Finish the Fight? It’s Time to Start it All Over Again.
In a leak that broke the internet before the official reveal at the Halo World Championship, store pages for a game called Halo: Campaign Evolved went live, confirming one of the biggest rumors in modern gaming. It’s real. A complete, ground-up remake of the original Halo: Combat Evolved campaign is coming in 2026. But the biggest bombshell wasn’t just that the iconic shooter was being remade again-it’s that for the first time in the franchise’s 25-year history, Master Chief is officially landing on a PlayStation console.
Rebuilt from scratch in Unreal Engine 5, Halo: Campaign Evolved is not a simple remaster like 2011’s Anniversary edition. This is a full-blown reimagining of the game that started it all, promising to be a faithful yet modernized experience for both veterans and a whole new generation of players on Xbox, PC, and now, PlayStation 5.
More Than Just a Fresh Coat of Paint
Developer Halo Studios is making it clear that this is an evolution, not just a preservation. While the core story of Master Chief and Cortana crash-landing on a mysterious ringworld remains intact, the experience surrounding it is being massively expanded. The official store pages and developer comments reveal a host of exciting new features.
New Content and Modern Gameplay
- Three New Prequel Missions: For the first time, we’ll get to play new story content set *before* the events of the main game, featuring the Master Chief and the fan-favorite Sgt. Johnson.
- Expanded Arsenal: The classic weapon sandbox is getting a major upgrade. Nine iconic weapons from later Halo games, like the Battle Rifle and the Energy Sword, are being added to the campaign.
- Modern Mechanics: Combat is being refined to feel sharper and more fluid. Players will now be able to sprint and aim down sights, bringing the gameplay more in line with modern shooters.
- More Vehicle Mayhem: You’ll now be able to hijack enemy vehicles during combat. And in a first for this campaign, you can finally pilot the massive Covenant Wraith tank.
A Complete Audiovisual Overhaul
The entire game is being rebuilt in Unreal Engine 5, promising stunning 4K visuals that bring the iconic vistas and alien architecture of the Halo ring to life like never before. Cinematics and animations are being completely redone, the legendary soundtrack has been fully remastered, and the sound design has been rebuilt for a more immersive experience. The team even brought back the primary cast to re-record voice lines, ensuring that this new version feels both authentic and dramatically enhanced.
Play Your Way, With Friends
Co-op has always been at the heart of Halo, and this remake is no exception. The game will support 2-player split-screen on consoles and up to 4-player online co-op across all platforms. Full crossplay and cross-progression mean you can squad up with friends and seamlessly switch between console and PC. For those looking to add endless replayability, the game will also feature the largest set of ‘Skulls’ ever in a Halo campaign-optional modifiers that can randomize weapons, enemies, and environments for a new challenge every time you play.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- What is Halo: Campaign Evolved?
It is a full, from-the-ground-up remake of the original Halo: Combat Evolved campaign, built in Unreal Engine 5. - When is the release date?
The release window is currently set for 2026. - What platforms will it be on?
It will be released on Xbox Series X|S, PC (Windows and Steam), and PlayStation 5. It will also be available day one on Xbox Game Pass. - Is this different from Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary?
Yes. The 2011 Anniversary edition was a remaster that allowed you to switch between the original and updated graphics. This is a complete remake, meaning the entire game has been rebuilt in a new engine with new assets, mechanics, and content. - What new content is being added?
The remake will include three brand-new prequel missions, nine additional weapons from other Halo games, the ability to hijack vehicles and pilot a Wraith, and more gameplay-modifying ‘Skulls’ than ever before. - Will it support crossplay?
Yes, the 4-player online co-op will feature full crossplay and cross-progression support between Xbox, PC, and PlayStation 5.
Conclusion
The announcement of Halo: Campaign Evolved is a landmark moment. It’s not just a celebration of one of the most influential games ever made; it’s a bold new chapter for the franchise and a major shift in the console landscape. By rebuilding the beginning of the saga and bringing it to a whole new audience on PlayStation, Halo Studios is ensuring that the legend of the Master Chief will continue to evolve for years to come. Whether you’re a 25-year veteran or a newcomer preparing to take your first step onto the ring, 2026 is shaping up to be a monumental year for gaming.