(Credit: Microsoft)
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Rather than create a new Halo game, Microsoft will resurrect and modernize the original.
On Friday, the company’s Xbox team announced it’s preparing a "full remake of the Halo: Combat Evolved campaign." It will be available on the Xbox Series S/X and PC, but also the PlayStation 5 as part of Microsoft’s controversial strategy to go beyond console exclusives.
For the upcoming title, dubbed Halo: Campaign Evolved, Microsoft’s Halo Studios will tap Epic Games' cutting-edge Unreal Engine 5 to improve the original, which dates back to 2001.
The company’s reveal video shows off the results: Main character Master Chief, the sci-fi environments, enemies, and gameplay have all been overhauled with modern graphics, including realistic lighting and shadow effects.
(Credit: Xbox)The game will also run 4K visuals while retaining the core gameplay from the original, according to Microsoft. Still, Halo Studios plans new improvements and additions, including three new bonus campaign missions, the option to wield nine more weapons from the Halo series, and the ability to sprint, although that can be disabled. Expect certain missions to be improved, too.
(Credit: Xbox)In addition, the game is expanding on the original two-player co-op mode, doubling it to "four players in online co-op across Xbox, PC, and PlayStation 5."
Why a remake? Halo Studios Executive Producer Damon Conn explained that it’s designed to pave the way for a new entry. “We wanted to start where it all began, with the original campaign that defined Halo,” Conn said. “Starting here means people that have never played the game before will be able to understand the story from the very beginning, and that can help us chart a course forward with new Halo stories.”
Microsoft adds the game will arrive on day one for Xbox Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass, which recently got a price hike. In a statement, Sony's PlayStation team said Halo: Campaign Evolved is coming to the PS5 in 2026. "We’ll have more to share in the months ahead, but for now, you can wishlist today," it says.