It's Christmas come early for fans of the Halo series today, and not only due to the announcement of Halo 5: Guardians. While the still-mysterious sequel will be bringing Master Chief to the Xbox One in the form of a brand new game engine and story line, it won't be doing so until 2015. Now, rumors have surfaced that Microsoft may be bridging the gap with the release of 'Halo: The Master Chief Collection'; a release bundling Halo: Combat Evolved, Halo 2, Halo 3 and Halo 4, all remastered for a release on the Xbox One.
The report comes as result of information attained by Engadget, who claim that Microsoft will be releasing the "Master Chief-focused HD remaster" to remind fans of the sole hero at the heart of the franchise (hence the absence of HD remasters of Halo 3: ODST or Halo: Reach).
No word yet on exactly how the collection will be parceled out to players who may have a favorite among the group - or already purchased Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary - but the news that Microsoft is planning HD re-releases of prior series installments isn't a shock. The success of the first Anniversary led many to think Microsoft would keep up the process, with Master Chief voice actor Steve Downes confirming Halo 2 Anniversary for 2014. Since Microsoft promised a dose of Halo in 2014 - and Halo 5 clearly not the answer - it didn't take too much detective work to connect the dots.
More recently, an inside source at Microsoft blew the doors off the Xbox One manufacturer by spilling not one, but several secrets concerning the company's upcoming plans. Specifically, that not only would November 2014 bring an updated remake of Halo 2, but Xbox One ports of Halo 3 and Halo 4. It was assumed that Saber Interactive (the team responsible for Anniversary) would be reprising their role, and with no official announced projects coming from the studio in the near future, it would seem that this smoke is a sign of fire.
As beloved a series as Halo has become, an Xbox One remake of Halo 2 would carry with it entirely new risks. Where the first Anniversary sold itself on the ability to swap between the original game's visuals and those of the Xbox 360,, Halo 2 owes much of its fame to the online multiplayer. Microsoft's Phil Spencer has said in the past that were the company to revisit the game, the multiplayer would have to be executed perfectly. If these rumors are true, it would seem Saber is up to the task.
What do you think of this potential plan? Is an opportunity to play through Xbox One ports of Combat Evolved Anniversary, Halo 3 and Halo 4 and a remastered Halo 2 no-brainers for you? Or is too much Halo an unwise move for the company? We'll keep you updated as more information arrives, but leave your thoughts in the comments below.
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Halo 5: Guardians releases in 2015 for the Xbox One.
Follow Andrew on Twitter @andrew_dyce.
Source: Engadget