Halo: Campaign Evolved isn’t just remaking a 25 year old game, it’s remaking the entire era it comes from.
Yesterday, Microsoft confirmed that Halo: Campaign Evolved, a campaign-only remake of the original Halo game, will finally release in late July. Not only that, but it will also be released in style. Microsoft is releasing two special editions for the game, one of which is your typical digital-only version with in-game goodies. The other is an expensive, physical collector’s edition that will celebrate Halo in a big way. The collector’s edition includes a bunch of in-game items, a 12-inch statue of Master Chief, a steelbook, and some art prints.
However, the more unique item is that it also includes a “reimagined” version of the original game’s manual. Video game manuals have largely been out of style for over a decade. The last time games really seemed to include a detailed manual was back in the late 2000s during the Xbox 360 and PS3 era. However, that generation also saw the end of a meaty manual. It eventually shifted towards a very basic pamphlet that included safety warnings and legal notices, but there weren’t any detailed write-ups, pictures, or helpful tips.
Part of this was to save costs/paper, but also because the internet made manuals somewhat redundant. Anything you want to know about a game can easily be found online. As time has moved on, consoles themselves have even tried to incorporate features with useful information for whatever game you’re playing. Still, it absolutely devalued the overall physical package. To make matters worse, collector’s editions for PlayStation games this generation often don’t feature a disc, partially to make them appealing to those who have a digital-only PS5.
All of this has made physical media enjoyers very upset, but Xbox is trying to rectify it with this new Halo collector’s edition. Not only does it have a physical manual, inspired by the original game, but it also includes a disc if you purchase an Xbox or PS5 version of the game. Unfortunately, Microsoft doesn’t appear to be putting the entire game on the disc, as the game’s standard edition packaging indicates a download will be required.
In related news, Halo: Campaign Evolved dropped another new trailer today, which was captured on PS5 Pro. The disclaimer was rather peculiar, especially after Xbox’s very prominent messaging about exclusives and bringing power back to the Xbox brand.
Halo: Campaign Evolved will be released on July 28th for Xbox Series X|S, PS5, and PC. Premium and collector’s edition owners will get five-days of early access to the game as well.
Cade Onder is a freelancer for IGN’s news team. He covers all things entertainment, including gaming, film, and more. You can find him on Twitter @Cade_Onder.
