I've played Halo Campaign Evolved and I wonder if it's a bizarre Combat Evolved or a new beginning for Halo

Listen too

I played part of the remake Halo Campaign Evolved and I want to guide you through what's to come. The game was rebuilt in Unreal and still sounds and plays like Halo. There are new weapons, vehicle piloting and modern elements that mess with the formula. I felt a lot nostalgiaBut I also saw choices that could change the pace. In this article I explain what I liked, what worries me and what this could mean for the future of the series.

Halo: Campaign Evolved arrives in Unreal Engine 5 and will be playable on PlayStation for the first time

I tested an early version of the remake of Halo: Campaign Evolved and I confirm: the original 2001 game is being remade in Unreal Engine 5 and will reach PC, PS5 and Xbox in 2026. This is the first time that the main franchise will be officially available on the PlayStation. The demo I played on Xbox Series X was a proof of concept and does not reflect the final version.

For additional context, I recommend the GamesRadar preview: https://www.gamesradar.com/games/halo/halo-campaign-evolved-hands-on-is-this-unreal-engine-5-remake-a-bizzaro-world-combat-evolved-or-an-opportunity-to-pave-the-way-for-the-future-of-halo/

Main facts I saw

I played a part of the mission Silent Cartographer. What stood out:

The remake maintains the spirit of the original: classic weapons and sounds are still recognizable.
There are new weapons and mechanics that didn't exist in 2001, including the Energy Sword, o Battle Rifle, pilot the Wraith and take over enemy vehicles.
The studio promises adjustments to criticized parts of the original, such as the sequel known as The Library.
There will be 4-player co-op and full support for crossplay.
The project will serve as a test for the future of the franchise, with three new prequel missions announced.

The remake is described by the team as a starting point for new Halo titles. Confirmed platforms: PC, PS5, Xbox. Scheduled release: 2026.

Background and technical reasons

Switch to Unreal Engine 5 represents a major change. The first Halo used the Blam! engine, and Halo Infinite used 343's Slipstream. The change of engine influences movement, physics and the feel of the weapons. In this initial version, the physics and feel seemed appropriate to the Halo universe, even though it's still a prototype.

What has changed that raises questions

The inclusion of sprint and aiming in focus (ADS) elements introduced by later titles is present; the studio allows you to disable sprinting in the options.
New animations and performances were recorded by the main cast. The voice of Cortana returned with an updated interpretation.
There is concern about how the sprint might alter the pace planned in the original design; I've seen moments when the extra speed breaks the intention of walking slowly to generate tension.

Additional details I noticed

The landscapes and structures of the ring have been recreated in greater detail; the skyline and architecture of Instalment 004 are impressive.
The Warthog retains its unique fun and slightly chaotic drivability.
The game is still in development. The version played is a prototype to prove that Halo works in Unreal Engine 5.

What's next

According to the studio and the executive producer, the team sees this remake as an opportunity to prepare new Halo games. They plan to use the recreation of the classic to test technologies and ideas that may appear in future projects.

Conclusion

I came away from the game with a mixed but encouraging feeling. The game retains its spirit of the original and brings novelties that sound familiar and, at the same time, fresh Unreal Engine 5new weapons, 4-player co-op e crossplay. See Halo officially arriving at PlayStation for the first time is a milestone.

There are also points that make me wary. The introduction of sprint and other modernizations could affect rhythm that made the original game work. Sometimes it feels like we're putting a new twist on a classic recipe: it can get better, or it can lose its soul. Fortunately, there are options for adjusting these changes.

All in all, I see this remake as a starting point a testing ground for ideas and technologies that could shape the future of the franchise. There's a lot nostalgiaand, of course, decisions to come that will define whether the new version honors or transforms what we know.