Halo: Campaign Evolved

Nearly twenty-five years ago, Halo: Combat Evolved was released. At the time, this first-person shooter was the flagship title for the original Xbox console, proving that the genre could work on consoles. To celebrate this milestone, Halo Studios and Xbox Game Studios have released a remake of the game, developed from the ground up. As the name suggests, the remake focuses on the campaign mode and omits the competitive multiplayer mode (PvP Arenas). However, players can experience the campaign solo or in two-player split-screen co-op on consoles, or in four-player online co-op with cross-play and cross-progression on Xbox Series X|S, PC, Steam, and PlayStation 5.

The campaign has been completely rebuilt using Unreal Engine 5. It features completely redesigned environments, cinematics, animations, motion capture and voice-over recordings, as well as remastered music. All character, vehicle and weapon assets have been rebuilt. The highly detailed visuals also benefit greatly from global illumination. Despite the absence of some graphics options, particularly with regard to chromatic aberration and film grain, the game is currently one of the most visually impressive titles available on PC. However, the game could have been optimised further in some areas. For example, there is stuttering during intense battles, and the cutscenes are limited to 30 fps.

Overall, the campaign remake is very well done. The developers have remained true to the original while capturing the gameplay experience remarkably well, from gunplay and grenade throwing to clever enemies and chaotic vehicle action. However, it's clear that the level design is showing its age. Specifically, this refers to backtracking and the library, which, although slightly tweaked, is still far too long. That said, some modernisations have also been made to the gameplay. The Master Chief can now sprint, which shortens the long walks of the original. Purists can disable this feature in the options menu. Alongside the familiar rechargeable energy shield, the health bar now regenerates automatically when the player takes cover. The classic medipacks from 2001 have been removed. Players can now board enemy vehicles, such as the Ghost or the Wraith tank, in close combat and drive them themselves, which was not possible in the original Halo.

Many weapons now allow true aiming down sights for greater precision, as in other shooter games. The arsenal has been expanded to include weapons from other Halo games, such as the SMG, Needle Rifle, Fuel Rod Cannon, and Beam Rifle. Additionally, Halo: Campaign Evolved features the largest set of skulls (42 gameplay modifiers) of any Halo campaign to date, enabling players to remix missions, alter encounters, and experiment with the sandbox. Collecting more than three skulls unlocks the new Campaign Remix play mode. This allows players to revisit and replay completed missions with randomised enemies, remixed weapon pickups, new visibility effects, and more.

A completely new addition is the three-mission bonus campaign, which features a cohesive story set before the events of the main game. It stars Master Chief and Sgt. Major Johnson, who infiltrate a mysterious spaceship in Operation Meteorite and uncover a sinister secret. During these missions, players can find the pulse-firing Battle Rifle, the Brute Plasma Rifle and the Spike Rifle. They will also come up against the Brutes, who originally debuted in Halo 2. While the missions themselves are solid to good (some passages drag on a bit), the finale breaks with classic shooter gameplay as Master Chief takes the controls of a fighter jet called the Seraph and engages in space dogfights.

Halo: Combat Evolved was developed by Halo Studios, formerly known as 343 Industries. Founded in 2007, the studio was established to oversee the Halo franchise after the original developer, Bungie, regained independence from Microsoft. The studio's first own big Halo game was Halo 4. The latter launched the Reclaimer Saga, which also included Halo 5: Guardians (2015) and Halo Infinite (2021). Although it is "just a remake", it is the first new Halo game since 2021.

Halo: Campaign Evolved is the first Halo game ever to be officially released for a PlayStation console. However, since Microsoft/Xbox is pursuing a strategy of releasing console exclusives to promote its own platform, it is unlikely that additional Halo games will be released for the Sony platform. It has not yet been officially announced whether the campaigns from Halo 2 and Halo 3 will also be released as remakes - most likely, this will depend on how well Halo: Campaign Evolved sells. Xbox's release schedule for this year includes Minecraft Dungeons II (29 September), Gears of War: E-Day (6 October), Age of Empires IV: Raiders of the North (Q4 26), and Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 (23 October). Fable will follow on 23 February 2027.

Halo: Campaign Evolved was released on 28 July 2026 for PC, PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S at a price of €59.99. Advanced Access was available from 24 July for purchasers of the €79.99 Premium Edition (Alpha Halo Armory Pack, Digital Artbook, Digital Short Story, Digital Game Manual). However, an Xbox account is necessary on all platforms.

Conclusion

Halo: Campaign Evolved brings the legendary shooter back into the modern era thanks to Unreal Engine 5 and modern gameplay tweaks.

Features

• Visually stunning remake
• Modernized gameplay that stays true to its roots
• Expanded co-op options and gameplay modifiers