Halo Studios has unveiled something truly special to mark the 25th anniversary of Halo next year. Halo: Campaign Evolved is a complete remake of the original Halo: Combat Evolved — the title that launched alongside Microsoft’s first Xbox in 2001 and changed gaming forever.
Built from the ground up with Unreal Engine 5, this remake reimagines the legendary campaign in 4K resolution, adds new weapons and vehicles, introduces four-player online co-op, and even expands the story with brand-new missions and dialogue.
And for the first time in history, Halo will officially land on PlayStation 5, alongside Xbox Series X / S and PC, when it launches in 2026.
First Impressions: Returning to The Silent Cartographer
I’ve spent the week playing an early demo of The Silent Cartographer — the same mission once used as the demo for the original Combat Evolved on PC and Mac. From the moment it loads, it’s clear that Campaign Evolved is far more than a visual upgrade.
The opening cinematics are completely rebuilt, the voice work re-recorded, and the animations and lighting bring a modern cinematic edge without losing that iconic Halo tone. The mission feels familiar — until you sprint (yes, sprint) toward a rebuilt Warthog that now has an extra rear seat. It’s then that you realize just how far this remake goes beyond nostalgia.
Rebuilding Halo From the Ground Up
“We didn’t just put a coat of paint over the original cinematics,” explains Greg Hermann, Technical Director at Halo Studios. “We revisited how they were blocked, sequenced, and shot — across the board.”
Halo Studios previously worked on Halo: Anniversary, but this time they’ve gone all in. Every animation, every camera angle, and every texture has been reconsidered. The original voice cast even returned to re-record their lines, offering a level of fidelity and emotion that wasn’t possible two decades ago.
The team’s approach respects Bungie’s original design, while taking full advantage of modern technology. Environments are larger, the alien architecture richer, and the sense of scale immense — especially across Halo’s iconic vistas.
Staying True to Bungie’s Vision
“Whenever we make a change, the number one thing is to be true to the original game,” says Lead Designer Dan Gniady, who previously worked on Destiny and Destiny 2.
Halo Studios had access to the original assets, code, and storyboards, allowing them to carefully remaster — and in some cases, reinterpret — Halo’s music, cinematics, and systems.
Every new feature has been layered on top of the original framework, ensuring that Campaign Evolved feels like Halo, even when it’s pushing the series forward.
New Missions, Characters, and Dialogue
The remake doesn’t just recreate the campaign — it expands it.
Campaign Evolved adds three new bonus missions, designed as a prequel arc that explores more of Master Chief and Sergeant Johnson’s early interactions.
“It was really important that we preserved the original story,” says Max Szlagor, Studio Design Director. “These new missions offer opportunities for new character interactions and new gameplay moments without changing the core narrative.”
These missions feature new locations, enemies, and mechanics, seamlessly integrated into the structure of the main campaign.
Modern Mechanics Meet Classic Design
Movement, aiming, and gunplay have all been rebuilt to feel like a modern Halo title, while staying faithful to the spirit of Combat Evolved.
Players can now sprint, aim down sights with every weapon, and even hijack vehicles — yes, you can finally drive a Wraith. The Warthog also has a new “golf cart seat” at the back for co-op chaos, as affectionately dubbed by the developers.
All weapons have been redesigned with high-fidelity models, new sounds, and full dynamic lighting. Plasma fire will illuminate interiors, and the Energy Sword can now be looted from fallen Elites.
Four-Player Co-Op and Full Crossplay
The remake supports up to four-player online co-op, with crossplay and shared progression across Xbox, PlayStation, and PC.
Console players can also enjoy two-player local split-screen, keeping that nostalgic couch co-op feel alive.
“We’re expanding certain spaces to accommodate the extra players while keeping encounters authentic,” Szlagor notes. “It’s a careful balance of scale and difficulty.”
Skulls, Challenge, and Legendary Mode
Campaign Evolved features the largest selection of skulls ever included in a Halo game — gameplay modifiers that change everything from AI behaviour to combat chaos.
“There are so many skulls that we don’t think it’s even possible to complete Legendary mode with them all active,” says Gniady. “But if anyone can pull it off, we want to see it.”
It’s a clear love letter to hardcore Halo fans, blending nostalgic challenge with near-endless replayability.
No Multiplayer — But a Blueprint for the Future
One thing you won’t find here is multiplayer. The original Combat Evolved shipped before Xbox Live, so its multiplayer modes were limited to LAN and local play.
Halo Studios made the deliberate choice to focus solely on the campaign, while hinting that the lessons learned here will shape what’s next for the franchise.
“For future titles, we’ll continue to push technology while ensuring the core Halo feel remains intact,” Hermann confirms.
Launch Details and Final Thoughts
Halo: Campaign Evolved arrives in 2026 on Xbox Series X / S, PC, and PlayStation 5 — a first for the series. It’ll be available day one on Xbox Game Pass Ultimate / PC Game Pass, and will support Xbox Cloud Gaming and Play Anywhere.
Even without a multiplayer mode, this remake feels monumental — not just as a tribute to Halo’s origins, but as a blueprint for the series’ next evolution.
