Halo: Campaign Evolved is a ground-up remake of Halo: Combat Evolved’s campaign, with updated presentation and combat, plus three prequel missions. It launched globally on July 28, 2026, for Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, and PC.
What is Halo: Campaign Evolved?
It retells the original Halo campaign rather than remaking the full package of the 2001 game. Halo Studios describes it as a ground-up rebuild of the story, with updated visuals, cinematics, controls, level design, and audio. Xbox Wire says the remake was built in Unreal Engine 5 and features remastered music and updated animations. These are the publishers’ descriptions, not independent performance or quality assessments. Halo Waypoint’s announcement and Xbox Wire’s announcement outline the remake’s scope.
What story content is new?
Operation: METEORITE
The remake adds three prequel missions following Master Chief and Sgt. Major Avery Johnson aboard a Covenant vessel, before the events of Halo: Combat Evolved. The missions introduce new environments, enemies, and allies. Halo Waypoint’s 2026 story reveal describes the campaign as 13 missions in total: the original campaign alongside the three additions. Read the story reveal.
How does combat differ from the original?
Halo Studios says the remake includes nine additional weapons drawn from later games, including the Energy Sword, Battle Rifle, and Needle Rifle. Other additions include the ability to hijack enemy vehicles, drive a Wraith tank, and use optional Skulls that alter weapons, enemies, players, or the environment. The Warthog also has an extra rear seat to accommodate a four-player squad. Halo Waypoint’s gameplay reveal lists these changes.
#1 Best Overall
- A CLASSIC REIMAGINED — Experience the original Halo: Combat Evolved campaign rebuilt with high‑definition visuals, updated cinematics, refined controls, and a brand‑new three‑mission adventure.
- ENHANCED AUDIO & VISUALS — Relive every mission with modernized animations, a remastered soundtrack, and fully rebuilt sound design for deeper immersion across the Halo universe.
- NEW STORY CONTENT — Play as the Master Chief alongside Sgt. Johnson in Operation: Meteorite, a standalone campaign featuring new environments, enemies, and gameplay challenges.
- ICONIC VEHICLES EVOLVED — Drive and hijack classic Halo vehicles with new gameplay possibilities, including piloting a fully controllable Wraith tank for the first time in Halo: CE.
- CO‑OP YOUR WAY — Play solo, in 2‑player split‑screen co‑op (console only), or up to 4‑player online co‑op with full crossplay and cross‑progression support.
Does it have multiplayer?
The confirmed multiplayer feature is cooperative campaign play, not a separately announced competitive mode. Up to four players can play online or over a network, with cross-play and shared progression. Xbox Series X|S and PS5 also support two-player split-screen. The official feature descriptions establish co-op; they do not establish a PvP mode.
When did Halo: Campaign Evolved release, and where can you play it?
The global release was July 28, 2026, at 8:00 a.m. PDT. The listed date for Japan and select Asia-Pacific markets was July 29. The game is available on Xbox Series X|S, PS5, and PC, including Steam. Xbox Wire says cross-play and cross-progression work across Xbox Series X|S, Windows PC, Steam, and PS5. It was announced as a day-one title for Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass; subscription catalogs and availability can vary by region and change over time. Xbox Wire’s launch information gives the date and platform details.
Rank #2
- PREMIUM EDITION CONTENT — Receive the Alpha Halo Armory Pack with 5 armor skins and 6 weapon skins, plus the Digital Artbook, Digital Short Story, and in‑game bonus content.
- A CLASSIC REIMAGINED — Experience the original Halo: Combat Evolved campaign rebuilt with high‑definition visuals, updated cinematics, refined controls, and a brand‑new three‑mission adventure.
- ENHANCED AUDIO & VISUALS — Relive every mission with modernized animations, a remastered soundtrack, and fully rebuilt sound design for deeper immersion across the Halo universe.
- NEW STORY CONTENT — Play as the Master Chief alongside Sgt. Johnson in Operation: Meteorite, a standalone campaign featuring new environments, enemies, and gameplay challenges.
- CO‑OP YOUR WAY — Play solo, in 2‑player split‑screen co‑op (console only), or up to 4‑player online co‑op with full crossplay and cross‑progression support.
Premium and Collector’s Edition buyers were offered up to five days of early access, beginning July 23 PDT, or July 24 in Japan and select Asia-Pacific markets. That early-access period has passed.
What comes in each edition?
Xbox Wire announced the following edition contents and prices. Prices below are announcement prices, not a statement of current retailer pricing.
Rank #3
- System requirement your device must meet all minimum requirements to open this product OS Xbox One architecture x64
| Edition | Format and announced price | Included items |
|---|---|---|
| Standard | Digital; $49.99 / £49.99 / €59.99 | Game |
| Premium | Digital; $69.99 / £69.99 / €79.99 | Game, early access as originally offered, armor and weapon skin pack, digital artbook, Troy Denning’s digital short story Halo: Hungry Buzzards, and digital manual |
| Collector’s Edition | Console version: physical disc; $199.99 US suggested retail price / €199.99. Steam version: digital codes. | Console version: Premium Edition upgrade voucher, collectible SteelBook, 12-inch Master Chief statue by Dark Horse, LED Cortana data-chip replica, three 11-by-17-inch art prints, and physical manual. Steam version includes digital codes rather than a physical disc. |
The prices and edition contents were announced by Xbox Wire; check regional sellers for current price, stock, and exact format. Halo Waypoint said Collector’s Edition supply was limited and directed buyers to the Xbox Game Studios Gear Shop. See Halo Waypoint’s edition details.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.How does the remake compare with the original?
The central distinction is scope: the remake revisits the original campaign, adds three prequel missions, and expands the combat options. Official sources document those changes but do not provide an independent comparative review, so they establish what has changed—not whether the new version plays or performs better.
Quick Recap
Best Value
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Rank #4
- Master Chief can now wield two weapons at once, board Covenant vehicles and steal Covenant weapons like the incredible double energy sword
- Lead an all-new unit of super-soldiers, the ODST -- tougher, badder and deadlier versions of your old comrades
- New enemies, allies and surprises around every corner - intense combat action with enhanced AI and real-time lighting
- Immense single-player action with maassive landscapes and huge cities to explore and defend - destructible and interactive environments
- Take the action online with your Xbox Live and switch sides, to become a Covenant Elite!
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