Halo: Reach expands on November 30 with Noble Map Pack @ Gaming Target

Written by John Scalzo on October 14, 2010

News: Are you ready to reach for more Reach?

Halo: Reach may have been Bungie's swan song with the series, but Microsoft has announced that players can reach for the game's first map pack on November 30. The Noble Map Pack will include three multiplayer maps and 250 additional Achievement Points. Keeping in line with previous map packs, it'll be priced at 800 Microsoft Points ($10).

The three maps will be known as Anchor 9, Breakpoint and Tempest. Here's what gamers can expect when they touch down on the Xbox Live Marketplace on November 30:

Anchor 9 Ц УOrbital dockyards provide rapid refuelling and repairs for a variety of UNSC vessels.Ф Within the confines of this low orbit dry-dock, UNSC craft undergo rapid repair and rearmament in support of the enduring war effort. But for the small squads of infantry who now fight over the mirrored interior hallways and open central hangar bay, this platform no longer provides any safe harbour Ц whether the close quarters combat is occurring inside or out of its artificial gravitational field. Anchor 9 allows 2-8 players to face off in game variants including Free for All, Team Slayer and Team Objective.

Breakpoint Ц УONI officials believe the data buried within this artefact is key to our survival.Ф Atop this icy precipice, the Invasion continues. These modular archaeological labs were never intended to withstand such a large scale onslaught of Covenant military power, but the information being extracted here may prove vital to humanity's survival. In response to the imminent Covenant threat, UNSC ground and air assets have been deployed to bolster entrenched Spartan countermeasures. This dig site must yield salvation, or it will become a grave. Breakpoint offers multiplayer mayhem for 8-16 players, and supports the Invasion and Big Team Battle game variants.

Tempest Ц УThough we may never fully understand these devices, it is not our nature to leave ancient stones unturned.Ф This abandoned shoreline facility bends both sea and sky to an unnatural purpose, but the ground itself has quickly become another all too familiar battlefield. Though the two opposing symmetrical bases may never reveal their ancient purpose, both now offer makeshift shelter and access to strategic routes perfectly suited for small and large scale skirmishes alike. Tempest supports 8Ц16 players and offers a variety of modes including Free for All, Team Slayer, Team Objective and Big Team Battle. Tempest also provides players with a huge Forge palette, allowing them to create new custom map variants that can be shared with the community-at-large.