Halo: Campaign Evolved, a full remake of Bungie's 2001 launch title for the original Xbox, is now available via paid early access, with a full release scheduled for July 28. Developed by Halo Studios, this iteration brings Master Chief's seminal adventure to PlayStation consoles for the first time, a fact that still feels jarring. The remake utilizes Unreal Engine and focuses solely on the original campaign, omitting competitive multiplayer and the popular Firefight mode.
A Familiar, Yet Different, Experience
Despite its new engine, Halo: Campaign Evolved largely succeeds in replicating the feel of the classic first-person shooter. The signature floaty jumps, tight gunplay, and characteristic physics are present, and even iconic enemy death animations appear to be faithfully recreated. For players unfamiliar with the original, the experience might feel entirely authentic. However, those who have played through Halo countless times may notice subtle shifts, some for the better, others less so.
The most significant alteration lies in the game's visuals. Every texture and model has been redone, resulting in technically impressive environments. Yet, this increased detail sometimes detracts from the original's alien aesthetic, leaning towards realism that feels more akin to Earthly locales or Hollywood sets than the sparse, otherworldly landscapes of the past. Certain areas, particularly those set within Covenant cruisers, can appear overly designed or even unattractive. Nevertheless, the updated visuals are a marked improvement over the "modern" graphics option seen in the Anniversary Edition a decade ago.
Halo Studios has also integrated weapons from later entries into the original campaign, including the Halo 2 SMG, Sentinel Laser, and Needler Rifle. These additions are used judiciously, enhancing the combat sandbox without overwhelming the experience, and lore-wise, it makes sense that Master Chief can now wield weapons like the Energy Sword and Fuel Rod Gun, previously exclusive to Covenant enemies.
Mixed Feelings on Modern Conveniences
The inclusion of a sprint mechanic is a point of contention. While common in modern shooters, its implementation in Campaign Evolved feels somewhat out of place. Many level designs and combat encounters do not seem to account for the increased mobility sprint provides, allowing players to easily outmaneuver enemies and cross distances that feel unbalanced. Fortunately, players can disable sprint entirely by finding a specific skull, suggesting that the core design was not built with this feature in mind.
A Campaign Remade, But Is It Enough?
Much of Campaign Evolved's success stems from faithfully adhering to the original game's level design, combat scenarios, and cutscenes. The iconic opening level, the mission on Silent Cartographer, and the confrontation with the Flood remain standout moments. The game offers around six hours of campaign gameplay for a solo playthrough on normal difficulty, with co-op play available via crossplay.
However, the decision to release a remake of the first Halo game as the franchise's next major offering feels somewhat melancholic. The absence of competitive multiplayer is a significant omission for a series historically defined by its robust online offerings. The three bonus prequel missions included in Campaign Evolved also fall short. While featuring enemies like Brutes and weapons from Halo 3, the writing in these levels is described as off, with an abundance of forced banter between Master Chief and Sergeant Johnson.
The overall package feels rather lean, consisting primarily of the campaign, a co-op option, and a remix mode that shuffles enemy spawns and weapon drops for replayability. While the remix mode offers a novel way to revisit familiar levels, the inclusion of only the campaign, collectibles, and this remix feature for $50 has raised eyebrows, especially when the Halo Master Chief Collection, which includes all mainline Halo games, is priced at $40.
Ultimately, Halo: Campaign Evolved is not a bad game. When played with a friend, particularly during intense combat sequences like the mission within "The Library," it can be an enjoyable experience that captures the essence of classic Halo. The updated visuals, despite their occasional missteps, do not fundamentally mar the experience. However, the limited content, the lackluster bonus missions, and the steep price point make it a difficult recommendation for many. For newcomers drawn to the original's aesthetic or those seeking to play Halo with PlayStation friends, it presents a viable option. For established fans, the value proposition of replaying the first game again, at this price and with these omissions, warrants careful consideration.