Microsoft is returning to where the Halo franchise began with a full remake of the original Halo: Combat Evolved — and, in a major shift for the series, the new version will also be released on PlayStation 5. The project, titled Halo: Campaign Evolved, is set to arrive in 2026 and will include four-player online co-op, enhanced visuals, and expanded gameplay built on Unreal Engine 5.
Announced by the Xbox team on Friday, the remake marks a rare instance of a flagship Xbox title launching on a rival console. It reflects Microsoft’s broader strategy to bring select first-party games beyond its own hardware ecosystem, signaling a continued move toward platform-agnostic releases and subscription-driven growth.
Developed by Microsoft’s Halo Studios, Halo: Campaign Evolved will rebuild the 2001 original from the ground up using Epic Games’ Unreal Engine 5. The remake promises modernized lighting, realistic environmental rendering, and 4K visual support while maintaining the core mechanics that made the original a landmark first-person shooter. Microsoft says the game will retain its fundamental structure but introduce several updates, including three new campaign missions, nine additional weapons from across the Halo series, and an optional sprint mechanic.
The classic two-player co-op feature has also been expanded to support up to four players online, with full cross-platform play across Xbox, PC, and PS5. That change, along with visual enhancements and gameplay refinements, aims to bridge nostalgia with accessibility for a new generation of players.
Halo Studios Executive Producer Damon Conn described the remake as both a tribute and a foundation for the franchise’s next chapter. “We wanted to start where it all began, with the original campaign that defined Halo,” Conn said. “Starting here means people who have never played the game before can experience the story from the beginning, and that helps us chart a course for new Halo stories.”
The release will be available on day one for Xbox Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass subscribers, continuing Microsoft’s commitment to feature major titles in its subscription service lineup. The PlayStation 5 version, confirmed by Sony, will launch in 2026 with additional details to be shared closer to release.
For long-time fans, Halo: Campaign Evolved offers a chance to revisit the series’ origins with modern technology and cooperative gameplay that extends across platforms. For newcomers, it’s a reintroduction to one of gaming’s most influential sci-fi sagas — this time without console boundaries.
