Marcus Lehto, former art and creative director at Bungie and co-creator of Halo, has criticized the art style of the Halo ring in the newly released Campaign Evolved, calling it “the most offensive thing we see every time we boot up the game.” Despite this, he said he “loved” his playthrough on Heroic difficulty.
Criticism of the Ring's Design
Writing on X, Lehto explained his issues with the ring's appearance, stating: “While Forerunner tech was metal (not stone) it was also ancient, vast, alive, and a tomb to the horrors that lurked within. It had seen hundreds of millennia of conflict. Yet the game shows it as shiny metal that looks like it was built a few years ago.”
He added: “The main menu ring is the most offensive thing we see every time we boot up the game. It should feel massive, dark, mysterious, sinister, but also full of wonder. This new ring looks like a shiny new toy - out of scale, no mystery, damn ugly.”
Scale and Lore Issues
In replies, Lehto clarified that his biggest issue is the “pure scale of the design,” noting it “lacks all the micro detail that should give it the epic scale it deserves.” He also pointed out that in Halo lore, Installation 04 is located on the fringes of the Milky Way galaxy, visible in the original game's background but absent from the remake.
Mixed Reception and Future Remakes
The art design in Campaign Evolved has drawn criticism in early reviews, with some areas like Covenant ships looking artificial due to bright lights and reflections. Despite his criticisms, Lehto said his playthrough was “simultaneously a blast from my own past and fresh re-envisioning of the game I helped create. Perfect, no. Fun, absolutely yes!”
The game's secret Legendary ending cutscene shows Sergeant Johnson breaking the fourth wall and announcing, “See you in the sequel,” hinting at a possible Halo 2 remake. Microsoft has not yet announced what's next for the franchise.
