Halo: CE Anniversary gets jetpacks, using Reach engine for 'new take' in multiplayer

The internal Microsoft company has remained completely faithful to the original game's campaign in its re-creation, but has taken a few more liberties in multiplayer - including the introduction of Reach-style jetpacks.

Exec producer at 343 Dan Ayoub told CVG that the game's single-player would "use a hybrid: a combination of the original Halo code with our new graphics engine". However, the multiplayer is a different story:

"We're going to be taking fan favourite maps from the original and putting them into the Reach engine," he explained.

"Using the Reach engine allows us a new take - offering different ways to play the maps you love. Because now [for example] you're able to play Damnation with a whole bunch of new things, like Armour abilities, like Jetpacks all of a sudden. It's going to completely change your gameplay."

We witnessed Ayoub and other 343'ers like boss and former Bungie man Frank O'Connor play through a section of Damnation at E3 2011 last week, and when they said it looked "spectacular", it was difficult to disagree. The one-button flicking between classic Halo and the spruced-up HD world was a seamless treat - whilst Ayoub confirmed that two-player co-op would be available over Live and in split-screen.

Ayoub also gave us some insight into the classic Halo: CE weapons, including one special item in particular. "The Magnum is back," he said. "Everyone remembers this crazy over-powered pistol that was ridiculously nuts but ridiculously fun as well."

343 promised many more details about Halo: CE HD at Halofest in August, when Ayoub said "we'll be blowing the doors off" on all of its goodies.

Microsoft this week confirmed a 39.99 pricetag for the game .