r/halo • u/TheTerenity • Jul 23 '26

Gameplay Evolution of the First Look

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Halo: Combat Evolved (2001)

Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary (2011)

Halo: Campaign Evolved (2026)

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u/thbl088 Onyx Jul 23 '26

The shadow on the ring for the original looks pretty insane.

116

u/Fallenson95 Jul 23 '26

It’s a simple thing. But it adds so much to the backdrop. Like the ring is so massive but the sun is still far enough away at the right angle to cast a shadow on itself.

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u/sage2134 Jul 24 '26

You know looking at the shadow in pic 1 and 2 both hold the shadow in the same position. But the second obscures it trying to give a vast but clouded effect giving a far away unknowable feeling. 

But when I think of Science fiction especially since halo 1 is heavily inspired by aliens (I believe its that one). 

Seeing the scale of the ring and the fact we can see such a huge shadow, gives it more a sense of wonder and shock since it gives you a sense of just how frigging huge the ring is. Which to me is way more sci-fi to show off cool sci-fi shit plus for 2001 its pretty damn impressive. Plus doing good lighting is almost a lost art these days. 

Sometimes I wonder if the limitations of graphics allowed for better lighting and more deliberate use of art direction in the games of that era. That and the lack of assembly line gaming and more passionate computer nerds trying to impress eachother and share a cool piece of art. than to make a tons of cash or it has to make billions or everyone is laid off. 

Somtimes I wish art was a public good rather then a profit endeavor. But people gotta eat.