Following the game's launch on Xbox in 2001, Halo: Combat Evolved made its way to the PC in 2003, with Gearbox porting the now-classic title following its rampant console success. However, the desktop version has long been criticized by fans due to several visual issues, with players noticing an array of graphical bugs and downgrades in comparison to its Xbox counterpart.
These visual issues have remained a part of the port for 18 years, with Gearbox's version of the game going on to become the basis for the Halo: Combat Evolved included in Halo: The Master Chief Collection's PC release. It's now been revealed that Microsoft is finally addressing the graphical complaints, offering those involved in the franchise's Insider Program the chance to download a Master Chief Collection patch that fixes these issues.
Several members of the program have gone on to celebrate the visual changes, with YouTuber Generalkidd offering a series of before and after clips of the game in action. It already shows the textures and environments have been changed to resemble those on the original Xbox, with environments looking less flat and character models such as Commander Keyes getting a major facelift. However, there's also a series of visual bugs that have finally been patched out, such as Jackals' shields not glowing red when they're fired upon. Other significant additions include new fog effects, changes to the look of Covenant shields, and fresh vehicle textures.
It's worth noting that none of the additions are final just yet, with members of the Halo Insider Program currently trialing the new additions to the game. There's could be further changes to the visual overhaul before it launches, with responses to the beta likely influencing what makes it into the official patch. Regardless, it's great to see 343 Industries working on Halo: Combat Evolved's PC port after so many years of complaints.
The graphical overhaul isn't the only addition coming to the Master Chief Collection soon, with the devs currently working on a new multiplayer map for Halo 3. Known as Edge, the area is available in beta for members of the Insider Program. It's based in a forerunner facility housed atop a scenic cliff and features plenty of fun areas for players to do battle, including tight corridors and wide-open environments. It will join last month's addition of Waterfall, with both maps being the first to come to Halo 3 in over 12 years. It's clear 343 is committed to making Master Chief Collection the definitive Halo experience, loading it with plenty of fan-requested features and fixes.
Halo: The Master Chief Collection is out now on PC, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X|S.