Recently, a friend of mine has started playing through the Halo franchise for the first time.

I started with Halo back in 2007 when I traded in my trusty PS2 for an Xbox 360. With it came Halo 3. I had only played one other FPS in my life at the time, Call of Duty 2: Big Red One on the PS2, and it was my first foray into the world of sweaty PvP. With Halo 3, the claws got hooked in and never let go. I loved the art direction; a wonderful depiction of the vastness of space and everything in-between. Beautiful environments, stunning vistas and, of course, the endless action the Halo 3 sandbox provided are all things that have kept me coming back time and time again.

As I have been replaying the games in the franchise alongside my friend, I recapture that sense of awe practically every time I hit the main menu. There is still that grip that won't release. It makes me feel young again. I am not even old. Maybe it's a yearning for a simpler time. There is a sense of wonder revolving around this IP that the games, books, and comics capture so masterfully.

Now, if you'll excuse me... I need a weapon.
-db