Update: Halo – The Master Chief Collection has been enhanced for Xbox One X, offering 4K visuals and 60 fps performance. A significant upgrade.
It’s difficult to overstate the impact of the Halo franchise on the first-person shooter genre on consoles. Prior to the release of Halo: Combat Evolved on the original Xbox in 2001 (13 years and two console generations ago), the landscape of FPS titles on consoles was relatively sparse. The genre was often considered to require a mouse and keyboard, something deemed viable only on PC. Bungie, then a lesser-known Mac game studio, created both a game and a protagonist that propelled the series to become one of Microsoft’s top-selling franchises, boasting over 60 million copies sold, and established Master Chief as one of gaming’s most iconic heroes. Master Chief, also known as John Spartan 117, is the augmented super-soldier who repeatedly defends humanity from the Covenant threat.
Thirteen years represents a significant period in gaming evolution. Visual fidelity and complexity that were once state-of-the-art would be considered rudimentary by today’s mobile standards. Nevertheless, Halo remains a title fondly remembered. Its engaging narrative and diverse environments, coupled with intense combat encounters, were genre-defining. This contrasts with Bungie’s current title, Destiny, which, despite incorporating and refining certain aspects of the FPS genre, arguably lacks a compelling narrative and environmental variety. The trend of remastering classic games is prevalent, often involving enhanced graphics for re-release on non-backwards compatible platforms. However, Halo: The Master Chief Collection, encompassing all four mainline Halo titles, offers a particularly impressive upgrade, especially for the first two installments, given their age.
Addressing initial concerns: a mandatory 22 GB update is required upon initial installation. This was necessary to fit the entire collection onto a single Blu-ray disc, a compromise well worth accepting. With a modern internet connection, the download can be completed within a few hours, providing access to a game with minimal loading times. Players can freely select any Halo title from 1-4, as well as adjust difficulty levels and choose specific chapters. While seemingly fragmented, this approach offers flexibility, allowing for replaying specific chapters on varying difficulty settings or seamless transitions between different games.
Halo: Combat Evolved – Anniversary EditionHalo: Combat Evolved has undergone a substantial overhaul in the Anniversary Edition. The extent of the visual improvements is remarkable. The developers have implemented a real-time switching feature, enabling players to toggle between Halo: Anniversary HD and the original game visuals (the Xbox One runs both game engines simultaneously without impacting performance). The difference is significant. The remake showcases enhanced real-time lighting, completely new textures with greater detail, HD resolution in 1080p, and a consistent 60 fps frame rate across all four titles. Switching between the two visual modes highlights the primitive design and textures of the 2001 release. However, the original’s charm remains intact. Complementing the HD visuals is equally impressive HD audio, mastered at Skywalker Sound. For the first time in many years, the clarity and detail in the audio mix are apparent, highlighting the enhanced instrumentation and channel separation. Given Halo’s renowned soundtrack, the reworked audio, combined with a proper surround sound system, elevates Halo: MCC into a multi-sensory experience. The narrative remains compelling, and despite some dated gameplay elements, the game’s momentum remains engaging.
Halo 2 – The HD remakeHalo 2 continues the anniversary treatment, featuring a completely new graphics engine and cutscenes of exceptional quality, alongside a soundtrack of similar calibre. The character models are impressive, giving Halo 2 the appearance of a high-budget science fiction production, blurring the line between CGI and live-action footage. The game benefits from 1080p resolution, a 60 fps frame rate, and enhanced HD audio. Bungie’s introduction of dual-wielding makes Halo 2 a standout entry in the series. Long-time fans will undoubtedly enjoy revisiting this classic.
Halo 3 – Xbox OneThe improvements in Halo 3 are less pronounced, as it was originally released on the more advanced Xbox 360. However, it still benefits from 1080p resolution, a 60 fps frame rate, and the updated audio mix. Dual-wielding returns, and portions of the game are set within a jungle environment, reminiscent of a successful adaptation of the Predator franchise. Halo 3 marked Bungie’s final contribution to the series before their departure to develop for multiple platforms, a transition that has yet to yield a product comparable to their initial Halo trilogy.
Halo 4 – Xbox OneHalo 4, the first title developed by 343 Industries, maintains the collection’s quality. While the game clearly fits within the series, the shift in development is noticeable. Dual-wielding is absent, with a greater emphasis on episodic action. The “reclaimer story arc” is well-executed and expands upon the existing narrative, culminating in a cliffhanger that generates anticipation for Halo 5. The new graphics engine delivers impressive character models, rivaling those seen in Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare, approaching film-quality realism. As with the previous titles, Halo 4 offers a consistent frame rate and resolution, paired with high-fidelity HD audio. The Spartan Ops expansion is scheduled for release as an update in December.
(The multiplayer functionality is undergoing final adjustments, preventing evaluation at this time. A follow-up will be provided closer to the game’s launch.)
Responsive controls are essential for any FPS title, and Halo Master Chief Collection excels in this regard. The Xbox One controller provides excellent ergonomics and precision, whether navigating environments or engaging in long-range combat. The engaging story, frequent checkpoints, and balanced difficulty levels make the Halo games suitable for both short bursts of gameplay and extended sessions.
Halo:MCC also includes additional content, such as the live-action series Halo: Nightfall, produced in collaboration with Ridley Scott’s Scott Free. This series expands upon and provides further context to storylines established throughout the games. While the production value and acting are adequate, the core FPS gameplay remains the primary draw, even if the science fiction setting is well-written.
343 Studios deserves commendation for their efforts in revitalizing some of the genre’s most influential titles for a contemporary audience. The collection is polished, well-structured, and consistently high-quality. Microsoft has bolstered its Xbox One lineup with another compelling exclusive title, adding to a robust autumn and winter release schedule.
For existing Halo fans, this collection is essential, preserving and enhancing nearly every aspect of the original titles, particularly the first two. For those unfamiliar with the series, but with an interest in FPS games, this represents an ideal entry point, offering an excellent introduction to the genre alongside Master Chief and Cortana.
And yes, purchasers will receive access to the Halo 5 multiplayer beta later this year. See you online.
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