It’s been a quarter of a century since the first Halo: Combat Evolved was released on the original Xbox. At the time, it was a true revelation, and all the gamers who fell in love with Microsoft’s console still have fond memories of it. After all these years, Master Chief is making his grand return in a bold remake powered by the famous Unreal Engine 5. It comes with a lot of improvements to many aspects of the original game. This release is all the more significant because it symbolizes both Xbox’s embrace of multiplatform games before its upcoming return to full exclusives.
Halo Campaign Evolved is a remake of the series' first game, which was released on the original Xbox in November 2001. Developed by Halo Studios—formerly known as 343 Industries—and published by Xbox Game Studios, it is a first-person shooter that can be played both solo and in co-op mode with up to four players. For the very first time, a Halo game is coming to PS5, and cross-play lets you play with Xbox, PS5, and PC players. Enjoy it while you can, because this may be the first—and last—Halo game to be released on a Sony console.
The story revolves around the legendary John-117, the famous Master Chief. This genetically modified Spartan is the last survivor of the Spartan-II program, accompanied by Cortana, an extremely capable artificial intelligence. As they crash-land their ship, the Pillar of Autumn, onto a mysterious man-made structure—the ring known as Halo—they must face the Covenant, an alien species determined to eradicate humanity. But as the Master Chief battles his enemies, he discovers that the famous ring hides an even greater threat. Throughout the game, players uncover the scope of the conspiracy while enjoying some very well-executed gunfights. For this remake, the developers have also included three brand-new missions to flesh out the plot with additional details.
Why Should I Download Halo: Campaign Evolved?
Halo: Campaign Evolved is an exciting return to one of the most influential sci-fi shooters ever made, reimagined with modern visuals, updated gameplay, and a range of quality-of-life improvements. The game combines fast-paced gunfights, exploration, and memorable science-fiction storytelling, while preserving the atmosphere and iconic encounters that made the original so popular.
In terms of gameplay, it’s as effective as ever. You can now sprint to make battles more dynamic. In addition to the gameplay—which retains the original feel—you can still hop into various vehicles, whether it’s the Warthog or the Banshee, to catch enemies off guard.
Another major reason to give Halo: Campaign Evolved a try is its co-op experience. The campaign can be played with up to four players, making it a great choice for gamers who want to experience the story with friends. With cross-play between PC, Xbox, and PS5, assembling a squad is easier than ever, while the combination of different weapons, vehicles, and play styles gives familiar missions a fresh feel when played together.
Technically, the switch to Unreal Engine 5 is a real breath of fresh air for the graphics. The rendering is spectacular, the volumetric lighting is masterfully executed, and the game gains visual depth thanks to numerous particles. The cutscenes, meanwhile, have been remade, and the overall result is quite impressive. Admittedly, the character design won’t appeal to everyone—if only because of Cortana—but it’s actually quite nice.
Ultimately, Halo: Campaign Evolved looks like a solid way to rediscover a landmark in the history of console shooters. The modern presentation, additional content, improved gameplay, and four-player co-op make it much more than a simple graphical overhaul. However, some longtime fans may prefer the visual identity and atmosphere of the original, while the new additions may not appeal to everyone. Even so, for newcomers and players who haven't returned to Halo: Combat Evolved in years, this remake offers a compelling opportunity to experience the legendary campaign with a modern touch.
Is Halo: Campaign Evolved Free?
Halo Campaign Evolved is a paid game. But if you have an Xbox Game Pass Ultimate or PC Game Pass subscription, it’s available in Microsoft’s service catalog, so you can download and play it with no extra charge. On PS5, however, players have no choice but to purchase it through a standard purchase.
What Operating Systems Are Compatible with Halo: Campaign Evolved?
Halo: Campaign Evolved is available for download on PlayStation 5—a first for the series—as well as on Windows PC and Xbox Series X|S. If you prefer cloud gaming, the game is also available through Xbox Cloud Gaming with a Game Pass Ultimate subscription.
What Are the Alternatives to Halo: Campaign Evolved?
Naturally, when you think of Halo, the best way to discover the series is through Halo: The Master Chief Collection. Available since 2014 on Xbox and 2019 on Windows PC, this compilation brings together six games from the series: Halo CE Anniversary, Halo 2 Anniversary, Halo 3, Halo 3: ODST, Halo 4, and the excellent Halo Reach, which takes place before the events of the first game. All of these titles can be enjoyed in 4K and at 120 frames per second, and the overall experience is truly excellent. It’s a great compilation if you want to discover Microsoft’s series.
Speaking of the same franchise, we obviously can’t overlook Halo Infinite. Released in December 2021 on Xbox Series, Xbox One, and PC, the game is the latest canonical installment in the saga as we await the next chapter. Developed by 343 Industries—now renamed Halo Studios—it marks the Master Chief’s return to the Zeta Halo ring, where he faces the Outcasts, a splinter faction of the Covenant. Good news: while the single-player campaign is still a paid experience, multiplayer has gone free-to-play, offering an ideal entry point for anyone with an Xbox or Windows PC. It’s an excellent complement to Campaign Evolved.
Let's wrap up with a game that made a lasting impression in its day: Crysis Remastered. Released in 2020, this modernized version of Crytek’s cult-classic FPS takes us to a fictional island in the South China Sea. There, a soldier equipped with a nanosuit—high-tech armor that grants superhuman strength, speed, durability, and temporary invisibility—must face off against the North Korean army and then the Ceph, an alien threat far older than either. Upon its release, the game was a true technological showcase, and it hasn’t lost any of its luster with its ray tracing, 8K textures, and DLSS support. If you enjoyed Master Chief’s battles against the Covenant, you’ll love his battles against the Ceph. A complete change of scenery is guaranteed.
