As Microsoft confirm that Halo: Campaign Evolved is coming to PS5, a reader admits to being stunned at the revelation and what it means for the future of Xbox.
The day has finally arrived. Halo has been announced for PlayStation 5. Halo is officially on PlayStation. I am truly stunned at this development. It’s rocked my mind in a few ways. Because I’ll start by saying that when the original Xbox was released, as a child growing up with the PlayStation 2 as my first ever home console system, I never touched or brought the original Xbox.
My memory is rather hazy, but I believe I was seven years old or so, when I first booted the PlayStation 2 up and during my adolescence I never thought much of the original Xbox. But I always knew the mythical tales of Halo, the original system seller. A benchmark for cinematic storytelling. The beginning of an Xbox icon, which would carry the mantle for Microsoft for generations to come. Master Chief was spawned and the rest was history.
Halo, when it was first released, became a legendary series of titles and it seemed to only age better as the years passed. The success continued as Halo 2 became the pinnacle of sequels and I can’t truly praise it enough. It was eons ahead of even Call Of Duty and it was a renowned system seller. When the name of Xbox touched lips, Halo was on the menu. When you gazed upon an Xbox system, you demanded Halo. For the fans, there was nothing but Halo.
Many speak of franchises such as Forza or Gears Of War as the benchmark for the foundations set by the Xbox 360. For their time, they were and still continue to be revered by the masses. Halo 2 was truly something special though and, lest we forget, the traditions of split-screen playthroughs with friends and family, which Halo popularised with flying colours. The franchise continued with Halo 3, Halo: Reach, and Halo 4. But this is the time the house of cards began to tumble.
The fall truly began with the release of Halo 5 in 2015. Developed by 343 Studios, Bungie was out of the picture and developing the divisive shooter known as Destiny. Halo 5 was truly a saddening release, because it took several steps backwards for the franchise. For me, personally, this title soured the goodwill of Halo. A shifted focus on a new character, a lack of split-screen, and a disappointing campaign was the straw that broke the camel’s back.
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Locke was portrayed as the protagonist and loyal fans were rewarded with a lacklustre addition to the franchise. To see Master Chief sidelined in the franchise he was the face of was beyond an abysmal move. It was new horizons for Halo as a whole and I can’t put it down to one factor. It’s several factors. Mismanagement, Bungie’s exit, the list goes on. Halo Infinite would soon follow, and the most baffling decision was made, to thrust the series into a direction that many wouldn’t have asked for.
It was to be made an open world title. Halo was always a rather open series, with wide open locations and linear playgrounds. The Covenant moved in many directions after all, but why would anyone see Halo as a suitable candidate to follow the open world trend? It works for certain games, like Red Dead Redemption 2, Horizon Forbidden West, Ghost Of Yōtei, and so on. The formula is set and the narrative fits with the exploration focus of these games. When it comes to Halo however, I’m not particularly keen on the formula in a first person shooter.
It usually struggles when the world consists of bases to conquer and outposts to claim, such as is the case for Metal Gear Solid 5 and the Far Cry franchise. Nonetheless, Halo Infinite remains the last release from 343 Studios and since 2021 we’ve yet to see a new instalment. Until today that it is. Halo: Campaign Evolved releases on PlayStation 5.
Xbox have officially released their flagship series on Sony’s flagship console and I’d say I’m not surprised, but I’m actually a bit hurt over it, since Halo has always been Xbox’s baby and it’s favourite child. What else does Xbox have that will sell their consoles? This is our golden goose. If Sony made the announcement of their flagship seller God Of War being released on Xbox would that result in a lack of belief and faith in true exclusivity?
For me, as a fan of the IP, it would mean pure betrayal; since God Of War is a franchise that I grew up with and the PlayStation 2 was my first console. The first two games were system sellers and just as Halo sold the Xbox, God Of War 1 and 2 sold the PlayStation 2. I can truthfully admit that if Sony ever were to release God Of War on Xbox I would feel hurt and very betrayed, as a loyal fan.
So, I can imagine the Xbox fans feeling sore and sour over Halo, their childhood releasing on the rival system. It must sour their memories as children, returning from school and playing Halo with their friends, to see Forza, Gears Of War, and now Halo on PlayStation. All in the space of less than two years. I am excited, of course, to see Halo on PlayStation, as are many fans and first-time players. But this is the kill shot for Xbox. For me, it is the truth. Xbox is officially dead. For good.
By reader Shahzaib Sadiq
The reader’s features do not necessarily represent the views of GameCentral or Metro.
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