Microsoft recently lifted the veil on ‘Halo: Campaign Evolved,’ a highly anticipated remake of the iconic campaign from Bungie’s beloved ‘Halo: Combat Evolved.’ The announcement for this 2026 shooter has ignited passionate discussions among fans, particularly concerning changes introduced by Halo Studios, such as the addition of sprint and a more refined art style. A crucial question arises: how do the creators of the original ‘Halo: Combat Evolved’ view this modern reimagining?
Jaime Griesemer, a pivotal figure in Halo’s development—renowned for crafting the game’s iconic ‘30 seconds of fun’ gameplay loop and much of its campaign—has shared his initial impressions. Currently the creative director at Highwire Games, Griesemer voiced his early verdict on social media after reviewing the gameplay footage from Microsoft’s ‘Halo: Campaign Evolved’ reveal.
His reaction was far from enthusiastic.
Griesemer critically stated, “Players were never meant to drive the Warthog directly to overpower the Hunters. I deliberately positioned rocks to ensure players engaged them on foot. Allowing crates to be easily cleared fundamentally breaks these encounters. And to top it off, they added trees to the landing zone of the ‘WooHoo Jump.’ Completely unnecessary.”
(For those curious about the “WooHoo Jump,” Griesemer clarified: “It’s a specific ramp where Jackals were meant to be positioned at the landing, and your gunner would always shout ‘Woohoo!’ as you caught air.”)
Unsurprisingly, Griesemer’s social media post, which quickly amassed 2.3 million views, ignited a heated online debate. While some fans argued that the altered level design disrupts the original gameplay flow, others contended that such changes would enhance the game’s enjoyment. Griesemer further elaborated that if Microsoft intended to make Halo’s static crates dynamic, they should have simultaneously reimagined the encounters that relied on those crates as fixed cover.
He expanded on his point, explaining, “Most people forced the Warthog through BECAUSE of the Hunters. The introduction of the Hunters was supposed to be intimidating and difficult, but in the light so you can understand them. Then you meet them in an enclosed dark area and they are even harder. But then you get Rockets and Vehicles and turn the tables. It’s a three act play of enemy design and you want to throw it in a blender. Fine, it’ll go down easier but it’s not going to taste as good.”
He likened the changes to “a dance remix of a classic song that inexplicably skips the intro and bridge, just pounding the chorus repeatedly.”
Griesemer later speculated on the reasoning behind the changes, suggesting, “Upon closer inspection, I believe it’s due to vehicles now taking damage. This means you’re just as likely to destroy your Warthog as you are to maneuver it over obstacles. In fact, this change makes it worse, as none of the established vehicle exploits will be viable.”
“Make it an option” is the biggest red flag for a dysfunctional design. We have no vision for what this is supposed to be, here’s the tools to fix it yourself. — Jaime Griesemer (@32nds) October 25, 2025
Another point of contention for Griesemer is the inclusion of an optional infinite sprint button. Sprint has become a central debate point for ‘Halo: Campaign Evolved’; while it can be toggled off, many argue that its presence fundamentally undermines the original ‘Halo: Combat Evolved’s’ deliberate and impactful gameplay rhythm, potentially diminishing its unique charm. Conversely, a vocal segment believes sprint is crucial for modern gameplay expectations and overall enjoyment.
Griesemer also voiced strong reservations about sprinting in the Halo remake. In a separate social media post, he highlighted how players could sprint through ‘The Silent Cartographer’s’ shaft vignette so quickly that it disrupted the music transition. He questioned the target audience for such a feature, adding, “If the world isn’t scaled to sprint, you will be able to trivially skip encounters.”
The ‘Halo: Campaign Evolved’ Needler has also sparked considerable controversy. This signature Halo weapon, known for impaling enemies with explosive needles, uniquely displays its remaining ammo directly through the visible needles protruding from the gun. Despite this clear visual indicator, Microsoft opted to add a digital ammo counter, a change that has been widely ridiculed. Griesemer expressed his disdain, calling it “by far the most comically unnecessary embellishment in the whole announcement,” even wondering if it was “intentional satire.” He further questioned the logic: “But why would you add an ammo counter to a weapon that IS an ammo counter in the first place?”
By far the most comically unnecessary embellishment in the whole announcement. I’m not sure it isn’t intentional satire. — Jaime Griesemer (@32nds) October 25, 2025
When a user on social media accused Griesemer of merely being “nostalgic” in response to his viral tweet about ‘Halo: Campaign Evolved,’ the veteran designer sharply retorted, “Because I made it right and they are breaking it for no reason.” He elaborated, suggesting that numerous alterations—such as changes to reload speeds, the absence of health packs, and modified falling damage—aim to make the game “slicker” but ultimately render it less compelling.
Following Bungie’s departure from the Halo franchise to create Destiny, Microsoft, through 343 Industries, took over, releasing titles like ‘Halo 4,’ ‘Halo 5: Guardians,’ and 2021’s ‘Halo: Infinite.’ The prevailing sentiment online suggests that Microsoft has consistently struggled to recapture the unique “Bungie magic” that defined the early games. Indeed, Bungie’s Halo titles are generally held in higher regard than those developed by Microsoft. This raises a crucial question: what lies behind Microsoft’s ongoing challenges?
When asked about Microsoft’s struggles, Griesemer shared his perspective on both remaking and continuing the Halo series almost 25 years after ‘Combat Evolved’s’ release. He noted, “It’s simply not the early 2000s anymore. Halo, perhaps more than any other game franchise, is intrinsically tied to its era. Consequently, developers are caught in a cycle of attempting to either modernize the 2001 Halo experience (which inevitably compromises it) or trying to transport players back to 2001 through nostalgia (an impossible feat).”
“Keep getting them checks.” Remakes and remasters are soul-destroying and I feel for any dev working on one. They can’t win and even if they do they won’t get credit. Bad situation unless you are getting paid $$. — Jaime Griesemer (@32nds) October 25, 2025
Probably not. But I’m not sure what the point is of a “remake” anyway. Nostalgia? A new generation of fans? Occupying an enormous art team while you figure out what to do? — Jaime Griesemer (@32nds) October 25, 2025
They kept the music and the AI the same, it looks like. I’m glad I can play it on a Sony system. — Jaime Griesemer (@32nds) October 26, 2025
In contrast to Griesemer’s reservations, Marcus Lehto, the original art director for ‘Combat Evolved’ and a key architect of Halo’s distinctive visual identity, expressed enthusiasm for ‘Halo: Campaign Evolved.’ Lehto, who recently departed the now-closed Ridgeline Games after criticizing EA for not crediting former ‘Battlefield 6’ staff, praised Halo Studios’ efforts. He stated on social media, “My genuine impression of the new ‘Halo: Campaign Evolved’ is profoundly positive. I adore the direction it’s taking. The game feels authentic and looks stunning, realizing a visual fidelity we could only dream of achieving back in 2001. Seeing ‘Halo CE’ like this truly warms my heart.”
With ‘Halo: Campaign Evolved’ slated for release in 2026—likely coinciding with the game’s 25th anniversary in November—Halo Studios still has time to consider and potentially respond to the fan feedback. However, they might also choose to stand firm on their design decisions regarding elements like sprint, the updated terrain, and the Needler’s new ammo counter. Regardless, the Halo community remains deeply engaged in dissecting every change and its implications for the core tone, feel, and gameplay of Bungie’s legendary shooter. This vibrant debate is expected to continue well into the release year.
For more insights on ‘Halo: Campaign Evolved,’ discover why some believe it signals the end of Xbox console exclusivity for the franchise.
Wesley Yin-Poole serves as IGN’s Director of News.