Halo Reach on PC: Everything you need to know

Source: Microsoft

Halo: Reach was one of the most popular Xbox 360 games in the years before the Xbox One’s release. Ever since it was added to the new console as part of the backwards compatibility program, it has maintained a healthy player base. However, something fans of the title have been asking for extensively is a port to PC. They would go on to get their wish, as it was revealed that Halo: Reach, alongside the rest of the Master Chief Collection (MCC), is being brought to PC retail services.

Here’s everything you need to know about Halo: Reach on PC.

Remember Reach

Halo: Reach

From the beginning, you know the end

Halo: Reach is being brought to PC in its entirety and is also being added to the MCC on Xbox One.

Halo Reach on PC: Gameplay and what to expect

Source: Bungie

Halo: Reach is being brought to PC in its entirety, and Campaign, Matchmaking, Custom Games, Forge, Theater, and Firefight are all going to be available for players to enjoy. However, the Forge and Theater modes won’t be ready at launch. In addition to this, the game is also being added to the MCC on Xbox One, and thankfully the extensive customization that Halo: Reach is known for is being brought to the MCC version on both platforms with an overhaul to how it is earned by the player. The Firefight mode is currently slated to use dedicated servers. There will also be cross progression between both Xbox One and PC as well, though crossplay is still up in the air. The matchmaking will use the settings from the Title Update that came out for Halo: Reach after the game’s original release.

Halo: Reach will look, feel, and play better than ever.

On both systems, Halo: Reach will be updated and made compatible with modern hardware, allowing gamers to enjoy the game at higher resolutions and framerates, with uncapped framerate currently planned. This is great news for players who can’t stand the painful 30 frames per second (FPS) and motion blurring in the original game, and if you have a strong PC or an Xbox One X, you’ll even be able to push 4K resolution. Without a doubt, this will be the best version of Halo: Reach ever experienced. Lastly, mod support is being considered as well, although it currently isn’t a priority for the developers.

Halo Reach on PC: Release date and price

Source: Microsoft

It has been revealed that Halo: Reach is arriving on the PC platform on Dec. 3, 2019. On the same day, it is also being integrated into the Master Chief Collection on Xbox One. You can pre-order the game now and pre-install it ahead of its official release.

It has been confirmed that on the Xbox One version of the MCC, Reach’s multiplayer content (which includes Matchmaking, Custom Games, Forge, and Theater) will be given to all MCC owners for free, while the Campaign and Firefight experiences will be sold as premium DLC for $10, similar to Halo 3: ODST’s campaign (that was $5). If you happen to be an Xbox Game Pass subscriber, you’ll get the full Reach experience at no cost.

If you’d like to assist 343 Industries test various builds of Halo: Reach on PC, as well as the other Halo titles being added to the MCC, then make sure to sign up for the Halo Insider program. Flight testing is the perfect way to give the developers a hand.

Halo Reach on PC: Where can you buy?

Source: Microsoft

It’s fantastic that Halo: Reach is coming to PC, but what service will you be able to purchase it on? The current plan is to release the game on both Steam and the Microsoft Store, which gives players the freedom to pick which of the two they prefer.

Halo: Reach will launch on both Steam and the Microsoft Store.

The ability to choose which service you like the most is great, and it’s a consumer-friendly decision that shouldn’t go underappreciated. With any luck, Reach will run smoothly on both Steam and the Microsoft Store, and maybe even take advantage of the various community features offered by one or both of the services.

It’s important to highlight that you’ll need the Master Chief Collection in order to purchase Halo: Reach on PC, as the MCC will act as the hub from which you can buy and launch the different Halo games as they release on the PC platform.

Halo Reach on PC: Final thoughts

Source: Windows Central

Halo: Reach coming to PC is incredible. Tons of players never got the chance to experience Bungie’s last Halo game due to Xbox exclusivity, and I’m so happy that’s changing. I can’t wait to see what the PC community thinks of one of Xbox’s most successful titles ever.