343 Industries’ next Halo 4 map pack, a trio of small-scale infantry battlegrounds called Majestic, hits Xbox Live on February 25. If you’ve redeemed your Halo 4 Map Pass, you’ve already dodged its 800 Microsoft Points/$10 cover charge. With no vehicles in sight, this is all about tense on-foot encounters. In addition to the three maps (Landfall, Skyline, and Monolith) the Majestic Map Pack introduces two new modes. Both the free-for-all and 4v4 team playlists fit the new maps like a glove -- some more than others.
IGN visited 343 Industries to run through a few hours of the new maps and playlists, and these are the five things you need to know about each one.
Landfall
Makes you feel small, huh?
It's in the middle of a story: Set on the planet Tribute's burning capital city of Casbah, Landfall is a story snapshot of something happening elsewhere in the Halo universe. As Covenant ships soar over the smoldering skyline, you can't help but feel like your small-scale battle is a meaningless slice of something much, much larger. Also, it makes fighting other Spartans feel weirdly out of place (even if it's just a friendly bit of War Games training!)
Small scale, big space: You know when you're sitting inside an adorable little car wondering how the heck it has so much headroom? Landfall is similarly misleading. From afar, it looks like a tame, tiny map. The little garage tucked in the side of an innocuous port is surprisingly complex. It's layered, multi-tiered interior will have you dreading what's waiting around the corner, or when someone will come from above.
It's Shotty/Sniper heaven: Indoors, naturally, shotguns reign supreme. Tight corners and plenty of points of entry will have you worried every time you turn around. Meanwhile, the perch looking out to see gives snipers a clear shot of anyone trying to get in through the main structure's front door.
Always call this ordnance.
It's asymmetrical: A simple detail, sure, but because of that, it feels more like a place than just an arena. The port authority building on the edge of the seaside platform gives a U-shape of long sight-lines surrounding a walled-off interior area where firefights coalesce. You'll have to move a lot, or someone's going to pop you from afar or catch you on a corner.
Free-for-all works better than 4v4: Landfall is absolutely chaotic in the FFA playlist. Yes, team matches work, but the level of paranoia that comes with Landfall's constant vulnerability created some of the most tense matches I've had playing Halo. There's just enough room to breathe, but not nearly enough to feel comfortable.
Skyline
Learn to think in 360 degrees.
CTF also rules: Not knowing whether someone's behind you, tucked around the next corner, or looking down their DMR scope makes the Skyline flag run one of the more exciting. And with so many little rooftops to hop on, ground routes to run through, or hallways to mad-dash through, you have enough options to totally throw off pursuers.
Regicide also rules: Now imagine all of that stuff above, but double the people are hunting you.
Jetpacks? They rule too: With all the guarded walkways, winding paths, and ground cover, this isn't for the claustrophobic. Get in the air and you'll have a better view of where everyone's hiding.
Told you.
Promethean Vision? Rules: The clutter here can be overwhelming. Look through it so you know who's where if you're not taking to the skies.
Free-for-all does not rule very much: With everything going on that's been mentioned above, plus the scattered fuel cells, dropping into a FFA here would just be too messy to be worthwhile. This is a death-heavy map, even with just eight Spartans, and having everyone after everyone is just kind of annoying. If it's a free-for-all, stick to Regicide so you at least have a purpose.
Monolith
It's the best-looking Halo 4 map yet: Set in an asteroid belt, with a planet looming in the galactic twilight, Monolith's mixture of glowing red/blue base lights, striking stars, and dark architecture creates a stunning scene. The atmosphere around you is calm -- everything inside is exploding.
Come on.
Beware the Man Cannons: Most maps with Man Cannons have 'em because they send you soaring across a big space. Monolith is one of the smallest symmetrical maps in any Halo game. The grav-pads pop you over about a 30-foot stretch into Monolith's titular centerpiece, where anyone can catch you off guard if they're on their way up the tower or already firing away on it.
Get some camo: You can crouch beneath and slip behind a lot of the structures in Monolith, so stealthy players can score easy assassinations.
Again, are we serious?
It's the best map for 4v4 team matches: It's symmetrical, it has red vs. blue bases, and more pathways than meets the eye. Learn to use the edges, take the long way around, and roll with a Spartan or three and you'll steamroll any small squad who thinks they can get the drop on your well-coordinated group.
FFA > everything: Don't waste your time with objectives here. Regicide works well, but this is absolutely the standout place for the free-for-all playlist. It has cover, verticality, and pathways with great risk/reward -- you'll be exposed, but those alt-routes give you the best line of sight of the entire place. It's not quite the level of madness as landfall, but that works out. You against the world feels manageable on Monolith.
Which map has you most excited? Let us know in the comments below, and look for more on the Majestic Map Pack on IGN soon.
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