Halo Studios' remake of the original Halo game, titled Halo: Campaign Evolved, has launched with a special Legendary difficulty ending that not only resolves a nearly 25-year-old plot hole but also strongly suggests a remake of Halo 2 is in development.
For players who finish Halo: Campaign Evolved on its highest difficulty, an updated ending sequence offers a new perspective on Sergeant Avery Johnson's survival following the destruction of the Halo ring. In the original Halo: Combat Evolved's Legendary ending, Johnson is seen embracing an Elite as the ring explodes, with his fate left ambiguous. Halo 2, released in 2004, depicted Johnson alive and well without a clear in-game explanation, a point of confusion for many fans.
While the novelization "Halo: First Strike" provided an explanation for Johnson's survival, the remake now integrates this into the game's narrative. In Halo: Campaign Evolved's revised ending, the scene of Johnson wrestling the Elite is revealed to be Johnson watching the original cutscene on a handheld device. The camera then pans to Johnson relaxing on a beach before the ring's reactors begin to detonate, prompting his departure via a waiting Pelican. This in-game resolution makes his escape canonical.
Adding a meta-commentary, Johnson looks directly at the camera after his escape and states, "See you in the sequel." This line, coupled with the implied remake of the original game, directly points towards Halo 2 receiving a similar treatment.
The decision to tease a Halo 2 remake is contingent on the performance of Halo: Campaign Evolved, and any future remakes may not be exclusive to Xbox platforms given Microsoft's evolving exclusivity policies. Halo: Campaign Evolved officially released on July 28 for PlayStation 5, Windows PC, and Xbox Series X, with early access beginning July 23 for premium edition pre-orders.
Reviews of Halo: Campaign Evolved have been highly positive, with one assessment calling it "one of the best remakes of all time." The game is recommended as an ideal starting point for newcomers to the Halo series and a fresh experience for long-time fans, potentially heralding a bright new era for the franchise.