Halo CE Anniversary is probably one of the most maligned remasters of any classic game. From color grading that clashes with the game’s original atmosphere, ominous ancient brutalist monoliths defaced by shiny gloss and bright blue LEDs, levels completely losing their identity and feel, models not lining up with hitboxes, hand animation clashing with overacted mocap, there’s not much I can say that hasn’t already been said. At this point CEA is about as dated as the original game and actually harms the experience.
To this day I’m still disheartened that a ton of people’s first experience with one of the greatest FPS games of all time is through its botched remaster. I feel like CE should get another shot at a true remaster, one that respects its timeless look and atmosphere and faithfully evolves it to modern standards. and so it’s not just CE with another new coat of paint, I’d say go all out to make the game a fresh experience by incorporating certain features from modern Halo similar to SPV3. Halo’s first game deserves better.
At this point if you want a more improved and accurate Anniversary experience modders will have to get around to it. I’m not keen on creating a full blown new CEA experience because what’s the point of preserving its atmosphere if it’s ultimately something different. Why not just make a CE inspired spin off.
That said I definitely share the sentiment that CEA just looks off. Since they’ve fixed the classic graphics I only play as Bungie intended. I’m sure given time there will be some phenomenal visual mods that can improve CEA.
Halo CE’s anniversary does look absolutely horrible imho, one if not the worst remaster I’ve ever seen. I wish the OG games could all get the same treatment as halo 2 did.
what is so bad about the remaster? it’s nice enough imo…i’ve seen other games where they’ve been re-released as remastered and look basically the same, that’s not a remaster, that’s just upscaled.
at least halo cea looks like a new game rather than slightly better textures.
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> what is so bad about the remaster? it’s nice enough imo…i’ve seen other games where they’ve been re-released as remastered and look basically the same, that’s not a remaster, that’s just upscaled.
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> at least halo cea looks like a new game rather than slightly better textures.
the problem is that the lighting and mood in anniversary graphics don’t reflect how it was in classic graphics, this is mainly a problem in the 2nd half of the game where the levels are darker and creepier than the 1st half in classic graphics but in anniversary it’s still bright like two betrayals a level that takes place in night time but in anniversary is super bright. Also the models for the enemies are way bigger than their actual hit box and geometry isn’t showed correctly as compared to Halo 2A
There are so many problems with the Anniversary graphics in Halo CEA.
• The lightning completely destroyed the mood and feel of most levels. They got rid of the dark, cold a moody feelings the game was meant to have.
• Geometry doesn’t like up, so you end up missing shots
• The motion captured cutscenes are straight up cursed in places
• Cheifs “Updated” armour is hard to look at… his hands are tiny for some reason, it actually made me laugh when I noticed that
It just looks like a weird stitched tonight Halo/Reach… which in theory should be great, but somehow it just didn’t work out. My guess is that is was a rush job because Halo 4 realised the year after. So happy Halo 2 Anniversary learnt from the mistakes of CEA.
Luckily we have the option to play in original graphics, especially after 343i fixed most of the visual issues
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> > 2535438627034925;5:
> > what is so bad about the remaster? it’s nice enough imo…i’ve seen other games where they’ve been re-released as remastered and look basically the same, that’s not a remaster, that’s just upscaled.
> >
> > at least halo cea looks like a new game rather than slightly better textures.
>
> the problem is that the lighting and mood in anniversary graphics don’t reflect how it was in classic graphics, this is mainly a problem in the 2nd half of the game where the levels are darker and creepier than the 1st half in classic graphics but in anniversary it’s still bright like two betrayals a level that takes place in night time but in anniversary is super bright. Also the models for the enemies are way bigger than their actual hit box and geometry isn’t showed correctly as compared to Halo 2A
This right here ^^^. To me, these were the remaining problems in Halo CE Anniversary. While the graphics are excellent, the lighting is a disaster, and the geometry isn’t lined up correctly at all times. If these problems were to be fixed that would be great. But as the other posters have mentioned, it’s probably something that 343 will leave the modders to handle.
I think the problem with the game was that it was presented as “Remastered” when it looks like a completely different game. Just noticing the atmosphere, like the colour of the sky or the darkness in some parts of the environment are significantly different than the original. I love how pretty the game is, and frankly its gorgeous. But it really doesn’t align with how the game originally was; it’s why I consider and treat it as a completely different game. There’s also some weird modelling, like the obvious and blatant Reach-porting, like the squished Hunters and Elite models. I think Halo 2 (campaign) had it better when it stayed loyal to the original graphics and atmosphere. Halo 2’s multiplayer looks a lot like Halo 4’s.
I agree with the first part, CEA’s overall look is way off, but to do another one at this point would be a bit unrealistic. We just have to accept that Bungie made something truly special and appreciate that we can still experience that if we choose. The seamless switch on the back button is a neat feature, you gotta give 343 some credit there. Have a good day