Today, we explore some of the environments of Reach. As I have nearly 40 concepts to show, I’ve decided to split this up into 3 articles. There is a good mix of campaign and multiplayer environments awaiting! As always click on them to make them MUCH bigger.

Let’s get right to it!

Anchor 9 seen in the campaign mission, “Long Night of Solace.” I know I keep using many of the same words when describing these concepts. The point is, it’s true. Detail is KING is the above concept. There is so much visually to take in with this concept that if you’re looking at it for less than 30 seconds, you’re doing an injustice to yourself. The design, texture, shading, scale and perspective brought together to make this a true work of art.

The campaign and invasion map, “Boneyard” is one of the biggest maps we’ve had in Halo to date. The map itself was somewhat under utilized. As the campaign level, I found myself sticking more to the left (open-cliff side) of the map. As the Invasion map, it was mostly the middle and base side of the map being used. However, there is a LOT more to it. The concepts above show us work areas in varying states of use. The one showing the larger area of the map gives us the overall sense of grandeur that the map has within, while the close-up pic gives us a glimpse of the minute detail Bungie put into it. Both are well done with contrasting highlights and shadows.

The two concepts above are a couple of my more favorite ones from Reach.  So rich in color and texture. Of note, we see that the map originally did NOT have a center floor to it (top pic). This is why that area had low gravity to it. The low gravity remained, while a floor was put in. The bottom pic of the two is just chock full of detail. The space changed very little in it’s base design from what we got in the final, other than adding a partially disassembled Sabre in it. I had LOTS of fun on this map and hope this kind of map returns in Halo 5 Guardians. 

Glassing at it’s worst. We see first-hand the devastation by the Covenant via the glassing ports of their starships. This is something I wish we would have seen up close, rather than from afar. It certainly had the potential to have us be more emotionally involved in the story. We did get some of this during the campaign, just not enough, IMO. As for the art, striking color contrast between the red/browns and purple make for a very visually compelling rendering. While it’s horrific in the act, there is a strange sense of beauty to the art itself.

Let this concept sink in for a minute. Do you know where it is? Hint, it’s NOT in the campaign, though it could have been. It’s a part of the Spartan training area on the multiplayer map “Highlands.” What I like about this piece is the mix of natural and man-made elements. The mesh together quite nicely. The overgrowth and damage to the facility adds a whole other level of realism to it. I was happy to have this map in matchmaking. Though, I think I might have preferred this version, versus the cleaner version we got.

Here we have the largest of the Firefight maps for Reach. Unearthed. This industrial mining yard was expansive. I wish Bungie would have map it a multiplayer map as well. The concepts great. The top one being very believable as an actual place. The bottom shows us part of the map that’s out of bounds. Simple in texture, the art still clearly states the size of the map. BTW, it IS possible to get outside of the playable area and see the rest of the map. Has to be done through theater though. If I had a capture device, I’d be able to show you. Hopefully one day, I’ll have that. I’ve wanted to make SO many videos, not just of reach, but Halo 4 as well.

Here we are at the beginning of the mission, “Tip of the Spear.” This concept is gritty in design and very earthy in texture and color. Note that quick shading techniques were used here to convey shape and size. BTW, did you know that in part of the cut scene for this, you can hear the infamous “Wilhelm” scream? It’s when thee warthog following you, with marines in it, doesn’t make the jump. One of them makes that scream. It’s a great homage to theater of old.

So where is THIS dark place? Could it be the base where we stave off several waves of Covies? The one where we along with Jorge go inside and secure the base and wipe out several Elites at the end of the mission? Whether it is or not, I would have LOVED to have played on this map. I like dark maps in the campaign. It adds suspense. The art above clearly shows that as dusk is giving way to night. 

For the last image in part 1, we have the destruction of the UNSC Navy in space orbiting the planet Reach. When we first saw similar images of this prior to the release of the game, via trailers, we were left to wonder about the Spartan’s voice we heard. In the meantime, we saw the effects of planet-wide devastation at the hands of the Covenant.

Remember Reach!

Tomorrow, we’ll continue with more environments of Reach. After the third part, we’ll switch to environments of Halo 4.

I know I ask this, which means I’m sincere about wanting to know, are you enjoying these concept articles? Anything about them you don’t like? Let me know. Your opinion may help me decide how I write these in the future.

Reply below. If you’re not already registered, it’s FREE to do so. Click on the tab in the main menu to learn how to register as a subscriber to HFFL!

-Sal

Okay, yes, I know…LOL. I rarely post this kind of thing, but I thought it was funny.

When the real deal shows up, you can BET I’ll be on it and posting it here!

-Sal

Following up on yesterday’s weapons of Reach, we’ll take a look at some of the weapons of the UNSC and Forerunners in Halo 4. I’d suggest pulling up both windows to compare the weapons/art.

First the UNSC weapons:

The BR is back! Much to the happiness of fans, 343 put the BR back into Halo. The design is sleek. The cool greys of the art make this weapon feel like a cold hard machine of war.

New to Halo are weapons skins. Above shows the Arctic weapon skin for the BR. This was available through pre-ordering from Gamestop. It became available through the Halo 4 Game of the Year edition. There were some really great skins to come out of Halo 4. I hope in the next game skins can be recolored as well.

A concept of the nuke and on the underside of the Broadsword.

A more fleshed out and color version of the nuke. There is some good use of shading and highlights here.

Here are some of the base concepts of the bomb.The magnum’s basic shape hasn’t changed drastically from Reach to Halo 4. It’s still very recognizable as the standard UNSC Magnum.

The Railgun is new to Halo, with Halo 4. I like the look of this and the feel of power. It does remind me of some of Bungie’s UNSC ship designs.

Here we have the SAW. The squad automatic weapon. It looks very much like the old Tommy-guns of the early 20th century.

Concepts of the SAW. I like the version we got in the final.

The auto-turret in Halo 4. This is most prevalent in Dominion. Though not a large shell based turret, it has the look of a Howitzer from the mid-20th century.

From greyscale to color to detailed concepts these show the progression of design and color choice.

Let’s take a look at some Forerunner weapons.

The Incineration Cannon, arguably the most powerful handheld weapon in all of Halo, this concept is similar to the in-game version. The addition of red lights into the final version gave it a much more powerful feel.

This is a beautiful rendering rendering. Not much more I can say about it. I’d love to have this as a print.

The Suppressor is the Forerunner’s Assault Rifle. This design is very futuristic. VERY Forerunner. 

The Light Rifle is another of the sleek elongated weapons. I like the design. The thing that is different with this weapon than most others is the hovering scope.

This is the Forerunner’s rapid fire shotgun. More bulky than other Forerunner weapons, this is a great weapon for up close combat. Now doesn’t this kind of look like the UNSC Infinity with a trigger grip?

And finally for this article, the Forerunner automated turret. This weapon, while not terribly effective, does keep enemies at bay. That allows you to take down those enemies. It’s a different design and a little bit of a departure from what we know. VERY cool design.

Tomorrow we’ll start to take a look a various concept art from places in Reach. Followed by Halo 4 locations.

-Sal