A common complaint I hear about Halo: Reach is that the multiplayer maps are the poorest in the series. I agree with this statement, but that does not mean I do not enjoy some of the maps in the game. I am curious to see what others think.
Here is a list of my least favorites maps (starting at the top) to my most favorite on Reach. I’d like to know others lists. You can include DLC, variants on existing maps that are in matchmaking and the forge world maps in matchmaking if you like; but for my list I’m just doing the maps on the disc and the official, default DLC maps. Just stick to matchmaking is all I am asking. Give a quick reason for why you hate or love a map if you wish. (If you want to do firefight maps, do those in a separate list please).
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The Cage - This map is a constant fight for that upper walkway and those that have it simply camp there. Not much balance on this map.
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Paradiso - Default Paradiso is a pain due to the mountain as sniper point giving the camper omnipotent powers. For a big team map, it doesn’t handle vehicles very well.
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Sword Base - I know, this is usually everyone’s favorite; but, too many fights take place in the elevator room or the room next to it. The map dwindles down to either that room or a constant battle on the top floor.
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Reflection - Beautiful map, but once again, the map is too easy to control. The elevator is slow and useless for flushing out the campers on the top floor as well. Flanking as a team is at least an option though.
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Countdown - Again, another popular one. At least the top floor has multiple entrances and isn’t camped at as easily, but the rest of the map becomes scenery when everything is based on the top floor.
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Spire - Fun for Invasion, but for objective matches and regular big team battle it just seems very lackluster. Opposing bases are very close together and vehicles that aren’t aerial are basically useless.
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Zealot - Small, very little to this map, but sometimes that’s good. Fun to drop from the top onto unsuspecting players. Is just kind of cramped and feels one-level at times.
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Pinnacle - Another classic halo map. If both teams control the two buildings, the other team is basically -Yoinked!-. Otherwise, not a terrible map.
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Hemorrhage - Terrible team sniper map, however pretty fun for slayer. Spawn killing with the Wraith can ruin a game, but doesn’t happen too often.
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Powerhouse - Doesn’t get much love. Not as easy to camp and dominate on this map. Keeps you moving.
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Anchor 9 - Fun map, zero gravity section is new and fun. Not much camping which I like
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Highlands - Varied map with tons of weapons and vehicles are useful. Difficult to attack bases though.
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Breakneck - Great sniper map. The banshee can ruin this map though.
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High Noon - I love this map, but if you spawn on the bottom floor you are basically -Yoinked!-.
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Ridgeline - Classic big team map, but I think the small bases on the sides of the map hinder the effectiveness of the vehicles.
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Condemned - Haven’t played much of this map, but I like the layout and multiple levels. The anti-gravity room in the middle of the map is kind of death trap though.
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Boardwalk - Love this map; the plasma launcher is kind of pointless though.
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Breakpoint - Incredible big team map. Great for Invasion. Can be too big though.
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Penance - Classic map. Not many complaints except most fights are in the hallway.
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Solitary - Multi-level, but not easily campable. Just a total killfest and a blast.
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Asylum - I love this map. The sniper can be devastating though.
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Boneyard - One of the best big team maps on the game. Tanks and banshees balance out, though they can be too controlling with no anti-vehicle opposition.
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Battle Canyon - Everything about this map is just great. Good placement of power weapons too.
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Tempest - Besides easy spawn camping/killing, if those aren’t in a game, this is a great big team objective, slayer, and sniper map. Reminds me of Valhalla which is a good thing!