Halo: Reach details leak from Game Informer

The latest issue of Game Informer magazine has a full-blown feature on Halo: Reach revealing the first details about Microsoft’s upcoming first-person shooter. Let’s get down to business then, why don’t we?

According to the mag, Halo: Reach‘s story will not follow that of the book — Fall of Reach — but instead a new, darker story, even darker than that of ODST. Cut-scenes in the game are also said to be more cinematic than past games. We’ll even get a chance to see what Reach looked like before it was destroyed.

Players will take control of a Spartan III named Lone Wolf, whom they’ll be able to customize to a small extent. The whole team in the game is made up of Spartan IIIs except Jorge, a heavy weapons specialist, who is the team’s only Spartan II. Other team members include Emile 239 (the silent type), Jun 266 (the sniper), Carter 259 and Kat 230.

Covenant soldiers no longer speak the English language, this time instead speaking their own language. The Covenant are more dangerous and frightening again, ala the first Halo. A new enemy called “Skirmishers”, who are described to look like Jackals, are cunning, deadly and move in packs.

Halo: Reach is bringing combat to the next level (Halo-wise) bringing over 40 AI and 20 vehicles on screen whereas in older Halo games there would only be 20 AI.

Gameplay-wise, Reach brings back the health bar, along with the energy shield along with many new weapons. These include the Single-Shot Rifle, Sniper, AR and Magnum, Needler Rifle, Frags and Plasma, etc. Unfortunately, there are no more Spike Grenades and Flame Grenades, though.

Players will be able to sprint, make assassination kills with the knife, play in stealth, and more.

There’s a big graphical different between this and past Halo games, as a comparison in the magazine proves it. Reach will also include all the multiplayer features from Halo 3 plus more.

New Halo:Reach Info Blowout! [The Mind Channel]