Microsoft packing in Master Chief MJOLNIR avatar armor and "Grunt Funeral" game-modifier skull for those who reserve the high-definition remake.
This year marks the 10th anniversary of the Halo franchise, and Microsoft is not letting the milestone go without celebration. On that day, the publisher will ship Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary, a high-definition remake of the lauded original. With the game's release still four months away, today the publisher announced preorder bonuses for Anniversary.
Gamers who preorder Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary--the first Halo shooter not developed by Bungie--will receive two bonuses, the first of which is Master Chief avatar armor. While a host of Spartan avatar armor is already available, the preorder outfit is MJOLNIR powered assault armor, Master Chief's iconic dressings.
The other preorder bonus for Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary is the Grunt Funeral Skull. This "exclusive" game modifier makes it so whenever a grunt is killed, the lowly creature's methane tank will explode, propelling the unfortunate combatant to a fiery death.
Microsoft did not note which retailers will offer the preorder bonuses or if gamers will eventually be able to acquire either extra without reserving the game. As of press time, the publisher had not responded to GameSpot's request for comment.
Developed by 343 Industries, Saber Interactive, and Certain Affinity, Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary is a rerelease of the original Halo game with a fully remastered campaign, Xbox Live co-op support, and seven bundled multiplayer maps. It will be compatible with the Kinect and will allow gamers to switch between classic and updated graphics with one button press.
For more on the title, check out GameSpot's latest hands-on preview with Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary.
@Agent Rebecca: Halo's MP has stayed true throughout all games including 3 and Reach. You probably didn't play enough of either to realize this. Both were in MLG and were top games. Perfect balance in FPS's come rarely these days and Counter-Strike and Halo are about as close as it gets to perfect. I'm not worried about this release at all I would pay 60$ for it. Godbless 343 for making it 40$, they are off to a good start ehh??
@Torque203, Oh, well then my original point still stands. We get this stopgap re-release instead of a proper new game this year. It wouldn't be so bad if this little anniversary edition weren't one-third of Microsoft's (non-Kinect) game output for the year.
@UntraceableHaze Actually unlike recent PS3 HD collections (and soon 360 ones) this is more than a 'coat of paint' as it's not just a slight texture and resolution update, they have two graphical engines running over eachother (which then means it has a new engine made for it along with having to work in conjunction with the original) for a far better graphical overhaul than standard HD updates. The trailer shows this if you wish to look but also it then has extra content such as online co-op for the single player and 7 maps for Halo reach making it essentially also have 2 map packs within the cost too. They've even stated some areas are slightly reworked to be less annoying such as the library areas where there was a huge area that all looked the same to many people.
I quit Halo after 3, i played Reach just for the story and did a little bit of MP but the shields get stronger each new game and turns into nothing but nade-festing. Boring to me now.
This is the worst pre-order package in the Halo series ever. Might be the first time I'm just gonna show up and purchase :/
Mulitplayer really shouldn't have been set on reach but at least the game will have some good maps now. If it's a full priced game though i probably won't buy it and just rent it instead. Looking forward to how this plays out though.
@Son_of_Bmore Halo is so much more diverse and has sandbox gameplay (not to mention better graphics) that they update EVERY time a new game is released. Firefight, custom games, forge, theatre, huge sci fi universe. They change just enough on new Halo games to keep loyal fans in awe, but don't change too much to keep the winning formula. COD has the dolphin dive.
@Son_of_Bmore Yeah right Halo is 10 times better than COD and at least they dont have 15 dollar map packs.
@silentscorn The game will be $40 and it's more broken down like this: 6 maps + 1 firefight map = $20 (since we usually get 3 maps for $10) Campaign + Co-op (online and off) = $20
I played the original, but only a little bit of it. I definitely want to get this version if it is at a good price. :) I am actually glad they are using the Reach engine for this game. :)
If the pricing is reasonable, then I may give this a try. I won't pay $60 for a 10 year old game, with a fresh coat of paint.
I will be preordering this. ITs my all time favorite xbox game and i cannot wait to relive it in HD however, like many have said 343 better not have ruined it
For once, I'm not pissed that I'm missing out on anything because I always wait for reviews before purchase. These pre-order bonuses don't actually lock away any significant content like other developers often do.
@Torque203, I was unaware that Halo 4 was due out this year. I was under the impression that it wasn't supposed to be released until next autumn.
awesome! what i really am hoping for is the secret firefight is flood firefight. if it is thats all i will be doing :D
Eh, they're Guitar Hero-ing the series to death, but it's a huge money maker and people will keep buying them anyway
I wish this would actually capture how the game was sold too. I want all my content on my one single disc. That's all I really ask of.
I'm not sure if its exclusive but amazon has it listed as a pre-order bonus on their website.
Very disappointed that the multiplayer entire will be set in Reach. My favorite thing to do with the original game's multiplayer was to play race on bloodgultch. Some of the best times I've had with any multiplayer game. The fun physics for the vehicles is mostly why I enjoyed it back in the the and the reason why I still enjoy it to this day. Coming head on with another player in a warthog and not knowing who will be sent flying into the air or rolling around on the ground was very fun and exciting. But now will not be able to do anything like that with the anniversary because of Reach's flat and boring physics. And only 6 levels...wtf! Can we say overpriced downloaded content anyone? All the levels from the original should be remade and in the world of the original just like they are doing with the campaign. Makes no sense to make them different. An absolute disservice to all of the fans and to all of the people who bought the game who made Microsoft a contender with Halo!
@IceJester45 and i guess some people are never happy, not only do we get a remake but there making halo 4.
@ X-RS I'd agree if they were making the birthday one preorder only, but it's a new skull. Sounds like a good skull though
I'm still waiting for a Darth Vader costume, Microsoft. Why Darth Vader you ask? *looks at username* Need I say more?
I'm definitely looking forward to this. The original Halo had by far the best single player of the series, so it'll be nice to see it in HD.
microsoft game studios has always aided bungie in the halo games. i have no worries whatsoever that they will do a great job. Im only curious about what new features they will bring to the table.
Microsoft goes with a port to highlight new Halo dev team. Not totally stupid, this will serve as a good learning tool to what made Halo so great, and hopefully serve up a nice game in the process. I am curious to how good it will be, but I doubt I will buy this game again.
*Sigh*, more pre-order bonuses. I remember a time when I got all of the content of a game when I purchased it with my money. This isn't a good example though, but it's still stupid. Can't wait for this game to come out, everybody needs to play the first Halo game. It's a console FPS at it's finest.
I still don't know why people have been clamoring for this remake. I'd much rather have a new Halo game or spin-off.
Looks ok for a pre-order, however it better stay at original price. If they raise it, it's not worth it.
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