Halo returns with a remake planned for PC, Xbox Series X|S, and PlayStation 5

Halo revient avec un remake prévu sur PC, Xbox Series X|S et PlayStation 5

XboxOct 24, 20254 min read

When we think of Xbox, we think of Halo, Gears of War, Forza MotorSport, Forza Horizon, or even Xbox Game Pass. What makes the brand strong is its ability to offer strong licenses, an experience that connects players, and a subscription that allows you to enjoy a huge catalog of games for a few euros (the price varies depending on the plan). Xbox is a symbol, the challenger that managed to make its place alongside Sony (and its PlayStation) and Nintendo. Next year, it will be 25 years since the Xbox was released (in the USA at least) and Halo: Combat Evolved has marked generations of players. The perfect opportunity to offer a new remake aimed at delighting regulars while attracting new players.

An iconic license, a mythical game, a new remake

November 2001, in the United States, Microsoft enters the console market with the first Xbox. It thus competes with Sony's PlayStation 2 and Nintendo's console of the moment, the aptly named GameCube. Besides its recognizable controller, the console from the Redmond firm made a big impact by imposing three games that made its reputation, namely Dead or Alive 3 (a successful sequel to a license appealing to fighting game enthusiasts), Project Gotham Racing (an arcade racing game by Bizarre Creations), and Halo: Combat Evolved. Subsequently, the Xbox brand continued to develop, and the Halo license remained one of the founding elements, one whose exclusivity could justify the purchase of a machine. Later, other licenses supported this base, including Forza and Gears of War.

For several months, Xbox has been undergoing a transformation. The American company no longer places the console at the heart of its strategy but rather the Xbox ecosystem. It's simple, everything that allows playing Game Pass is now considered an Xbox, which includes smartphones, PCs, or even connected TVs. This is not to mention machines like the recent Rog Xbox Ally from Asus. The objective is simple: to allow as many people as possible to access the brand's games and its services. In this spirit of openness, Microsoft has started to port its iconic licenses to PlayStation 5. This was the case earlier in the year with Forza Horizon 5 or even Gears of War Reloaded.

It was therefore inevitable to see a Halo game announced on PlayStation 5 sooner or later. Since 2026 will mark the 25th anniversary of the license, an obvious opportunity presented itself. It's the ideal year to introduce the license to new players... It's the ideal year to allow everyone to (re)discover the installment that created the myth. Halo: Combat Evolved will therefore return in a new remake (the second after the Anniversary version released on Xbox 360) called Halo: Campaign Evolved.

When nostalgia and novelty embrace

In 2026, Halo: Combat Evolved, also known as Halo CE, will undergo a true rejuvenation. With Halo: Campaign Evolved, the Halo Studios team will offer a remake that aims to capture the essence of the original installment while modernizing the experience. Just launch the announcement trailer, with the few notes recognizable among all, and nostalgia will take over. Thanks to Unreal Engine 5, anyone playing on PC, Steam, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, or even via the Cloud will be able to discover a modernized version of the cult game from the first Xbox. Additionally, the title will be added Day One to the PC Game Pass and Game Pass Ultimate.

Don't think that the development team has limited themselves to visuals... This one has gone much further to offer a complete experience capable of renewing interest for the old-timers. Understand by this that some surprises will be part of it. First, three new missions with Master Chief and Sergeant Johnson will be discovered. They will serve as prequels and will allow you to discover new environments as well as new characters and enemies. It will even be possible, if you wish, to run. As you have understood, the gameplay will also be revised and corrected to offer an experience that better meets current expectations. For example, it will be possible to hijack vehicles or even pilot the Covenant Wraith tank. Challenge enthusiasts will also be served with the famous Skulls that modify the games.

A few new lines of dialogue will also be added. The team wants to reassure. The goal is not to change the story but to provide some clarifications or a bit of context at certain precise moments. In addition to being able to discover the campaign solo or with two players in cooperation with a split screen, for the first time, it will be possible to play up to four players in online cooperation. All players can help each other since the title will support cross-play, allowing play on the same servers, whether playing on PC, Xbox Series X|S, or PlayStation 5. The game being more important than the platform, it will even be possible to start your progress on one platform, save your advancement, and resume on another platform, all thanks to cross-progression. In short, Halo: Campaign Evolved will be a modernized, enriched version but 100% faithful to Halo: Combat Evolved, all while allowing a wider audience to dive into the adventure.