343 have handled the unenviable task of continuing the Halo franchise with a deft hand, staying true to the established parameters to keep the fans...

Continues Master Chiefs story well; Multi player changes refresh the gameplay; Stunning visuals and sound; Free Spartan Ops DLC

Multiplayer might be tough for newcomers

After a five-year hiatus, Master Chief dons his helmet and armor once again to defend all of humanity from impending doom and utter annihilation. With a new development team behind him and a new trilogy before him, the Chief has his work cut out for him.

Beautiful graphics and sound; intricate campaign; fantastic multiplayer

Under-realized Spartan Ops mode; online glitches

I've always considered myself a closet Master Chief apologist. With his helmet always firmly attached and his habit of "getting it done" without one-liners or a glimmer of humor, he embodies everything that today's gamers sourly gripe about.

+ Characterization and storytelling push series' fiction to a new level; challenging new foes, + Lovely visuals and soundtrack; multiplayer offers plenty of variety

? Is this 2012's Best Game Ending

This is THE best Halo game yet, and although the campaign in short, there's an abundance of content to keep Halo 4 in your disc tray. Spartan Ops is a great unique new way to deliver free content and multiplayer is just sheer class.

It plays great; It looks great; It is great

Short campaign; UNSC Soldiers don't really help that much

Halo 4 ‘s announcement at E3 2011 heralded mixed emotions. On one hand it would be great to see Master Chief in action again, but on the other hand newcomers – 343 Industries – would be developing it, no longer Bungie who had created the franchise and came to know its strengths and weaknesses.

Astounding sound design

- Spartan Ops provides no challenge or scoring system

There is always a certain amount of trepidation amongst gamers when a beloved franchise switches hands. A few months before the release of Halo:Reach, Bungie announced that the title would be their last entry into the series: they were passing the baton to the newly-formed 343 Industries, a...

The Halo series begins a new chapter. Find out how the initial offering holds up in our full review.

+ Multiplayer is still king; + Spartan Ops; + Visuals are amazing; + Fantastic sound design; + Well paced

Campaign ends too soon; Odd narrative choices

Well it has finally happened, Microsoft Studios and 343 Industries have finished the next phase of the Halo saga.  Halo 4 has been a long time coming and many fans of the Halo universe have been waiting to see how this next chapter in the storied franchise would pan out.