“Halo 5: Guardians” is the second “Halo” game created and published by 343 Industries instead of Bungie. Unfortunately, it fails to top Bungie’s work in campaign, but at least struggles to find a foothold in the multiplayer aspect.

First things first: the graphics are the best thing about the campaign. The TV ads portrayed a huge rivalry between Spartan Locke and Master Chief, the two main protagonists, that would just have to end in a huge climactic boss fight or something. Without spoiling, the end is grade A sequel bait that will make anyone regret spending $60.

The campaign was enjoyable only because it seemed to go by so fast. The level design is awesome, but the story is lackluster, with almost no character development and no real substance. All the missions are simply wave after wave of enemies until the player gets something they need, then proceeding through more waves of enemies.

To top it off, there are a grand total of two whole missions that are less than five minutes long, and serve no point whatsoever. Don’t buy this game simply for campaign. The game only gets really good at the end, and even then it is probably only to sell a sequel.

However, the multiplayer is extremely fun. The new mode, Warzone, is very interesting and easy to get into. Arena, where modes like “breakout” and “free for all,” is also really enjoyable, but should have had more content day one.

There are only a handful of maps for the different arena modes, which is saddening, but hopefully 343 will add some free maps shortly. Hopefully. The microtransactions, thankfully, do not make the game “pay-to-win.” Sure, someone can buy skins and guns and such, but it’s also just as easy to buy those guns and powerups with in-game currency instead of real cash. There is no need to spend real money to enjoy the requisition system.

All in all, “Halo 5: Guardians” isn’t a bad game, but it isn’t good either. The campaign lacks so much substance that it feels rushed and incomplete. Multiplayer is this game’s one redeeming quality, and even that has a severe lack of content at the moment. “Halo 5” is recommended, but only at drastically reduced price and for fans of good multiplayer.