Graphically, the new look isn't quite on par with other shooters on the market, even when compared to previous titles in the Halo universe (switching to the Reach-powered multiplayer will show this), with some weak textures and character models and twitchy framerates. However, as far as HD remakes go, Anniversary is a cut above most.
The ability to switch between old and new graphics is an interesting gimmick and shows just how far technology has come in ten years' time. Switching however is not seamless, as there is a slight half-second delay when changing engines, so it's probably not something you'll want to try right in the thick of combat.
The second half to Halo Anniversary is the Halo Reach Anniversary Multiplayer. Brought to life largely with the help of longtime Halo-partner studio Certain Affinity, this online component of Anniversary is built on Halo: Reach's excellent multiplayer component and graphics engine, and should feel immediately familiar to those who played it last year. The multiplayer even uses Reach's achievement list instead of Halo Anniversary's, which is dedicated solely to the campaign. The new multiplayer brings with it some maps from previous Halo games, composed of retoolings of fan favorites like Hang 'em High/High Noon, Headlong/Breakneck, Battle Canyon/ Beaver Creek and more from Halo: Combat Evolved and Halo 2.
Anniversary utilizes a version of Halo: Reach's online suite instead of an update of the original's multiplayer.
Each map has a classic version as well as the enhanced version, leaving it up to you to play it as you see fit. There are some new modes that take advantage of Halo: CE's awesomely over-powered pistol, and the ability to turn off reticule blooming, making for an added old-school feel to Reach's framework and aesthetic. Additionally, the XP system and super-deep character customization features from Reach are all here, letting you upgrade your personal character with all manner of customizations.
For me personally, I have fond memories of hanging out with friends in a cramped dorm room and playing the game over our college campus's LAN connection, which was as integral to my college experience as any course on the principles and practices of Journalism.
All that said, this definitely is not an authentic remake of the Halo: Combat Evolved multiplayer experience that I and many of you knew and loved, at least not compared to the single-player revisions on display here. For longtime fans looking to relive their original Halo LAN experiences, and especially those feisty people who put all the work in to simulate online multiplayer via network tunneling programs like XBConnect and XLink Kai, this seven map compilation isn't a remake at all.
Halo 2's Headlong Becomes Breakneck
Instead of a full multiplayer remake, what we get is more a 'best of' of sorts, featuring the aforementioned popular maps, plus one new firefight map, Installation 04.
One could ostensibly blame this design approach on the fact that the majority of the original Halo: Combat Evolved maps have already been remade, specifically Battle Creek (remade first as Beaver Creek in Halo 2), Sidewinder (remade in Halo 3 as Avalanche), Chill Out (remade as Cold Storage for Halo 3), Derelict (remade as Desolation for Halo 2), Blood Gulch (remade as Coagulation in Halo 2, inspired Valhalla in Halo 3 and showed up as a part of Forge World in Halo: Reach), Wizard (remade as Warlock in Halo 2), Hang Em' High (previously remade as Tombstone for Halo 2) and Longest (remade as Elongation in Halo 2).
That would leave only Prisoner, Rat Race and Boarding Action to choose from (we're not even going to mention Chiron TL-34, thankfully 343i wisely decided against including it). Strangely though, only Prisoner made the cut proper from the leftover list. Really? No Boarding Action at least?
The HD updates are well done, but not quite on the level of Halo: Reach's look.
Does this suffice for the Halo: CE purists out there looking to replay through their lost Xbox youth? And does it make sense to use the Halo: Reach engine to 'simulate' CE rules? Well, it works well enough using Reach, but let's just say if 343i ever considers giving Halo 2 the 10-year Anniversary treatment and goes this 'best of' route instead of delivering a full remake of all the maps (yes, even Zanzibar), there'll be hell to pay.
The fact that game's asking price comes in twenty dollars shy of a full retail games takes some of the sting away from all of this, but it doesn't totally make up for the lack of a true-to-life recreation of Halo: CE's multiplayer.
Saying that the multiplayer component is little more than a Reach map pack is no understatement. 343i have gone as far as offering the maps by themselves if you have no interest in the campaign; the Anniversary Map Pack is available as a separate 15 dollar (1200 MS Points) download for Halo: Reach.
Closing Comments
A great amount of love and care went into creating Halo Anniversary, and the new graphics engine, while not perfect, is an excellent addition to bring Halo players who missed out on the original ten years ago up to speed. Halo Anniversary’s campaign shortcomings are pretty apparent, but many of the elements that made the original Halo so great are here, from the great story to the tight combat and well-balanced weapons. If you can approach the experience with an open mind and are willing to take a few frustrating old-school design choices, and you’re fine with a ‘best of’ map pack versus a full redo, then this is a great way to bide the time before Halo 4.
Presentation 8.5
Halo has an awesome story, introducing gamers for the first time to characters like the Master Chief and Cortana and launching a beloved franchise on a great note
Graphics 8.0
The new engine is pretty solid, but doesn’t look quite as good as many modern shooters, even Halo: Reach. However, as an HD remake, this is definitely a cut above most.
Sound 8.5
The timeless Halo soundtrack is here in great form in both original and re-arranged versions, and the voice work is well done.
Gameplay 8.0
The solid weapon balance and pacing return, but there are some frustrating issues with level layouts and navigation that make getting through the stages an occasionally frustrating experience.
Lasting Appeal 8.0
The campaign is pretty short, but the inclusion of online co-op gives you more reason to go back to it. The multiplayer is a blast, but will feel familiar to those who've played Reach exhaustively.
OVERALL 8.0 (Great)
The ability to switch between old and new graphics is an interesting gimmick and shows just how far technology has come in ten years' time. Switching however is not seamless, as there is a slight half-second delay when changing engines, so it's probably not something you'll want to try right in the thick of combat.
The second half to Halo Anniversary is the Halo Reach Anniversary Multiplayer. Brought to life largely with the help of longtime Halo-partner studio Certain Affinity, this online component of Anniversary is built on Halo: Reach's excellent multiplayer component and graphics engine, and should feel immediately familiar to those who played it last year. The multiplayer even uses Reach's achievement list instead of Halo Anniversary's, which is dedicated solely to the campaign. The new multiplayer brings with it some maps from previous Halo games, composed of retoolings of fan favorites like Hang 'em High/High Noon, Headlong/Breakneck, Battle Canyon/ Beaver Creek and more from Halo: Combat Evolved and Halo 2.
Anniversary utilizes a version of Halo: Reach's online suite instead of an update of the original's multiplayer.
Each map has a classic version as well as the enhanced version, leaving it up to you to play it as you see fit. There are some new modes that take advantage of Halo: CE's awesomely over-powered pistol, and the ability to turn off reticule blooming, making for an added old-school feel to Reach's framework and aesthetic. Additionally, the XP system and super-deep character customization features from Reach are all here, letting you upgrade your personal character with all manner of customizations.
For me personally, I have fond memories of hanging out with friends in a cramped dorm room and playing the game over our college campus's LAN connection, which was as integral to my college experience as any course on the principles and practices of Journalism.
All that said, this definitely is not an authentic remake of the Halo: Combat Evolved multiplayer experience that I and many of you knew and loved, at least not compared to the single-player revisions on display here. For longtime fans looking to relive their original Halo LAN experiences, and especially those feisty people who put all the work in to simulate online multiplayer via network tunneling programs like XBConnect and XLink Kai, this seven map compilation isn't a remake at all.
Halo 2's Headlong Becomes Breakneck
Instead of a full multiplayer remake, what we get is more a 'best of' of sorts, featuring the aforementioned popular maps, plus one new firefight map, Installation 04.
One could ostensibly blame this design approach on the fact that the majority of the original Halo: Combat Evolved maps have already been remade, specifically Battle Creek (remade first as Beaver Creek in Halo 2), Sidewinder (remade in Halo 3 as Avalanche), Chill Out (remade as Cold Storage for Halo 3), Derelict (remade as Desolation for Halo 2), Blood Gulch (remade as Coagulation in Halo 2, inspired Valhalla in Halo 3 and showed up as a part of Forge World in Halo: Reach), Wizard (remade as Warlock in Halo 2), Hang Em' High (previously remade as Tombstone for Halo 2) and Longest (remade as Elongation in Halo 2).
That would leave only Prisoner, Rat Race and Boarding Action to choose from (we're not even going to mention Chiron TL-34, thankfully 343i wisely decided against including it). Strangely though, only Prisoner made the cut proper from the leftover list. Really? No Boarding Action at least?
The HD updates are well done, but not quite on the level of Halo: Reach's look.
Does this suffice for the Halo: CE purists out there looking to replay through their lost Xbox youth? And does it make sense to use the Halo: Reach engine to 'simulate' CE rules? Well, it works well enough using Reach, but let's just say if 343i ever considers giving Halo 2 the 10-year Anniversary treatment and goes this 'best of' route instead of delivering a full remake of all the maps (yes, even Zanzibar), there'll be hell to pay.
The fact that game's asking price comes in twenty dollars shy of a full retail games takes some of the sting away from all of this, but it doesn't totally make up for the lack of a true-to-life recreation of Halo: CE's multiplayer.
Saying that the multiplayer component is little more than a Reach map pack is no understatement. 343i have gone as far as offering the maps by themselves if you have no interest in the campaign; the Anniversary Map Pack is available as a separate 15 dollar (1200 MS Points) download for Halo: Reach.
Closing Comments
A great amount of love and care went into creating Halo Anniversary, and the new graphics engine, while not perfect, is an excellent addition to bring Halo players who missed out on the original ten years ago up to speed. Halo Anniversary’s campaign shortcomings are pretty apparent, but many of the elements that made the original Halo so great are here, from the great story to the tight combat and well-balanced weapons. If you can approach the experience with an open mind and are willing to take a few frustrating old-school design choices, and you’re fine with a ‘best of’ map pack versus a full redo, then this is a great way to bide the time before Halo 4.
Presentation 8.5
Halo has an awesome story, introducing gamers for the first time to characters like the Master Chief and Cortana and launching a beloved franchise on a great note
Graphics 8.0
The new engine is pretty solid, but doesn’t look quite as good as many modern shooters, even Halo: Reach. However, as an HD remake, this is definitely a cut above most.
Sound 8.5
The timeless Halo soundtrack is here in great form in both original and re-arranged versions, and the voice work is well done.
Gameplay 8.0
The solid weapon balance and pacing return, but there are some frustrating issues with level layouts and navigation that make getting through the stages an occasionally frustrating experience.
Lasting Appeal 8.0
The campaign is pretty short, but the inclusion of online co-op gives you more reason to go back to it. The multiplayer is a blast, but will feel familiar to those who've played Reach exhaustively.
OVERALL 8.0 (Great)
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