While the exact launch date hasn’t been revealed, insiders expect the release to coincide with the series’ 25th anniversary on November 15, 2026. Microsoft recently showcased a 13-minute gameplay demo of the opening mission, giving fans a first look at what’s shaping up to be a visually stunning and faithfully modernized reimagining of the classic.
Halo: Campaign Evolved Gameplay
Built entirely from the ground up in Unreal Engine 5, Halo: Campaign Evolved features full 4K visuals, updated animations, remastered sound design, and re-recorded voice performances. Developers promise to preserve the heart and tone of the 2001 original while enhancing gunplay, AI, level flow, and wayfinding. The game’s environments have been expanded with new storytelling details and refined pacing, especially during the Flood encounters. Even Guilty Spark has received new dialogue.
Among the many additions are nine extra weapons pulled from across the Halo franchise — including fan favorites like the Battle Rifle, Needle Rifle, Energy Sword, Sentinel Beam, and Fuel Rod Cannon. Players can now hijack vehicles, pilot the Covenant Wraith, and experiment with more “Skulls” than ever before. Three brand-new prequel missions featuring Master Chief and Sgt. Johnson have also been added, offering new perspectives and settings leading up to the events of Combat Evolved. Sprinting and aim-down-sights (ADS) are included as optional toggles.
Co-op has been modernized too. The campaign supports up to four players online across all platforms with full cross-play and cross-progression, as well as local two-player split-screen co-op on PlayStation and Xbox. The remake does not include PvP multiplayer, which remains accessible through The Master Chief Collectionthough rumors suggest a standalone free multiplayer project may follow later.
Community manager Brian Jarrard confirmed that “Halo is (and will be) on PlayStation going forward,” hinting that this is only the beginning of Halo’s future on Sony’s consoles — and possibly even Halo Infinite’s multiplayer arriving there one day.
The announcement sums it up best: “We’re going back to where it all began — the story that introduced Master Chief, Cortana, and the Halo ring. For some, it’s a return to legend; for others, it’s the first step onto the ringworld that changed gaming forever.”
Xbox users not happy
However, the announcement has dulled the excitement of many Xbox users who were furious to see another of their exclusives going to PlayStation. Microsoft is already on the firing line for hiking console as well as Game Pass prices.
“Can Xbox have Spider-Man in return. Or anything. Our own platform doesn’t give a shit anymore lol,” wrote one Xbox user.
“Now do the right thing….release a playstation exclusive for Xbox like God of War or Uncharted, or maybe Wolverine,” said another.
“If it wasn’t for Sony releasing their games on Xbox too, the humiliation would be even bigger,” said a third.
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