Halo Campaign Evolved review: a faithful remake of a classic

Harriet L. Whitmore • September 8, 2026 06:31

Halo is the defining game of the original Xbox. Its complete remake updates both the visuals and the gameplay. We have played it.

There is little doubt that Halo is the best-known title on the first Xbox. Released alongside Microsoft’s console in 2001, it amazed players at the time with its frantic gameplay, enjoyable firefights, stunning visuals and colourful universe. Halo was the game you would bring out when a mate came round: the one you could play in split-screen on the same sofa while having a few beers. It has now received a full remake in the form of Halo Campaign Evolved. We have played it.

A remake that lets younger players discover Halo

This remake changes the presentation rather than the substance. It remains an extremely fast-paced first-person shooter wrapped in a well-paced campaign. The story is set in the 26th century. After the Pillar of Autumn is attacked by the Covenant, a hostile alien race, the ship is destroyed and its survivors are forced to land on a mysterious world: Halo. This artificial ring contains a complete ecosystem, including mountains, forests and beaches. Playing as Spartan super-soldier John-117, you must escape this predicament, fight the armies of ugly baddies and then uncover the secrets of this ringworld.

For veterans such as us, the original Halo’s immediate enjoyment and entertaining feel return straight away. The sound design, visual style and level layouts that we know by heart are all still here. Halo Studio has, however, completely reworked the package, beginning with the graphics. Campaign Evolved takes advantage of Unreal Engine 5, making its environments and cutscenes look superb. Its gameplay has also been refined while retaining its original identity. There is no dual-wielding, which was introduced in Halo 2, but movement is smoother than in Halo 1; you can hijack vehicles, and weapons introduced in later instalments have been added. It is a painstaking restoration that never betrays the original work.

Halo is, after all, a game that has aged remarkably well. The campaign turns 25 this year, yet it remains just as enjoyable to play through, thanks to its brisk rhythm and iconic sequences. Its distinctive strength lies in allowing players to devise their own tactics across open environments. Whether on foot, up close, at range or in a vehicle, you must constantly improvise to stay alive. Enemies react to your actions in real time, ensuring that every encounter feels different. Die ten times in the same arena? You will experience ten very different battles. Halo still benefits from its varied enemies and an arsenal in which every weapon is more enjoyable than the last. Even in 2026, this campaign remains a lesson in game design, despite a few sections that show their age - that blasted library! The icing on the cake is that it can be played by two people in split-screen on the sofa, just as it was back then. For older players, it is a pure hit of nostalgia; for everyone else, it is an excellent FPS to discover.

Questions over the French dubbing

Halo Studio has done meticulous work on the campaign while also adding its own contribution. A second campaign has therefore been introduced. Set one year before the original story, it asks players to infiltrate a Covenant ship. This bonus mission takes a few hours to complete and is fairly enjoyable, but it unfortunately suffers in comparison with the main game. It takes far too long to get going and, despite a few flashes of brilliance, is not especially memorable. It is difficult to match the master.

The other sticking point is the French dubbing. It is included, but the original cast has not returned. There is no generative AI - thankfully - yet the change may prove unsettling. Most frustratingly, even the main campaign has been re-dubbed. We regret that decision. It stems from Microsoft’s deplorable approach to French dubbing. The giant wants performers’ voices to be synthesised using AI, something many understandably refuse.

Halo Campaign Evolved is nevertheless a good remake that achieves its aim: it completely rethinks the original work’s form without altering its essence. It also reminds us why Halo is such an important game in gaming history. If you have never played it, this is the ideal opportunity. Long-standing fans already know they will be diving back in.

Released on 28 July for Xbox, PC and PS5.

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