Halo: Combat Evolved Forum
This topic has moved here: Subject: Would Halo 1 actually benefit from "updated graphics"
  • Subject: Would Halo 1 actually benefit from "updated graphics"
Subject: Would Halo 1 actually benefit from "updated graphics"

So, every time I see anyone post about rereleasing or whatever Halo 1, they always say it would be nice to have some "updated graphics".

I've been playing a lot of Halo 1 again recently, and what's been striking me the most is how incredibly beautiful this game still is. It's true that Halo 1 operates on an old, weak graphical system, but I believe that Bungie accepted the limitations of it and worked within them, exercising fantastic artistic design, to create a great visual experience that still holds up today. The visuals are clean and don't suffer from the bad clutter that I think many modern games do, carelessly using their ability to render more objects to put more objects in without much thought. The end result of the careful artistic design is atmosphere that works better IMO than that in any game Bungie has made with any of their newer graphical engines. Much in the same way that I've found that modern digital manipulation isn't required to make a beautiful film, Halo 1 demonstrates very effectively that a powerful engine isn't necessarily required to build a fantastic looking game; it certainly expands the possibilities, but it's not always needed unless an artist simply can't do something with the current system, a problem which Bungie does not seem to have run into all that badly in H1. While so far I've been extremely impressed by Reach's graphics, I can't imagine Halo 1, a game so artistically cohesive, benefitted from having a major aspect of it rammed into a system which the other aspects weren't built alongside.


Basically, if Halo 1 were to ever be rereleased (unlikely) to provide greater accessibility or functionality ie decent console internet service or something like that, am I the only one who actually wouldn't want the graphics to be touched? Or am I just crazy?

  • 07.17.2010 7:42 PM PDT
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R.I.P. Halo 2
11/9/04 - 4/15/10

- B( )B

Agreed. It just wouldn't feel right if they were changed.

  • 07.17.2010 10:38 PM PDT
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Sometimes you just gotta say, Bucket!

You bring up some very good points, Halo was one of those games that was ahead of its time.

  • 07.18.2010 12:10 AM PDT

*Sips tea*

I think it would be very neat to see Halo 1 in Reach's engine. Of course, nothing could be changed whatsoever. Same dialogue, same weapons, same level design, same damage ratios, everything.

Advanced AI and Graphics would do this game wonders.

There was a modding project not too long ago called Halo CMT. It attempted to add-on to the current Halo 1 campaign by upgrading graphics and textures, enemy AI, and level design. They added OODLES of new gamespace to these old levels, while leaving the parts we love in-tact. It was brilliant.

Too bad they never finished it. All we got to end up playing in the end were some stable alpha/betas. But it was good stuff...Really, really good stuff.

If they did this on a professional scale...Wondrous things could happen.

  • 07.18.2010 6:12 PM PDT

I`ll take you with me!

It`s perfect the way it is!

  • 07.18.2010 7:03 PM PDT
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"Why remake Citizen Kane ?" seems to be what you're saying. I tend to agree. Everything is defined by its time and place; some things are years ahead of the curve. I still don't think CE has a gaming equal. And it's really surprising how many games haven't learned the lessons of CE. It is the Pieta, the "Beatles" of games.

  • 07.18.2010 8:49 PM PDT
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exitus acta probat
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sniper
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i think your opinon is amazingly accurate

  • 07.18.2010 11:16 PM PDT

Bububt... if they did that, activision would put it on the ps3!

  • 07.20.2010 4:53 PM PDT

Hi there I posted a few lines a couple of days ago in regards to Halo 1 here is the link..

http://www.bungie.net/Forums/posts.aspx?postID=46305603

And NO I think the game should be left alone in the graphics dept.



[Edited on 07.21.2010 7:52 AM PDT]

  • 07.21.2010 7:52 AM PDT
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Well it wouldn't be The beatiful game Halo combat Evolved if it didn't have crap grafics- they were good for its time.

  • 07.21.2010 12:45 PM PDT
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Posted by: Nico 360
Well it wouldn't be The beatiful game Halo combat Evolved if it didn't have crap grafics- they were good for its time.

That's the thing people have to keep in mind. Back in the day, CE was literally the best graphics one had ever seen on a console. Period. Compared to all the systems before, Xbox just killed them, and CE was its crown jewel. I know it looks pretty weak now, but, imagine the awesome design and replayability coupled with that kind of graphic power...(man tears gathering in eyes...)

  • 07.21.2010 6:50 PM PDT
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I just started playing Halo CE again last week. I was actually expecting the graphics to look rubbish, seeing as I have been playing more recent games.

Surprisingly I found that the game still has good graphics. It may just be me, but I think that the graphics are still amazing even to this day!

Anyone agree?

  • 07.29.2010 2:06 AM PDT

-Sic transit gloria mundi

I agree, just leave it be. Besides, if someone were to go through all the work of remaking it, they'd do more than just a graphical update. "While they're at it" it'd be inevitable that gameplay changes would be incorporated.

  • 07.31.2010 6:43 PM PDT