The Tool Desk
Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →The next Halo game is Halo: Campaign Evolved, a ground-up remake of Halo: Combat Evolved’s campaign. It launched on July 28, 2026, for Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, and PC via Steam. You can play alone, with a friend in console split-screen, or with up to four players online or over a network—including across platforms. You do not need to play a separate Halo game or understand Halo Studios’ other projects before starting.
What kind of Halo game is Campaign Evolved?
This is a retelling of the original Halo: Combat Evolved campaign, not a new entry that assumes you already know the series. Master Chief and Cortana crash-land on the ringworld Halo. The Chief must protect stranded human shipmates from the Covenant while uncovering a threat to life across the galaxy. Halo Studios describes the remake as a ground-up rebuild, with high-definition visuals, updated controls, refined level design, expanded narrative, and enhanced cinematics and sound. Halo Studios’ announcement lays out the game’s premise and scope.
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Project Foundry, Halo Studios’ Unreal Engine 5 research and training effort, is not this game and is not required background. The studio’s announcement of its transition describes Foundry as neither a game nor a tech demo.
What is in the campaign?
The original adventure and new missions
The remake includes the original campaign’s 13 missions and adds three missions set before those events. The new missions feature Sergeant Avery Johnson alongside new characters, enemies, environments, and dangers. They offer additional story and play rather than replacing the original campaign. Halo Studios’ game announcement covers the core campaign, while its gameplay overview describes the new missions and additions.
#1 Best Overall
- A CLASSIC REIMAGINED — Experience the original Halo: Combat Evolved campaign rebuilt with high‑definition visuals, updated cinematics, refined controls, and a brand‑new three‑mission adventure.
- ENHANCED AUDIO & VISUALS — Relive every mission with modernized animations, a remastered soundtrack, and fully rebuilt sound design for deeper immersion across the Halo universe.
- NEW STORY CONTENT — Play as the Master Chief alongside Sgt. Johnson in Operation: Meteorite, a standalone campaign featuring new environments, enemies, and gameplay challenges.
- CO‑OP YOUR WAY — Play solo, in 2‑player split‑screen co‑op (console only), or up to 4‑player online co‑op with full crossplay and cross‑progression support.
- XBOX PLAY ANYWHERE — Play across XBOX Series X|S and Windows PCs at no additional cost, with shared progress and achievements across supported devices.
Weapons, vehicles, and Skulls
Halo Studios says the remake adds nine weapons from across the series, including the Energy Sword and Battle Rifle. Vehicle changes include hijacking enemy vehicles and an extra rear seat in the Warthog. The campaign also has 42 unlockable Skulls: modifiers that can change weapons, enemies, player attributes, or environmental effects.
Do not assume that LASO—the especially demanding challenge built around difficulty modifiers—requires all 42 Skulls. In its July 2026 community Q&A, Halo Studios said LASO uses a curated assortment. Some Skulls conflict with one another or would undermine the intended challenge.
Rank #2
- Pre-order Halo: Campaign Evolved and get the Foundry Armoury Pack, featuring legendary looks for the Master Chief’s iconic Mark V Mjolnir armour. Halo: Campaign Evolved is a faithful yet modernised remake of Halo: Combat Evolved’s campaign. Experience the original story rebuilt with high-definition visuals, updated cinematics and refined controls, plus a brand-new three-mission adventure.
- Battle through the original missions with all-new visuals and animations, plus a remastered soundtrack and fully rebuilt sound design for deeper immersion. Internet and PlayStation Plus required for online multiplayer.
- Play as the Master Chief alongside Sgt. Johnson in Operation: Meteorite, a standalone combat operation featuring new environments, gameplay and enemies.
How can you play with other people?
| Mode | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Solo | Play the campaign alone. |
| Console split-screen | Two-player split-screen is supported on console. |
| Online or networked co-op | Up to four players on Xbox, PC, or PlayStation 5; cross-platform play and shared progression are supported. |
These modes and player counts are from Halo Studios’ announcement. The July 2026 Q&A adds that the fireteam leader chooses whether friendly fire is enabled, and that choice applies to the group.
What should you set up before playing co-op?
Have a Microsoft account and Gamertag ready. Halo Studios says they are required. On Steam and PlayStation, you will be prompted to link your platform identity to a Microsoft account; use Gamertags to find or invite cross-platform friends. The official account and play-preparation guide says story checkpoints, collectibles, and customizations share across supported platforms when tied to the account.
Rank #3
- PREMIUM EDITION CONTENT — Receive the Alpha Halo Armory Pack with 5 armor skins and 6 weapon skins, plus the Digital Artbook, Digital Short Story, and in‑game bonus content.
- A CLASSIC REIMAGINED — Experience the original Halo: Combat Evolved campaign rebuilt with high‑definition visuals, updated cinematics, refined controls, and a brand‑new three‑mission adventure.
- ENHANCED AUDIO & VISUALS — Relive every mission with modernized animations, a remastered soundtrack, and fully rebuilt sound design for deeper immersion across the Halo universe.
- NEW STORY CONTENT — Play as the Master Chief alongside Sgt. Johnson in Operation: Meteorite, a standalone campaign featuring new environments, enemies, and gameplay challenges.
- CO‑OP YOUR WAY — Play solo, in 2‑player split‑screen co‑op (console only), or up to 4‑player online co‑op with full crossplay and cross‑progression support.
If achievements matter to you, check the requirement for the particular achievement before enabling difficulty modifiers. Halo Studios says modifiers can block more challenging achievements such as LASO when anyone in the fireteam has them enabled; some simpler achievements may still be earned. The July 2026 Q&A does not establish that every modifier blocks every achievement.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Which platform should you choose?
The game is available on Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, and PC via Steam. Since cross-platform co-op is supported, you can choose based on the system you already use and where your friends play. Console split-screen is the option for two people sharing a console; online or networked co-op accommodates up to four players.
Rank #4
- Game for two players or teams
- 3D modular board for limitless game-play experience
- Interactive battle sequences on the DVD
- Interactive Halo DVD can be used
- Players can select characters for strategic battles
Digital Xbox editions support Xbox Play Anywhere between Windows PC and Xbox Series X|S, carrying saves, progression, and customization between those platforms. Halo Studios listed the game for Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass at launch, but subscription catalogs change by region and over time; check the current catalog where you live before relying on access. These details are in the official editions announcement.
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The Xbox and PlayStation 5 Collector’s Editions were described as physical editions with a game disc, SteelBook, 12-inch Master Chief statue, LED Cortana data-chip replica, three 11-by-17-inch concept-art prints, and a physical manual modeled on the original game manual. Halo Studios marked the Collector’s Edition sold out on June 8, 2026, so that notice does not establish current stock or resale pricing. Check the platform-specific listing and seller details if you are looking for one.
Will it run on a handheld?
In its July 2026 Q&A, Halo Studios described Steam Deck as Verified and Windows handhelds as Handheld Optimized. Those are the studio’s ratings at that time; check current device-support information for any changes since then.
Quick Recap
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