I suck at first-person shooters. There, I said it.
That being the case, I have only a passing knowledge of the Halo universe. Its impact on the gaming industry is obvious, and my two younger brothers are avid fans of the series—but my knowledge pretty much ends there.
Perhaps it was that more than anything that made me jump at the opportunity to review Halo: The Art of Building Worlds. I’ve come to grips with the fact that I’ll never be able to compete with my brothers (or anyone more talented than your average chimpanzee), but why not take a look at what Halo has to offer behind the scenes?
The book begins with the assumption—not unfairly, I suppose—that you’re pretty familiar with the Halo universe. If I had any qualms about this book, it’s that things seem a bit backwards to the uninitiated; the first chapter dives deep into the franchise’s fictional history, while the familiar Master Chief and his allies don’t make an appearance until the final chapters.
But beyond that, Martin Robinson and Titan Books have put together a solid offering. Each chapter is peppered with tidbits about the story behind the Halo games—so much so that I spent about an hour on the internet digging into it. I honestly had no idea how much there was to Halo’s mythology.
And they’re not sheisty with the art, either—the reader is treated to not only two-page vistas of alien worlds, but also rough sketches, storyboards, and finished art of every shape and size.
Beyond the quality of art, what I look for in an art book is variety. While counting down to Star Wars: The Old Republic, I recently checked its Art and Making of—and was pretty underwhelmed. Page after page of finished art can start to feel pretty one-note.
But where that book failed me, Halo: The Art of Building Worlds gets high marks. I’m considering buying another pair for my brothers for Christmas—this one’s staying on my shelf.
This review is based on a copy provided by the publisher. As always, the opinions expressed are mine alone.
