Halo: Legends is art. But, like the art in the MET or MOMA, not all art is for every person. Each of the seven Legends episodes has a distinguishable difference in style due to the different studios and artists. Some work and some don’t. Others are as close to perfection as you can get with what’s out there for the Halo franchise while others leave you asking “what the fudge is this on my television?” The two origin episodes, entitled “Origins” and “Origins II,” sum up the Halo universe rather well. If the Halo franchise did have an anime with one artist, this would definitely be the introduction to the first episode of the series. The art is done well and the story is summed up within a 30-minute time frame.
Setting bias and fanboy syndrome aside is nearly impossible when talking Halo. If I talk about the negative, I'm biased, I hate Microsoft and the Halo franchise, and I think Killzone 2 really was the Halo-killer. If I list the positive I'm a fanboy. I wear MLG sweatshirts and I don’t play FPS's because they’ll mess with my hand-eye coordination when I pick up Halo 3 again. Thus, the enigma of talking about Halo: Legends is born. Let it be known in this all-out war between those for Halo and those against Halo I am on neither side and I support a franchise if it continues to produce games and material I find enjoyable.
“The Babysitter” and “The Package” are marvelous episodes and have some sequences that will have you on the edge of your seat. “The Babysitter” follows a three man group of ODST and shows the resentment between ODST’s and Spartans. This gives personality and emotion to the soldiers we don’t think about while playing as the Chief himself and adds a lot to the back story of the Halo universe. “The Package” is an all-CGI episode with amazing action sequences staring Master Chief and a team of Spartans. At the reigns of a vehicle with no cockpit, a space firefight breaks out reminiscent of a Star Wars battle sequence. In addition, the ending is the epitome of epic.
Where this seven-episode collection shines though, is “Prototype.” This episode features an intense main character, sits you on an emotional roller coaster, and surprises you in every frame. The dialogue and art is stunning. You get attached to the each character as soon as they hit the screen, which is very hard to do, especially in anime. This $22.99 Blu-ray (available at Amazon) is worth the price for this single 30-minute episode.
The three other episodes are forgettable, with a parody episode providing a few laughs ("Odd One Out"). An emotional episode about Spartans in training ("Homecoming"), but its slow pace feels forced and it tries too hard to get you attached to the characters. Finally, a Japanese-heavy episode, in full water-color artwork, shows Covenant forces in Samurai gear and leaves you confused up until the next episode rolls on in.
