Halo 5: Guardians

 Xbox One
User Score
6.4

Mixed or average reviews- based on 3713 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 1,945 out of 3713
  2. Mixed: 747 out of 3713
  3. Negative: 1,021 out of 3713
Buy Now
Buy on

Review this game

  1. Your Score
    0 out of 10
    Rate this:
    • 10
    • 9
    • 8
    • 7
    • 6
    • 5
    • 4
    • 3
    • 2
    • 1
    • 0
    • 0
  1. Submit
  2. Check Spelling
view
per page
  1. Quantiumviceroy
    Nov 8, 2015
    0
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. First off the multiplayer:
    -The gameplay is so fast it is pretty much on par with destiny speed and almost titanfall speed.
    -The beeping noises that play every time you do pretty much anything are basically ear cancer.
    -There is no split screen even for campaign (sorry, you dont get to play with your friends who come over or your siblings anymore)
    -Once again you can't play as elites
    -The smart scope is basically just ads in disguise
    -The spartan abilities are literally carbon copies of mechanics from other games
    -The maps are pretty much all garbage
    -In warzone, you start off with power weapons from packs instead of actually finding them on the battlefield like normal halo games
    -rocket launcher, battle rifle and sniper rifle skins are literally eye cancer
    -The countdown to when power weapons are going to spawn is just a noob magnet and makes everyone wait at the spawn location
    -the amount of hits you can take when your shields are down is about 1/3 of previous halo games

    Campaign
    -Story is so flat and stale i wouldn't even call it 2D but 1.5D
    -The entire plot is something out of a fanfiction website
    -Cortana suddenly has a "I WANT TO BE AN OVERLORD" complex
    -Cortana is physical being now which makes no sense
    -Cortana has clothing
    -Cortana looks ugly and is not even hot anymore
    -Cortana is the antagonist for some reason
    -Locke is a try hard angsty person
    -highest number of missions in a halo game, shortest campaign
    -WALK AND TALK MISSIONS
    -it would have been cool is you could shoot allies in the walk and talk missions making them turn on you like in the command center in halo ce, but no, you are forced to keep your gun down. WTF
    -Enjoyed how halo was unique in the way you are a bada$$ lone wolf fighting an entire army of aliens? well guess what? Now you get a fireteam like in call of duty, battlefield and every other generic shooter.
    -instead of dying, you now get downed and have to get a teammate to pick you up, otherwise you have to wait a whole minute to respawn
    -because the coop campaign is now online, you get inconsistencies with your teammates. what you see on your screen is not what is happening on your teammates screen. If you are teabagging an elite, you friend will see you teabagging the air instead.
    -The music is out of place most of the time and is a failed attempt to remake the original soundtrack
    -The arbiter appears for a few missions but now sounds like a crazy cultist revolutionist instead of the awesome bada$$ we all used to love
    -There are no good memorable lines in the dialog. Remember quoting halo and sounding cool? well not anymore.
    -The voice acting is awkward and lines are cheesy
    -everything is really clunky like in halo 4
    -all the battles feel the same with similar room geometry
    -enemies kill you pretty much instantly with your shields down
    -now you can get beaten to death by a grunt
    -jackels sound like something an 80s cartoon bird character
    -you cant stick hunters for some reason
    -"boss fights" with warden eternal every hour or so
    -the game assumes you know all of halo's expanded lore
    -you cant pick up the skulls and hit people with them anymore. now if you pick them up, they just disappear
    -Locke, not Master Chief, is the evident main character. Master Chief levels were just thrown in the game to try to satisfy people who wanted to play as their favourite green super soldier, but there are only 3 of them.
    -    … Expand
  2. Acekidder
    Oct 28, 2015
    10
    Wow the hype is actually justified for once... incredible smooth beautiful exciting are just some of the words that spring to mind. From the start the game pulls you in then it digs its claws in and wont let go, multiplayer has evoled (pun intended) so much over previous games Warzone most obvious and i cant wait to see how it grows over the coming months with its FREE dlc (developers takeWow the hype is actually justified for once... incredible smooth beautiful exciting are just some of the words that spring to mind. From the start the game pulls you in then it digs its claws in and wont let go, multiplayer has evoled (pun intended) so much over previous games Warzone most obvious and i cant wait to see how it grows over the coming months with its FREE dlc (developers take note) yes i am looking at you activision.

    In short if you are a halo or fps fan you will be mighty happy you own an Xbox One if you dont what the hell are you waiting for.... seriously go go go spartans.

    Sony fanboys with your idiotic 0 reviews please stop embarasing yourselves because you cant play the game, just do yourselves the biggest favour and go out to buy an X1.    … Expand
  3. H1P1
    Oct 29, 2015
    6
    Dear 343, stop worrying about how to make a halo game and learn how to make a GAME. The only thing that matters is: is the game fun? The answer here is no. First up story: keep it simple and engage players with epic consequences. No one gives a f*** about Cortana! The story is messy, convoluted and boring, with cheesy forgettable characters. Second up gameplay: an improvement on halo 4Dear 343, stop worrying about how to make a halo game and learn how to make a GAME. The only thing that matters is: is the game fun? The answer here is no. First up story: keep it simple and engage players with epic consequences. No one gives a f*** about Cortana! The story is messy, convoluted and boring, with cheesy forgettable characters. Second up gameplay: an improvement on halo 4 (yay) but ultimately still boring as well. All of your levels are just shooting galleries with no creativity. The promethian enemies are boring, which is not helped by the fact you have 3 types of guns for every tier which all do the same thing. Cut the number of guns and instead and make them more diverse to make battles more interesting. The second part to this is stop reusing old ideas! How many times do we need to blow up a reactor? Steal ideas (i.e. put your stamp on it) don't copy them. Multiple perspectives in halo 2 was fun because the covenant was an interesting enemy. Here no one cares about locke! We care about masterchief so let us play as him! Big mistake having no offline co-op as this made the game stand out. On top of that the music scores are pathetic! Take some money out of the graphics budget and pay a proper orchestra instead of this electronic crap with no character. Epic sound enhances the atmosphere of battles! So ultimately what happens when you have a weak story, boring missions, no offline co op and no atmosphere? A boring game that i can't even play with my friend! When it comes down to it, halo exists only to service its most die hard fans because there is nothing here for anyone else.… Expand
  4. chrisyboy
    Oct 28, 2015
    10
    Fantastic best in the series and i can't wait to see where this story takes us, well done 343 now can you just bring back fire fight and add Reach to the Master cheif collection and i will love you forever.

    Oh and Sony pony fanboys.... really really? i know you have no games but to come on here with your fake reviews is laughable and sad.
  5. scrollrk
    Nov 10, 2015
    0
    I don't know who payed off the critics for their reviews. This Halo game was a complete disappointment. I waited hopefully for the next 343 installment of Halo after destiny was a complete turd. Pre-ordered it online thinking it was a sure thing. Went over to a friends house on launch day only to find out I couldn't even play split screen co-op with him. OK, i though, this isn't the bestI don't know who payed off the critics for their reviews. This Halo game was a complete disappointment. I waited hopefully for the next 343 installment of Halo after destiny was a complete turd. Pre-ordered it online thinking it was a sure thing. Went over to a friends house on launch day only to find out I couldn't even play split screen co-op with him. OK, i though, this isn't the best but we can pass the controller should still be fun. Well it wasn't. The story was boring. You fight one recycled boss over and over and over. The AI of your squad in single player are dumb as dirt. You don't actually die and have to wait to be revived by this retarded AI which may or may not reach you before your timer ends. In which case you have to sit there and wait 45 seconds to re spawn at the last checkpoint. Really pulls you out of the immersion of the game which really didn't pull me in anyway. The story was short, boring, acting was rubbish. Don't waste your money. Worst Halo ever. Now I can sell my XB one with a free conscience, and focus my gaming entirely on PC. Good riddance.… Expand
  6. Rifter
    Oct 28, 2015
    8
    Very solid game. I've mainly played the single player with a buddy and a little multiplayer arena. One of the best co-op games out there. Would love to see a 4 player version. Very cool levels.

    AI is kind of bad. This really is a team-based game, at least, really feels like it, but the AI kind of messes that up a lot. The game is a lot better if you have read some of the    Very solid game. I've mainly played the single player with a buddy and a little multiplayer arena. One of the best co-op games out there. Would love to see a 4 player version. Very cool levels.

    AI is kind of bad. This really is a team-based game, at least, really feels like it, but the AI kind of messes that up a lot.

    The game is a lot better if you have read some of the surrounding lore. Understand where Locke is coming from (Nightfall)

    The VERY low reviews I don't understand. I'd say this game is easily a 75-85 point game depending on where you fall. It does have some weirdness to it, but you have to stay with the Halo style gameplay to at least some extent. Though, the vehicles DO feel far too "floaty", worse than previous ones.    … Expand
  7. Fazzy
    Oct 30, 2015
    10
    Halo 5, a phenomenal game and a great experience throughout the campaign mode. The first time in years since I've enjoyed a First person shooters and I'm not easily impressed.
    Previous Halo's were good but nothing comes close to this and although the ad campaigns were somewhat misleading, it most certainly doesn't take away the fun. Big time and hot shot reviewers might have something bad    Halo 5, a phenomenal game and a great experience throughout the campaign mode. The first time in years since I've enjoyed a First person shooters and I'm not easily impressed.
    Previous Halo's were good but nothing comes close to this and although the ad campaigns were somewhat misleading, it most certainly doesn't take away the fun. Big time and hot shot reviewers might have something bad to say about Halo 5 aswell as a small handful of deluded users, but at the end of the day, their opinion doesn't affect me or stop me from enjoying the game.

    The multiplayer modes are fun and a blast to play, haven't had a single hiccup with online play. With a wide range of fun maps and game modes, one could easily spend a lot of time with Halo 5. 343i have done a fantastic job and I hope the next Halo game succeeds just as well as Halo 5.    … Expand
  8. Juggalo
    Nov 8, 2015
    1
    worst game ever, campaign doesn't make sense, multiplayer is unfair , every single of it is flawed. They should reboot it in every way. i mean come on they ruined the whole entire halo franchise.
  9. affejansson
    Feb 6, 2016
    0
    - No Split screen
    - Week Story
    - Microtransactions

    I haft nothing more to say, so i am just writing this because i need 150 characters and i am a lit
  10. Frank_Dukes
    Oct 29, 2015
    10
    Halo 5 continues on what is probably the greatest gaming franchise in history. The graphics are great, the lighting and textures are amazingly done. The story is very good if you've followed past ho games. This is actually my favorite halo game I've ever played. Just very aspect of the game is fantastic. The gameplay is the best gameplay of any game I've played this year far and away theHalo 5 continues on what is probably the greatest gaming franchise in history. The graphics are great, the lighting and textures are amazingly done. The story is very good if you've followed past ho games. This is actually my favorite halo game I've ever played. Just very aspect of the game is fantastic. The gameplay is the best gameplay of any game I've played this year far and away the best overall game I've played this year and one of my personal favorites EVER! Its just so well polished and balanced. Free dlc,it just seems like 343 and Microsoft really care about the quality of games they give to gamers and it shows. Beast of a game point blank!!… Expand
  11. ian_gust
    Oct 28, 2015
    10
    i don't speak english então vou fazer isso em português mesmo o jogo é otimo tanto em graficos quanto na historia, o multiplayer com novos modos e o modo coop pra nunca enjoar
  12. DowntownArtist
    Oct 28, 2015
    10
    Halo 5 has launched, and after playing it for 6 hours, I ensure you it's one of the bast Halo games ever. The multiplayer feels really grate, and I haven't had that much fun since Halo 2. The campaing, while it might not have the best possible ending, it's really epic and breathtaking.

    Overall, it's an excellent game. I think I may have found my new favourite Halo game.
  13. Yevn
    Nov 3, 2015
    4
    It feels like Halo 5 is trying to be like Call of Duty and other high paced first person shooters of the modern era. From making enemies kill you in a few shots to cover based shooting it no longer feels like it belongs in the Halo franchise. AI teamates fail to preform even the most basic of functions oftentimes acting more like cannon fodder than actual allies. This becomes even moreIt feels like Halo 5 is trying to be like Call of Duty and other high paced first person shooters of the modern era. From making enemies kill you in a few shots to cover based shooting it no longer feels like it belongs in the Halo franchise. AI teamates fail to preform even the most basic of functions oftentimes acting more like cannon fodder than actual allies. This becomes even more agitating during the Warden fights making you have to exploit the game (unless you play flawlessly) in order to get by him. There are also numerous scenes where music suddenly stops and dialogues overlap to the point where you can't make out what the characters are saying.

    The multiplayer introduces micro transactions and a card based play system for warzone creating massively lopsided matches, multiple tanks can easily be spawned for the enemy team while you have little to no access to counters (plasma pistol needs to be requisitioned in and cost 2 req points which build up slowly). In addition to this the amount of HP you have is reduced so low that even the magnum will take out any player in a few shots (think of it like the DMR from Reach). Another annoying aspect to warzone is that req builds up based on kills (the rich get richer) almost always resulting in a no comeback game.    … Expand
  14. suspeito
    Nov 12, 2015
    2
    This game is not a EPIC halo, worst campaing from all of halos,

    - movements good - OK
    - history - sucks, the worst campaing
    - Game fun - ok
    - multiplayer - Good im arena mode, but WARZONE i cant play, because doenst find a game to play.
  15. Stelf
    Oct 30, 2015
    10
    What can i say. Yes the campaign (mostly the ending) was not the best but the multiplayer is amazing.
    Its very addicting and rewards you for almost everything you achive. One of the best Halo multiplayers if not the best out yet!
  16. HaloBloke
    Oct 30, 2015
    10
    So good!

    First off, the campaign was amazing, due to the relatively simple plot but it still delivers a major twist that will shock many. Cutscenes throughout are action packed and well placed, looking fantastic in 1080p 60fps.The characters should be familiar to people with knowledge of the extended universe, and introduces some really well thought out enemies. The Promethean Knights    So good!

    First off, the campaign was amazing, due to the relatively simple plot but it still delivers a major twist that will shock many. Cutscenes throughout are action packed and well placed, looking fantastic in 1080p 60fps.The characters should be familiar to people with knowledge of the extended universe, and introduces some really well thought out enemies. The Promethean Knights now take on a more Mgalekgolo (Hunter) type role, capable of absorbing a Scorpion shot, unless you hit their weak spots, giving variety to the gameplay. The host of enemies included vary the pace of combat, with subclasses of all enemies in the game. Squad commands allow you to mix up the way you fight ; Lone wolf, Team player, balanced etc, the revive system encouraging the use of these all new abilities.
    Fluidity is maintained perfectly, due to the sacrifice of split screen, however it would have been nice to include split screen. Textures do seem to lag occasionally.

    Multiplayer is a blast, Warzone and its REQ system allowing for a more open ended, casual style of play, whilst keeping shrewd decision making essential. Team play works brilliantly as the bosses demand focused fire and attention to beat, and the objectives requiring more thought to bring down. Yet again gameplay is fluid as ever! Occasionally the opening cutscenes for the match will glitch, showing an outside view of the map and the spawning rarely places you in the middle of gunfights, but this is very rare. Some may feel forced to use REQs. REQs deliver a variety of weapons, scopes, vehicles and power ups, adding another dimension of thought to gameplay, and the Spartan abilities fuse flawlessly with core Halo mechanics.

    Arena is fast paced, balanced mode with the 1-50 ranking system making a triumphant re-emergence , making almost every game tense and satisfying, regardless of the outcome; victories are often hard fought and narrow, with a virtual playground of opportunities to outwit and defeat your foe. The new abilities work fantastically; thrusters make more escapes and gunfight victories possible, Ground Pound deals massive ranged melee damage and Spartan Charge stuns and damages your enemy. Map design is up to scratch and power weapons can be game changers in THE RIGHT HANDS; they aren't outrageously overpowered, but can subdue the opposition massively. I didn't really notice any problems at all.

    The menu layout is simple and intuitive, but could use a more expansive roster in matchmaking.

    Finally, the music is good, with some aspects of the original Halo style, however it is nothing to behold.

    This game is fantastic, a must buy for everyone, especially die hard Halo fans; it feels like Halo should.    … Expand
  17. eduardonic
    Nov 2, 2015
    10
    the Game IS spectacular and Shows That IS STILL saga alive and deserves respect , although ITS notes are not SO Game Shows que EVEN WITH resolutions of problems we STILL Build An Alliance Between pve and pvp
  18. Browning1918
    Nov 6, 2015
    4
    The campaign was ok but I'm already bored with the multiplayer. You progress so slowly and there was no split screen. I really wanted to like it but I just couldn't get into it.
  19. Maximale
    Nov 7, 2015
    4
    From the Beginning, before the game would come out, I knew it would be bad. How? an exclusive to the XBONE. Games w/ their corporations exclusive to a singular console always are bad, ignore them. In short, this game has a lot of flaws in both the campaign and multiplayer. Campaign has a confusing plot and some enemy types that either have one of the following: Bullet SpongeFrom the Beginning, before the game would come out, I knew it would be bad. How? an exclusive to the XBONE. Games w/ their corporations exclusive to a singular console always are bad, ignore them. In short, this game has a lot of flaws in both the campaign and multiplayer. Campaign has a confusing plot and some enemy types that either have one of the following: Bullet Sponge Technology, Stupid AI, and quite frankly, not the best gameplay. Multiplayer has a lack of modes and you will get killed instantly. I have found plenty of people hacking and things of the sort. if you want a semi comporable shooter for the next gen, get Black Ops III.… Expand
  20. Sonnivate
    Dec 3, 2015
    1
    This game is a failure on almost every front.
    -No splitscreen co-op
    -No local multiplayer -Still no forge mode -Story is beyond cliche -Multiplayer is bland -No means of lowering weapon for machinima purposes or photos -Character/armor designs are boring This game gets a single point for having strong female characters and the hope that forge might be decent when it comes out.    This game is a failure on almost every front.
    -No splitscreen co-op
    -No local multiplayer
    -Still no forge mode
    -Story is beyond cliche
    -Multiplayer is bland
    -No means of lowering weapon for machinima purposes or photos
    -Character/armor designs are boring

    This game gets a single point for having strong female characters and the hope that forge might be decent when it comes out. Aside from that, and the return of Nathan Fillian there isn't a single thing I liked.    … Expand
  21. joyalexandre
    Oct 29, 2015
    10
    I'm really pleased with this new Halo. The servers and matchmaking are very stable for a launch that big. By the way, I would have liked to have a split screen coop. The new mode online mode Warzone is really fun to play.

    They enhanced the controls and now Halo is more responsive then ever. They modernized it faster by not Call of Duty style. It respect the Halo legacy, but still evolve.
  22. luizifer
    Oct 28, 2015
    9
    Good game play, the campaign its good, y really like it :P Multiplayer its the best of the halo series!!, And personalize your spartan its simple, and have a lot of options!!
  23. DerangedPoteto
    Oct 28, 2015
    7
    Halo 5 is at the lower end of the series for me while the new welcome of war zone is a fun addition and arena is classic halo at it's best. What brings it down for me is the campaign (I don't mind the fact that we spend 80% of the game controlling him it's that it feels really short and it never gives much insite to why so fourth is happening never less I'm really looking forward to halo 6.
  24. MoreBokeh
    Oct 29, 2015
    10
    There are many reasons to hate this game, but at the end of the day playing it is really just fun. I can have a crappy warzone match but I'm guaranteed at least one crazy moment. Arena feels good (really good) when I do something amazing, especially when accompanied with the medal announcer voice. Split screen is gone, but playing with Xbox live friends is still a blast and full of funnyThere are many reasons to hate this game, but at the end of the day playing it is really just fun. I can have a crappy warzone match but I'm guaranteed at least one crazy moment. Arena feels good (really good) when I do something amazing, especially when accompanied with the medal announcer voice. Split screen is gone, but playing with Xbox live friends is still a blast and full of funny suicide legendary attempts. The Witcher 3 is probably GOTY for me, but Halo 5 does get both laughs and the adrenaline pumping like no other.… Expand
  25. Krade
    Nov 3, 2015
    8
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. I'll start with this: I'm a huge Halo fan. I've been playing since Halo: Combat Evolved back in 2001.
    That being said, I'm going to break my review down into categories:

    CAMPAIGN: I think this campaign deserves a commendation as the worst in the entire series - which is saying a lot 343, because Bungie sucks at story-telling - #Destiny. Halo 5's marketing campaign advertised this game with a pretense that Locke and Chief would be in a feud the entire game while Chief finds a way to save Cortana, leading up to some kind of final showdown...

    ...But that never actually happens.

    Instead, Chief and Locke have only a brief 60-second fist fight, and Cortana becomes the main antagonist. I suppose we have to give 343 some effort on the plot twist. However, the story is a chaotic and confusing mess, leaving much to be desired and even more unexplained - unless maybe you are familiar with the novels. Locke is a monotone military dog, making him forgettable and unrelatable (I wish there was a bit more back story to him) and his "fireteam" doesn't add much to that equation. On top of this, we only get to play as Chief 3/15 missions, the fewest times in the series (referencing Halo 2, mostly). And where/when the hell did John 117 reunite with his long lost "Blue Team?" Are we just supposed to assume that while he was out saving the world/universe the past few years that they were simply on vacation? The story ignores this major question among many others.

    The Halo series has very little to do now with the Halo rings, and more to do now with the Forerunners and their influence in the galaxy. I playfully suggest that the series should be renamed "Forerunner" - or something of that nature - before we hit a Halo 9, or some ridiculous number, and are continuously being let down because these games fail to live up to their predecessors. Many AAA titles are suffering that fate already. But at least this campaign ended with a cliffhanger, leaving 343 an opportunity to do better next time around. Also, come on, Halo is known for its stellar multiplayer, not its campaign. So let's move on.

    Final Score: 4/10

    GRAPHICS: Players running in the distance (in multiplayer) look like 2-D characters from the SNES era. Backgrounds and environments just seem stale and not very immersive. Seems like 343 had to sacrifice a lot of detail to keep the game running at 60 frames-per-second. However, the CGI cutscenes are totally stunning. Nicely done.

    Final Score: 8/10

    SOUNDS: I feel 343 tried too hard to make the game sound futuristic when they should have kept it simple and memorable. #classicbattlerifle

    Final Score: 7/10

    MUSIC: Wait, there was music? Bring Back Martin O'Donnell!

    Final Score: 6/10

    MULTIPLAYER: First of all, I view gameplay and multiplayer as two sides to the same coin. 343 had said numerous times that making this game a great multiplayer experience was the #1 goal when building the game, and that meant getting down to the mechanics and gameplay. They wanted to bring Halo back to its roots while still making it progressive in gameplay, and they did this without flaw. They did away (mostly) with armor abilites, which just brought unneeded variables and imbalance to the games. They did away with reticle bloom, which frustrated most players. Weapon swapping is now nearly instantaneous. They kept sprint, added ledge grabbing, and added thrusting for engaging/disengaging in combat - all of which add speed and flow to Halo's already iconic gameplay. 60 frames-per-second is where it's at for shooters now, and it makes Halo feel like a totally different experience as a shooter. There are more symmetrical maps, which is a necessity for balance and fair competitive play for the hardcore player. Not to mention: this is by far the best game in the series in terms of weapon balance. Literally any weapon is viable at most ranges and engagements. There is not really a clear superior weapon in the game, which is an incredibly hard thing to accomplish in a FPS. Shooters need less variables and more balance to be great. Not the opposite. Also, Warzone is just ridiculous, chaotic, wicked fun. A blast every time.

    HOWEVER: I must say that the controls are clunky to me and a little sloppy for a Halo game. Perhaps because I've been playing too much Destiny? - which has stellar mechanics. Anyway, it takes some getting used to. A steady connection helps vastly, which is much easier now because of dedicated servers. Overall, the multiplayer is a huge improvement from Halo 4, and I would say that it is about on par with Halo 3 in terms of gameplay quality and multiplayer experience.

    Final Score: 9/10

    How I rank the Halo titles (in terms in multiplayer):

    1. Halo 2 / H2A
    2. Halo 3 / Halo 5:Guardians
    3. Halo: CE(A)
    4. Halo: Reach
    5. Halo 4

    Not counting "Halo: ODST"

    Overall, I give Halo 5: Guardians a 8/10. I put most of the weight from my rating into the multiplayer alone, making this game a definite buy for any Xbox One owner.    … Expand
  26. luckymachete
    Nov 2, 2015
    4
    Story is subpar. It is very obvious that little time into developing it. Warzone is ruined by REQ packs and, despite 343 claiming otherwise, they DO have an effect on the game. Being able to unlock power weapons simply because you unlocked a card is not fair or balanced. Arena is plagued by horrible and broken spawn points. Does 343 know how to do matchmaking? Because this is just aStory is subpar. It is very obvious that little time into developing it. Warzone is ruined by REQ packs and, despite 343 claiming otherwise, they DO have an effect on the game. Being able to unlock power weapons simply because you unlocked a card is not fair or balanced. Arena is plagued by horrible and broken spawn points. Does 343 know how to do matchmaking? Because this is just a cluster F*** of people mixed together and not based on skill in any form. Why even put people into ranks? It has zero impact on the matchmaking. As far as I am concerned, Halo died years ago on Reach with the rest of the spartans. Do yourself a favor and avoid this game.… Expand
  27. Ecto1
    Oct 29, 2015
    7
    Its certainly not a bad game. However, the staples for me are not there any more. No split screen, not a great SP campaign or story and the multi-player just doesn't feel like Halo any more. That said, I'm loving the new mp game types quite a lot, especially the arena based one (except for warzone odly enough, thought I would have liked that the most)

    I don't regret my purchase, but I    Its certainly not a bad game. However, the staples for me are not there any more. No split screen, not a great SP campaign or story and the multi-player just doesn't feel like Halo any more. That said, I'm loving the new mp game types quite a lot, especially the arena based one (except for warzone odly enough, thought I would have liked that the most)

    I don't regret my purchase, but I don't think I'll be buying Halo 6 at launch, nor do I think I'll be playing Halo 5 for much longer.    … Expand
  28. Understated
    Oct 29, 2015
    7
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. "Oh John!" ....... "Cortana?" Some fighting. "Cortana, is that you?" ....... "John". And more fighting and battling. "Cortana, where are you?" ....... "Johhhhn!" And more fighting. Around this point in the game I couldn't help but laugh a little and wonder to myself just how much more convoluted and lacking creativity and inspiration could this series get in its story telling and lore. I mean is this it? The further adventures of an augmented modified hero and his love affair with a neurotic self-aware transcendant turned goddess computer program? 343 is, or has backed itself into a 'virtual' story telling corner. There are certainly interesting 'elements' in the story fabric, but it is not knitted together well. And while the fighting and production value ramp up the heat, the story does not or is it lore I would tell sitting around any campfire. Being an artist/painter I am amazed at what is being done graphically digitally in gaming and this developer has designed an attractive illusion. It was fun to look around in some of the environments, explore a little. Actually, one of the more touching moments in the game was during one of the none fighting missions later in this 'saga'. You are in an encampment with Dr. Halsey, the Arbiter, your team, and numerous elites, grunts, and a few humans gathering and sharing intel and plans for the next operation/mission. Just walking around and listening in as the grunts and elites banter was fun. The music is very good, so much so that at times I felt it overpowered everything else going on in the game. Beethoven experienced this when composing his overtures and oratorios. His musical efforts became stand alone pieces. I completed the campaign in roughly 10 hrs. in normal mode (a bit of looking around for skulls, data caches, and environmental vistas and detail), 1400 kills, and a few deaths caused by falling off some of those beautiful vistas, being pushed off in one instance by team members, and killed by enemies. At times I felt as though I was playing alone due to the 'behaviors' of my team members. Most notably during combat. Sometimes they would just stand around doing nothing behind an obstruction or even out in the open during the heat of action. And of course the enemies would zero in on me primarily. I can't really grade the multiplayer, although I tried to play it. Don't care for micro transactions utilized in competitive modes in any game where it gives advantages other than skill. I enjoy playing Halos' multiplayer modes when it is with known friends only (there continues to remain for me an absurdity in these times that people attempt to destroy each other in the virtual world globally in a game and they don't have any knowledge of who those others may be, and for what?). I played this game in two 5 hr. sessions. A kind of mini-marathon. I have no interest in playng it again. When the next installment arrives, I will probibly play it. But I will be reticent based on what I have experienced with this 'episode'. The story, like the production values, needs to evolve. The writers, like their 'Arbiter', need to have a little grit, courage, risk, and exercise some creativity and not pander to the previous successes, expectations, and influences. How about a story ''arrived at' rather than one 'expected'. There is plenty of nerdy goodness in this fifth episode but little Shakespeare. There could have been some real pathos, but it is only hinted at.… Expand
  29. SwegJuce
    Oct 28, 2015
    9
    A huge step up from Halo 4 in both campaign and multiplayer. Graphics look surprisingly good for a Xbox One game.

    The campaign definitely has something for people who follow the lore.
    Multiplayer is more balanced than before. Dedicated servers are freaking awesome

    The most fun I had with a Halo game since Reach.
  30. Halogod87
    Oct 28, 2015
    9
    The campaign while not the best its certainly not the worst either..But since when has Halo ever had a outstanding campaign? At least it has one unlike Destiny and Titanfall. What really shines here is its multiplayer its as fun and fresh as ever...open minded Halo fans will really like how responsive and crisp the guns feel. Also if you like to unlock and customize your spartan you willThe campaign while not the best its certainly not the worst either..But since when has Halo ever had a outstanding campaign? At least it has one unlike Destiny and Titanfall. What really shines here is its multiplayer its as fun and fresh as ever...open minded Halo fans will really like how responsive and crisp the guns feel. Also if you like to unlock and customize your spartan you will be in heaven! So ignore the 0's they are all mostly trolls or CoD fanboys if you own a Xbox One and want a better game then CoD and Destiny get Halo 5!
    Ps. I understand no split screen kind of sucks trust me i grew up playing split screen also but what games still have split screen it isn't 1999 anymore times have changed maybe down the road they will implement it.. Halo 5 is the best Halo to date.    … Expand
Page:

Awards & Rankings

17
#17 Best Xbox One Game of 2015
1
#1 Most Discussed Xbox One Game of 2015
1
#1 Most Shared Xbox One Game of 2015

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
84

Generally favorable reviews - based on 101 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 89 out of 101
  2. Mixed: 12 out of 101
  3. Negative: 0 out of 101
  1. The Jimquisition
    Jan 20, 2016
    65
    Halo 5: Guardians is okay. Its campaign is rubbish, but the multiplayer is solid thanks to the foundation it’s built upon. Warzone is a really enjoyable experience, and while combat is still mostly about tossing grenades and hitting the melee button, the whole Requisition gimmick adds some much-needed flavor to proceedings.
    Read full review
  2. CD-Action
    Jan 12, 2016
    75
    The latest Halo is a big deal only for hardcore Halo fans. For me the single player campaign was unbearably pompous and despite 1080p and 60 fps the visuals are not as breathtaking as they once were in Halo 4. The game builds a solid foundation for Halo 6, but it’s not one of those games you absolutely have to play. [13/2015, p.48]
  3. Pelit (Finland)
    Jan 4, 2016
    91
    With a more accessible and engaging story and solid new designs for the Prometheans, Halo 5 is a major improvement over Halo 4. Warzone is a great addition to the multiplayer, though the mode seems to have some game balance issues. [Nov 2015]
See all critic reviews »