Skip to main content

Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary adds AI marines to Firefight mode

Halo Combat Evolved
Image used with permission by copyright holder

343 Industries‘ Frank O’Connor, formerly of Bungie, has hinted that the upcoming HD re-release, Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary, will add a new feature to the game’s Firefight mode, something that fans have been waiting for. Now we know what that feature is.

A new press release from Microsoft reveals that the game’s lone Firefight map — called Installation 04 — features AI marines that will fight alongside the mode’s one to four players. That map is playable at Halo Fest this weekend, along with the multiplayer maps Timberland, Prisoner, Damnation and Beaver Creek. Halo Waypoint users can start up the Xbox Live app and get a glimpse of these now in a newly released behind-the-scenes video.

It’s also been confirmed that the game will include a stereoscopic 3D mode, and that the previously announced incoming update for Halo: Reach would add some significant upgrade. The biggest? The return of Halo: CE‘s beastly pistol in Reach and Anniversary‘s multipalyer modes.

The update will also allow those Xbox 360 owners with no hard drive to take advantage of Campaign and Firefight matchmaking, as they previously required one. In less awesome news, the update will also change some of the game’s equipment; Armor Lock’s damage threshold is now based on your soldier’s remaining energy and Active Camo has had its duration decreased and its ability to block swords attacks with weapons other than a sword removed.

Adam Rosenberg
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Previously, Adam worked in the games press as a freelance writer and critic for a range of outlets, including Digital Trends…
Halo Infinite will support PC crossplay and cross-progression
halo infinite will support pc cross play and progression

Halo Infinite will support crossplay and cross-progression across PC and Xbox consoles when it launches later this year. Microsoft touts Halo Infinite as a "premier PC experience," that will include features made specifically for that platform. The company says it wants to "make sure that Halo is serving the PC community."

This news comes as part of Microsoft's renewed commitment to PC, as well as Xbox consoles. The company is concerned with allowing as many people to play its games -- on as many platforms as possible. That's why Halo Infinite will feature multiplayer cross-progression support, allowing players to retain progress that "will follow you across all platforms," said Matt Booty, Head of Xbox Game Studios.

Read more
Halo 2 PC beta test invites going out today
Halo 2 PC

Halo 2 PC beta test invites are going out to members of the Halo Insider program starting today.

The beta will include playable versions of both the popular 2004 first-person shooter and its visually updated remaster, Halo 2: Anniversary. Both games are part of Halo: The Master Chief Collection.

Read more
Volgarr the Viking 2 will take you back to your Ghosts ‘n Goblins days
A viking slashes a tree in Volgarr the Viking 2.

Developer Digital Eclipse is working on a surprising project: Volgarr the Viking 2. The 2D retro sequel will launch on August 6 for PlayStation 4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch, and PC.

The news is an out of left field reveal. The first Volgarr the Viking game released in 2013 and was made as an ode to 1080s classics like Ghosts 'n Goblins. Despite being a small release, it sold over 1 million copies over the past decade. As revealed during today's Guerrilla Collective stream, the series is coming back with a new sequel by Digital Eclipse, the team behind this year's Llamasoft: The Jeff Minter Story.

Read more