Before the combined content from all four numbered Halo titles contained within The Master Chief Collection was even detailed, it was clear that to almost every owners of an Xbox One, the purchase had already been made. That’s the staying power and confidence instilled by Master Chief. But just because reviews aren’t exactly needed to help move copies off the store shelves come November 11, that doesn’t mean they can’t make a statement.
We’ve published our own review of The Master Chief Collection minus the multiplayer, since recent years have shown that how multiplayer games behave pre- and post-launch can be shockingly different. While other outlets have followed a similar path, some have seen enough to confirm that even based mainly off the package’s wealth of singleplayer and co-op content, the collection sets a new high benchmark for remakes of every kind. Read from the critics themselves below:
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CVG (Matt Sakuraoka-Gilman):
Score: 9/10
Polygon (Arthur Gies):
Score: 9.5/10
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Destructoid (Chris Carter):
Score: 9/10
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Shacknews (Steve Watts):
Score: 8/10
National Post (Daniel Kaszor):
Score: 9/10
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Games Radar (David Houghton):
Score: 4.5/5
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AusGamers (Nathan Lawrence):
Score: 8/10
The Verge (Sam Byford):
Score: No Score
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Game Rant (Andrew Dyce):
Score: No Score
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Videogamer (Brett Phipps):
Score: No Score
In many ways, the opportunity to package the Halo games of yesterday is one with even less pressure than the games forced to fight their own way out of those sizable shadows. However, handling any property so beloved, and bringing it to a brand new platform doesn’t happen without significant risks. But from the early signs, it seems 343 and its team of studios has walked the line between updating and honoring, and gamers stand to benefit.
Do you find the overwhelmingly positive reviews surprising, or did you expect nothing less from Halo 2’s anniversary celebration? Will you be picking up a copy to dive back into multiplayer with friends, or relive some of the Chief’s most memorable moments?
Halo: The Master Chief Collection officially releases on November 11, 2014 for Xbox One.
Follow Andrew on Twitter @andrew_dyce.
