Happy HaloDays!!

Hello everybody! First off, I would like to wish everybody happy Holidays (or Halo-Days)!

Because there isn't really anything Halo which is holiday themed, besides fan-art like this magnificent masterpiece I have found (above), I am doing this blog on the upcoming Halo 5: Guardians multiplayer beta coming out this month on December 29. I will be talking about all of the new features that are being implemented into the beta.

Thruster Pack

The thruster pack can be used pretty much at any time to boost the character in any direction except for up. This can be used to dodge bullets, get behind cover, and maneuver places faster.

Ground Pound

When using your thruster pack in a downward fashion, you can ground pound. This eliminates any targets within the redicle that pops up on the ground. However, this move can be hard to use during combat because it leaves you exposed in midair for a short amount of time.

Clamber

When close to an edge of a surface, you can clamber onto it, making environments easier to traverse and easier to get a good vantage point. It also makes it easier to make longer jumps. This should be interesting to see in the Halo 5: Guardians campaign, as getting out of the playable areas has always been a big part of skulls, easter eggs, and fun glitches.

Slide

When sprinting at full velocity, you can crouch to slide into cover, or get below a players sights and shoot them in the face with a shotgun.

Charge

This one is also used when sprinting. When sprinting, you can hit the melee button and bash through a player, causing damage to them, or killing them.


Sprint

Sprint is obviously making a return from Halo 4. By sprinting, you move faster than you would if just walking and can get to places faster or to hide when being shot at. There is, however, a twist. To balance things out, by sprinting, your shields do not recharge.

Smart Scope (ADS)

This one made people mad. People thought that by putting ADS (Aim-Down-Sights) was turning Halo into Call of Duty. I was even enraged when hearing of this. BUT, after further inspection, Smart Scope was just actually a better zoom animation. Smart Scope is available for all precision weapons, like the DMR or the BR55, but when using it on an MA5 Assault Rifle, it just zooms hip fire slightly. Smart Scope still keeps the old school mechanic of descoping when being fired upon.

How To Play Halo

Hey guys, today's blog is going to be a step by step tutorial on how to play Halo.

1. Destroy your Play Station

In order to play and appreciate Halo, you need to accept that the Xbox is better (Xbox 360, not the Xbox One). The best way to let go, is to blow that stupid Play Station with low cost explosives or smashing it with a hammer. Keep in mind, this step is only necessary if you own a Play Station. Some may argue that this step is completely unnecessary, but I highly recommend doing it. 

2. Buy an Xbox. 

In order to play Halo, you need an Xbox, because Halo is an Xbox exclusive, therefore Xbox is the best console ever. I recommend buying an Xbox 360 because it currently plays all of the Halos that have been released so far, and is now only around a hundred bucks, depending where you get it. If you have the money, buy the Xbox One, because Halo graphics will look better, and you can get the Master Chief Collection, which is the four numbered Halo games for the price of one game. 

3. Buy Halo

This step is obvious. How will you play the game if you don't have it? There have been 8 Halo games released so far, 9 come November when the Master Chief Collection comes out. I have all of the Halo games except for Halo Anniversary. I highly recommend getting the Xbox One and getting the Master Chief Collection, so you can experience the full story of Master Chief, the main protagonist of the Halo games. 

4. Get extra controllers. 

X Boxes only come with two controllers, and Halo has up to four player split-screen, so I highly recommend buying two extra controllers so you can grab a few buddies and play at your house. Halo is great to play with friends, and adds to the experience. 

5. Get Xbox Live Gold

To get the full experience of Halo, you need an Xbox Live gold Membership, which is sixty bucks a year. This is for after you beat the campaign, because there are endless hours of multiplayer to be played. Players from all around the world fight with, and against you in teams of red and blue. 

6. Have Fun! 

Now you have all the components to play Halo. Now, all you need to do is have fun! Because that is what Halo is all about, having fun. 

Welcome to the Halo Universe!

Hello Internet, my name is Conor Brown (on the left). Halo has been a passion of mine ever since I can remember (in other words, I'm a huge nerd). I have always been fascinated by this expanding and immersive universe. People don't realize how much there is to explore within Halo. There have been stories upon stories, people, and cultures developed around it.  So it upsets me when people say, "Halo? That's just a game where you shoot stuff." Halo is much more than this. 

Don't get me wrong, I will talk about game play and tactics, or anything else regarding the Halo Community that I deem worthy of my blog. This includes any coverage on upcoming Halo games (which I hope 343 Industries doesn't screw up) or on the upcoming Halo digital series, both the one produced by Ridley Scott, or Stephen Spielberg. But for the most part, I will try to focus mainly on the story and lore of Halo. This alone should give me plenty to talk about. I could literally go on for days on this topic, and I plan on doing so.