: HCEA left a rotten taste, so I'm sure that's why I'm so hesitant to want a
: remastering (I'm sure that's not even the right word) for Halo 2. There
: was too many visual differences from the 2001 to 2011 editions that I
: couldn't find the same emotions I had. It was too much of a departure.
: Bare, ominous fixtures on the landscape of Halo now had intricate
: detailing. Elements of the Haloverse that had not existed a decade ago now
: find themselves another home. Why HCEA, and later Halo 4, had to follow
: Reach's designs is beyond me.

But you still have classic mode. You can ignore the other stuff entirely if you want. Personally, I didn't like some of the changes they made too (the Reach Elites, the fat bald Russian crew) but the new coat of paint still captured the sense I had when I first played it. But you could always enjoy the updated stuff piecemeal if you wanted.

Saber and 343 hit on a goldmine with the back mode. Basically any rerelease that doesn't have it is going to feel bizarrely unfinished.