Excited for the return of Master Chief? Excited enough to spend $100?by Charles Onyett
May 16, 2012
Microsoft and 343 today announced the Limited Edition for
Halo 4,
now available for preorder. For $100 you’ll get a fancy looking box, the ability to unlock six multiplayer Specializations early, a 90-minute version of Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn, and nine maps that will be released after Halo 4, as well as some other bonus content.
Specifics about the maps and Specializations were not mentioned in the announcement, but the post did say to look for more information at E3 2012, which takes place June 5 – 7.
The nine maps that serve as part of the Limited Edition will be split across three packs, each of which will apparently include three locations. Halo 4's multiplayer will be linked to the UNSC Infinity, a gigantic starship. This is where you'll be able to customize your Spartan-IV. According to an official release, "your multiplayer experience will be embedded in the fiction of “Halo” like never before, where your progress and game choices affect your appearance, arsenal, and role on the battlefield."
In terms of additional modes of play, you'll be able to take part in Spartan Ops missions, which are new story-based experiences distinct from the Halo 4 campaign that will be released on a weekly basis over Xbox Live. There will be no additional charge to access these missions, which will be playable solo or co-operatively with up to three others. Microsoft describes it as an "episodic adventure that blends immersive storytelling, high-quality cinematics, and action-packed gameplay to deliver an unprecedented serialized experience."
The competitive multiplayer modes of Halo 4 are called War Games, which will include new modes and take place on the combat deck of the Infinity. In addition to added modes, weapons, vehicles, armor abilities and progression system, you'll get "gameplay-enhancing" customizations. These customizations can be used in both Spartan Ops and War Games matchmaking playlists.
And in case you really love dressing up your XBL Avatar, you’ll get a unique prop and Spartan IV armor set in the Limited Edition.
Also, if you’re still waiting for a
Legendary Edition, don’t bother. The regular and Limited Editions of Halo 4 will be the only ones available at launch. For more detail you can check out
the original post, and for a full list of Limited Edition extras,
check out the Halo 4 Wiki.