Halo 5: Guardians Review Roundup

Chief is back. Today, October 27, marks the release of Halo 5: Guardians, the first new Halo game built from the ground up for Xbox One. Microsoft says the game's release represents an "important milestone" for the Xbox One, but how is it holding up with critics?

Read on for a sampling of review scores and editor opinions. For more on the critical reaction to Halo 5, be sure to check out GameSpot sister site Metacritic, where the game currently sits at an overall 85 score.

• Game: Halo 5: Guardians
• Developer: 343 Industries
• Platform: Xbox One
• Release Date: October 27
• Price: $60

GameSpot -- 8/10

"Like Spartan Locke and his team, 343 is chasing after something bigger than itself, and with Halo 5: Guardians, it comes close. Now if only it could reach out its arm and take hold." - Mike Mahardy [Full review]

The Escapist -- 4.5/5

"Halo 5 isn't exactly friendly to those who aren't familiar with Halo's lore, making the game a tough entry point to the series as far as campaign is concerned, but for everyone else, Halo 5 is yet another stellar entry in the legendary shooter franchise." -- Mitchell Saltzman [Full review]

Digital Spy -- 3/5

"Halo 5: Guardians features an underwhelming, confusing, and surprisingly banal campaign that's not actively bad, but equally not quite good enough to warrant a purchase on its own. Fortunately, Master Chief's adventure doesn't end here, and whether you team with friends and ramp the difficulty up, or get stuck into some 12-on-12 Warzone action, the extensive multiplayer offerings ensure Halo 5: Guardians isn't a total washout." - Ian Dransfield [Full review]

USGamer -- 4/5

"The campaign mode hits some great highs over its somewhat short 15-mission span, but also occasionally suffers from a lack of variety, and some boss fights that feel disappointingly one-note. Arena and Warzone offer two distinctly different flavors of PvP action, and both are solid, very well designed, and a lot of fun to play. Ultimately, campaign is a good way to ease you into the game--but it's the PvP modes that deliver the best of what this game has to offer." - Jaz Rignall [Full review]

Destructoid -- 7/10

"If it weren't for Warzone, Halo 5: Guardians would probably be somewhere on the lower end of the franchise spectrum for me. It's still a fantastic and well-oiled machine, but the story falls flat, and the shift in gameplay mechanics result in the loss of some elements that made the series so unique in the first place. Still, if you're looking to shoot some dudes online, Guardians is your huckleberry." - Chris Carter [Full review]

The Washington Post

"As tired as space marine tropes are to video games, it would be mean-spirited of me to deny that Halo 5 delivers a solid, blockbuster experience best enjoyed with friends." [Full review]