Halo: Campaign Evolved Review: Still Iconic, But With Several Caveats

July 24, 2026 - 05:03

The original Halo campaign remains a towering achievement in first-person shooter history. Its blend of tight corridors, open battlefields, and a story that balanced mystery with blockbuster action set a standard that few games have matched. That core experience is still here in Halo: The Campaign Evolved, and for newcomers or veterans looking to relive the fight against the Covenant, the nostalgia hits hard. The ringworld feels alive, the combat is still punchy, and the soundtrack is as iconic as ever.

However, this re-release comes with several caveats, especially for those playing on PlayStation 5. The most glaring issue is the control scheme. The game was clearly designed with the original Xbox controller in mind, and the default mapping on a DualSense feels clunky. Weapon swapping and grenade tossing require awkward hand contortions that slow down the otherwise fluid action. You can remap buttons, but the lack of a dedicated preset that feels natural is a major oversight.

Performance is another mixed bag. While the game targets 60 frames per second, it suffers from noticeable frame pacing stutters during intense firefights, particularly when multiple explosions fill the screen. The resolution scaling also seems aggressive, making distant enemies look blurry in a way that hurts the legendary long-range pistol play. On top of that, the audio mix is inconsistent. Explosions and voice lines sometimes clip, while the ambient sounds of the ring can feel flat.

For a campaign that defined a generation, these technical hiccups are disappointing. The core loop of fighting the Flood, piloting a Warthog, and taking down a Scarab is still brilliant. But the rough edges on this version make it hard to recommend without warning. If you can tolerate the control quirks and occasional performance dips, the heart of Halo is still beating. Just know that this is not the definitive way to play it.