Halo Campaign Evolved Stuns Xbox Showcase with New Prequel, Classic Weapons, and a PlayStation Debut

One of the biggest surprises at the Xbox Showcase was a full new look at Halo Campaign Evolved, a remake of the original Halo: Combat Evolved developed from the ground up in Unreal Engine 5. Fans got a closer look at Operation Meteorite in the opener, a new three-mission prequel campaign that takes place a year before the main game and stars Master Chief and Sergeant Johnson.

The new story was written with the help of noted science-fiction novelist Troy Denning, who has made many contributions to the Halo novel world, and is meant to add to the franchise’s history while respecting its past. In the trailer, we saw a younger Master Chief in different armor, indicating that the game is set before the events of the first Halo voyage.

Those who have previously played Halo Campaign Evolved claim it’s an exact reproduction that remains faithful to the original while modernizing practically every facet of the experience. One of the more striking demos was a redesigned rendition of The Silent Cartographer, one of the most iconic missions in Halo history. Early thoughts are that the level retains the sense of surprise and freedom that made the previous game wonderful, while also gaining better graphics and gameplay.

The remake introduces key action elements that fans have been waiting for, along with enhanced graphics.

Most importantly, gamers will finally be able to wield the iconic Energy Sword in a game set in the Halo CE era. The weapon, first introduced in Halo 2, wasn’t in the first game but is now part of the larger arsenal available in prequel missions. The new ad appears to be brimming with references and information from across the franchise's history.

Players will also be able to employ additional weapons from the Halo games like the Energy Sword, the Needle Rifle from Halo Reach, the Battle Rifle, the Fuel Rod Cannon, the Brute Plasma Rifle, the Brute Spiker from Halo 3, and the Halo 2 SMG. The significant point is that Brute foes will also be in Operation Meteorite, which were not in the original Halo: Combat Evolved.

The addition of the Stanchion, a deadly weapon that has only been seen in Halo games and expanded universe content, might get Halo mythology fans even more excited. The die-hard Halo fans have been clamoring for the railgun-like gun for a long time; thus, its inclusion in a playable Halo game was a significant event for the series.

That said, with those adjustments, it looks like Halo Studios is leveraging the remake format to incorporate elements from other games in the series rather than merely rehashing the original experience word-for-word. The result appears to be a celebration of Halo's longer past while still staying true to the plot that made the game famous.

The biggest takeaway from the demonstration was the announcement that Halo Campaign Evolved will come to PlayStation 5. The news is a major thing for the series, and it reflects how Microsoft’s multiplatform approach is evolving. So this is still a major step forward for Halo, even if there are now more first-party titles on other platforms thanks to Xbox's new “Everything is an Xbox” promotion.

The move was made because other Xbox franchises, such as Sea of Thieves, have performed well on PlayStation.

While Halo Campaign Evolved's launch on Sony’s platform is a major win for Xbox, it’s easy to see the current rhetoric from Xbox as more about building its own ecosystem and delivering exclusive games down the line. Microsoft also unveiled gameplay and announced multiple versions and pre-order bonuses. The standard edition will be available on July 28 for $49.99 USD. This is a really good price for a remake that has been totally rebuilt; plenty of fans consider it.

Players can purchase the Premium Edition for $69.99 USD to gain five days of early access to the game before the full launch on July 23. The new edition also includes a handful of new skins and customization options that draw from various points in Halo’s history. Some of these beauty items have already sparked conversations in the community.

Many gamers welcome the extra options to tailor the single-player experience, while some believe some themes are too distinct from Halo's normal look. Long-time fans have mixed reactions to the numerous forms of Master Chief; some are sentimental throwbacks, and some are more experimental ideas. Critics have questioned some of the more elaborate armor options, while fans regard them as optional bonuses that allow players to personalize the game.

People will disagree, of course, but the debate highlights the passion Halo fans have for preserving the genre's visual essence. For those who prefer collecting, a premium Collector's Edition has also been announced. It costs $199 USD and includes a 12-inch Master Chief figure, a light-up Cortana chip, rare books and other goodies. The price tag could put some people off, but it’s apparent the bundle is made for Halo enthusiasts who want a premium display piece.

And it’s not just about the substance. Many fans saw Halo Campaign Evolved as a huge leap forward for Halo Studios’ future. The remake is the series’ jump to Unreal Engine 5, after years of development on in-house tech.

People who played an early copy believe the visual boost is enormous, especially on platform hardware.

The character models, scenery, lighting, and overall look of the movie are all tremendously improved. Once again, Cortana's look has been changed, continuing a long history of alterations to the character's appearance throughout the series. The showcase also teased an aerial job, suggesting there will be additional ways to play beyond the first release.

Halo Campaign Evolved seems to aim to have it all, offering the same surroundings with newly added areas and cinematic segments for both returning and new players. And fans paying attention also got a video that seemed to depict one of the last scenes from the first Halo. The scene might offer clues to adjustments to several environmental characteristics that have long been criticized for not making sense in the 2001 blockbuster.

Community theories suggest that the remake will tweak certain elements while retaining the basic plotline framework. Maybe the biggest long-term impact is what Unreal Engine 5 means for future Halo projects. By switching to a widely used development platform, Halo Studios should be able to implement changes more quickly and avoid some of the technological challenges that plagued previous games.

How far into the future the Halo series goes will depend on how well Campaign Evolved does.

Some fans are already asking whether the multiplayer experience will be totally overhauled, or whether the same technology could be used to build a distinct Halo online platform. There have been no announcements of such ambitions, but the remake is proof that Halo Studios is getting better at using Unreal Engine 5. If this initiative is successful, it might serve as a blueprint for future Halo games with a simpler production process.

But the biggest triumph of the remake might be the nostalgia it brings back to many players who've been there since the beginning. Early impressions of the game suggest it has the thrill and sense of discovery that made Halo a great game for a whole generation of gamers.

Xbox is ready to release one of its biggest titles in years with Halo Campaign Evolved. It launches on July 28, is accessible on Game Pass, and Premium Edition customers may get in early starting July 23. There’s been a lot of news out of the showcase, and a lot of fans are already calling it proof that Xbox has found its groove again and that Halo might finally be kicking off a new, exciting chapter.