To be fair, even if this list was expanded into a top 20, it’s still unlikely that either of these maps would make the cut, but it’s a testament to Bungie’s map making skills that even though these maps were designed specifically with Invasion in mind, they still work adequately for classic game modes like Big Team Slayer.īack in Halo 2’s heyday gaming was a different beast. Both Boneyard and Breakpoint are expansive enough that each phase feels great, but each map truly shines during their respective final phases, when all their zones are open and the chaos is widespread. Games of Invasion are played in various phases, with different sections of the map unlocking as the match progresses. Only three maps were made for the game type, and while all of them played well, Boneyard and Breakpoint in particular are fantastic. With Invasion being an entirely different beast when compared to all other game types, Bungie had to create maps specifically designed around the mode. A new game mode titled “Invasion” pits a team of Spartans against a squad of Elites, with one side trying to defend objectives while the other team pushes forward with a relentless assault. Fortunately though, not all of Reach’s additions to multiplayer were objectively terrible. While the single player campaign is great, the additions of reticle bloom and amour abilities to multiplayer were not well received. The environmental effects make perfect sense thematically, and the limited visibility is an interesting gameplay addition, but unfortunately the fog was too difficult for the original Xbox to render, causing severe frame rate issues and thus forcing Bungie to remove the map from all playlists.įor many Halo fans, Reach was the beginning of the legendary franchise’s fall from grace. Because of its swamp setting Bungie decided to cover the entire map with a layer of green fog to hinder visibility. While far from the franchise’s worst map, Blackwash’s claim to fame is being the only map in Halo history to be removed from online map rotations due to technical issues. Backwash is a decent map for team-based modes like Slayer and CTF, but it truly shines as a Free-for-All arena, as its circular layout, claustrophobic feel, and lack of a singular dominate camping spot all combine to put an emphasis on constant movement and always checking your six. Set on one of the Halo installations, Backwash is a mid-sized, circularly designed map with a central structure that’s surrounded by large trees and other foliage which provide ample cover all throughout the battle zone. With an overgrown swamp setting and its marshy ambiance, Halo 2’s Backwash contains texture and coloring work that should immediately remind fans of The Flood, and draw comparisons to Halo: CE’s sixth campaign mission, 343 Guilty Spark. In celebration of the 15 year anniversaries of both the original Xbox and Halo: Combat Evolved, I’ve taken the opportunity to look back at all 100+ multiplayer arenas from all six (proper) Halo titles, and have taken on the daunting task of listing for you Halo’s top 10 all-time multiplayer maps. With over two thousand hours logged into Halo 2 alone, and thousands more spent across the other mainline Halo titles, I’m comfortable in saying that I know most of the series’ multiplayer maps like the back of my hand. I’ve spent a considerable amount of my life running around in a virtual set of Mjolnir Powered Assault Armor.