Screenshot of Breakneck, the upcoming remake of Headlong.
Microsoft
Turf, Hang ‘em High, Chill Out, Lockout, Sidewinder, Midship, The Pit, Zanzibar, Blood Gulch, Headlong… these are just some of the maps from the Halo series that people have been begging to be remade; and over the course of the last couple of Halo games, many of them have received one. Some of them were official remakes such as Last Resort or Blackout. The others received unofficial, yet perfect rebuilds done entirely through Halo’s wonderful forge feature thanks to the boisterous fan community. The only exception to this was poor ol’ Headlong.
Not even Forge could begin to do justice to a map like Headlong. There was too much to do, too much to build, and not enough to spur those great memories. Most people had given up hope, thinking those delightful moments were forever lost when Halo 2 was officially disconnected from Live. Only a few continued on with LAN parties fondly partaking in epic warthog jumps across unfinished bridges or base-jumping two stories through the middle of a skyscraper while fleeing with an enemy’s flag. At long last, Halo fans can rejoice though, as a whole new era of Headlong is arriving, thanks to Halo: Anniversary.
This November 15th is the official release date for Halo: Anniversary and that marks the day that players can finally get their hands on Breakneck. The construction site has now moved to New Mombasa, the same location of 2009’s Halo 3: ODST. The design of the map appears to hold true to the original minus the new graphics. Anyone who played through H3:ODST will feel right at home with the art style mimicking the game perfectly. All the billboards of Headlong have been transformed into the emergency-information bearing LCD screens of New Mombasa, screaming ‘Security Alert, Evacuate’ with the blank stares of the fan-favorite, Superintendent. The construction site is still there in all its bits and pieces complete with cranes and unfinished buildings, all of which was masterfully blended into the surrounding remains of the city of New Mombasa. This is the overhaul that Headlong deserved; and this is just what fans have been waiting for.
To get a good look at Breakneck now, check out the video to the left (courtesy of Kotaku) or click through the screenshots fresh from Halo Waypoint.
