Halo 5 New Warzone Map Is Biggest Ever, Inspired By Original Halo

Today on the first day of Comic-Con, just as Microsoft said it would, the company announced a new Warzone multiplayer map for Halo 5: Guardians. It's called Raid on Apex 7, and it's the biggest ever Warzone map revealed so far. That's saying something, too, since the 12v12 Warzone itself is the largest mode in Halo multiplayer history; its maps are four times the size of anything seen in the franchise before.

Microsoft revealed the map in somewhat of a peculiar manner: through a Mega Bloks model. No, really.

Check out some images of the map below, which is made up of more than 89,500 blocks and weighs a half-ton. Two master builders spent 16 weeks putting it together--and it looks darn impressive (watch a video below for a closer look). The 6' x 6' model also sports working, interactive LED lights.

As for the map itself, Raid on Apex 7 is a spiritual success to the Halo: Combat Evolved mission, "The Silent Cartographer." Here's how it will play, according to Microsoft's official description.

"Clearing out the initial Covenant threats and controlling the Forerunner Spire in the center of the island is paramount to a team's success and provides a central base of operations. If your team loses the Spire, don’t despair; players can use a system of caves or taketo the beach to flank the base. Beware of the Covenant though, for they will not let you take this islandso easily. They will counterattack and fight to retake their territory. Continue the push for control of the island and take out the opposition's core… before you awaken something much worse."

For more on Raid on Apex 7, check out a video and some concept art in the gallery below.

The Halo 5 release date is locked in for October 27 on Xbox One. Comic-Con attendees this week can visit the Xbox booth on the show floor to play Warzone; it's the first time the mode will be available to the public. For more on Warzone, be sure to read GameSpot's in-depth hands-on preview from E3 2015.