"Halo: Campaign Evolved" is the much-awaited remake of one of the franchise's most popular games, and a recent announcement has confirmed that will also deliver new missions for fans to immerse themselves in.
This alone gives fans more than what the original game, "Halo: Combat Evolved," has delivered.
'Halo: Campaign Evolved' Unveils New Missions
According to the latest update from the devs via the Halo Waypoint channel, three new prequel missions in "Halo: Campaign Evolved" take place one year before the events of "Halo: Combat Evolved," covering an operation called "Operation: Meteorite."
The setup follows Master Chief and Sergeant Johnson on a mission to infiltrate a Covenant ship, which quickly escalates into a chaotic battle behind enemy lines.
Because this content covers events never depicted before in the franchise, it gives developers the freedom to introduce weapons, enemies, and mechanics that were absent from the original "Combat Evolved" game without conflicting with what veteran players know of the game.
The story for the prequel missions is being partially written by Troy Denning, an award-winning science fiction author with deep familiarity with the broader "Halo" universe. Denning has previously written several acclaimed Halo novels, including "Shadows of Reach," one of the earliest pieces of "Halo" fiction to explore events set before "Combat Evolved."
His involvement is already evident in the trailer, which introduces a new Prophet of the Covenant as a central villain alongside entirely new environments that expand the scope of the "Halo" universe.
Space Combat, Old Enemies Return in Remake
Based on the "Operation: Meteorite" trailer, players can expect space combat to return, a system last seen in "Halo: Reach." Players appear to pilot a Covenant ship with lock-on targeting and multiple weapon options, closely resembling the approach used in that game.
Space combat was never part of "Halo: Combat Evolved," making its inclusion here one of the more unexpected features confirmed for the prequel missions.
According to ComicBook Gaming, several weapons from across the franchise's history have also been spotted in the prequel mission trailer, including the Brute Spiker, Red Plasma Rifle, Battle Rifle, Energy Sword, Fuel Rod Cannon, and Needle Rifle. Some of these, like the Battle Rifle and Brute Spiker, were originally introduced in "Halo 2" and "Halo 3" respectively, while the Needle Rifle first appeared in "Halo: Reach."
Old enemy types are returning as well, including Brutes and non-shield Jackals who were originally introduced in "Halo 2." A new type of Brute also appears to be making its debut, described as a rampaging warrior triggered into action by an electrical device on its chest that attacks both friend and foe.
Hunters also appear with a new gold and white color variant, hinting at a stronger version for players to face in the prequel content.
When Is 'Halo: Campaign Evolved' Releasing?
"Halo: Campaign Evolved" is targeting a summer 2026 launch window for Xbox Series X/S, PC, and PS5, marking the first time a mainline "Halo" title has released on a PlayStation platform.
Halo Studios has not confirmed a specific release date beyond the summer window, but the volume of content being revealed in the lead-up suggests the game is close to being ready.
The remake is generating interest among both longtime fans and newcomers, particularly given the PS5 release and the new prequel content that adds context to one of gaming's most iconic stories.
More details on the game's full feature set are expected to be shared as the summer launch window draws closer.
