GamesRadar+ VerdictAfter the one-two gut punch of ‘Reach’ and ‘Aleria’, another change of scene in ‘Onyx’ doesn’t yield similar results. Master Chief is once again the highlight, but the Covenant’s big return – mixed with lacking B-plots – mean it’s back to a similar story for the much-maligned Halo.
GamesRadar+ Verdict
GamesRadar+ Verdict
After the one-two gut punch of ‘Reach’ and ‘Aleria’, another change of scene in ‘Onyx’ doesn’t yield similar results. Master Chief is once again the highlight, but the Covenant’s big return – mixed with lacking B-plots – mean it’s back to a similar story for the much-maligned Halo.
After the one-two gut punch of ‘Reach’ and ‘Aleria’, another change of scene in ‘Onyx’ doesn’t yield similar results. Master Chief is once again the highlight, but the Covenant’s big return – mixed with lacking B-plots – mean it’s back to a similar story for the much-maligned Halo.
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Why you can trust GamesRadar+Our experts review games, movies and tech over countless hours, so you can choose the best for you.Find out more about our reviews policy.
The review containsspoilersfor Halo season 2, episode 6.
Halo season 2has taken us on a tour of the galaxy, from the glassed surface of Sanctuary to the shattered remains of Reach. Now, Master Chief and the show’s major players converge on Onyx. As Chief describes it, it’s a planet with “no maps, no records, no history. Just rumors and whispers.”
The perfect place, then, to hit accelerate on a season that has largely impressed but is rapidly running out of runway in the home stretch. While there is a lot to like in ‘Onyx’, however, it’s a largely inconsistent affair that suggests we’re on course for a muddled final two episodes.
While Ackerson and Parangosky being outright painted at the season’s Big Bads throws up a few deep, cutting lines (“You drink the tea, but what you taste is the story” is a brilliant retort that writer Sarah McCarron must have been keeping in her back pocket), it all falls apart a little when taken alongside just how much the rest of the episode starts ramping up Master Chief’s long-awaited reunion with Makee and the Covenant.
Halo can – and has – juggled multiple plots ably before, but the Covenant have been afterthoughts for most of the season and are now dragged in as the main focus so late in the day. It doesn’t help matters that each of Makee’s scenes leading to the Arbiter’s obvious ‘betrayal’ – complete with Charlie Murphy’s Irish accent slipping in – feel like the worst parts of the first season Frankensteined on to what has been, so far, a more robust season 2.
Spartans never die
(Image credit: Paramount)
Thankfully, other parts of ‘Onyx’ are more of a success. John, captured and in chains, features a little sprinkling of the more brutal side of Master Chief which, paradoxically, hits home a little harder when he’s out of his suit.
Elsewhere, your mileage may vary on the side plots that seem to ebb and flow like the tide, with not much attention paid to whether they will even get any meaningful progress from week to week. Case in point: Soren was a focal point last episode, but his hunt for his son Kessler goes practically nowhere in ‘Onyx.’ Kwan’s spiritual awakening, too, only seems to guide her to a Halsey B-plot that – admittedly – does lead to the return of Miranda Keyes and all the intrigue that comes with that.
As much as I’ve enjoyed Halo this year, ‘Onyx’ is a step backwards. Everything to do with Master Chief is still a highlight, but that’s only the tip of the iceberg. The Covenant have suddenly gone from non-factors to pressing concerns, but viewers can’t be expected to care as much when so much time has been devoted to building up Ackerson and breaking down Chief’s many UNSC relationships.
At least Halo is (finally) introducing the titular ring that could wipe out billions – but, in doing so, the Paramount Plus show is in danger of moving away from the sort of surprisingly high quality that’s punctuated the season so far.
Halo season 2 is streaming on Paramount Plus, with new episodes available weekly.
For what else is on the way, check out all of theupcoming video game adaptationsto look forward to.
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Most Popular
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Razer Kraken V4 review: “an iconic headset, all grown up”
Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie”
Meta Quest 3S review: “Maybe the best entry-level VR device ever created”
Glorious Series 2 Pro review: “comfortable and nimble, but not quite punching with the flagships”
Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package”
Bouiles Elite Series review: “The longer I sat in it, the more comfortable I became”
Azeron Cyborg II review: “One of the best gaming peripherals I’ve ever used”
Atari 7800+ review: “a retro console remake for the ‘80s kids”
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GAME REVIEWSMOVIE REVIEWSTV REVIEWS1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension"2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package"3Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure"4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years"5Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths"1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show"2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie"3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action"4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien"5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite"1Squid Game season 2 review: “Secures its place as one of the best shows on television right now"2Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat"3Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses"4Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist"5Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands”
GAME REVIEWSMOVIE REVIEWSTV REVIEWS1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension"2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package"3Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure"4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years"5Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths"1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show"2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie"3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action"4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien"5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite"1Squid Game season 2 review: “Secures its place as one of the best shows on television right now"2Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat"3Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses"4Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist"5Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands”
GAME REVIEWSMOVIE REVIEWSTV REVIEWS
1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension”
1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension”
1
Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension”
2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package”
2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package”
2
Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package”
3Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure”
3Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure”
3
Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure”
4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years”
4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years”
4
Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years”
5Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths”
5Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths”
5
Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths”
1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show”
1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show”
1
Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show”
2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie”
2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie”
2
Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie”
3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action”
3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action”
3
Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action”
4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien”
4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien”
4
The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien”
5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite”
5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite”
5
Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite”
1Squid Game season 2 review: “Secures its place as one of the best shows on television right now”
1Squid Game season 2 review: “Secures its place as one of the best shows on television right now”
1
Squid Game season 2 review: “Secures its place as one of the best shows on television right now”
2Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat”
2Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat”
2
Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat”
3Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses”
3Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses”
3
Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses”
4Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist”
4Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist”
4
Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist”
5Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands”
5Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands”
5
Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands”