Halo: Combat Evolved in hd?

[Matt]

I keep going back and forth over what I'm buying, at least on Day One. I think I'll only get BF3 at launch, you can't beat the excitement of an online, day one experience. Other titles I'm interested will wait until they're cheaper - Gears 3, Twisted Metal. Uncharted 3 will be difficult to resist an instant-purchase though And then I won't get Skyrim until I have some quiet time next year

[Prototype]

Hold on, have I missed something. Halo 3, Reach and now this, right? (I don't count the RTS). There has never been a yearly Halo title before has there??

I'm concerned I'm missing something now, lol

Er you do know ODST was sold as a full release. So it's ODST in 2009, Reach in 2010, Halo HD in 2011, and Halo 4 in 2012. That looks yearly to me. Don't care if they not actual sequels. They are full price, and first person shooters.

And Microsoft have said they want to turn it into a yearly franchise.

[Matt]

Er you do know ODST was sold as a full release. So it's ODST in 2009, Reach in 2010, Halo HD in 2011, and Halo 4 in 2012. That looks yearly to me. Don't care if they not actual sequels. They are full price, and first person shooters.

And Microsoft have said they want to turn it into a yearly franchise.

Yep, that'll be the one I was missing I skipped ODST.

Must be getting old with my memory, lol

[Charlie]

Had no idea Microsoft want to make Halo a yearly franchise. It's bad news as far as I'm concerned (I find familiarity breeds contempt) but it's a practise that prints money for Activision with CoD so, yeah, why wouldn't Microsoft want a slice of that pie.

[Neon Ignition]

The problem with MS copying the COD model is that it's potentially more damaging to the Halo series being an annual franchise. Unlike COD, there isn't a massive amount of variety between the Halo games (which is criminal considering the potential scope of the universe on offer). Halo HD is going to reek of Halo 3 because the games share so much in common. Had this HD release included a HD update of Halo 2 as well for standard rrp it would be more appreciable as it would have brought the entire series onto the one format in a consistant standard for fans but as it is it's a little cheeky. They'll get good sales from it but come boxing day solid sized discounts should be available on the price tag and unless the Xbox 3 is out next year then MS should really delay Halo 4 as a launch title for that considering it starts a new trilogy and there'll already be 5 Halo branded games available. Then again, there'll be nothing else coming out on 360 by then

[Sane]

I think 30 pounds for a complete visual overhaul is very reasonable, Sony's HD Classic releases like the upcoming ICO/SotC go for about the same amount but are a lot less work to make. Those releases have multiple games on it though, so it all evens out more or less.

[Ouenben]

I Can see this from two sides.
On one hand it's a last generation game that you can already play or download the original version of and while the graphics have aged a bit it's not a horrible mess to look at like an N64 game or an early PS2 title.

But then it is getting online multiplayer, and it'll be interesting to see what 343 studios do with that component, whether it's a copy and paste of Reach's multiplayer or if they'll put a lot of effort into creating something of their own tastes. Plus achievements! Everyone loves achievements!

[Brad]

I think 30 pounds for a complete visual overhaul is very reasonable, Sony's HD Classic releases like the upcoming ICO/SotC go for about the same amount but are a lot less work to make. Those releases have multiple games on it though, so it all evens out more or less.

Less work to make? How? Improved visuals and framerate. Also that's two games in the pack so a full price has more value IMO.

[Sane]

Well I'm no expert on the technical stuff, but as I understand it the Sony HD releases are simply the original games but rendered at a higher resolution etc. For the Halo remake they have to make new textures and such.

[chopemon]

It also includes 6/7 (can't remember) new multiplayer maps which can be played off disk (?) or imported into Reach.

[Brad]

Sounds like you've understood wrong to me. Ico and SOTC are higher res, higher framerate and in 3d. It's not like they've just uprezzed the graphics and shoved it through an emulator. Those games are as much a remake as halo is from what I've read. Presumably Sony will use a version of the engine they're using for Last Guardian and 343 will use an engine from one of the 360 Halo games? I don't think it's fair to imply that the Sony HD games are in any way less of an offering than halo ce hd really.

EDIT: To be clear - I'm saying the ICO/SOTC pack is as good value Propsition as the updated Halo CE. I realise the new CE has extra multiplayer shenanigans included.

[Family Fry]

Pretty sure this game ONLY has online co-op and no competitive multiplayer.
The online side of things will be done as 6 classic halo maps for Reach. Saw the Guilty Spark terminals trailer, opens up events that lead to Halo 4 story.
I will be all over this cause, er well how can I say this. I've never played through the original Halo....i will leave this thread now.

[Charlie]

Pretty sure this game ONLY has online co-op and no competitive multiplayer.
The online side of things will be done as 6 classic halo maps for Reach. Saw the Guilty Spark terminals trailer, opens up events that lead to Halo 4 story.
I will be all over this cause, er well how can I say this. I've never played through the original Halo....i will leave this thread now.

Stone him! Burn the witch! :P

[Matt]

A lot less work to make? Are you just making that up or do you know something we don't?

The two releases are comparable only to the extent they're HD remakes of classic titles. Beyond that,one has had many sequels and will count on brand familiarity in a saturated market. The other(s) are unique titles and stand out in a market.

Of course, Halo HD will outsell it, but there you go.

[englishbob]

I don't get the point of this release at all. I've long held the opinion that the ideas run dry in Halo from 3 onwards, but they've continued regardless (my biggest gripe, you've used all the weapons before, fought the same enemies, all the locations generally look the same) and now this.

I think the ultimate irony is that Halo:CE had a large amount of backtracking, this though is some sort of out-of-body experience ironic statement of repetition coming full circle.