Halo: Campaign Evolved launches on July 28, 2026, at 8 a.m. PDT. Premium and Collector’s Edition owners can begin playing five days earlier on July 23. The remake will be available on Xbox Series X|S, Windows PC, Steam, PlayStation 5 and PS5 Pro, with day-one access through Xbox Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass.
Quick Answer
- Release date: July 28, 2026
- Pacific release time: 8 a.m. PDT
- Mountain release time: 9 a.m. MDT
- Central release time: 10 a.m. CDT
- Eastern release time: 11 a.m. EDT
- Early-access date: July 23, 2026
- Platforms: Xbox Series X|S, Windows PC, Steam, PS5 and PS5 Pro
- Game Pass: Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass
- Standard Edition: $49.99
- Premium Edition: $69.99
- Collector’s Edition: $199.99
When Does Halo: Campaign Evolved Release?
Halo: Campaign Evolved officially releases in the United States on July 28, 2026, at 8 a.m. Pacific Daylight Time.
The game uses one simultaneous launch time rather than unlocking at midnight in each U.S. time zone. Players should be able to begin at the following times:
- 8 a.m. PDT on the West Coast
- 9 a.m. MDT in the Mountain time zone
- 10 a.m. CDT in the Central time zone
- 11 a.m. EDT on the East Coast
Premium and Collector’s Edition owners receive up to five days of early access beginning July 23 at the same times.
Players should preload the game before launch where available, especially if they want to begin playing as soon as access opens.
Is Halo: Campaign Evolved Coming to PS5?
Yes. Halo: Campaign Evolved is coming to PlayStation 5 and PS5 Pro.
The game will launch on PlayStation alongside Xbox Series X|S and PC. No PlayStation 4 version has been announced.
The PlayStation release is significant because the Halo franchise has historically been one of the most recognizable Xbox properties. PS5 players will now be able to experience the rebuilt campaign without owning an Xbox console.
The PS5 edition supports local cooperative play, online co-op, crossplay and shared progression. Players on Xbox, PC, Steam and PlayStation 5 will be able to complete the campaign together through four-player online co-op.
Is Halo: Campaign Evolved on Xbox Game Pass?
Yes. Halo: Campaign Evolved will be available through Xbox Game Pass on its full release date.
The game will be included with:
- Xbox Game Pass Ultimate
- PC Game Pass
- Xbox Cloud Gaming through an eligible plan
Standard Game Pass access begins on July 28.
Game Pass members who want to play during the July 23 early-access period must purchase the Premium Edition Upgrade. The upgrade is listed at $20 on the U.S. Xbox Store and includes early access and additional digital content.
The game also supports Xbox Play Anywhere. Players who purchase an eligible digital Xbox copy can access the game on both Xbox Series X|S and Windows PC without purchasing it twice.
What Platforms Support Halo: Campaign Evolved?
The confirmed platforms include:
- Xbox Series X
- Xbox Series S
- Windows PC through the Xbox app
- Steam
- PlayStation 5
- PlayStation 5 Pro
- Xbox Cloud Gaming with an eligible subscription
No Xbox One or PlayStation 4 editions have been announced.
Halo Studios describes the project as a ground-up remake developed for current-generation hardware. It includes updated visuals, rebuilt cinematics, refined controls and redesigned sound.
What Is New in the Halo: Combat Evolved Remake?
Halo: Campaign Evolved rebuilds the original 10-mission Halo: Combat Evolved campaign and adds a new three-mission storyline called Operation: METEORITE.
The additional story takes place one year before the events of the original campaign. It follows Master Chief and Sergeant Johnson during a secret UNSC mission aboard a Covenant research vessel.
Operation: METEORITE introduces:
- New environments
- Additional enemy variants
- Expanded weapons
- New combat encounters
- More story content involving Master Chief and Sergeant Johnson
The remake also adds nine weapons from across the wider Halo franchise.
Players will be able to hijack enemy vehicles and operate a fully drivable Wraith tank. Updated Skull modifiers can also change weapons, enemies and environments during repeat playthroughs.
These additions are designed to give returning players new experiences while preserving the main story and structure of the original campaign.
Does Halo: Campaign Evolved Have Multiplayer?
The game includes cooperative campaign multiplayer, but a separate competitive multiplayer mode has not been announced.
Console players can use two-player split-screen co-op. Up to four players can complete the campaign together online.
Online cooperative play supports:
- Crossplay
- Cross-progression
- Xbox Series X|S
- Windows PC
- Steam
- PlayStation 5
This distinction is important for players expecting every part of the original Halo release to return. Campaign Evolved is primarily a story-focused remake with expanded cooperative features.
It should not be presented as a complete replacement for a traditional Halo competitive multiplayer release.
What Editions and Prices Are Available?
Standard Edition — $49.99
The Standard Edition includes:
- The rebuilt original campaign
- All 10 classic campaign missions
- Three Operation: METEORITE missions
- Cooperative campaign access
This edition is suitable for players who want the complete campaign without additional digital items or early access.
Premium Edition — $69.99
The Premium Edition includes:
- Up to five days of early access
- Alpha Halo Armory Pack
- Digital artbook
- Digital game manual
- Halo: Hungry Buzzards digital short story
- All Standard Edition content
This version is mainly aimed at players who want to begin playing on July 23.
Collector’s Edition — $199.99
The Collector’s Edition includes Premium Edition content and several physical items, including:
- A 12-inch Master Chief statue
- A light-up Cortana chip
- A Steelbook case
- Concept-art prints
- Digital Premium Edition content
Collector’s Edition availability may be limited and can vary between retailers.
Which Edition Should You Choose?
Game Pass Ultimate or PC Game Pass provides the lowest initial cost for subscribers who do not need early access or permanent ownership.
The Standard Edition is the best option for players who want to own the campaign without purchasing additional digital items.
The Premium Edition is most useful for players who want early access beginning July 23.
The Collector’s Edition is designed for dedicated Halo fans who are interested in physical collectibles such as the Master Chief statue, Cortana chip and Steelbook.
PS5 players who have never owned an Xbox can use this release to experience the rebuilt Halo campaign. Steam players may prefer purchasing the game through their existing PC library.
Players interested in local cooperative play should choose a console version, because two-player split-screen is listed as a console feature. Four-player online co-op is available across the supported platforms.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. What is the Halo: Campaign Evolved release date?
Halo: Campaign Evolved releases on July 28, 2026. It unlocks at 8 a.m. PDT, 9 a.m. MDT, 10 a.m. CDT and 11 a.m. EDT.
Q2. When does Halo: Campaign Evolved early access begin?
Early access begins on July 23, 2026, for Premium and Collector’s Edition owners.
Q3. Is Halo: Campaign Evolved included with Game Pass?
Yes. The game will be included on July 28 with Xbox Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass. Early access requires the Premium Edition or Premium Edition Upgrade.
Q4. Is Halo: Campaign Evolved coming to PS5?
Yes. The game will launch on PlayStation 5 and PS5 Pro. No PlayStation 4 edition has been announced.
Q5. Does Halo: Campaign Evolved support crossplay?
Yes. Four-player online campaign co-op supports crossplay and cross-progression across Xbox, Windows PC, Steam and PlayStation 5.
Q6. Is Campaign Evolved a remake or a remaster?
It is a ground-up remake of the original Halo: Combat Evolved campaign. It includes updated graphics, revised gameplay systems, expanded weapons, cooperative features and three new story missions.
Q7. Does the game have competitive multiplayer?
A separate competitive multiplayer mode has not been announced. The confirmed multiplayer offering focuses on two-player local campaign co-op and four-player online campaign co-op.
Conclusion
Halo: Campaign Evolved launches in the United States on July 28, with early access beginning July 23 for Premium and Collector’s Edition owners.
The game will be available on Xbox Series X|S, Windows PC, Steam, PlayStation 5 and PS5 Pro. It will also launch through Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass.
Its biggest additions include the three-mission Operation: METEORITE storyline, expanded weapons and vehicles, cross-platform cooperative play and support for up to four online players. However, players should remember that this is a campaign-focused remake rather than a complete competitive multiplayer release.
