What is Campaign Evolved?
The complete game overview
Halo: Campaign Evolved is a complete ground-up remake of Halo: Combat Evolved, the 2001 game that launched the Xbox and defined modern first-person shooters. Built in Unreal Engine 5, it brings the legendary campaign to 2026 with stunning visuals, new content, and modern gameplay features.
- Developer: Halo Studios (formerly 343 Industries)
- Publisher: Xbox Game Studios
- Engine: Unreal Engine 5
- Genre: First-Person Shooter / Sci-Fi
- Released: July 28, 2026
- Platforms: PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PC
- Players: 1-4 Co-op
- Price: $49.99 / Game Pass day one
The Story
Save humanity from extinction on a mysterious alien ringworld
The Main Campaign
After crash landing on a mysterious ringworld known as Halo, the Master Chief and his AI companion Cortanamust help the remaining humans survive against overwhelming Covenant forces. As they explore the ring, they uncover Halo's dark secrets and fight to prevent the annihilation of all life in the galaxy.
Operation: METEORITE - The Prequel Missions
Three brand-new missions set one year before Halo: Combat Evolved, featuring the Master Chief and Sergeant Avery Johnson. Written in collaboration with Halo novelist Troy Denning, they are included at launch and playable in full.
Campaign Missions
10 remade classics plus 3 brand-new prequel missions
Original Missions (Remade)
1. The Pillar of Autumn
Escape the doomed ship as the Covenant attacks
2. Halo
First steps on the mysterious ringworld
3. The Truth and Reconciliation
Infiltrate a Covenant cruiser
4. The Silent Cartographer
Storm the beaches to find the map room
5. Assault on the Control Room
Fight through snow and ice to reach Halo's control center
6. 343 Guilty Spark
Encounter the Flood for the first time
7. The Library
Navigate the Flood-infested facility with enhanced wayfinding
8. Two Betrayals
Destroy Halo's pulse generators
9. Keyes
Return to the Truth and Reconciliation
10. The Maw
Escape the exploding Pillar of Autumn
New Prequel Missions
Boarding Action
Operation: METEORITE, mission 1 - set one year before the main campaign
The Most Dangerous Game
Operation: METEORITE, mission 2 - Master Chief and Sgt. Johnson
Heavy Burden
Operation: METEORITE, mission 3 - the operation concludes
Mission 7: The Library was often criticized as the weakest level in the original. The remake adds better wayfinding, new Guilty Spark dialogue, improved pacing, and enhanced environmental storytelling.
New Features & Content
What's been added and enhanced
Expanded Arsenal
All original weapons plus 9 iconic weapons from later Halo games, including the Energy Sword, Battle Rifle, and Needle Rifle.
Vehicle Enhancements
Vehicle hijacking for the first time in CE, a drivable Wraith tank, and a 4-seat Warthog for your whole fireteam.
Enhanced Co-op
4-player online co-op (a series first), 2-player split-screen on consoles, full crossplay across PS5/Xbox/PC, and cross-progression.
42 Skulls & Campaign Remix
The most gameplay modifiers ever in a Halo campaign, plus the new randomized Campaign Remix mode for endless replays.
Graphics & Audio
Rebuilt from the ground up in Unreal Engine 5
Visual Enhancements
- 4K Resolution with HDR support
- New Cinematics - motion-captured animations
- UE5 Lighting - photorealistic rendering
- Every surface rebuilt - environments, effects, shields
While visuals are completely rebuilt in UE5, the original Halo simulation code is preserved underneath, so physics and gameplay feel exactly like the original.
Audio Enhancements
- Remastered Soundtrack - Marty O'Donnell & Michael Salvatori's score
- Rebuilt Sound Design - every effect recreated
- Re-recorded Dialogue - original cast returns, plus new lines
- Spatial Audio - Dolby Atmos / Tempest 3D
Remake vs. Original
How Campaign Evolved compares to previous versions
| Feature | Original (2001) | Anniversary (2011) | Campaign Evolved (2026) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Resolution | 480p | 1080p | 4K |
| Engine | Blam! | Blam! + Saber3D | Unreal Engine 5 |
| New Missions | - | - | 3 Prequel Missions |
| New Weapons | - | - | 9 Weapons |
| Co-op Players | 2 | 2 | 4 Online |
| Cross-Platform | - | - | PS5 + Xbox + PC |
| PlayStation | - | - | Yes - series first |