Microsoft has begun Early Access for Halo: Campaign Evolved, a remake of the original Halo: Combat Evolved, featuring several new additions aimed at expanding the classic experience for Xbox and PC players. This update introduces fresh story missions, a revamp of the collectible skulls, and support for four-player online cooperative play with cross-platform functionality.
The most prominent new content is Operation: METEORITE, a set of three bonus missions that take place about a year before the main campaign. These missions follow Master Chief and Sergeant Johnson, providing additional narrative context to the original storyline. Players can also expect new skull collectibles and terminals within these missions.
Expanded Co-op with Four-Player Support and Cross-Play
For the first time in the Halo: Combat Evolved campaign, up to four players can now experience the story together online. The game has been redesigned to accommodate this increased player count, with weapon spawns scaling according to the squad size and modified level layouts to ensure smooth movement through environments. New vehicles are available for players to use in co-op, including Ghosts, Wraiths, and the Scorpion tank, allowing for coordinated traversal of expansive areas.
Skulls Reimagined and Campaign Remix Mode
The remake has repositioned the original skull pickups, encouraging renewed exploration of familiar maps. Alongside the classic skulls, new ones have been added, introducing modifiers such as an optional third-person perspective. Collecting three skulls unlocks Campaign Remix, a mode that applies default modifiers including randomized enemy types, weapon placements, and simultaneous enemy factions. Additional visual effects like Nightvision and Spore Visibility, which creates a foggy environment filled with Flood spores, are also featured to alter gameplay dynamics.
Halo: Campaign Evolved utilises Unreal Engine 5 to enhance its visuals while preserving the core gameplay of the original. These additions aim to deliver both nostalgia and new content for long-time fans and newcomers alike.
The Early Access launch is currently available to Premium Edition players, with availability across Xbox consoles and PC. The co-op mode’s cross-play support means users can connect across these platforms.
