It’s no secret that the Halo franchise has by now developed one of the most devoted and completionist fan followings in the games industry. With Halo 4 set to take the Master Chief into a brand new trilogy delving deep into the Forerunner and UNSC mythology, 343 Industries is looking to deliver a special edition of the game that won’t disappoint.
New images of the Halo 4 Limited Edition have appeared online, showing off all the eye candy gamers have come top expect, along with new details on the bonus content that will accompany the higher price tag.
The commitment to the fiction that the developers have shown with the Xbox 360 Limited Edition Halo 4 Bundle shows that the design philosophy within the studio is going to apply to anything sporting the Halo name. But for those who aren’t quite ready to invest in a brand new console, the Limited Edition of the game itself will still be including plenty of perks and goodies. Not to mention a design that will have gamers itching to get back into combat.
The new details have appeared in several places online, most notably New Zealand retailer MightyApe. Besides showing off the hand-numbered matte black case, UNSC-branded steelbook and two-disc set, the content attached to a mysterious ‘Gabriel Thorne,’ a previously unknown Spartan soldier is sure to get fan speculation churning.
Before we get to Thorne or the various multiplayer content included with the Limited Edition, have a look at the new images that Microsoft is betting will put undecided customers over the edge:
There seem to be plenty of goodies for serious fans of the Halo universe – although it will be hard to top Dr. Catherine Halsey’s notebook, included with the Limited Edition of Halo: Reach. Again, the time and energy that was spent painstakingly designing the special Halo 4 Xbox 360 doesn’t appear to be unique to hardware.
Obviously, the bonus item that will catch the most eyes is the full, fold-out schematic of armor customization, the UNSC Infinity itself, and what secrets and insights the included notebooks may hold. Every bit of the ‘UNSC Infinity Briefing Packet’ is likely going to be relevant to the story 343 is hoping to tell in both the game’s singleplayer and multiplayer, but the prominent placement of the name ‘Gabriel Thorne’ won’t be overlooked. Presumably a Spartan IV, the implication is that the persistent multiplayer game modes may be centered around a brand new hero in the Halo universe.
It’s also possible that Thorne will play a central role in Halo 4‘s Spartan Ops mode, as a key member of the protagonist Majestic Squad. Hopefully 343 will give some more information on Thorne’s role when the Limited Edition is officially announced, but then again, a surprise for fans come release day wouldn’t be a bad idea at all.
Along with the UNSC Briefing Packet comes special armor and weapon options, not to mention access to post-launch multiplayer maps. This armor is exclusive to the retailer, but it once again emphasizes just how much customization is in store.
Have a look at what has already been confirmed for the Limited Edition:
- War Games Map Packs: The Limited Edition includes access to nine maps – three future competitive multiplayer map packs, each including three locations, available for download post-launch on Xbox LIVE.
- Bonus digital content through Xbox LIVE: Unique in-game Spartan IV armor skin, unique in-game weapon skin for the Assault Rifle, an exclusive in-game emblem, Xbox LIVE Avatar prop, and Xbox LIVE Avatar Spartan IV armor set (requires Xbox LIVE Gold Membership).
- Specializations: Receive early access to six Specializations, available at launch on Xbox LIVE, and use them, one at a time, to achieve higher ranks in your Spartan career. In addition to gaining access to new ranks, Specializations unlock new customization options.
- The Special Edition of Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn, a 90-minute extended version of the live-action digital series which will take fans back to the terrifying beginning of the Human/Covenant war, when the Master Chief inspired a young cadet who would eventually become a leader aboard the UNSC’s greatest vessel ever: the UNSC Infinity.
We’ve already seen a brief look at what Specializations and Loadouts are possible, and after some time with the game, we can confirm that any edge in multiplayer will go a long way. Add these armor options onto those already advertised as pre-order incentives, and serious online Halo fans have quite a bit of content to resist investing in at launch. There’s no need to explain why the extended version of Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn is going to be a must-buy item post-launch, since what’s been shown of the live-action series is promising enough.
The Limited Edition will apparently retail for $99, a bit more expensive than past versions, but featuring far more content as well. The price is nothing to scoff at, but considering what extensive plans 343 Industries has for the game’s future, it might be wise to buy in right off the bat.
Will you be picking up the Limited Edition come November? Or are you more interested in finding out the identity of Gabriel Thorne than raiding the contents of his footlocker?
Halo 4 will be released on November 6, 2012, exclusively for the Xbox 360.
-
Follow me on Twitter @andrew_dyce.
Source: MightyApe (via Halo Forums), GamingExaminer
Electronic Arts Engineer Blasts the Wii U 
Kevin Conroy WILL Return For ‘Batman: Arkham Origins’ 
‘Batman: Arkham Origins’ Official Story Trailer: Deadshot, Explosions, Easter Eggs, & More! 
PlayStation 4 Slogan Revealed; Next-Gen Xbox Name Possibly Confirmed 
Loading ...
!@#$% yea i pre order it 6 years ago
O.o didn’t even know that was possible… I thought it was just a concept 6 years ago, Hardly even into the development stage. I knew that it was possible 10-12 months ago, right after everyone was raeging about getting Anniversary, but I didn’t even think that you could preorder a game THAT early into development…
That’s impossible. 6 years ago is all the way back in 2006, before Halo 3 even came out. And still, nobody knew there was going to be a Halo 4 until it was announced. Bungie said multiple times that they were only making three Halo’s.
Definately getting the limited edition at launch.
Sounds like a rip off. $40 dollars for some DLC and a live-action movie? You’re basically paying for the movie, so if you get the Limited Edition for that much extra money, you’d better want that.
Well it’s all about the lore really. Some of us our fans of collecting things that relate to the universe. One who wouldn’t care about such things would see this as a jip, but for one such as me and other fans its pretty awesome.
are*
If people are interested in enough in the lore Halo to buy this Limited Edition for the live-action movie, that’s fine with me. But getting the Limited Edition for the DLC or just for the sake of having all Halo-related things is a rip-off.
Of course its a rip off, which is why they included more. Now, if you buy the limited edition just for the DLC, that’s your decision.
tuyretr
Matt, nobody cares wat u think. Just FYI. So keep it to urself.
Sure, that’s why no one ever responds to any of my comments on this site. Oh wait, you just did.
These comments sections are actually FOR people to say what they think. Why else would they exist? Herp derp.
I am working on getting my copy of the limited addition… this Gabriel Thorne just helped spike my interest in getting it a little higher… Sounds like the guy is another Hyper-Lethal… I mean, so far every generation of Spartans has had at least 1 Hyper-Lethal.
http://ir.gl/f9550f
My god. This packaging is so sexy!
Hmmm…. So that freakin’ awesome helmet and those icons are only available through super monkey whatever’s preorder? That’s stupid.
It’s definitely worth it, with the DLC. That in itself makes the extra $40 worth it, since everyone else will likely be paying more than that for it after launch. But let’s say the dlc ends up going for as lots as $10 each (800 credits) after launch. Ok, so thats $30, meaning that when you subtract that cost, you get all the other stuff, plus the sexy packaging, for *only* $10 more than the basic game price. Hardly a rip off!
Actruly its a win for me. A new game costs 70euros and the limited only costs 80euros, so thats just 10euros more than usual. A DLC usally costs about 1200MP which would be about 29euros, 800MP is 18euros. saving up money, and all this bonus content makes me even more glad that i preorderd it. preorderd my limited edition from gamestop.