The first review scores for Halo: Campaign Evolved have officially arrived. Critics across the globe are sharing their thoughts on the long-awaited remaster of 2001’s Halo: Combat Evolved. Right now, responses are trending in a positive but heavily mixed direction. Specifically, the game features a complete visual redesign powered by Unreal Engine 5. Consequently, many reviewers consider this release a visual testing ground for Xbox and Halo Studios.
A Historic Release Built on Unreal Engine 5
For the very first time, a Halo series entry is launching outside the Microsoft ecosystem. Halo: Campaign Evolved just received a highly anticipated PlayStation 5 port. Furthermore, the remaster imports popular mechanics from later Halo titles. Players can wield new weapons and fight additional Flood enemy variants.
Additionally, the developers included three brand-new prequel missions. These exclusive levels follow Master Chief and Sgt. Johnson as they take down a Covenant vessel. Currently, early access is live for players who purchased the $70 Premium Edition. Meanwhile, standard edition buyers and Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscribers must wait until July 28 to play.
Halo: Campaign Evolved Review Scores & A Franchise Record Low
Despite the visual upgrades, Halo: Campaign Evolved just set a disappointing franchise record. It is currently the lowest-scoring Halo title on Metacritic. The game holds a “Generally Favorable” Metacritic score of 81 based on 39 reviews. By comparison, Halo 3: ODST sits at 83, while the original Halo: Combat Evolved holds a massive 97. Conversely, OpenCritic shows a slightly stronger 83 overall score and an 88% critic recommendation rating across 58 reviews.
Several outlets showered the game with absolute praise. For instance, VGC (10/10) praised the sublime Unreal Engine 5 visuals and respect for the original design. Similarly, Daily Star (10/10) highlighted the addictive core gunplay and the joy of playing the shooter on PlayStation.
On the other hand, Game Informer (8.5/10) noted that the core game clearly shows its age. IGN (7/10) called the remaster a “lean retread” and criticized the extra prequel missions for being too short. Finally, DualShockers (6.5/10) pointed out major PS5-specific headaches holding the entire experience back.
DRM Controversies & PS5 Performance Headaches
Unfortunately, serious flaws are currently overshadowing the nostalgic gameplay. Reviewers and players alike have pointed out severe PS5-specific performance issues right before the wider launch. Furthermore, physical media fans are facing a massive letdown. PS5 users quickly discovered that physical copies of the game require a full digital download to actually work.
Worst of all, Halo: Campaign Evolved requires an active internet connection to play. This always-online DRM mandate is baffling fans, especially since the remaster features absolutely zero PVP multiplayer. As a result, the community is demanding answers. Time will tell if Halo Studios eventually caves and adds an offline mode down the road.
