Daniel Oberlander

There are some really great things about Halo 5. I think the graphics look great and the gameplay looks immersive. I picked up my limited edition preorder today, complete with build it yourself metal model (the little bendy bits break off so easy though). I was so excited to finally have halo 5 and couldn't wait to tell my brothers. After spending a few hours installing the game one of my brothers and I sat down to slay some co-op on legendary... only to discover that our 10+ year tradition of smashing the campaign together can no longer continue. I don't have the money to waste on a second console and game just to play with my brother, and I did have the money there's other things I would spend it on. Probably something that I could do with someone else in the same room as me, on the same couch. One of the greatest features of halo, for me and so many people I know, has been having friends over, throwing back a few beers and blasting through the campaign, firefight or multiplayer (no, not Spartan ops). For me halo was a social experience; I would drop in on friends or they'd drop in on me and we'd play together for hours. Sure I played multiplayer on my own as well, but I wouldn't have all the laughs and general goofing around that happened with the physical presence of others. I actually felt dismayed when I realised I can't play this side by side with my brothers or friends. It's not that I have an emotional attachment to the game itself, but to the shared group experiences when playing this series. I am a self-confessed technophile and nerd, I love the progression of technology and advancements in games and media, but I dont like what has been done to Halo 5. You may have made it prettier, faster and smoother but you cut out the heart. I'm far from thrilled.