loving dudes over at Rooster Teeth have released a video showing off the method for unlocking the “Reach Racer” warthog-racing mini-game in Halo Reach. You’ll need at least two players, and you don’t get anything special for doing it, but if you need a break from the run and gun, check out the video for yourself below.
(Please visit the site to view this media)
[via Kotaku]
Go to Source (Game Informer)
Halo: Reach Campaign Matchmaking Coming in October
Posted on September 20, 2010
Halo: Reach has already been a moderate success, so Bungie has decided to move forward on implementing new features to support online play for the cult favorite. In its most recent weekly update, Bungie said that campaign matchmaking has not been implemented yet for a couple of reasons – most notably because matchmaking will feature a voting mechanic that could possibly result in players seeing spoilers for the first time. The update also revealed that the company is working on much-desired modes like Rocket Race and Firefight Versus, which will “be deployed sometime down the road.”
Here’s the official statement from Bungie:
“The first matchmaking update for Reach will occur in early October
and consist primarily of fixes for bugs and balance issues. We’re not
done testing them all yet, but when they’re ready we’ll fill you in on
all of the little details. We’ll also be adding some game types and
Forge maps. Co-op campaign will be going live in October as well.
Campaign matchmaking will not take into account what your current
progress is, so if you’re worried about spoilers make sure you finish
campaign before jumping into this playlist!“
Go to Source (Game Informer)
Halo: Reach Campaign Matchmaking to be Added Eventually, Held to Avoid Spoiling the Adventure
Posted on September 20, 2010
You may have noticed Halo: Reach is unable to group players for campaign games via matchmaking, as was promised. According to Bungie, campaign matchmaking was held to avoid a situation where players would enter a campaign game in the middle of the latest Halo adventure, effectively spoiling the story.
“Campaign Matchmaking will offer all players in the party a vote as to which mission they’ll end up tackling together,” Friday’s Bungie.net update reads. Democracy is totally sweet, but in this case, the majority might …
Go to Source (ShackNews)
Halo: Reach hits top of UK chart
Posted on September 20, 2010Bungie’s final game in the Halo franchise soars to the top of the UK games chart, holding off Sony Move launch title Sports Champions.
Get the full article at GameSpot
Weekend Discussion
Posted on September 18, 2010Halo: Reach. Civilization V. PlayStation Move. Tokyo Game Show 2010.
Could a gamer’s life get busier? Oh, yes. We’re not even into October. There are still a ton of titles hitting retail before 2010 rings its final bell. (And let’s not even talk about how busy the first few months of 2011 will be.)
Let’s enjoy it while we can and hope everything works out when we pull out our wallets.
- Alice O’Connor: I imagine I’ll continue to work my way through the Halo: Reach campaign, grumbling all the way. Monday Night Combat shall be my palate cleanser.
- Brian Leahy: This weekend I’ll be playing Halo: Reach–three achievements left!—and Civilizat…
Go to Source (ShackNews)
