"Halo 5: Guardians," the upcoming first-person shooter being developed by 343 Industries, was showcased by Microsoft's Phil Spencer during the E3 2014 press conference. In addition to dictating gameplay mechanics and elements that players will experience in the upcoming title, Microsoft also revealed that "Halo: The Master Chief Collection" would be bundled with an exclusive pass to access "Halo 5's" multiplayer beta. Unfortunately, the time window to experience how "Halo 5" will turn out by playing the beta will only last until Jan. 18.
In "Halo 5" beta, 343 Industries managed to remove the multiplayer maps "Truth" and "Empire," which were the two maps made available for combat during the beta's first week. Those maps have been replaced by "Regret" and "Eden." Players get to experience the new environment on the Slayer mode.
Furthermore, the mode features a Battle Rifle coupled with a new multiplayer mode, Breakout. In Breakout, each player only has a single life and the first team to win five rounds is declared the winner. The Breakout mode can be experienced on either the Crossfire map, or Trench, which is a variation of the former in terms of environment.
According to "Halo 5" multiplayer designer Quinn DelHoyo, the Light Rifle also makes its debut during the second week of the beta. This was confirmed after DelHoyo tweeted the news from his own Twitter account. Additionally, a post present on Xbox Wire states that during the second week of "Halo 5" beta, players can experience additional content, which ranges between multiplayer modes, maps and more weapons.
"Halo 5: Guardians" will be available in three price denominations. The Standard Edition, which will retail for $60, will only feature the game and an exclusive poster. The Limited Edition, which will retail for $100, will feature new digital content to improve Spartan combat as well as exclusive items bundled in a uniquely designed steel book. The Limited Collector's Edition will retail for $250 and will feature everything the two previous versions come bundled with, plus a numbered statue designed by 343 Industries.
