User:ODST 032/The Essential Visual Guide

The Review
Hey guys, today I'll be reviewing the Halo: Essential Visual Guide. First things first, as soon as you get it out of the package it looks amazing. The front cover is great, and the lettering on the front isn't white, it's a metallic chrome that reflects the sun :D (warning: protect your eyes...) When you open it up it has a piece of artwork from Halo Wars, basically a render of the games' front cover, and on turning the page again you'll see the opening splash with the title of the book and a couple of multiplayer Spartans looking awesome :)

The contents page clearly explains that each listing has it's own oage, so it works kinda like an A-Z of the Halo Universe, and it lists every page like an index. This part was a good addition in my opinion, it makes for quick snappy referencing and an easy find for whatever you're looking for. I found what ship Lord Hood drove in the Battle of Earth in under 10 seconds flat :P

Flicking through the book you'll notice that each entry has a giant picture of itself, a little description box containing the main facts, another containing statistics (the game in which it's found, all of the individual information etc.) and a little 'Did you know' box which of course no guide would be without. At the very bottom of each entry there's another picture, this time smaller, with kind of a random fact box which tells you something you didn't, or maybe did know (depending on how high you fall on the fanboy chart :P)

At the back of the book there really is nothing more than an acknowledgements page and then the back cover. That's it. I was expecting a little concept art or something just to give the book more flavour, but then again it does what it says on the tin so you can't complain.

Overall Impressions
Overall I'd give it a 4.5 out of 5, just for the fact that it lacks that extra little something which makes you go WOW. But it's a great book none the less, and if you're even mildly into Halo then I would definately pick this up, plus it makes for a good buy for anyone wanting to dive deeper into the Halo Universe but who's not sure where to start.

Leave a comment on the talk page about which review you wanna see next and I'll see what I can do :)

Cheers guys and girls, take care.