This certainly isn't the Halo I played as a kid visiting my family in Chicago during a family gathering while all the boys are in the basement.

It's a revival to a monument in gaming history. The Master Chief Collection developed by Bungie's.... less fortunate successor 343 Industries brings back the games that shook both Xbox and gaming as a whole. These are obviously not perfect replicas and many fixes and features are still very needed. But for what they've delivered, it certainly brings back a feeling of nostalgia of being a child and playing this late at night.

Now I must say, I have never owned an Xbox myself growing up, nor do I own one currently. But many people I've known as a child have. And in those brief moments I played Halo 2 or 3, be it campaign or multi-player, it was an unreal dream. I had fallen in love with a game.

Coming back to a previous point, this isn't a 1:1 replica of what Bungie built, there are new cosmetics and even some new maps from a previously scrapped project that made its way into this revival. And some connection issues unfortunately exist. As well as a broken bug currently in Halo 2 Anniversary as of the Gundam update. But I'm sure the game won't turn out to what it was during the original Xbox One launch.


I am aware many people complain about this game. And by all means, feel free to take it up in your own review, even if you dislike the game, and even if this doesn't necessarily mean "Halo is back." Everyone is entitled to their own opinion end of the day. But for me, I take happiness knowing I can finally own a pivotal part of my childhood, my contagiously high hours and exponentially growing ought to be something to consider. Least I ain't grieving and being AFK in games for the sole sake of being a troll.


When it comes to remasters or collections, I have found Halo to have one of the better ones. If I try to compare to the likes of Super Mario: 3D All-Stars, I am left disappointed. Or the more recent GTA: The Trilogy compilation. I still hold high hopes for this game, even if others don't feel the same.


The inclusion of mods has only helped in increasing my interest in this collection, as I challenge myself with the campaign related mods, or take on my wife and battle like it's 2004 even though neither of us were able to experience that golden era.


All in all, I am happy with this game, and am grateful to Bungie for creating them in the first place, with some credit to 343 for reviving them despite their constant stumbling.


"Wake me when you need me."

-John-117