Halo 4

The famed sci-fi first-person shooter trilogy returns with - you guessed it - the fourth offering! Halo 4 is arguably one of the most anticipated games of the genre. Mainly because its predecessor won critical acclaim as being one of the best multiplayer games of all time. There's a lot of pressure on Halo 4 to deliver on expectations. Perhaps maybe a bit too much?

The Halo franchise's status as a genre-leading entity means that every tiny flaw in the game will be scrutinized. The third entry left a little room to expand the storyline - it's up to the developers to take that cliffhanger and blow it out into a new immersive story. Not to mention enhancing all the mechanics of old. Let's see if Halo 4 manages to hit the target.

We're Back to Square 4

So what could you possibly do to a game where its predecessor has acclaim as genre perfection? That's where all the questions get raised about Halo 4. It turns out - the game has faced a masterstroke in delivering mechanics refined to an extent we thought not possible. On such a rare occasion, the sequel to the masterpiece has turned out arguably better.

The narrative of the franchise has always been a core element of what makes Halo great. Halo 4 again features a compelling storyline that urgently wants to make players continue their campaigns. But the most essential aspect of gameplay is combat. It sprawls seamlessly across both the single-player and multiplayer game modes.

There has clearly been a lot of focus in redefining Halo 4's combat to make it the best yet. Weapons and battle maneuvers have been tweaked to a point where each engagement feels incredibly satisfying. It brings a newfound kick not seen before in the series, offering players ultimate control to make the game holistically competitive.

You'd think that there was no pressure at all to deliver a sequel that made everything we loved about the series even better. Halo games will sell whether they are good or not. However, the most admirable thing about the outcome of Halo 4 is the love, care, and consideration put into the game. It's a franchise rarity that simply needs to be enjoyed.

Master Chief Lives

Halo 4 is a flagship franchise for not only first-person shooters but the entire gaming industry. Perhaps the developers needed to prove a point on their understanding of what makes a game great. Whatever the case - Halo's status as one of gaming's most revered franchises holds up without question. Halo 4 even makes other popular sci-fi shooter series Gears of War look like a minnow in comparison.

Pros:

• Tightened combat mechanics enhance gameplay all around
• Fantastic level design on the campaign mode
• The famed multiplayer experience offers players even more competitiveness

Cons:

• Some bland moments in single-player gameplay