Halo: Campaign Evolved is fun but not the remake the series deserves

Returning to Halo's first campaign via the upcoming remake, Halo: Campaign Evolved, highlights how quickly the series found its footing. Halo Studios has taken a light touch: a glossy Unreal Engine 5 makeover that preserves the original game's moment-to-moment action while making the ringworld look fresh.

The updated graphics make an instant impression during a beach assault, where ray-traced sunbeams play over turquoise water and pelicans. At the same time the developers haven’t filled every corner with detail — grenade scorchmarks, ragdolled bodies and discarded weapons are given room to breathe, which helps keep the game’s arcade-y feel intact.

Many encounters still play like tense puzzles. On Heroic difficulty shields are precious, Covenant forces remain oppressive, and Elites will flank through narrow Forerunner corridors while Grunts and shielded Jackals pin you down. Grenades and ammo are scarce enough to encourage aggressive, improvisational play, and the magnum still hits with the satisfying punch fans remember.

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