Halo: Campaign Evolved has officially stepped into the spotlight, and from what we’ve seen so far, it’s nothing short of breathtaking. 
Built from the ground up in Unreal Engine 5, this modern reimagining of the original Halo: Combat Evolved looks set to redefine how fans remember the series’ first steps into the shooter world. But make no mistake – this isn’t just a glow-up. It’s a full-scale reinterpretation of one of gaming’s most sacred icons.
When the remake was unveiled at this year’s Halo WCC, fans expected polished textures and updated models. What they didn’t expect was the sheer jump in fidelity – surfaces glistening with realistic lighting, complex shadows dancing over Spartan armor, and environments that feel truly alive. The comparison clips shared by content creator Cycu1 show exactly how far technology has come since the days of the original Xbox. Side by side with both the 2001 release and the Combat Evolved Anniversary remaster, the new footage looks almost unreal – quite literally.
Still, the remake isn’t a pixel-for-pixel homage. The team behind Halo: Campaign Evolved is opting for a different tone, slightly darker and more cinematic, trading the original’s clean sci-fi minimalism for denser atmosphere and modern color grading. Some long-time players have already voiced nostalgia for the old aesthetic, while others see this as the natural evolution of Halo’s visual storytelling. The debate over which version captures the spirit of the series best may last well beyond launch.
Beyond the visuals, the remake promises fresh gameplay layers. Expect three brand-new missions that expand the lore before the events of the main campaign, plus four-player co-op, new movement options like sprinting, and various mechanical refinements designed to make the combat feel smoother without betraying the original rhythm. What won’t return, however, is the classic multiplayer mode – a decision that has left some fans disappointed, though others argue it’s time to let Infinite’s online ecosystem handle that front.
Perhaps the most surprising twist? Halo: Campaign Evolved will also land on PlayStation, marking a major moment in Xbox’s new multiplatform strategy. The remake will launch on Xbox Series X|S, PC, and PlayStation in 2026 – a symbolic move that seems to close the circle on two decades of console rivalry.
Whether this is the dawn of a new Halo era or the franchise’s final bow remains to be seen. But one thing’s for sure: if these early previews are any indication, Halo is about to look better than ever – and maybe, just maybe, feel reborn.