'Halo: Campaign Evolved' Is Coming to PS5 and Xbox in 2026 — Here's What to Expect

Halo is officially making a comeback. More than two decades after Halo: Combat Evolved revolutionised the first-person shooter genre, Microsoft has announced Halo: Campaign Evolved, a full-scale remake set to launch in 2026 on Xbox Series X|S, PC, and, for the first time ever, PlayStation 5.

Described by Halo Studios as a 'complete remake', the new release promises remastered 4K visuals, richer storytelling and modern gameplay refinements while preserving the heart of the 2001 classic that defined a generation.

Developers say the project blends 25 years of community feedback with cutting-edge technology to deliver a cinematic, emotional experience that honours the original's legacy.

'It's not just a makeover, it's a rebirth,' the studio said, teasing that everything from the golden plains of Halo's ringworld to the eerie corridors haunted by the Flood has been rebuilt from the ground up with painstaking attention to atmosphere and immersion.

But this revival isn't simply about nostalgia. Halo: Campaign Evolved aims to bridge past and present, inviting both veteran Spartans and first-time players to relive the adventure that started it all, this time with next-gen visuals and a cross-platform audience.

The iconic franchise that once launched the Xbox golden age is ready to do it again, reigniting the fire for a new generation of gamers.

Reimagined For New Generation

While the remake brings a sweeping visual overhaul, Halo Studios is careful not to tamper with what players remember most fondly, which is the tone and feel of the original game.

The core design concept remains. Every encounter, weapon, and vehicle has been re-examined and not reinvented. It's still the same symphony of precision shooting, tactical movement, and grand-scale sci-fi storytelling, but retuned with modern sensibilities.

The entire campaign has been reconstructed from the ground up, with refreshed level layouts and updated pacing. Notorious missions have been redesigned with more intuitive navigation, richer environmental storytelling, and new dialogue that adds emotional depth.

The remake also doubles down on co-operative play. Local split-screen returns for console players while online multiplayer expands to four-player campaign support across Xbox, PC, and PS5.

Even the soundscape has been reimagined. The music and voice lines have been rerecorded to capture the cinematic quality of today's audio standards.

Whether it's the eerie choir echoing through alien halls or the hum of a plasma rifle, the remake aims to make every moment feel both familiar and fresh.

New Weapons, Missions, and Tech

Where Halo: Campaign Evolved truly expands its horizons is in its new content.

Players will wield nine additional weapons drawn from across the franchise, including fan favourites like the Energy Sword, Battle Rifle, and Needle Rifle. For the first time in the campaign, players can also hijack vehicles and pilot the Covenant Wraith tank.

Adding even more replayability, this version boasts the largest selection of Skulls ever featured in a Halo campaign, allowing players to customise their experience.

Most excitingly, the remake introduces three brand-new prequel missions set before the events of Combat Evolved. These additions explore fresh environments, enemies, and narrative threads that expand the universe without rewriting its legacy. They serve as both a tribute and an evolution.

Powered by Unreal Engine 5, Halo: Campaign Evolved promises a seamless fusion of nostalgia and next-generation spectacle. Beneath its gleaming new visuals lies a layer of legacy code and systems from the original game. It's an ingenious blend that ensures the 'Halo feel' remains untouched.

This ambitious remake doesn't seek to replace Halo: Combat Evolved, but to stand alongside it.

Halo: Campaign Evolved launches in 2026 for Xbox Series X|S, PC, and PlayStation 5, with full cross-platform support and day-one Game Pass access. For fans, the wait for the next great chapter in Halo's story has already begun, and this time, everyone's invited.