Halo Studios has shared an extensive look at Halo: Campaign Evolved in a recent podcast, revealing that the project is far more than a visual remaster of the original Halo: Combat Evolved. The remake introduces new story content, expanded gameplay systems and modern features while aiming to preserve the feel of the 2001 classic.
Speaking about the project’s direction, Brian Jarrard said, “We’re talking about a new start, a new chapter for the franchise. We’re Halo Studios now. It just felt like perfect timing to capitalize on 25 years and go back to where it all began. More importantly, what a great time to welcome in an entirely new generation of fans.”
Casey Wu added, “This game is meant to be a love letter to the original Halo: CE, but it’s also meant to be this incredible stepping off point for our studio.”
The development team also stressed that the remake is not intended to be a one-to-one recreation of the original game. Jarrard explained, “First and foremost, whatever we were going to set out to do has to stay true to the spirit of what that original was about. It was also a conscious decision that this was not just a one-to-one remaster. It was an opportunity to try to do something a little bit different.”
One of the biggest changes is the game’s technology. Halo Studios has rebuilt every asset in Unreal Engine 5, including levels, characters, weapons, vehicles and cinematics. Despite the complete visual overhaul, the developers say the original gameplay simulation remains intact.
“I think that the thing that was most paramount to us was making sure that the feel was there. We took this hybrid approach where we could combine Unreal Engine visuals with that original Halo simulation. We got the best of both worlds this way,” Wu said.
The remake also introduces around nine additional weapons that were unavailable in the original release. Players can now wield the Energy Sword, Sentinel Beam and Fuel Rod Gun, while the Brute Spiker returns through the game’s new bonus missions.
Gameplay has also been expanded with features introduced in later Halo titles. Players can hijack enemy vehicles, drive Covenant Wraith tanks and swap weapons with Marines, who can carry powerful equipment such as Rocket Launchers and Sniper Rifles. Flood encounters have also been updated with larger enemy variants inspired by later entries in the series.
Halo: Campaign Evolved adds three brand-new standalone missions under the banner Operation Meteorite. Set around a year before the events of Combat Evolved, the missions see Master Chief team up with Sergeant Johnson on a separate adventure that does not alter the original campaign. Halo Studios also confirmed the return of space combat during these missions.
Co-operative play has been significantly expanded. The campaign now supports four-player online co-op alongside two-player split-screen, with each player able to customise their own gameplay modifiers independently. These options include increased damage resistance, higher damage output and infinite ammunition, allowing players of different skill levels to play together using separate difficulty settings.
Another major addition is Campaign Remix, a replay mode that unlocks after collecting three Skulls. The mode randomises enemy encounters and weapon pickups, applies gameplay modifiers and introduces visual effects such as Night Vision and Flood-themed environments. Halo: Campaign Evolved also includes 42 gameplay Skulls, the highest number in any Halo title to date.
Halo: Campaign Evolved launches on July 28, while Premium Edition owners will receive five days of early access beginning July 23, along with exclusive armour and weapon skins. The studio also announced a free 25th Anniversary armour set inspired by the translucent original Xbox Halo console, with redemption details to be shared when the game launches.
