I hate this so much. I loved Halo but we just dont need another re-release of the same fucking game again. I was a die hard Xbox/Halo/Gears fan from the CE release but i hate the Xbox now. I...
I hate this so much. I loved Halo but we just dont need another re-release of the same fucking game again. I was a die hard Xbox/Halo/Gears fan from the CE release but i hate the Xbox now. I despise the platform and publishing strategy. Creativity hasnt been allowed at the MGS for a long time. Xbox is dead.
While it's a bit silly to say since everybody's doing remakes, I find it more than a little sad that over 20+ years at it, Halo (and specifically, the first) is Microsoft's only real ace in the...
While it's a bit silly to say since everybody's doing remakes, I find it more than a little sad that over 20+ years at it, Halo (and specifically, the first) is Microsoft's only real ace in the hole nostalgia bait. It's a testament to how they've run Xbox, which ideas were chosen to live and die and just how corporate the whole thing felt.
Given discussions about how Xbox Everywhere is basically a retreat from the space, it's fitting that MS goes out with a whimper using one of the only original properties they have.
I feel somewhat similar, though from what I've heard, it sounds like it won't be the same game exactly, it's not clear to me though. I was told it will have climbing and sprinting in it, which can...
I feel somewhat similar, though from what I've heard, it sounds like it won't be the same game exactly, it's not clear to me though. I was told it will have climbing and sprinting in it, which can drastically change the game play if that is true, and there may also be other things I haven't heard about.
I think after they have botched so many Halo releases lately, they've killed the brand and franchise pretty good. I feel like a lot of old Halo fans would have a hard time trusting them on this. Like MCC was such a complete disaster that my friend group kinda all gave up on Halo because that was totally unplayable on launch and barely playable for a long time after. By the time they even made it playable, so many people stopped playing that not only did it make getting matches difficult, it also meant that you couldn't get matches you want because of how matchmaking systems typically work, the fewer people there are, the less choice of options.
And from what I'm hearing from people who have worked for Microsoft in game development formerly and still have connections there, it sounds like the new remake is possibly going to be another technical disaster like MCC. I believe Halo Infinite also had a shaky launch from what one of my friends told me when they tried it, but I never tried it because my enthusiasm for that franchise is completely sapped.
I think we are the same person. I also hate the trend of remaking games that already have a great remake. The first remake of Halo CE is arguably perfect. Great graphics, runs well and you can...
I think we are the same person. I also hate the trend of remaking games that already have a great remake. The first remake of Halo CE is arguably perfect. Great graphics, runs well and you can easily switch back and forth to remind yourself what it used to look like.
343 or whatever they are called now is just a hollow shell. Bungie in their prime were really cooking and Microsoft not doing everything they could to keep them happy and part of the family was their first mistake.
Halo Infinite was a fun sandbox with stuff I remember from the Halo games but it wasn't a Halo game.
The first remake of Halo CE is definitely not perfect. There's some original Xbox players of the game including myself that don't like some aspects of the remake because they used the Halo PC...
The first remake of Halo CE is definitely not perfect. There's some original Xbox players of the game including myself that don't like some aspects of the remake because they used the Halo PC version to remake and the Halo PC version has some differences from the Xbox version. So if you originally played the game on Xbox, there are certain details that if you notice them, kinda puts a ceiling on the nostalgia feeling.
But I highly doubt they're going to rectify those things here and even if they were it wouldn't justify another remake at this point. It is what it is at this point. They took their shot back when they did and the campaign remake of the Anniversary edition was pretty good but not perfect, the multiplayer included with MCC was an absolute disaster.
I'm aware of the differences and still think the remake is the perfect version of the original campaign. In my opinion, the changes are not important, but to each their own.
I'm aware of the differences and still think the remake is the perfect version of the original campaign. In my opinion, the changes are not important, but to each their own.
I'm really torn. On the one hand, the cinematic was mind-bogglingly gorgeous (and realistic to boot, at least in my eyes.) It even makes what Blur did in Halo 2 Remastered look dated, and I do...
I'm really torn. On the one hand, the cinematic was mind-bogglingly gorgeous (and realistic to boot, at least in my eyes.) It even makes what Blur did in Halo 2 Remastered look dated, and I do like the visual details added in actual gameplay.
But, I'm in the same boat. MCC, flaws and all is a solid remaster of the first two games--and it enables 3 + Reach (and I think ODST too?) to be playable on the same platform. I feel like a remaster/remake now is too incremental to really be worth it. Graphics had advanced considerably since Halo 1/2 released, but MCC compared to this release? It's more impressive certainly, but on a refinement level. I don't know, I'd need like, Halo 1 VR (but properly playable without gimmick movement) or some new threshold of graphic shift to go out and buy a second remaster/remake. (Or to make a new hard sci-fi action game series, but at this point I'll take what I can get)
As a HUGE fan of Halo CE, this disappoints me. I don't understand how we can get Halo 2 Anniversary, which was overall a really strong remaster with incredible work on cutscenes and then also get...
As a HUGE fan of Halo CE, this disappoints me. I don't understand how we can get Halo 2 Anniversary, which was overall a really strong remaster with incredible work on cutscenes and then also get this. They have the blueprint for what to do! This makes two disappointing remasters of the original game. The first remaster completely ruined the darker art style, and this one ruins the gameplay on first appearance. I don't really understand the intent behind this release and what it hopes to improve upon. Halo is an arena shooter, and this lines it with the failure of Halo Infinite. If they want to use new mechanics, they should release a new game.
I enjoyed Infinite’s campaign / world. What was wrong with Infinite? Context: I haven’t really kept up with Halo since 3, when I spent way too many hours in swat lobbies bumper jumping like a mad...
I enjoyed Infinite’s campaign / world. What was wrong with Infinite?
Context: I haven’t really kept up with Halo since 3, when I spent way too many hours in swat lobbies bumper jumping like a mad man with 10 sensitivity. I’ve completed most of the games since but haven’t played much mp.
My personal philosophy when it comes to video game remakes/remasters/etc. is to treat them like I would a cover of a song I particularly like: If I get to experience an alternate take on a game I...
My personal philosophy when it comes to video game remakes/remasters/etc. is to treat them like I would a cover of a song I particularly like: If I get to experience an alternate take on a game I really enjoy, that's great. If I don't like it, I can always† go back and experience the original. Like any cover, hopefully it's different enough to keep me interested while staying familiar enough for me to remember why I liked it in the first place.
All that being said, the original Halo: Combat Evolved is my favourite FPS of all time, and I have very mixed feelings about this. Curiosity will no doubt result in me checking this remake out (eventually, when the price drops), but I can't exactly say I'm exited. Here are some of my very petty gripes from the perspective of a fan since the original 2001 title's release:
I'm not opposed to new levels, but three new levels set before the original first level of the game just seems like an odd choice. The original Halo's opening was fantastic and full of mystery. Hell, the first thing you see is the ring floating in space, so from the moment you start up the campaign you immediately find yourself unraveling the story. Forgive me for comparing Bungie to Shakespere for a moment, but imagine if Hamet had an entire act before the opening scene with the king's ghost. What's the point? I'm guessing giant set pieces, explosions and Sergeant Johnson cameos, unfortunately. I'm just not convinced this will add value to the campaign as a whole.
Is it just me, or do the environments seem smaller? It could be a case of the spaces feeling more crammed with all of the extra detail provided, or an increase in movement speed (no, we can't debate sprint right now. We don't have time!), but everything just felt cramped. It's a shame, especially since Halo was particularly memorable upon release for it's wide open levels and encounters.
The original cast is back to reprise their roles... Yay? This all comes down to direction, I suppose, and this time Marty O'Donnell won't be steering the ship. It was strange to hear lines delivered in a different cadence to what I'm used to after hundreds of playthroughs, but I was actually pleasantly surprised to hear some new lines from Cortana - I feel like if I just hear the same lines delivered differently, I'll be disappointed. There seemed to be a lot of placeholder dialogue, Captain Keyes was yet to be re-recorded, and I sincerely hope the Elites speaking English were from Halo 5 or Infinite because give me Wort Wort Wort or give me death, dammit.
Ultimately I know this is likely a soulless cash-grab remake that will fail to miss the mark, but hey, I'll be happy to be proven wrong. At least it will be interesting, no matter what happens.
† 'Always' is, of course, not always the case when it comes to video games, unfortunately. I refuse to support developer's who remake products and remove the originals from digital storefronts as has happened on several occasions in recent memory. Hopefully the analogy still stands.
I’m stoked as can be for this. I liked Halo Infinite’s art style a lot, seeing 343 double down and improving it makes me happy and ready to blow $50 on this.
I’m stoked as can be for this. I liked Halo Infinite’s art style a lot, seeing 343 double down and improving it makes me happy and ready to blow $50 on this.
I'm glad Playstation folks get a chance to experience it, if they didn't already on PC or something. I don't feel any desire to buy this for myself. I am curious about the new missions, but I'll...
I'm glad Playstation folks get a chance to experience it, if they didn't already on PC or something.
I don't feel any desire to buy this for myself. I am curious about the new missions, but I'll probably just watch someone play them on YouTube. I'm still satisfied with the Master Chief Collection on Steam. The game in the series that I think needs a graphical overhaul the most now is Halo 3.
I'm not really interested in multiplayer anymore, so that's not a concern for me. I don't know how much I care about them adding Sprint. This clearly isn't an endeavour to preserve the exact original experience.
Cortana lines were noticeably re-recorded, which probably will be great in some spots but be mildly annoying (like when a remix or cover of a song you like sounds wrong) in others. In this sample she seems more chipper. I loved her voice work in the original trilogy (was pretty annoyed with how much she got left out of 3) and I'd be happy if she keeps getting Microsoft money forever. Maybe the Cortana voice assistant will fully be a thing in the future. I just hope the changes here are good.
The jackal shields don't look good to me. Too transparent, and too vibrant of an explosion when they pop. The blood on grunts doesn't look good either. Pre-release footage, yadda yadda, hopefully it improves.
The allied marine AI still looked janky as hell. I'm somewhat surprised they showed it off. It was acceptable in 2001 but if you're modernizing things, you should really not have them stand around like morons while you yell at the screen "GET IN THE FUCKING WARTHOG, SHINJI!"
You're going to get to use a bunch of weapons that you couldn't in the original. Picking up the energy sword off that gold elite would be pretty cool. The Assault Rifle is the 32 ammo one, which is disappointing to a lot of people. If they appropriately sprinkle the new weapons around to compensate I think I'm OK with it...I guess it mainly affects newer players in the early levels (edit: and The Library). If they are committed to remaking the other games, I could see having the weapons consistent across them as a positive thing.
I hate this so much. I loved Halo but we just dont need another re-release of the same fucking game again. I was a die hard Xbox/Halo/Gears fan from the CE release but i hate the Xbox now. I despise the platform and publishing strategy. Creativity hasnt been allowed at the MGS for a long time. Xbox is dead.
While it's a bit silly to say since everybody's doing remakes, I find it more than a little sad that over 20+ years at it, Halo (and specifically, the first) is Microsoft's only real ace in the hole nostalgia bait. It's a testament to how they've run Xbox, which ideas were chosen to live and die and just how corporate the whole thing felt.
Given discussions about how Xbox Everywhere is basically a retreat from the space, it's fitting that MS goes out with a whimper using one of the only original properties they have.
I feel somewhat similar, though from what I've heard, it sounds like it won't be the same game exactly, it's not clear to me though. I was told it will have climbing and sprinting in it, which can drastically change the game play if that is true, and there may also be other things I haven't heard about.
I think after they have botched so many Halo releases lately, they've killed the brand and franchise pretty good. I feel like a lot of old Halo fans would have a hard time trusting them on this. Like MCC was such a complete disaster that my friend group kinda all gave up on Halo because that was totally unplayable on launch and barely playable for a long time after. By the time they even made it playable, so many people stopped playing that not only did it make getting matches difficult, it also meant that you couldn't get matches you want because of how matchmaking systems typically work, the fewer people there are, the less choice of options.
And from what I'm hearing from people who have worked for Microsoft in game development formerly and still have connections there, it sounds like the new remake is possibly going to be another technical disaster like MCC. I believe Halo Infinite also had a shaky launch from what one of my friends told me when they tried it, but I never tried it because my enthusiasm for that franchise is completely sapped.
I think we are the same person. I also hate the trend of remaking games that already have a great remake. The first remake of Halo CE is arguably perfect. Great graphics, runs well and you can easily switch back and forth to remind yourself what it used to look like.
343 or whatever they are called now is just a hollow shell. Bungie in their prime were really cooking and Microsoft not doing everything they could to keep them happy and part of the family was their first mistake.
Halo Infinite was a fun sandbox with stuff I remember from the Halo games but it wasn't a Halo game.
The first remake of Halo CE is definitely not perfect. There's some original Xbox players of the game including myself that don't like some aspects of the remake because they used the Halo PC version to remake and the Halo PC version has some differences from the Xbox version. So if you originally played the game on Xbox, there are certain details that if you notice them, kinda puts a ceiling on the nostalgia feeling.
But I highly doubt they're going to rectify those things here and even if they were it wouldn't justify another remake at this point. It is what it is at this point. They took their shot back when they did and the campaign remake of the Anniversary edition was pretty good but not perfect, the multiplayer included with MCC was an absolute disaster.
I'm aware of the differences and still think the remake is the perfect version of the original campaign. In my opinion, the changes are not important, but to each their own.
I'm really torn. On the one hand, the cinematic was mind-bogglingly gorgeous (and realistic to boot, at least in my eyes.) It even makes what Blur did in Halo 2 Remastered look dated, and I do like the visual details added in actual gameplay.
But, I'm in the same boat. MCC, flaws and all is a solid remaster of the first two games--and it enables 3 + Reach (and I think ODST too?) to be playable on the same platform. I feel like a remaster/remake now is too incremental to really be worth it. Graphics had advanced considerably since Halo 1/2 released, but MCC compared to this release? It's more impressive certainly, but on a refinement level. I don't know, I'd need like, Halo 1 VR (but properly playable without gimmick movement) or some new threshold of graphic shift to go out and buy a second remaster/remake. (Or to make a new hard sci-fi action game series, but at this point I'll take what I can get)
Halo is remastered and now on Playstation! Kinda wild.
As a HUGE fan of Halo CE, this disappoints me. I don't understand how we can get Halo 2 Anniversary, which was overall a really strong remaster with incredible work on cutscenes and then also get this. They have the blueprint for what to do! This makes two disappointing remasters of the original game. The first remaster completely ruined the darker art style, and this one ruins the gameplay on first appearance. I don't really understand the intent behind this release and what it hopes to improve upon. Halo is an arena shooter, and this lines it with the failure of Halo Infinite. If they want to use new mechanics, they should release a new game.
I enjoyed Infinite’s campaign / world. What was wrong with Infinite?
Context: I haven’t really kept up with Halo since 3, when I spent way too many hours in swat lobbies bumper jumping like a mad man with 10 sensitivity. I’ve completed most of the games since but haven’t played much mp.
My personal philosophy when it comes to video game remakes/remasters/etc. is to treat them like I would a cover of a song I particularly like: If I get to experience an alternate take on a game I really enjoy, that's great. If I don't like it, I can always† go back and experience the original. Like any cover, hopefully it's different enough to keep me interested while staying familiar enough for me to remember why I liked it in the first place.
All that being said, the original Halo: Combat Evolved is my favourite FPS of all time, and I have very mixed feelings about this. Curiosity will no doubt result in me checking this remake out (eventually, when the price drops), but I can't exactly say I'm exited. Here are some of my very petty gripes from the perspective of a fan since the original 2001 title's release:
I'm not opposed to new levels, but three new levels set before the original first level of the game just seems like an odd choice. The original Halo's opening was fantastic and full of mystery. Hell, the first thing you see is the ring floating in space, so from the moment you start up the campaign you immediately find yourself unraveling the story. Forgive me for comparing Bungie to Shakespere for a moment, but imagine if Hamet had an entire act before the opening scene with the king's ghost. What's the point? I'm guessing giant set pieces, explosions and Sergeant Johnson cameos, unfortunately. I'm just not convinced this will add value to the campaign as a whole.
Is it just me, or do the environments seem smaller? It could be a case of the spaces feeling more crammed with all of the extra detail provided, or an increase in movement speed (no, we can't debate sprint right now. We don't have time!), but everything just felt cramped. It's a shame, especially since Halo was particularly memorable upon release for it's wide open levels and encounters.
The original cast is back to reprise their roles... Yay? This all comes down to direction, I suppose, and this time Marty O'Donnell won't be steering the ship. It was strange to hear lines delivered in a different cadence to what I'm used to after hundreds of playthroughs, but I was actually pleasantly surprised to hear some new lines from Cortana - I feel like if I just hear the same lines delivered differently, I'll be disappointed. There seemed to be a lot of placeholder dialogue, Captain Keyes was yet to be re-recorded, and I sincerely hope the Elites speaking English were from Halo 5 or Infinite because give me Wort Wort Wort or give me death, dammit.
Ultimately I know this is likely a soulless cash-grab remake that will fail to miss the mark, but hey, I'll be happy to be proven wrong. At least it will be interesting, no matter what happens.
† 'Always' is, of course, not always the case when it comes to video games, unfortunately. I refuse to support developer's who remake products and remove the originals from digital storefronts as has happened on several occasions in recent memory. Hopefully the analogy still stands.
I’m stoked as can be for this. I liked Halo Infinite’s art style a lot, seeing 343 double down and improving it makes me happy and ready to blow $50 on this.
I think you meant to link a different video but it's easy to find from the link.
Feeling mild excitement
Fixed
link
Whoops! I had both videos open, my bad!
I'm glad Playstation folks get a chance to experience it, if they didn't already on PC or something.
I don't feel any desire to buy this for myself. I am curious about the new missions, but I'll probably just watch someone play them on YouTube. I'm still satisfied with the Master Chief Collection on Steam. The game in the series that I think needs a graphical overhaul the most now is Halo 3.
I'm not really interested in multiplayer anymore, so that's not a concern for me. I don't know how much I care about them adding Sprint. This clearly isn't an endeavour to preserve the exact original experience.
Cortana lines were noticeably re-recorded, which probably will be great in some spots but be mildly annoying (like when a remix or cover of a song you like sounds wrong) in others. In this sample she seems more chipper. I loved her voice work in the original trilogy (was pretty annoyed with how much she got left out of 3) and I'd be happy if she keeps getting Microsoft money forever. Maybe the Cortana voice assistant will fully be a thing in the future. I just hope the changes here are good.
The jackal shields don't look good to me. Too transparent, and too vibrant of an explosion when they pop. The blood on grunts doesn't look good either. Pre-release footage, yadda yadda, hopefully it improves.
The allied marine AI still looked janky as hell. I'm somewhat surprised they showed it off. It was acceptable in 2001 but if you're modernizing things, you should really not have them stand around like morons while you yell at the screen "GET IN THE FUCKING WARTHOG, SHINJI!"
You're going to get to use a bunch of weapons that you couldn't in the original. Picking up the energy sword off that gold elite would be pretty cool. The Assault Rifle is the 32 ammo one, which is disappointing to a lot of people. If they appropriately sprinkle the new weapons around to compensate I think I'm OK with it...I guess it mainly affects newer players in the early levels (edit: and The Library). If they are committed to remaking the other games, I could see having the weapons consistent across them as a positive thing.
Sure the visual effects are nice, but this remaster just feels like it lost its soul somehow. Something is missing..
I am honored to give this post its se7enth upvote.