// PC GAMER — GAMING
I watched the new Halo remake gameplay, then replayed the original to nitpick the differences
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.
Halo: Combat Evolved came out when I was five years old, so I guess that means I've been playing Halo since before I could spell. My parents were otherwise very responsible, I assure you.
A big new chunk of the upcoming Halo: CE remake dropped online yesterday, and everyone is being normal about it. I actually mean that for the most part—there's a lot of excitement around the Unreal Engine 5-powered do-over, which will serve as a test run for Microsoft's next phase of Halo.
For some, including myself, Halo: Campaign Evolved (a funny title that says upfront they're only recreating one half of the game) comes across as superfluous. The original holds up tremendously well today and is readily available through the Master Chief Collection, so its remake will have to dramatically improve on that game to make a real mark. I wouldn't want that task.
I'm going into Campaign Evolved with an open mind—expecting different, but not necessarily better. Halo Studios' official playthrough of mission five, Assault on the Control Room, is so far confirming that impression. I watched the 28-minute video in full and then played the original mission through the MCC to refresh my memory. What follows are some notable differences and observations:
"These lights seem to be responding to our proximity and guiding us to the exit," a new Cortana voice line says as Chief enters the first of many hexagonal control rooms. It could be a little confusing to find your way around these rooms in the originals, but l always found the flashing white arrows on the ground pointing forward to be sufficient visual guidance. Now, Cortana barks that tip into your ear so you can't possibly miss it.
Not that you actually need to look for arrows on the ground when Campaign Evolved has added HUD waypoints that are visible at all times. This is one of several ways that Halo Studios' is applying a modern hand-holdy lens to Combat Evolved.
This was already clear from the Silent Cartographer playthrough from last year, but Halo Studios isn't just making higher definition sand and snow—it's fundamentally changing Halo's visual identity in many situations.
That's definitely the case as Master Chief emerges onto the bridge above the snowy valley. As you can see in the comparison above, it's really bright out here! So bright that the weather doesn't appear all that "inclement," as Cortana notes. It looks nice in a vacuum, but I think the OG's dreary palette feels more intentional. When Unreal Engine 5 is involved, the sun always seems to become a main character.
Keep up to date with the most important stories and the best deals, as picked by the PC Gamer team.