TECH NEWS – Not everyone greeted the long-rumored, newly announced remake with open arms.

The second remake of Halo: Combat Evolved is unusual for several reasons. Beyond ending Halo’s long-standing Xbox/PC exclusivity, it makes fundamental changes: new weapons, four-player co-op, sprinting, and revamped level design. The latter drew criticism from Jaime Griesemer, a designer on the original and lead designer on Halo 2 and 3. He wrote: “You aren’t supposed to be able to take the Warthog up to steamroll the Hunters. I intentionally placed rocks in the way so you had to fight them on foot. What have they done to beloved B30?!” while tagging Halo co-creator Marcus Lehto.

Replying commenters compared the new footage to their original experiences. Washington Post critic Gene Park agreed on the Warthog point, saying that drivable paths made the encounter feel short. Those rocks set the adventure’s rhythm—forcing players to go on foot, explore, and intimidate the slow, hulking Hunters. Griesemer likened it to a dance remix of a classic song that skips the intro and bridge and just loops the chorus.

When others noted you could squeeze a Warthog through the rocks in the original with some finesse, Griesemer said that’s not the same. The fun is “tricking” the mission designer; the remake, he argues, instead showcases the designer’s cleverness and blunts the joy. It’s an understandable take—and a risk with any classic remake. He also expressed sympathy for developers: remakes and remasters can be soul-crushing, and even when they’re good, credit is scarce.

Griesemer added that Halo: Combat Evolved likely wouldn’t succeed in today’s market and questioned the purpose of a remake—nostalgia? a new generation? or simply keeping a huge art team busy while the next step is figured out?

Source: PCGamer

You aren’t supposed to be able to take the Warthog up to steamroll the Hunters. I intentionally placed rocks in the way so you had to fight them on foot. When you can just smash the crates out of the way it wrecks the encounters.

But the worst part? They put trees in the landing… https://t.co/m9xNFIBL7S

— Jaime Griesemer (@32nds) October 25, 2025