Halo: Campaign Evolved

Halo: Campaign Evolved is a first-person shooter that reimagines the story of Halo: Combat Evolved (2001) for a new generation. Developed by Halo Studios and published by Xbox Game Studios, it launches on PlayStation 5, Windows, and Xbox Series X/S on July 28, 2026. Built in Unreal Engine 5, the game upgrades visuals and redesigns its mission set, adding new levels and incorporating mechanics, weapons, and narrative elements from later Halo titles. The cinematics and audio are fully remade, with the principal voice cast re-recording their dialogue. This remake focuses solely on the campaign, offering four-player online co-op and two-player split-screen on consoles, plus cross-platform play and progression across all platforms.

Following Bungie's departure, 343 Industries took over the franchise after Halo: Reach (2010), releasing Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary (2011) and new mainline games like Halo Infinite (2021). In 2024, the team restructured as Halo Studios and shifted from the proprietary Slipspace Engine to Unreal Engine 5. Campaign Evolved is the first game using this new technology, designed to introduce the series to newcomers ahead of its first multiplatform release. Teased in October 2024 and officially announced in 2025, the game marks the 25th anniversary of both the Halo franchise and the Xbox platform.[edit]

The core sandbox of the original returns with the MA5B assault rifle, M6D pistol, and energy sword, but now sits alongside equipment like the Grappleshot from Halo Infinite and Promethean weapons from the Reclaimer saga. Vehicle handling has been tightened, and every mission features redesigned level geometry with expanded environments and new objectives that flesh out the original story. The game supports four-player online co-op across all platforms and two-player split-screen on consoles, with full cross-platform play and progression.

Firefight: Evolved offers a cooperative wave-based mode across remade Combat Evolved maps, pitting up to four players against Covenant and Flood forces. Cross-platform matchmaking is enabled, and progression carries over to the standalone Halo: The Master Chief Collection.[edit]

Players step into the armor of the Master Chief, a genetically enhanced supersoldier, as he crash-lands on the ringworld Halo alongside the AI Cortana. Together they fight the alien Covenant and the parasitic Flood while uncovering Halo's true purpose as a galactic superweapon. New cutscenes and dialogue deepen the characterization of Captain Keyes, Sergeant Johnson, and the Covenant's Thel 'Vadamee, whose backstory is woven into the campaign for the first time.[edit]