343 Industries isn’t any extra. The first-party Xbox developer will now be known as Halo Studios because it rebrands itself fully in pursuit of a extra affluent future. One the place all of its video games might be in-built Unreal Engine 5 as a substitute of the proprietary Slipstream Engine.
Regardless of a powerful begin with tons of of 1000’s of gamers and reward from critics throughout the board, Halo Infinite was a failure as a live-service sport. So, Xbox is shifting the trajectory of its flagship franchise in a significant means.
This weekend noticed Microsoft announce the freshly minted title, alongside a brand new take a look at varied iconic locales now rendered fully in Unreal Engine. It appears beautiful, and the video presentation – which fits to excessive lengths to justify that none of this might be a part of a brand new sport, nor does it symbolize an official announcement – spends a lot time bearing on the visible historical past of Halo, and the way it has all the time been thought of a graphical showcase.
However has it? Once I consider Halo, the very first thing that involves thoughts positively isn’t visuals. I take into consideration turning an Elite right into a Needler pin cushion, sniping buddies from throughout the map, or epic moments unfold throughout the unique trilogy’s three campaigns. The visible design of Bungie’s universe and characters like Grasp Chief and Cortana are positively iconic, however the constancy and high quality of those have by no means been significantly groundbreaking.
In reality, when Halo 3 was first launched again in September 2007, one factor I recall critics all agreeing on is how, in comparison with Gears of Conflict or Viva Pinata, the third entry was shockingly common within the graphical division. It did the job, and nonetheless appears glorious right now on fashionable platforms, however Bungie by no means put photorealism above mechanical enjoyment.
As long as the stream of gameplay was appropriately served and gamers might nonetheless execute a killer headshot earlier than hopping concerning the map, nothing else mattered. There’s a cause why most of the legacy playlists in Halo: The Grasp Chief Assortment eclipsed the fashionable anniversary choices, as a result of the neighborhood was after one thing heat and nostalgic, and even when they weren’t, Halo depicted with an extreme quantity of element and readability was by no means the purpose.
So the first concentrate on this aspect of issues all through the Halo Studios rebrand seems like a misstep, and one thing that doesn’t symbolize what Halo is nor what it ought to purpose to be.
However maybe in an announcement like this, there was nothing else to speak about. The video is full of iconic locales recreated utilizing contemporary belongings in a brand new engine, with builders telling us that issues can now be depicted with extra element than ever earlier than. Grasp Chief is shinier, The Flood is extra grotesque, whereas colors and particulars are destined to pop off the display screen.
I’m not in opposition to any of those bulletins, however after the underwhelming reception to Halo Infinite, making an attempt to wow us with graphics is proof that Microsoft has discovered not one of the right classes. The Xbox Wire put up splits Halo’s historical past into two eras – Bungie and 343 Industries – and the takeaway we’re anticipated to have is that we at the moment are coming into a 3rd period.
This new chapter begins with ‘Foundry’, which is a analysis mission the studio hopes will assist them realise what precisely is feasible in Unreal Engine 5, and the way such efforts might quickly be translated right into a full sport. The outcomes converse for themselves, however regardless of a lofty promise that it’ll assist usher in a affluent future, feels awkwardly caught up to now. Grasp Chief may be seen sporting his unique armour, whereas most of the key areas depicted are lifted from Fight Advanced. We noticed the identical tune and dance in Halo Infinite, so attempt one thing new.
A analysis mission like Foundry ought to invite experimentation, however due to being so loyal to an iconic universe, I’m nervous that no matter Halo Studios cooks up subsequent goes to maintain on dredging up the previous as a substitute of trying towards the long run. I’d be a lot extra invested if this video presentation showcased items of idea artwork that seemed fully alien, with only a piece of structure or acquainted character poking out from the periphery to remind us that it’s nonetheless Halo. However it’s tried-and-tested territory, and regardless of how good it would look, I can’t assist however really feel like we’ve seen all of it earlier than.
Say what you’ll concerning the Reclaimer Trilogy, however no less than Halo 4 and Guardians had been by no means afraid to attempt one thing new. It launched us to new alien races, planets, and dared to image what an expanded model of this universe would possibly seem like. However we rallied in opposition to it – for cause more often than not – however the response to this failure shouldn’t be to return to a established order wherein experimentation just isn’t solely discouraged, however appears unattainable.
Halo Studios might make some nice video games within the coming years, however ushering in a brand new period with beautiful familiarity and the identical previous company buzzwords doesn’t excite. It serves as a reminder that if this sequence refuses to take dangers, it’ll by no means attain its as soon as nice heights ever once more.