We all know that Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary is going to sell like hotcakes and give Halo fans a chance to finally play the original game on their Xbox 360. Since it’s such a tribute, in that sense, Halo fans will surely rejoice at the news today that Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary will include the classic “Headlong” multiplayer map.
The re-envisioned Headlong map has a new name to go along with its new graphics: “Breakneck.”
Unveiled at the Tokyo Game Show, Breakneck (known as “Headlong” in classic mode) takes gamers back to the large-scale map from Halo 2. In this map, Section 21 once looked out onto the New Mombasa Orbital Elevator with pride and optimism. Now, with much of the city eviscerated by the Covenant’s brutal assault, the skyline remains only a shattered ghost of what it once was. Headlong provides a large, skyscraper-hemmed construction site with numerous vantage points for clever snipers as well as a large central basin for excellent vehicle combat. The map is designed for eight to 16 players.
While at TGS, 343 Industries also gave a demo of the very first Halo campaign level, “Pillar of Autumn,” in its newly remastered Anniversary form. While the corridors and corners of the iconic starship remain true to their classic form, the all-new graphical treatment and remastered audio paint an altogether more detailed, visceral introduction to the “Halo” universe and its iconic hero, the Master Chief.
Microsoft also revealed new details around the anticipated title update for Halo: Reach. Announced at Halo Fest, the update features the return of the iconic Magnum pistol and classic playlists designed to reignite the multiplayer mayhem players first enjoyed a decade ago.
The update will also introduce some multiplayer fixes that fans have been clamoring for, including balancing armor abilities like Armor Lock and Active Camo. Players will be able to experience some of these changes when beta playlists become available on Oct. 4. The beta will be open to all Halo: Reach players with an active Xbox Live Gold membership. It will culminate with the launch of a full suite of classic playlists and map variants when Halo: Anniversary arrives on Nov. 15.