The first map pack for Bungie’s last Halo game is now available. That is right, the Noble Map Pack for Halo: Reach is up and ready for download right now. That means the time to pre-order the maps from Gamestop to get a flaming Mark V Spartan helmet for Xbox Live Avatars in return has passed, but it also means the time for intense multiplayer action on three brand-new maps is now. The content in the map pack is no real surprise at this point. A steady stream of pre-release information and videos of the maps in action has been rolling out for over a month.
For those who might not know, however, the Noble Map Pack brings the following maps to the multiplayer world of Halo: Reach–(1) Anchor 9, which is a low orbit dry-dock that supports 2-8 players and will be accessible for Free-for-all, Team Slayer, and Team Objective matches; (2) Tempest, which is an asymmetrical set of bases that supports 8-16 players and will be available in Free-For-All, Team Slayer, Team Objective, Big Team Battle, and serves as a great map to use as a template for creating new maps in ForgeWorld; and (3) Breakpoint, which is situated atop an icy mountain and supports 8-16 players in Invasion or Big Team Battle.
Injecting new life into Halo: Reach multiplayer now is a smart move. It gives players who have been with the game since launch new content and a reason to come back to the game. It also gives the game a little more media exposure as the busy holiday-shopping season gets into full swing. All three maps in the Noble Map Pack look great and really showcase the high-level of quality Bungie has become known for regarding multiplayer gameplay and balance.
What are your thoughts? Are you going to download the map pack? What maps looks the best to you? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
The Halo: Reach Noble Map Pack is available for download now on the Xbox Live Marketplace for 800 Microsoft Points ($10)
