Full circle
It feels relevant that with the current reboot stage of Xbox itself, we are revisiting how it all began. Halo is returning, and with it we are going back to the original campaign with some new paint. When that choir music hits I am instantly taken back to 2001 but, there are some things missing from the experience. Still, it definitely pinged my nostalgia button when that title screen music hit, and I proceeded to escape from the Pillar of Autumn. It is worth noting that this is a full-on remake. So, for those screaming we already had a Halo upgrade already, this is an entirely new build, which also begs the question, will it truly feel like Halo?
Let’s start there. This is a full-on remake in Unreal Engine 5. What the team did to accomplish this was build an entirely new graphics layer on top of the original code, to retain the feel of the series. Yes, they added sprint, and I know that triggers a lot of people, but in my play tests it doesn’t change the dynamics of combat all that much. It feels most like streamlining movement across the vast levels. Regardless of the changes, this still feels like Halo, and that is the most important thing.
MSRP: $49.99
Platforms: Xbox (reviewed), PlayStation, PC
Price I’d Pay: $49.99
Combat has been modified as well with new enemy AI behavior and scaling difficulty based on loadouts and situations. This expands into the co-op mode as well. I am happy to report that split screen has returned for up to two players, and online jacks it up to four. It is best experienced this way, and the memories came flooding back in as I played through the original campaign. Some levels have seen some minor redesign, and it was cool discovering them as I played through. The team has done a good job of balancing what made the original special, while also adding enough to make it feel new.
Controls and accessibility options have also received a lot of love. The HUD for example is now much more modern with items being moved to different spaces. The mini-map sits in the top right corner, while health and shields occupy the top middle. Weapons and ammo move to the bottom left and right respectively, just making it easier to read all around. There are tons of modifiers as well making the game accessible to just about anyone. Menu narration, color blind options, and improved font readability just to name a few. The game can also be customized per person in co-op meaning skilled players can play with friends without needing to compromise the experience.
The story has also received some expansion. The most prominent way is through the new missions that take place before the events of the game. This is a nice spin-off from the core game, and it showcases some great history into how we got here. These missions are not overly long, and bring added value to the package. I had fun playing through them. The other facet is the re-recorded dialogue. It has better flow and presentation than the previous game making the narrative easier to digest. It still feels familiar, but it is more of a case that it feels like you remember as opposed to being the way it actually was.
Sound has received an impressive upgrade as well. The entire suite of sound effects are now presented in spatial audio and have received remastered treatment. The guns and enemies will be what you remembered, but now with more volume and punch. This thing sounds amazing on a proper setup. Same with the music, while the original tracks are here, they have been remastered to sound even better. So those choirs you are used to hearing now sound much better and really drive home that nostalgic feel.
Visuals are also improved. As I mentioned, this is now Unreal Engine 5 so expect to see a lot of shiny surfaces and added textures. Running this side-by-side with OG Halo and the MCC version, the difference is instantly apparent. Things just look modern, but still familiar. The upgrades presented here are gorgeous to look at. The game also runs at a rock solid framerate. I didn’t notice any issues in my playthrough at all. This is a well-crafted game built on top of a classic, so anything less would simply be unacceptable. Thankfully, they nailed it.
So, what didn’t I like? The biggest omission is a total lack of PVP in any facet. Halo was born from its campaign, but lives in infamy because of its multiplayer. The split screen matches we had in the original are still talked about today, and removing those sucks. Sure, it is called ‘Campaign Evolved’ but I would have loved to see those old maps in this new engine. They were pure chaotic fun. I would be remiss if I didn’t also mention that it is weird to see Halo on a PlayStation console. It feels wrong in some aspects, and on a personal note if you opted to review it there, well it just feels wrong. That said, I am glad PlayStation players will finally get a taste of this classic. You should have played it by now though.
In the end Campaign Evolved is a solid remake of the original game. It brings the classic to a new audience without compromising what made the original great. I do wish they had included the original as a bonus or something so we could see the comparisons, but I digress. It felt good going back to this game for the hundredth time, it never gets old. They managed to fix a lot of its issues while still retaining what made it special, and that is a massive task in and of itself.
Review copy of game provided by publisher.
