6 things we'd want to see in a Halo 1 remake

We love the original Halo. So the scalding hot rumours that 343 Industries (Microsoft’s new internally-formed Halo studio) is about to remake the original, in honour of the Xbox classic’s ten year anniversary, obviously pleases our inner Spartans. As soon as we had said Spartans removed with invasive surgery (that shit’s just not healthy), we got to thinking about what we’d like to see from a remake of Master Chief’s first adventure. Read below to witness the misty-eyed wish list with the blinking holes in your head.

Four player campaign co-op

Even for a Spartan who’s recently suffered severe head trauma thanks to a Ghost accident, this is a no-brainer. All three 360 Halo titles have benefited big-style from this feature. And the prospect of battling the Covenant scum with three other mates on the ring planet (either online or off) would be as sexual as John 117’s velvety voice.

Above: A super soldier can dream, can't he?

The only trouble is how 343 Industries would crowbar those extra players into the first game’s narrative. The Chief is the most lonely of wolves throughout much of the game. Well, apart from when he’s being ‘backed up’ by UNSC cannon fodder. So, how about the introduction of three ODST, with the host player controlling Chiefy Boy? Either that, or the developer could just ignore the issue entirely and make no mention of the extra players during cutscenes.

Halo Reach’s armour abilities

Not to go all Ferrero Rocher on your collective asses, but Reach’s awesome armour powers have absolutely spoiled us. So much so, we don’t want to go back to the original game without the reassuring safety net of the Armour Lock or Sprint. Granted, having Jet Packs in Halo might well break some of the game’s most memorable set pieces. After all, The Flood wouldn’t be anywhere near as menacing if you could simply keep flying over their infested heads.

Above: You know you love a bit of Armour Lock

Personally, we’d limit what abilities could be used in certain parts of the game. Hopefully this way, 343 wouldn’t have to redesign any of the key moments, while Combat Evolved’s already deeply tactical shooting would be given another layer.

A full online mode using Halo 1’s best environments

Back in the dark, luddite-esque days of 2001, when we were all rocking 56k dial-up connections and balancing Dreamcast keyboards on our knees as we played Quake 3 with two other men, the idea of online Halo would have sent our UNSC undergarments all a quiver. Released before Xbox Live, Bungie’s masterpiece still managed to support 16 player deathmatches, but only through LAN. Yeah, it was a pioneering feature for consoles at the time, but it was small potatoes for what Halo 2 would achieve.

Above: We want this, just online... and minus original Xbox textures

That’s why a full online mode is in order for the Halo remake. We still love some of the original maps, even if they’re now a decade old. Just imagine them in full HD sheen with 16, hell maybe even 32, Spartans and Elites all going at it over Live. Matching Bungie’s ace online infrastructure and streamlined lobby system would be a mighty tough task for 343 to replicate, mind.

Less of The Flood

Now, we don’t want to stir up too much controversy here, but f*ck The Flood. Don’t get us wrong. We loved the parasitical race’s introduction in Halo. We’d even go as far to say it was one the best scripted, most tense FPS levels we’ve ever played. But the resulting (often exhausting) battles with the beasties over the rest of the game was an almighty slog.

Above: Get rid of two of these buggers and you're 2/3 of the way there

We’re not saying ditch them entirely. Just scale them back a bit. Or y’know, just make them not so shit to fight as we endlessly struggle through endless identical corridors. Oh, and while you’re at it 343, how about ditching said endless array of identical corridors whenever we take the fight indoors? Ta.

The DMR

C’mon, you know it makes sense.

Above: Reach's Battle Rifle homage is a thing of brutal beauty

No more bloody ‘Combat Evolved’ subtitle

Seriously, drop the shitting needless subtitle. The original certainly didn’t need it, and this is now the perfect opportunity to streamline (i.e. bin) Combat Evolved. 

What about the rest of y'all? What would you like to see from a Halo remake if indeed the rumours are true. And if they're not true, would you kindly give yourselves a quick MiB-style memory wipe to save our games jarnalist blushes?

Source: CVG 

Dec 6, 2010