Halo’s Iconic Debut Returns, And It’s Heading to PlayStation for the First Time

In a reveal that’s sent shockwaves through the gaming world, Microsoft and Halo Studios dropped the bombshell at the Halo World Championship 2025: Halo: Campaign Evolved, a ground-up remake of the legendary Halo: Combat Evolved campaign, is coming to Xbox Series X|S, PC (via Steam and Microsoft Store), and, hold onto your energy swords, PlayStation 5 in 2026. It’s the franchise’s PlayStation debut, day-one on Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass, and a full pivot to Unreal Engine 5 after ditching the proprietary Slipspace engine. Announced on October 24, 2025, this isn’t a remaster like 2011’s Anniversary, it’s a faithful yet evolved reimagining, blending nostalgia with modern polish. As Halo Studios’ community director Brian Jarrard put it during the stream, “It’s a huge deal, it’s a long time coming.” And with a Halo exec hinting at more cross-platform play, this could signal a bold new era for Master Chief. Below, we’ve rounded up the first official images and videos to whet your appetite, because nothing says “welcome to the ring world” like 4K Flood swarms.

Unreal Engine 5 Magic: Graphics, Audio, and Gameplay That Feel Evolved

Built from the ground up in UE5, Halo: Campaign Evolved honors the 2001 original’s epic scope while layering on high-def visuals, remastered cinematics, re-recorded voice lines (with original cast returns), and a soundtrack remix that hits harder than a Needler volley. Expect smoother controls, refined level design (goodbye, Library frustrations), and quality-of-life tweaks like sprinting and improved wayfinding, without losing that classic Halo “feel,” as game director Greg Hermann emphasized: “Every change asks, ‘Does this still feel like Halo?'” Vehicles are now destructible and hijackable (Wraiths finally drivable!), and you’ll wield nine extra iconic weapons from across the series, like the Energy Sword and Battle Rifle.

The big hook? New content: three prequel missions starring Master Chief and the gravel-voiced Sgt. Avery Johnson, set before the Pillar of Autumn’s crash. These add fresh environments, characters, enemies, and story beats, expanding the lore without bloating the runtime (still around 10-12 hours for the core campaign). Co-op gets a glow-up too: two-player split-screen on consoles, four-player online with full crossplay and cross-progression. More Skulls than ever promise wild replayability, think gameplay modifiers that turn Flood into party crashers.

No multiplayer suite here (that’s saved for future Halo drops), but the focus on campaign purity has purists buzzing, and some griping about UE5’s “obvious” Lumen effects or reused Infinite assets. Early hands-on previews from IGN and GamesRadar+ praise the “stunning” Silent Cartographer beach assault, with water and lighting that pop, though some tweaks (like Pelican handling) feel off to vets. Priced at an estimated $59.99 (with Game Pass inclusion), it’s a love letter to newcomers and a fresh coat of paint for OG Spartans.

First Trailers and Gameplay Footage: Dive into the Remake

Halo Studios unveiled the magic with a cinematic reveal trailer and in-engine gameplay from “The Silent Cartographer”, the beachhead mission where Chief uncovers the ring’s secrets. The footage showcases UE5’s Nanite for detailed geometry (those beaches feel endless) and Lumen for dynamic lighting that makes Covenant dropships cast eerie shadows. Watch as Chief sprints (yes, sprint!) through upgraded sands, hijacks a Ghost with fluid animations, and unloads on Elites in remastered glory.

• Reveal Trailer (Cinematic Tease): A 2-minute epic recaps the Fall of Reach with orchestral swells and Chief’s iconic helmet glare, cutting to 2026’s evolved visuals. Watch on YouTube – Expect chills when Cortana’s voice crackles to life in crisp 4K.
• Gameplay Footage (Silent Cartographer Hands-On): 5 minutes of pure action from the HWC demo, highlighting combat flow, new weapons, and co-op drops. See destructible Warthogs crumple under plasma fire and Flood hordes swarm with UE5 particle effects. Full Breakdown on IGN – It’s “Halo, but buttery smooth,” per tester Ryan McCaffrey.

These clips have racked up 10M+ views in 48 hours, with X ablaze, fans geeking over Johnson’s return, while others meme “Halo on PS5? Hell has frozen over… and it’s got better lighting.” (One viral post: “Chief on PS5? My DualSense is vibrating with heresy.”)

Official Screenshots: A Visual Feast of Ring World Revived

Halo Studios released a batch of 4K screenshots capturing the remake’s glow-up. From the Pillar of Autumn’s fiery descent to the Silent Cartographer’s sun-drenched shores, these snaps highlight UE5’s fidelity, detailed MJOLNIR armor, lush alien flora, and shadows that dance like they’re alive. Here’s a curated gallery (click for full-res):

• Pillar of Autumn Crash Site: Chief surveys the wreckage at dawn, with volumetric fog and ray-traced reflections on plasma scars. (Evokes the original’s awe, but crisper, perfect for spotting that first Elite ambush.)
• Beach Assault on Silent Cartographer: Warthog convoy tears through surf, water splashes with god-ray precision, and Banshees strafe overhead. The island’s geometry pops with Nanite detail, no pop-in, just endless horizon dread.
• Flood Infested Library (Evolved): Dimly lit corridors crawl with tendrils, Johnson’s flashlight beam cutting through spores. New lighting amps the claustrophobia, every Infection Form lunge feels visceral.
• Prequel Mission Tease: Chief and Johnson flank a Covenant outpost on a stormy Reach cliffside, new environments blending industrial ruins with bioluminescent flora. (Hints at expanded lore without spoilers.)

These shots, shared via Halo Waypoint, have sparked debates on X, some hail the “next-gen nostalgia,” others nitpick “UE5 artifacts” in the lighting. Hands-on reports confirm 60 FPS at 4K with ray-tracing, and couch co-op feels seamless on Series X.

Halo’s PS5 Future: More Cross-Platform Spartans Ahead?

Halo Studios execs didn’t shy from the elephant in the room: yes, more Halo on PS5 is coming. “From now on, Halo will be very present on PS5,” teased creative director Max Szlagor in the roundtable, hinting at MCC ports and future titles hitting all platforms. It’s Microsoft’s multiplat push in action, post-Activision deal, they’re eyeing broader reach without ditching Xbox exclusives. X reactions range from ecstatic (“Chief on PS5? Take my money!”) to salty (“Xbox exclusives were the soul, now it’s just another shooter”), but the hype train’s rolling. With 2026 marking the 25th anniversary, expect a November drop to align with Combat Evolved‘s original launch.

Halo: Campaign Evolved isn’t just a remake, it’s a bridge to Halo’s next era, proving the Chief’s legend endures. Whether you’re a Flood-slaying vet or a PS5 newbie, this UE5 glow-up promises the ring world’s wonders like never before. What’s your first mission pick? Sound off below, we’re already queuing co-op.

Stay Tuned for More Updates

For deeper dives, dev diaries, and pre-order alerts, follow Halo Studios on YouTube, X, and Halo Waypoint. Hyped4.com’s your Spartan drop pod for all Halo news, because the galaxy’s too big for one console.