There’s a lot of hype around Halo: Campaign Evolved, whether it’s the fact that Halo Studios is remaking (rather than remastering) the first game or its status as the first Halo title on PlayStation. However, not everyone is super-thrilled about the changes, including former developers like Jamie Griesemer.
Griesemer worked on the first game as a level designer (and even as a design lead on Halo 2 and 3), and expressed displeasure with some of the changes showcased in The Silent Cartographer gameplay. “You aren’t supposed to be able to take the Warthog up to steamroll the Hunters. I intentionally placed rocks in the way so you had to fight them on foot. When you can just smash the crates out of the way, it wrecks the encounters.” He also lamented the addition of trees in the “WooHoo Jump”’s landing area.
When asked about his thoughts on the addition of sprint, Griesemer said the fact that it’s an option is “the biggest red flag for a dysfunctional design.” “We have no vision for what this is supposed to be, here’s the tools to fix it yourself.”
Of course, he’s aware that it’s a no-win situation for the development team and simply said they should, “’Keep getting them checks.’ Remakes and remasters are soul-destroying, and I feel for any dev working on one. They can’t win, and even if they do, they won’t get credit. Bad situation unless you are getting paid $$$.”
Developed with Unreal Engine 5 while utilizing Halo’s legacy code as the core, Halo: Campaign Evolved includes four-player campaign co-op, the addition of three weapons from later entries, a drivable Wraith, and three new prequel missions featuring Master Chief and Sgt. Johnson. It launches in 2026 for Xbox Series X/S, PS5, and PC.
It’s interesting to see the discussions around Halo: Campaign Evolved and the differing perspectives from the original creators. Change can be a double-edged sword, and it’s always valuable to hear from those who contributed to the franchise’s legacy. Looking forward to seeing how it all unfolds!
Absolutely! The varied perspectives really highlight how deeply the Halo franchise has impacted its fans. It’s also fascinating to consider how the original level design choices continue to influence gameplay expectations today.
community. It’s interesting to see how the original level designer’s insights can shed light on the balance between nostalgia and innovation in game design. This ongoing conversation definitely shows how passionate fans are about preserving the essence of what made Halo special.
Absolutely! It’s fascinating how the original designer’s perspective can highlight both the strengths and potential pitfalls of modern adaptations. Their feedback could really influence how new players experience the game versus those who have nostalgic connections to the original levels.
of the new updates and the nostalgia for the original game. It’s a delicate balance to maintain the essence of what made Halo great while also modernizing it for new players. I wonder how they plan to address feedback from longtime fans while still appealing to a broader audience.