Campaign Evolved rating across platforms is slightly different, but it currently has a “Generally Favorable” rating on Metacritic. The game has an average rating of 80 on PS5, 86 on Xbox Series X and 77 on PC, from the reviews compiled. OpenCritic has the game at 83, and 88 percent of the 58 reviews have given it a thumbs-up.
It is the first Halo game to come out of Microsoft own platform, making it available on PlayStation 5, Xbox and PC. It would have sounded like a joke a few years ago if Master Chief appeared on a PlayStation console.Back a few years ago, it would have seemed like a joke to see Master Chief make an official appearance on a PlayStation console.
Developed with Unreal Engine 5, the game reimagines the 2001 Halo: Combat Evolved campaign with additions from the later games in the franchise. That’s not only fresh versions of the Flood enemies, but also new weapons for Master Chief and three entirely new prequel missions that feature Sgt. Johnson and Master Chief while they are trying to destroy a Covenant ship before the opening of the original story.
The visual redesign has been well received by critics. VGC gave the game a 10/10 rating, saying that the original is nicely upgraded in Halo Studios Unreal Engine 5, and retains a high level of respect for the original that made it so popular. Push Square also lauded the graphical fidelity and lighting effects, particularly the three new bonus missions, but was not shy of pointing out that the level design has its age in some respects.
Some reviews were not as positive. Game Informer’s rating was 8.5/10, and their review says: The heart of the game is a little dated in some respects, but the spirit of the original formula lives on. Insider Gaming was down at 7/10 but still recommended it as a must-play for those who have yet to play the series.
Several overseas sources had the same opinion, noting the slickness of the gameplay and the freshness of the content, but also that the level design is 25 years old and the lack of competitive multiplayer mode detracts from making the game a modern shooter.
The different reviews highlighted it as a landmark moment, not the launch of a new game, but a missing chapter in the franchise finally coming to the PS5 platform, giving PS5 gamers their first officially-sanctioned experience of Halo original campaign.
Campaign Evolved will launch on July 28, but will be available to everyone who bought the $70 Premium Edition now in early access. Since early access has started, review scores have been trending positive, having been raised from the initial subset of reviews to the current more general agreement as more outlets have had a say.
The release on PlayStation will coincide with a tumultuous period for Halo Studios as a whole, though, as recent reports have suggested, the studio has seen some uncertainty about its own game pipeline and leadership. Campaign Evolved reception is a rare bright spot for the franchise as its future beyond this remake is not guaranteed.
