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[AssaTM]

I think it's a bargain for what you're getting from it, i'll definitely be buying it just to enjoy how fun Halo CE still is and I dunno if this has been mentioned aswell, but I wonder if theres a possibility of an anniversary 360 to be released with it? I think a nicely stylised Halo CE 360 would look VERY nice

 

[Sai]

Man, I understand why they're doing it, but I wish some of the animations and gameplay elements were being updated. Maybe having an option to switch like with the graphics?... But I guess that wouldn't be as easy as it sounds.

There are seven total multiplayer maps, and we’ll reveal them over the next few months. But one of them and another factor that pushed us towards the Reach engine is a Firefight map – a Firefight map unlike any you’ve ever seen before. One thing I can tell you is that this one is particularly appropriate to Halo: Combat Evolved but will do things that no Firefight map has done.

I'm excited.

 

[rasberryjam]

I loved that level so much. I remember finding the downed Pelican and listening to what they were saying, EVERY singly time I played that mission.

Who knows what new easter eggs they'll have, too!

 

[Randolph Freelander]

I think it's a bargain for what you're getting from it, i'll definitely be buying it just to enjoy how fun Halo CE still is and I dunno if this has been mentioned aswell, but I wonder if theres a possibility of an anniversary 360 to be released with it? I think a nicely stylised Halo CE 360 would look VERY nice

I don't know about bargain, I mean, it is 40 bucks for something most of us have played 40 dozen times.

But still, 40 bucks for this is far better than 40 bucks for ODST.

Edit: Wait, no, didn't they end up charging 60 for ODST? I can't remember. Let's assume they didn't.

 

[PooBone]

To everyone complaining about no proper multiplayer remake, this remake isn't for you. That multiplayer would be busted and un-fun to the average gamer, and I think what they did was a fine compromise. I always wanted a remake of the campaign, and that's what they did. Thank you 343!

 

[Keikoku]

4 players online coop ? Also the multiplayer is Reach's, but adding 7 maps ? I'm okay with this.

 

[Izayoi]

Show me Assault on the Control Room.

I.e., the only level that matters.

You heard me.

 

[PooBone]

I don't know about bargain, I mean, it is 40 bucks for something most of us have played 40 dozen times.

But still, 40 bucks for this is far better than 40 bucks for ODST.

Why does everyone keep saying this? ODST was a 60 game at launch. I still have the receipt.

 

[Deleted member 21120]

This is a very good solution, and one I think no one saw coming. It's quite brilliant, really. Kudos.

I think there are elements of Halo 1's campaign that have not aged well - mostly around encounter triggers used to hide the limited number of enemies on screen at one time. Halo 1 employed lots of smoke and mirrors that the later games dispensed with by setting up entire encounters all at once. While the graphics are identical, have the encounters and their triggers been also preserved identically?

I - and a lot of Halo die hards - have exact triggers memorized. Step on this line, and the doors behind me open with reinforcements. That sort of thing. I'm guessing, given how incredibly faithful this edition of the game is, encounters were not touched. But I'm hoping you can say.

(I'd like them touched, man handled in fact, but I'll be happy either way.)

The answer to your question is that, as Frank said, nothing has been deliberately changed. The game plays the same. I've even slid down the wall of the first bridge on AotCR to test it... Everything spawned identically. That was the best test I knew to give it and it passed with flying colors.

 

[Randolph Freelander]

Why does everyone keep saying this? ODST was a 60 game at launch. I still have the receipt.

Even worse.

 

[Broadbandito]

still dissapointing that theres no MP. Will still buy to replay co-op over live

 

[Booshka]

Bwahaha, oh god.

The pistol is not balanced in Halo 1. I know Halo 1 Luddites love that weapon, but it's the most overpowered weapon in any Halo game. Effectively negates every other weapon in multiplayer aside from the other power weapons.

Try again.

Shotgun beats Pistol close range, faster melee, and quick camo compatible.

Plasma Rifle beats Pistol close range, faster melee and quick camo compatible.

AR isn't as strong as the other two, but will beat it most of the time at close range, faster melee and quick camo compatible.

Plasma Pistol is tough to use but can dominate with the Plasma stun as well, also has a quick melee and quick camo compatible.

Needler is a joke, as any homing projectile weapon should be.

Rockets and Sniper are both Power Weapons (Rockets especially) strategically located on the maps and designed to be hard fought over.

The Pistol allows for the player to have a chance against any weapon, and makes the fight for the power weapons more balanced. All of the Weapons are very powerful in Halo CE, the kill times are very fast compared to other Halo games. The pistol is no stronger than other weapons, it is just more versatile and has a higher skill curve.

I don't even want to imagine how much Rockets and Sniper would dominate Halo CE if the Pistol wasn't as strong as it is. The weapon selection in Halo CE is smaller and has no real redundant weapons, so when there is a weapon like the Pistol that has more uses than the other weapons, people call it OP. It is not, everyone can use it, it counters the Power weapons beautifully, and weapons like Shotgun, AR and Plasma Rifle can all beat it outright in the right range.

This doesn't mean that a Pistol can't still kill you if you are using a close range weapon, it just is rare, and if someone does it, they did it with skill. The powerups in Halo CE also would be too powerful if there wasn't a strong Pistol in the game to make their acquisition more challenging. If someone was able to pick up a Camo or Overshield more easily, then it would make them far more powerful. Combine the ease of acquisition for power weapons and powerups, and you got yourself an unbalanced game.

I also refuse to believe that Halo CE's MP quality and balance was a fluke or mistake, the Pistol damage being a mistake was denied by the Lead Designer of the game. That same Lead Designer went on to be the Lead Designer of Shadowrun, arguably the most complex and balanced Console FPS ever. It wasn't a fluke, he is just good.

 

[delume]

It has been long enough and I am ready for this. Roll on 343i, roll on.

 

[Sai]

The map that hasn't been seen on consoles before... Is it supposed to be from Halo PC? Was it shown in the trailer?

 

[PooBone]

Even worse.

No kidding. 40 is a good deal for me, and honestly, I'm the only one I have to win over.

In all honestly, this is my favorite game of all time, I'd probably drop $100 on it if they asked for it. I wouldn't be happy about it, but I'd do it.

 

[GhaleonEB]

As opposed to starting with a crappy AR while anyone with a BR was mowing you down.

Which is funny, because BR fans do nothing but bitch about how powerful the AR is at close range. (The correct answer is, it depends.)

 

[FrankT]

To everyone complaining about no proper multiplayer remake, this remake isn't for you. That multiplayer would be busted and un-fun to the average gamer, and I think what they did was a fine compromise. I always wanted a remake of the campaign, and that's what they did. Thank you 343!

I'm probably there with you even though I probably played Halo CE online via Xbox connect only second to Ghost Recon back in the day. I mean at this point what they came up with is reasonable. I want it more for the single though full on multi would have been nice.

 

[rasberryjam]

still dissapointing that theres no MP. Will still buy to replay co-op over live

There is, but it's Reach MP with classic maps (At the very least).

 

[Gareth Bale]

Why does everyone keep saying this? ODST was a 60 game at launch. I still have the receipt.

It was £30 in the UK. Full price is £40. What say you?

 

[PooBone]

The map that hasn't been seen on consoles before... Is it supposed to be from Halo PC? Was it shown in the trailer?

Timberland maybe? Death Island?

I have no idea.

 

[AssaTM]

I don't know about bargain, I mean, it is 40 bucks for something most of us have played 40 dozen times.

But still, 40 bucks for this is far better than 40 bucks for ODST.

Edit: Wait, no, didn't they end up charging 60 for ODST? I can't remember. Let's assume they didn't.

Well Frankie has hinted it will include even more things yet, so including those things, 40 bucks will be a really nice package i'm sure, a nice collection piece too for Halo fans

 

[Oozer3993]

The answer to your question is that, as Frank said, nothing has been deliberately changed. The game plays the same. I've even slid down the wall of the first bridge on AotCR to test it... Everything spawned identically. That was the best test I knew to give it and it passed with flying colors.

You have no idea how happy this makes me.

The map that hasn't been seen on consoles before... Is it supposed to be from Halo PC? Was it shown in the trailer?

I think so:

 

[Deleted member 22576]

I think the old game looks better. Better colors.

This really makes me nervous.

But there is also this.
http://i53.tinypic.com/2v93nz6.gif

 

[user_nat]

Interesting to see how they handle co op.

Will it be 2 or 4 players? Can't see how 4 would work without changing other things.

Will it still load the previous check point if any players dies during legendary? That'll suck..

 

[Hitmonchan107]

I don't know about bargain, I mean, it is 40 bucks for something most of us have played 40 dozen times.

But still, 40 bucks for this is far better than 40 bucks for ODST.

Edit: Wait, no, didn't they end up charging 60 for ODST? I can't remember. Let's assume they didn't.

The maps are "worth" $20, if we're going on map pack pricing for Reach.

So essentially you're getting a Halo: CE remake for $20, which is incredible with the amount of attention given to updating the game.

If 343 comes out and gives us a true "Classic" playlist (i.e. No bloom, no AA, increased jump height/speed), this will be amazing.

Is it possible to do that? I don't know. But a man can dream.

 

[PooBone]

It was £30 in the UK. Full price is £40. What say you?

I'm in the US, picked it up at midnight on launch day. I actually just pulled my disc case off the shelf and looked at the receipt behind the manual. $59.99.

I remember Bungie and Microsoft justifying it saying it grew and grew and became a bigger, full sized game than they originally anticipated, and they threw in that map pack for Halo 3 with it.

I didn't care, but a lot of people were upset when it was announced as a full priced game.

 

[Tashi]

I'm ready for the 7 new maps for Reach. I'll definitely have a run through campaign again with online Co-Op.

Battle Creek remake...more like Beaver Creek?

 

[rasberryjam]

I'm in the US, picked it up at midnight on launch day. I actually just pulled my disc case off the shelf and looked at the receipt behind the manual. $59.99.

I remember Bungie and Microsoft justifying it saying it grew and grew and became a bigger, full sized game than they originally anticipated, and they threw in that map pack for Halo 3 with it.

I didn't care, but a lot of people were upset when it was announced as a full priced game.

A lot of people clearly didn't appreciate the value of having a chunk of the Firefly cast in a Halo game.

 

[Randolph Freelander]

A lot of people clearly didn't appreciate the value of having a chunk of the Firefly cast in a Halo game.

I object to this notion that ODST was a Halo game.

A game, even.

 

[GillianSeed79]

So, I'm confused. I just got off work. So no MP component, but 7 MP maps for Reach?

 

[Plywood]

So, I'm confused. I just got off work. So no MP component, but 7 MP maps for Reach?

Yes.

 

[PooBone]

If 343 comes out and gives us a true "Classic" playlist (i.e. No bloom, no AA, increased jump height/speed), this will be amazing.

That would be awesome

 

[Blueblur1]

It all sounds great. MS has my money but please fix the Chief's model. I've seen modders make better looking MC character models.

 

[Gareth Bale]

I'm in the US, picked it up at midnight on launch day. I actually just pulled my disc case off the shelf and looked at the receipt behind the manual. $59.99.

I remember Bungie and Microsoft justifying it saying it grew and grew and became a bigger, full sized game than they originally anticipated, and they threw in that map pack for Halo 3 with it.

I didn't care, but a lot of people were upset when it was announced as a full priced game.

My point is that a lot of people didn't pay the full price. Pretty much no one here in the UK did.

What are people expecting from this Firefight map then? My guess is Firefight in The Library with the Flood.

 

[Blueblur1]

^This is the first time I've seen a new post appear where the poster was already banned. lol

 

[PooBone]

I object to this notion that ODST was a Halo game.

A game, even.

I liked it, but I wouldn't consider it a proper entry in the series.

Nor would I consider Reach a proper entry in the series. God those last two Bungie made games sacrificed nearly everything I loved about the series. At least they brought back Elites for Reach but damn it's been a long time since I got to explore a new Forerunner environment. Since 2004 we've had just two levels on the Ark, plus a go kart track to end Halo 3. That's not much.

 

[Glassboy]

I have very mixed reactions based on the new remake. I love the fact that you can switch between the original graphics and the new spiffed up ones. Its very monkey island remake in that regard.
However, WTF! No multiplayer?! Halo 1 in my opinion still has the best multiplayer. Everything about it still feels so good. The 3 shot pistol, how you can freeze someone with the plasma rifle while strafing them, the long distance shotty, the best halo sniper rifle, how fast you can shoot the second rocket. Sure the pistol was very powerful but so was mostly everything else
In fact, recently I just had a lan party for halo 1 and it was a blast! All I wanted (and it sounds like a million other people) was the original halo with online multiplayer, more customizable options, include the original maps and some of the ones from the PC version. Heck, I would have taken the ones that came on the disc.
They could even make a few changes mainly like buffing a few weapons to make them a little more useful, like the needler and plasma pistol. Everything else in the game served its purpose very well. I just don't know how they could have fucked this up any more. Splitting the userbase?? Thats a reason? Give me a fucking break. Halo is big enough that enough people would play reach still, and 3, and a fair amount would have played 1.
Now I feel like such a fool for getting excited for what amounted to, personally, one of the biggest gaming related disappointments I have ever experienced. My heart is crushed. I would have happily paid $60 for the campaign and online multiplayer, but now I'm not even gonna pick it up. Way to fuck up what could have been a awesome remake to one of the greatest games of all time.

 

[Hitmonchan107]

It all sounds great. MS has my money but please fix the Chief's model. I've seen modders make better looking MC character models.

Already being fixed.

343, baby. Hold me.

 

[Sai]

I think so:

?... Don't recognize it.

 

[rasberryjam]

I object to this notion that ODST was a Halo game.

A game, even.

My apologies. It was still a thing with Nathan Fillion, people usually pay double for that shit.

 

[Daigoro]

sounds good to me. im sure ill be buying it.

 

[PooBone]

My point is that a lot of people didn't pay the full price. Pretty much no one here in the UK did.

What are people expecting from this Firefight map then? My guess is Firefight in The Library with the Flood.

A lot of people don't pay full price for any game. A lot of people will buy Halo: CE Anniversary for $20.

What's your point?

 

[PooBone]

Already being fixed.

343, baby. Hold me.

Oh God I feel so nurtured by this studio.

LOVE IT!!!

 

[drizzle]

I remember Bungie and Microsoft justifying it saying it grew and grew and became a bigger, full sized game than they originally anticipated, and they threw in that map pack for Halo 3 with it.

It was SUPPOSED to be a Halo 3 "expansion", thus the original 39,99 pricepoint.

however, as you said, they said it became "bigger and bigger", so we "added the multiplayer disk, making it a full priced game".

To me, it sounds like "hey, we need to make more money on this. How can we do it? Oh, let's just add the multi player component from Halo 3".

 

[PooBone]

?... Don't recognize it.

Timberland is my best guess..... or else it's like from a PC modded map made out of the second level of the campaign.

???

 

[tonitoni]

I also refuse to believe that Halo CE's MP quality and balance was a fluke or mistake, the Pistol damage being a mistake was denied by the Lead Designer of the game. That same Lead Designer went on to be the Lead Designer of Shadowrun, arguably the most complex and balanced Console FPS ever. It wasn't a fluke, he is just good.

Where is he now?

 

[Jonsoncao]

So

For campaign:
-only graphics upgraded, physics untouched
-one button switch mechanism between classic graphics and reach engine graphics
-online co-op

For multiplayer:
-a Reach map pack (on a second disk? similar to ODST packaging?)
-weapons same as in Reach
-classic playlist(?)

Uncertain:
-Theater?
-Forge?
-Skulls?
-Misterchief featuring in weekly update?

 

[GavinGT]

Shall we guess what the seven maps are? Here's what I think:

- Blood Gulch
- Battle Creek (confirmed)
- Hang 'Em High (confirmed)
- Death Island (confirmed?)
- Damnation (confirmed)
- Sidewinder
- Prisoner

And I hope/bet that the Firefight map will be the final battle area from Two Betrayals.

I'm personally cool with not including maps like Chiron and Boarding Action, as long as it means that more attention is given to the above maps.

Also, a question - classic graphics mode is still upscaled, right?

 

[Hitmonchan107]

Shall we guess what the seven maps are? Here's what I think:

- Blood Gulch
- Battle Creek (confirmed)
- Hang 'Em High (confirmed)
- Death Island (confirmed?)
- Damnation (confirmed)
- Sidewinder
- Prisoner

I'm personally cool with not including maps like Chiron and Boarding Action, as long as it means that more attention is given to the above maps.

Frankie said they're not all from Halo: CE. Also, the maps chosen take into account AAs (so that pretty much excludes the possibility of a Relic remake).

 

[rasberryjam]

Shall we guess what the seven maps are? Here's what I think:

- Blood Gulch
- Battle Creek (confirmed)
- Hang 'Em High (confirmed)
- Death Island (confirmed?)
- Damnation (confirmed)
- Sidewinder
- Prisoner

And I hope/bet that the Firefight map will be the final battle area from Two Betrayals.

I'm personally cool with not including maps like Chiron and Boarding Action, as long as it means that more attention is given to the above maps.

Frankie said in the update that Blood Gulch would have been redundant, so it didn't make the cut.