This is the third time that the first Halo game has been released in one way or another. Halo: Campaign Evolved is the latest in 2026, and if you’re wondering if it’s worth shelling out for a potentially second or third time, this guide tells you everything you need to know.
Halo: Campaign Evolved goes beyond being a basic remaster with a few touch-ups here and there; Halo Studios has made some wholesale changes, including new content, and, unfortunately, cut content as well.
Biggest Halo: Campaign Evolved Differences to Halo: Combat Evolved 2001 Original
No Online Multiplayer
We have to start on a downer, unfortunately, with the declaration that Halo: Campaign Evolved doesn’t include online PvP multiplayer. Halo is renowned for its spectacular and superb multiplayer, which only got better as the franchise went on, but Halo: Campaign Evolved does what the name says on the tin.
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Our Halo: Campaign Evolved co-op and multiplayer guide explains how it all works, including the good news that you can play the main game with up to three friends in four-player co-op.
New Missions
Exciting details leaked a while ago about Halo: Combat Evolved Campaign having new prequel missions—plural—to enhance and broaden the already rich Halo 1 campaign experience.
These reports were later confirmed. Halo: Campaign Evolved has three new bonus missions that set the story up before the primary narrative gets underway.
Here’s the official ‘New Missions’ trailer to tell you more.
Gameplay Changes to AI & Other QOL Updates
A July Q&A revealed changes to enemy AI and weapon dropping.
Weapon dropping brings back the excellent addition seen in Halo Infinite, whereas improved AI has been done in relation to player and creator feedback to Campaign Evolved previews. There’s probably some other minor tweaks we should see at launch, too!
Furthermore, the Library level is ‘Being Fixed’ for Halo: Campaign Evolved!
Updated Graphics, Animations & Music
With the almighty power of Unreal Engine 5 at the forefront of the game’s power, every level, animation, map, texture, and character model you remember from Halo: Combat Evolved, and even Anniversary, will be LEVELS above here in Campaign Evolved.
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Gaming is getting more expensive by the minute, but damn if it doesn’t look incredible. XBOX Wire has also confirmed there will be ‘remastered music, and re-recorded voice lines.’ If you’re keen for a more retro vibe, I’m sure there will be a setting or two so you can revert to the original tunes.
New Trophy/Achievement List
This one is more for the trophy hunters among you, but it’s true: Halo Campaign Evolved features never-before-seen trophies/achievements that weren’t in Anniversary.
Ready to collect some skulls and beat the game without dying?
You can check out the complete Halo: Campaign Evolved list here, featuring 58 trophies and achievements!
Weapons & Vehicles Not in the OG
Campaign Evolved brings some modern features and additions seen in later games, and one aspect is weapons and vehicles that never existed in the 2001 release. Master Chief can also hijack vehicles, and there’s crossplay.
Again, per XBOX Wire: ‘Halo Studios is also bringing in a roster of beloved weapons and vehicles from later Halo titles.’
Halo is on PlayStation For The First Time
YES, it’s happening, PlayStation fans. I can’t imagine anyone has missed the memo at this point, but if you are a PlayStation 5 owner, then you might have heard that hell froze over: Halo: Campaign Evolved launches on PS5 on July 28.
With rumors that Halo 2 and 3 remakes are in development, it could be a good time to be a Halo fan with a PS5.
All Halo: Campaign Evolved Differences Versus 2011 Remaster
Halo: Campaign Evolved’s new gameplay features, revised changes, and much more make the game a vastly different experience from 2011’s Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary, but the key difference here is that Anniversary DID have competitive online multiplayer.
Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary marked 10 years since Halo 1. However, it wasn’t a remake; it was a remaster. As such, the big change was in the graphical department, offering superior visual fidelity, frame rate, and other aesthetic upgrades.
- More Insider Gaming: Halo: Campaign Evolved Release Date Countdown & Exact Start Times
The original Halo pre-dated Xbox Achievements, so Anniversary had that going for it, along with some new sounds and music, but that’s about it.
Halo: Campaign Evolved is well worth the purchase if you want to play Halo 1 in a new way.
Which Halo: Campaign Evolved change has caught your eye the most? Let us know via the official Insider Gaming Discord Server.
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Andy is Insider Gaming's Senior Evergreen Editor and has been in the games journalism sphere in one way or another for over 7 years. His video game taste is as…
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