The review embargo for Halo: The Master Chief Collection has lifted, revealing substantial praise for the Xbox One exclusive.

GameSpot critic Chris Watters appeared impressed by the modernised presentation in particular, citing the updated orchestral audio and remastered visuals.

Several publications, including GameSpot, have held off providing a final review due to additional time required to assess the game’s oceanic offering of multiplayer modes and online features.

Other publications have, however, managed to play enough of the game to reach a satisfactory conclusion. The scores for finished reviews are typically nine-out-of-ten, or higher.

Halo: The Master Chief Collection ships on Xbox One from November 11 across North America and key European markets, such as the UK. A mandatory day-one update for the game weighs about 15GB.

• Game: Halo: The Master Chief Collection
• Developer: 343 Industries
• Platforms: Xbox One
• Release Date: November 11
• Price: $60 and £40

The Verge — no score

“At $60, The Master Chief Collection is an easy sell for Xbox One owners. Halo fans will want to pick it up because these are the best versions of all four games to date, with the neat bonus of access to the Halo 5 beta next month. Series newcomers will find this collection the perfect entry point, too, with a ton of content to play on a console that — like the PlayStation 4 — still doesn’t have a ton.” — Sam Byford [Full Review]

CVG — 9

“The true value of this collection is in the immediate journey back and the slow rediscovery of one of gaming’s greatest series. If you’re jumping into the Chief’s Mjolnir trousers for the first time many of the nods, tweaks and, most potently, quirks of the older titles will at best fly over your head or at worst tarnish your ability to play without cussing like a sailor. For these poor individuals, our score will likely seem overcooked. You just had to have been there. Those that were will know exactly where we’re coming from.” — Matt Sakuraoka-Gilman [Full Review]

Metro — 8

“Here is a chance to experience one of the most important media franchises ever made from beginning to end, and if a few aspects don’t seem quite as cutting edge as they used to we think that’s something even the series’ detractors will forgive.” — Roger Hargreaves [Full Review]

Polygon — 9.5

“Halo: The Master Chief Collection sets a bar that other remasters and collections will have difficulty reaching, much less topping. For players new to Halo, who have missed any of the included games, it is a stunning introduction to one of the most beloved series in video games. For Halo fans, it’s a package that shows almost as much respect and affection for the Master Chief as they do.” — Arthur Gies [Full Review]

Destructoid — 9

“While I think I would have given up playing a Halo 2 remaster on its own after a few months, The Master Chief Collection will keep me busy for quite a while. The sheer number of maps, variants, playlists, and rulesets will keep me interested for months on end. I can already envision myself joining groups of friends who only like particular games, forming separate communities within the collection. Not only that, but this is also the perfect way to replay each campaign if I ever get the itch instead of finding multiple discs. This is the new gold standard for remakes. Well done, 343 Industries.” — Chris Carter [Full review]