During the recent Halo World Championships, Microsoft and Halo Studios made a long-anticipated announcement: the official reveal of Halo: Campaign Evolved. This remake of the beloved 2001 classic is slated for release in 2026 on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC, and will be available on Game Pass from day one.
As its name implies, Halo: Campaign Evolved focuses purely on the single-player experience. It will not feature head-to-head multiplayer, but it fully supports both online and local campaign co-op. Built on Unreal Engine 5, the remake boasts stunning ‘upgraded visuals’ and ‘refined controls’, alongside online co-op for up to four players.
Halo Studios also confirmed the addition of three brand-new missions, along with an expanded arsenal of weapons, vehicles, and enemies. Here’s a closer look at what we know about this exciting new remake:
Visually Reimagined Worlds
Halo Studios is dedicated to bringing a comprehensive suite of updates to the classic game. Players can look forward to battling through the original missions, now ‘newly rebuilt with enhanced level design, updated cinematics, and improved wayfinding.’ The goal is to maintain the original’s ‘wonder, tension, and heroism’ while streamlining the pace.
The game’s environments have been entirely ‘reborn with all-new visuals, cinematics, and animations.’ Even the iconic soundtrack has been remastered for ‘greater immersion.’ The original voice cast, including Steve Downes as Master Chief and Jen Taylor as Cortana, returns, having recorded new lines specifically for the remake.
A Controversial Addition: Sprint
In a move that is sure to spark debate among longtime fans, Halo: Campaign Evolved will include sprinting – a feature notably absent from the early Halo titles. While many cherish the strategic pacing dictated by the lack of sprint in older games, others will welcome this modern gameplay addition. For those who prefer the classic feel, rest assured: sprinting can be disabled.
New Weapons and Prequel Adventures
The remake will introduce nine new weapons, including the fan-favorite energy sword, which was previously only usable by enemies in the original game. Furthermore, three entirely new prequel missions will immerse players in a ‘brand-new arc’ featuring Master Chief and Sgt. Johnson, set before the events of the familiar story.
Another significant enhancement allows players to hijack enemy vehicles and even drive the formidable Wraith, a capability first introduced in Halo 2. Additionally, a ‘campaign remix’ feature will let players tackle missions with various modifiers, or ‘Skulls’, offering unique experiences with elements like random weapons and enemy types.
On the social front, the Halo: Campaign Evolved remake supports two-player split-screen co-op on consoles (though not on PC) and four-player online co-op, complete with cross-play support and shared progression across console and PC platforms.
Beyond the First Remake
This isn’t the first time the original Halo: Combat Evolved has been revisited. Microsoft previously released ‘Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary’ in 2011 for Xbox 360, which featured updated graphics and online multiplayer. That version is also included in ‘Halo: The Master Chief Collection,’ a compilation of six Halo games, which also features ‘Halo 2: Anniversary’ with its own campaign and multiplayer support.
A video discussing previous Halo remakes was also shown.
No Switch 2 Confirmation
Despite widespread rumors suggesting Halo might make its way to not only the PS5 but also the rumored Switch 2, Microsoft’s announcement made no mention of the latter. This leaves Call of Duty fans, who have also been expecting a new release on Switch 2 based on previous confirmations from Microsoft and Activision, still waiting.
More Halo on the Horizon
Beyond Halo: Campaign Evolved, whispers suggest Microsoft is also developing a new live-service Halo game. While this was not mentioned in today’s announcement, Microsoft has previously confirmed multiple new Halo projects are underway. The year 2026 marks the 25th anniversary of the Halo series, and the live-service title is rumored to launch alongside Halo: Campaign Evolved next year.
Stay tuned to GameSpot for all the latest updates on the Halo universe.