An easy-to-use randomzier for Halo Reach on the Master Chief Collection (MCC).
- Halo Reach on MCC
- Halo Reach official mod tools (aka HREK)
- They can be downloaded via steam https://store.steampowered.com/app/1695793/Halo_Reach_Mod_Tools__MCC/
- Consider backing up your installation of Reach as the tool will overwrite it.
- If you use the mod tools for other purposes, consider backing up any files you've edited as the tool will overwrite them
- Start ReachVisualRandomizer.exe
- Configure your seed and other settings as you please (default settings recommended)
- Make sure the MCC path and HREK path matches what is on your computer.
- You can check the path of each from your steam library by: right clicking -> manage -> browse local files
- If you have your MCC installation across multiple locations, make sure it is the one where Reach is installed.
- Click start randomization. The first level takes 10+ minutes to finish randomizing. All levels finish randomizing in about 60 minutes.
- Play! Make sure you boot MCC with anti-cheat off. You can play levels that have already been randomized while you wait for the rest to randomize.
- What does this randomize?
- Enemy types, the weapons they hold, if they are in vehicles (no vehicle to vehicle only), the types of vehicles they use, weapons, vehicles, equipment and misc objects that can be found in the world, custscene dialogue, and cutscene model variants. Certain enemies that if randomized could softlock the game and allies are not randomized.
- How likely is a softlock?
- Unlikely with default settings. If you get stuck, try looking around for enemies (jetpack elites can get in weird spots) or backtracking and going back through a level without using a jetpack or flying vehicle. If you don't use the default settings, sometimes the required-to-progress target locater can clip out of bounds near the beginning of ONI: Sword Base.
- Can I play this online with friends?
- Yes! If everyone runs the tool with the same settings and seed, you can play together.
- Why does the randomizer take so long?
- It builds and compiles each level from scratch using the offiical mod tools. This ensures that all objects are loaded into each level and made it drasticlly easier for me to code.
- Will you make randomizers for the other Halo games?
- I might make randomziers for 3, ODST, or 4 as those are compatible with this method of randomization.
Huge thanks to Daniel McCluskey for laying the groundwork for this tool.