Long Night of Solace (Reach)
Aerial combat is nothing new to the series, but space combat is something that’s been sorely lacking. Halo Reach provides the perfect justification for this, since a Covenant super carrier has shown up in orbit over the titular planet. With no other options, Noble Team makes for a launch facility that contains exactly what they need: a Sabre ship that can help them mow down the defenses around the carrier and deliver a bomb.
Controlling the Sabre is easy and fun, nothing new for Halo vehicles. Shooting down enemy ships and working with other soldiers is pretty awesome in a “Battle of Coruscant” way, especially on higher difficulties. Plus, while you’re waiting for more baddies to shoot down, you can always do a barrel roll.
The fun continues once you leave your Sabre and are back to on-foot combat. The Covenant return to being formidable enemies to fight, especially in the bridge room. This is the level where it truly feels like you and the planet are doomed, from the moment you look outside and see your frigate getting torn apart, to the final cutscene where Jorge detonates the bomb… only for an entire Covenant fleet to emerge from slipspace.
