With Halo 5: Guardians coming in 2015, Microsoft is appealing to Master Chief fans with a new, high-definition compilation for Xbox One featuring prior games in the franchise.
The collection includes four titles on a single disc with a fresh, unified menu system. Halo: Combat Evolved, Halo 2, Halo 3 and Halo 4 have made the cut – these are the titles that featured Master Chief, after all – while Xbox 360 spin-offs Halo 3: ODST and Halo: Reach remain sidelined.
The $59.99 retail copy – out on November 11 – will include every stage, cut-scene and multiplayer map found in the original games. In addition, all of the single-player and multiplayer modes will run at 1080p resolution and 60 frames per second, with dedicated servers for competitive play.
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For its 10-year anniversary, Halo 2 is also being ramped up with brand new visuals, cinematics and gameplay moments. For purists, Halo: The Master Chief Collection will also offer the option to play the game in its original form – called Classic Mode – and switch between the two. Sure, it’s not going to be the best-looking game on the Xbox One, but it’s a nice option nonetheless.
If you’re still pining for Halo 5: Guardians, good news. Microsoft said a multiplayer beta for the next-gen title will come with every copy of Halo: The Master Chief Collection – teasing the Spartan’s next adventure.
Wait, you’re still not convinced? Fine, Microsoft will offer one of its TV series – called Halo Nightfall – with every copy of the game. If you need a refresher, this is the project Ridley Scott is working on – not Steven Spielberg.
Head here to keep up with the rest of our E3 2014 coverage this week.
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