Bungie has managed to do something that eluded George Lucas years ago: create a prequel to a beloved sci-fi series that not only simply works, but is at times better than the installments it precedes. After spending ten hours with the campaign, and another eight or so with the multiplayer, it’s already clear that for their exit from the Halo franchise, the developers at Bungie have crafted a fine sendoff in Halo: Reach.
One of Reach’s immediate improvements is its storytelling. The Halo trilogy’s story has been impeded by both inconsistency (a curious mix of either over-explaining or obfuscating dialogue), and by becoming a fan-only affair overflowing with series technobabble a la Star Trek. Reach rectifies this “inside baseball” feel by telling a broader, more accessible story that doesn’t require knowing tons of Halo terminology beforehand.
