Master Chief makes his first appearance on Xbox One with this past week’s release of Halo: The Master Chief Collection and with it came new details on the upcoming Halo 5: Guardians beta. If you happen to own either a digital or physical copy of Halo: TMCC you’re automatically eligible to test an early version of Halo 5’s Arena multiplayer from Dec 29th until January 18th 2015. We not only got the first details about gameplay changes coming in Halo 5 but the first gameplay videos as well!

Continuing some of the changes found in Halo 4’s single player Spartans now have access to a series of thruster packs that are built into their armor. This additional maneuverability allows players to quickly sidestep and pull off split second movements that they otherwise couldn’t do in previous Halo titles. Spartans are now also able to perform a ground pound attack after using the jet-pack ability. If all of this sounds like the “armor abilities” found in Halo: Reach,  that is because they function similarly but everyone will have access to all of them instead of choosing a pre-determined load out.  Another change to the game play formula is the addition of a new zooming mechanic that kind of works like Call of Duty’s iron sights, 343 industries is calling this feature “smart scope”.

So far we know the names of four maps that will be included in the beta: Truth (a re-make of Halo 2’s Midship),  Empire, Break out and Crossfire. In terms of weapons we know that classics like the Sniper Rifle, Pistol and Assault Rifle will return!

Check out several videos of beta gameplay in the embedded player below. Halo 5: Guardians is expected to be released in the Fall of 2015 and with the beta taking place almost a year before launch perhaps we’ll get a second chance to try Halo 5 before it launches!

Sources: Tech Cheat Sheet | Halo Wiki

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