With Halo 2 Anniversary featuring updated graphics I wonder how Saber Interactive plans on updating the skyline/skybox of Outskirts and Metropolis. Bungie redesigned the city a bit in Halo 3: ODST and with the exception of the space elevator (which Bungie also changed) it nearly looked like a different city. Although, the area we explored in ODST was an entirely different district than we explored in Halo 2.
It looks like it presents some challenges to keep consistency with the Anniversary graphics. And this may seem trivial to some people. But it is important for canon at this point.
I really hope that they base themselves off of ODST’s version of the city. Not only does it look much better (personal opinion, of course), but it’s almost important for consistency. None of the affected areas would change gameplay at all, and it would feel like you’re fighting in an actual important city rather than just some run-down town.
> I really hope that they base themselves off of ODST’s version of the city. Not only does it look much better (personal opinion, of course), but it’s almost important for consistency. None of the affected areas would change gameplay at all, and it would feel like you’re fighting in an actual important city rather than just some run-down town.
I could agree more. The ODST version of New Mombasa was great so much better than the Halo 2 version. I really do hope it’s the ODST version they go off of.
I’m guessing they’re going with the Halo 2 version. You can see on some of the main menu arts that the original Orbital Elevator is there so I would assume the city is largely the same.
Difficult to say with the skybox. Perhaps they’ll update the one from Halo 2 so it’s more consistent with the old graphics?
> All they have to do is make it look like it did but super fancy awesome graphics and slap a few of THESE on a few walls or illuminated street signs.
Considering we didn’t know about the superintendent back then, it’d have been hilarious seeing random half smileys being all angery, happy and are-you-serious through the earth missions.
The Halo 2 look was a limitation of the original xbox hardware more than anything.
ODST was able to leverage the 360 to give us something more true to the original vision.
But neither comes close to this cutscene. I suspect/hope that H2A will continue the trend of more detail and give us something that closely resembles this. It would be amazing…
Keep in mind that Halo 2 is set in the older districts of New Mombasa, also known as “Old Mombasa”. ODST was set in the city-center where the new technologies of the 26th century were more prominent.
But yes, I would like an aesthetic that resembles ODST more than classic Halo 2, and some Superintendent easter eggs in the anniversary graphics. I remember someone posted while ago how cool it would be if, in the anniversary cutscene at the end of the level Metropolis, you could actually see the ODSTs dropping in, in the background (like how you could see the In Amber Clad in the opening scene for ODST).
E3 2003 Mombasa is best Mombasa. Seriously what beats a city that looks like its floating in air, I would’ve loved to explore way back there, too bad they made it look much more modern.
> Difficult to say with the skybox. Perhaps they’ll update the one from Halo 2 so it’s more consistent with the old graphics?
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> > All they have to do is make it look like it did but super fancy awesome graphics and slap a few of THESE on a few walls or illuminated street signs.
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> Considering we didn’t know about the superintendent back then, it’d have been hilarious seeing random half smileys being all angery, happy and are-you-serious through the earth missions.
You know, that wouldn’t have surprised me one bit if they had done that. Obviously, they hadn’t planned ODST that far in advance, but you remember the “Destiny” posters in ODST? Like what, 3 or 4 years before they announced Destiny? THAT’S an Easter egg right there. Knowing no one will find it for at least three years? You gotta hand it to Bungie for that one.
But I mean like they did when they remade “Headlong” from Halo 2 into “Breakneck” for Halo Reach … they popped the superintendent in there.
I think it definitely should look more like Halo 2 than ODST. There would be riots if they changed the beloved Halo 2 to look like ODST. It’s not going to happen. That’s why I suggest sticking the superintendent in there as a little easter egg or as a nod to continuity.
> > I really hope that they base themselves off of ODST’s version of the city. Not only does it look much better (personal opinion, of course), but it’s almost important for consistency. None of the affected areas would change gameplay at all, and it would feel like you’re fighting in an actual important city rather than just some run-down town.
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> I could agree more. The ODST version of New Mombasa was great so much better than the Halo 2 version. I really do hope it’s the ODST version they go off of.
That would be problematic. Remember that part when MC is driving Scorpion on bridge with space elevator just in front of him? That huge space elevator wasn’t just part of skybox - it was level’s trademark. That particular canal with that particular bridge isn’t visible in ODST. If they want to stay true to ODST, they’ll have to cut half of level in Halo 2 (and we must assume that bridge isn’t connecting Old Mombasa to New Mombasa, but it just cuts Old Mombasa - so Metropolis level is actually in Old Mombasa with New Mombasa island visible on the opposite side, behind elevator).
I think it’s better to assume that look of Old Mombasa isn’t 100% accurate in ODST, as it had absolutely no meaning in there (it was far, and barely visible)
Apart from that, I’ve seen these pictures before, but now in direct comparision I’m surprised that differences are actually so minor. It looks like space elevator in Halo 2 is on island as well, but it’s seeing from opposite direction. Skyscrapers (with whole New Mombasa island from ODST) seems to be absent, but for most of times they just could be not visible from level’s perpective. Saber could add them at the end of Metropolis level (when we have the greatest view on elevator’s surroundings) just like they’ve added lot’s of stuff to skyboxes in Halo 1 Anniversary. They actually should. Just like they (rather 343i) should add that canal and bridge to look of Old Mombasa if they’ll add ODST hd version in dlc or something.
I think 343i should preserve the ‘run-down’ feel of Outskirts, because it’s set in New Mombasa, which should have the least technological innovation and is more likely to sustain damage. However I think they should attempt to capture the Halo 3: ODST designs when it comes to Metropolis, as that’s set in New Mombasa. That includes the appearance of the buildings, the technology and the appearance of the Superintendent, of course.
> I think 343i should preserve the ‘run-down’ feel of Outskirts, because it’s set in New Mombasa, which should have the least technological innovation and is more likely to sustain damage. However I think they should attempt to capture the Halo 3: ODST designs when it comes to Metropolis, as that’s set in New Mombasa. That includes the appearance of the buildings, the technology and the appearance of the Superintendent, of course.
My thoughts exactly. Outskirts is the outskirts, so it should look run down like the slums, but with small nods to the Superintendent, and a skybox with ODST-style New Mombasa off in the distance. When you switch to Metropolis, the side of the bridge you start on has run down buildings denoting Old Mombasa. However, once you cross the bridge, the other side will be shiny steel and all that, reflecting New Mombasa. It’s a drastic difference, but it’d definitely fit.
I want New Mombasa to look like ODST’s version. ODST New Mombasa was just awesome looking. Halo 2’s New Mombasa looked like a city for the poor, and in Halo’s timeline, I’m talking really really poor. Like, Old Mombasa could look like the way it looked in Halo 2 because the level is called “Outskirts” so I’m not expecting it to look shiny and all.
Let’s just assume that Metropolis, just like Outskirts, takes place in Old Mombasa (but in terms of topography and even role in city’s ecosystem it’s something between H2’s Old Mombasa and ODST’s New Mombasa), and actual New Mombasa island is at opposite side of elevator. It will be safe compromise.
