Halo: Campaign Evolved — Full Campaign Remake of ‘Combat Evolved’ Revealed, Coming to PS5, Xbox & PC in 2026
Halo: Campaign Evolved (unoriginal title, I know) has officially been unveiled by Halo Studios and Microsoft as a complete remake of the original 2001 shooter Halo: Combat Evolved. The announcement marks a milestone for the franchise: the game is set to launch in 2026 across Xbox Series X|S, Windows PC (including Steam) and — for the first time — PlayStation 5, making it the last of Microsoft's flagship IP to land on PlayStation.
The remake uses Unreal Engine 5, includes new missions, expanded gameplay mechanics and full cross-play co-op. However, the reveal also comes with a notable omission: there will be no competitive player-versus-player (PvP) multiplayer at launch.
What’s New & What’s Stayed
Halo Studios describes Campaign Evolved as a “faithful yet modernized” remake of the original campaign.
Visually, every level has been rebuilt with high definition assets, motion-capture cinematics and revised level design. Alongside this, the remake introduces three brand-new prequel missions starring Master Chief and Sgt. Johnson that take place before the events of the original story.
On the gameplay side, the remake adds nine additional weapons drawn from later Halo titles, including fan-favourites such as the Energy Sword and Battle Rifle, plus new vehicle mechanics such as hijacking enemy vehicles and driving the Covenant Wraith tank.
Campaign co-op returns as well: two-player local split-screen on console and up to four-player online co-op across platforms with shared progression support.
Importantly, the original’s PvP multiplayer component will not be included in Campaign Evolved, with the developers citing a focus on narrative and co-op rather than competitive multiplayer at this stage.
Platform & Availability Details
Campaign Evolved will release in 2026 on Xbox Series X|S, PC (via Microsoft Store and Steam) and PlayStation 5. For the first time in Halo history, a mainline Halo title will officially launch on a PlayStation system.
The game will also be available via Xbox Game Pass (Ultimate & PC) and support Xbox Cloud Gaming and Xbox Play Anywhere.
Halo Studios states that this release marks a shift for the franchise: “Halo is on PlayStation going forward.”
Significance for the Franchise
This remake is significant on several fronts. First, it acknowledges the legacy of Halo’s original campaign, which is widely regarded as a landmark in first-person shooters, while bringing it to modern hardware with technical upgrades. Second, the multiplatform launch indicates Microsoft’s strategy to broaden Halo’s audience beyond Xbox—something that was long-rumoured but is now confirmed. Third, by focusing on the campaign and cooperative experience, Halo Studios is drawing a line between this remake and its multiplayer-focused counterparts, signalling a bifurcation in how legacy and new titles might be handled.
Fan Reactions
While many fans are excited at the prospect of revisiting the original Halo story in modern form, the absence of PvP multiplayer has raised questions. Competitive multiplayer has been central to Halo’s identity since its early days, so the decision to omit what many consider the “core” Halo multiplayer experience has been met with mixed reactions.
To Wrap Things Up
Halo: Campaign Evolved represents a bold, move by Microsoft and Halo Studios that once again leaves long-term players questioning the overall vision for Xbox. It blends the nostalgia of the original Halo: Combat Evolved with modern technical and gameplay enhancements, while opening the franchise to new platforms and audiences. Its focus on campaign and co-op, and the exclusion of PvP, sets a distinct direction. As the 2026 launch approaches, the critical question will be whether the remake satisfies longtime fans, attracts newcomers and sets a new standard for how classic games are remade. A legacy begins anew, and the ring world awaits.
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