If you’ve been delaying and anticipating Halo Studios (previously 343 Industries) to introduce its cherished “Halo” franchise to PlayStation consoles, it seems your wait won’t be overly long. On October 24, Halo Studios revealed that “Halo: Campaign Evolved” — a total remake of the original “Halo: Combat Evolved” campaign — will be launched on PlayStation 5 in 2026. While there’s no confirmed release date yet, it will be available “day and date” on Sony’s console.
The game is also slated for release on Xbox Series X|S, Xbox on PC, and Steam. Additionally, the remake will be accessible through Xbox Play Anywhere and Xbox Cloud Gaming. Nonetheless, the prospect of the new remake arriving on PS5 is sure to thrill numerous gamers, with Brian “ske7ch” Jarrard, the Community Director of Halo Studios, sharing the announcement on the PlayStation Blog.
“For nearly 25 years, Halo has provided players with an incredible sci-fi universe to delve into, unforgettable characters to encounter, and thrilling gameplay to experience together. From large-scale battles to friendships formed during late-night co-op sessions, Halo has always transcended being just a game – it’s about the players who’ve woven it into their lives. From the onset, we aimed to create a world filled with stories and experiences that unite people. And now, for the first time, PS5 players will also be able to partake in that journey.”
What is Halo: Campaign Evolved?
From all the footage and information Halo Studios has revealed, “Campaign Evolved” will offer more than a straightforward 1:1 remake of the original title. We have already witnessed this with the launch of “Halo: The Master Chief Collection,” which provided graphical enhancements for the second game while merging other “Halo” titles like “Halo: Reach” and “Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary” into a single offering.
“Halo: Campaign Evolved has been constructed from the ground up to pay homage to the original while modernizing the experience.” Jarrard mentioned in the PlayStation Blog entry. Moreover, the missions have been revamped with high-definition visuals and entirely new cinematics. Enhanced controls and movement are also pivotal to the growth of “Halo: Campaign Evolved,” and a fully remastered soundtrack will accompany players as they embark on Master Chief’s first adventure once more.
Among the “surprises” fans can look forward to are three new prequel missions, along with nine additional weapons. It appears these weapons have been sourced from throughout the series, making it unlikely for any entirely new items to be introduced. Players will also have the option to engage in four-player online co-op, as well as classic couch co-op with just two players. The game will also facilitate cross-play and cross-progression between both console and PC, allowing more players than ever to explore the Halo universe together.
Halo’s future remains uncertain
It’s intriguing to observe Microsoft bringing one of its flagship franchises to the PlayStation, though it seems a clever strategy given the recent challenges surrounding Xbox Game Pass and its price increases. Certainly, Microsoft has been making significant advancements in recent years, emphasizing its desire for players to enjoy its games regardless of their chosen platform. In that light, introducing Master Chief to PS5 — particularly with fresh visuals that could attract a new generation of Halo fans — appears to be a beneficial move for the company’s bottom line.
And while multiplayer won’t be included in this release, the launch of “Halo: Campaign Evolved” may just signify the beginning of a brighter future for the alien-fighting Master Chief as he explores new territories by settling into the living rooms of PlayStation fans. Judging by how Jarrard concluded his PlayStation Blog post, it certainly seems there are more developments on the horizon.
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