The newest title from Bungie, and the last in the Halo series, went on sale just after midnight on the 14th of September with midnight launches and events being held from Los Angeles to Moscow. A jetpacking Spartan even descended on Trafalgar Square in London yesterday to celebrate the launch.

 

The huge franchise has become somewhat of a pop culture phenomenon as thousands of gamers (and people who previously wouldn't call themselves that) fell in love with the fast paced action and immersive narrative of the series.

 

“When it comes to the size and scope of a franchise and especially the dedication of the fans, no game is bigger than 'Halo',” said Yvette van Rooyen, Xbox product and marketing manager for South Africa. “With Halo: Reach, we're delivering on our promise to redefine blockbuster entertainment experiences and ultimately help make this year the biggest ever in Xbox history.”

 

Halo: Reach is a prequel to the original Halo storyline with the events occurring right before the start of the first game, Halo: Combat Evolved. The destruction of the planet Reach, one of humanities last bastions against the covenant, and one of their last major settlements before the alien invasion would reach earth, has been told in Halo lore for years.

 

Now for the first time fans will be able to experience the battle that truly brought the war home. In Halo: Reach the player is part of Noble Team, a squad of elite Spartan warriors desperately fighting to save the colony against insurmountable odds.

 

More than 2.7 million players participated in the Halo: Reach beta period during May, hinting at the huge following the game is likely to spawn. Looking at some early reviews it seems the game is garnering positive feedback as well, with gamerankings.com sporting an average overall rating of 92.12% for the game.

 

We recently had a chance to play the game hands-on at a Microsoft press event, and from our brief experience with the game it’s looking set to become one of the biggest (and most fun) games of 2010.

 

Halo: Reach is available only on the Xbox 360 and is available at all major gaming retailers for a recommended retail price of R699. 

 

Look out for our review of the game later in the week.