Yesterday we told you about Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary for the Xbox 360 – and today we have our review (it would have been yesterday but we were playing it all night!)
“Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary” is a spectacularly remastered version of the original “Halo” campaign, created in celebration of the 10th anniversary of one of the most beloved franchises in gaming history. With a bounty of new features including cooperative play over Xbox LIVE, a bundle of some of the most beloved multiplayer maps in “Halo” history reimagined for Xbox LIVE, new challenges and a new story to uncover.
Developed by 343 Industries in collaboration with Saber Interactive and Certain Affinity, “Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary” immerses you in the landmark campaign and genre-defining multiplayer game that helped revolutionize the first-person shooter genre and sparked one of the most iconic science-fiction universes of all time.
Features
· Stunningly remastered campaign. Relive the award-winning adventure that defined “Halo: Combat Evolved” as one of the best games of the decade with breathtaking next-gen graphics and audio remastered for the Xbox 360. Engage in epic-scale battles against the backdrop of the eponymous “Halo” ringworld, and relive nostalgic memories with the ability to toggle Classic mode to play the original version.
· Online campaign co-op. For the first time, experience the story that started it all with a friend on Xbox LIVE and launch a cooperative assault against the Covenant, whether you live across the street or halfway around the world. Xbox LIVE Gold membership required for online multiplayer gameplay.
· Classic “Halo” multiplayer maps reimagined. Wage battle on six detailed remakes of some of the most beloved “Halo” multiplayer maps of all time, and bring the fight to the Covenant on a stunning and resonant new Firefight map.Remastered in the “Halo: Reach” engine and inspired by maps from “Halo: Combat Evolved” and “Halo 2,” these iconic battlefields reignite the heart-pounding multiplayer action of the original favourites and let you relive epic confrontations like you’ve never experienced them.
Developed in collaboration with Certain Affinity, the new multiplayer maps are included on the “Halo: Anniversary” game disc, which means players will not need to own the original “Halo: Reach” game to play. The first of the new remakes to be revealed at E3 Expo 2011 will be the fan-favourite map Damnation.
· New challenges and enhanced story. Unlock up to 1,000 Achievement points as you clash with online opponents and battle through the campaign, and uncover never-before-revealed backstories told in motion-graphic form that foreshadow new mysteries in the story of “Halo 4.”
To see the difference in the graphics, take a look at the screenshots below. The images on the left are the original versions, the ones on the right are the new ones.
Watch the trailer below:
Final Thoughts
I really can’t believe it has been 10 years! Seriously, where has the time gone!
Halo was the reason I actually purchased the original Xbox – I even had one sent from a friend in the US just so I could get it straight away!
When you start this new version you can see all the effort the developers have gone into to add more atmosphere to the game. New cut scenes, better graphics and even Kinect integration really make this fantastic game even better!
When the game starts it doesn’t take long until you start remembering the sequence of events, and it feels like you are seeing an old friend again.
The graphics are amazing, and if you really feel the need to see what the graphics were like before you can press a button on the controller and see for yourself. I don’t recommend staying on the old graphics though.
Gameplay wise it does feel a little dated now, which really isn’t surprising considering the game itself is 10 years old, but even so it really is fun to play again!
If you have a Kinect, there is a small update that is needed when you first play the game which enabled you to use the Kinect for various in-game gesture and voice features, for example asking Kinect to select and analyse enemies and objects. It takes a little bit of getting used to, but it is a nice addition.
If you have a 3D enabled TV, there are even audio and visual enhancements for you – I don’t have a 3D TV so I wasn’t able to test these.
The game also includes codes to download some Avatar armour and a Grunt Funeral Skull and a 2 day gold pass to play Halo Reach Anniversary Map Packs.
All in all, if you are fan of Halo, this is a must, if for no other reason than the sheer fun of reliving hours and hours of lost time on the original. Plus you can play some cool multiplayer games and even involve your Kinect.
Right, I’m off to play it some more!
