A lot of info about Halo: Campaign Evolved over the past few days, Proper gameplay was shown, comparison videos have been made, and it’s coming to PlayStation (how crazy is that?)! But, there will apparently be one big negative: no online competitive multiplayer.

Several sites such as Screen Rant have already commented on this, highlighting fan speculation and poking holes in Microsoft’s official reasoning. Speculation is that Microsoft simply doesn’t want to further split Halo’s online player base, which is currently split between Halo Infinite and Halo Master Chief Collection. There’s also talk of a purely competitive live-service Halo in the works as well. So, it makes sense; why put in all the time and effort to build and support a multiplayer mode when fans already have other, arguably better options?

I can’t even complain about this decision, not really. It sucks that this newly remale Halo will have less content and fewer features than the 20+ year old original, but such makes sense considering that the MCC already exists and offers much more robust multiplayer features than this one-off remake ever would.

Consider also that, based what’s been shown so far, this remake is of the sort that’s closer to a remaster. It’s a lot prettier, but it still looks like it’s just gonna be Halo all over again with a couple of small extras. Some new weapons will be added and soem new flood forms are also supposed to show up in the later levels. 343i also mentioned something about some new prequel missions focusing on Master Chief and Sergeant Johnson. So yes, some new things but this is still looking like a shot-for-shot remake.

This remoke is probably going to appeal mostly to super diehards and PlayStation-only first-timers. For everyone else, I wonder if the smidgeon of new content on offer is going to be enough to justify buying what is essentially just Halo: Combat Evolved for a third time. I know that I probably won’t but then my relationship with remakes has gotten a bit rocky over the years. I prefer new IP whenever possible, but if you’re going to go to the trouble to do a remake, then why not really go for it you know? Don’t trash the original, but try something a little new, like what Insomniac Games did with Ratchet & Clank or what Square Enix is doing with the Final Fantasy Remake games.

---

What do you think about this? Think this’ll turn out good? How do you feel about remakes these days?

Image from the Steam page