Halo co-creator slams Campaign Evolved as a 'misstep' for the franchise

The co-creator of the Halo series slams Campaign Evolved as being a major “misstep” for the franchise, and it’s fair to say that he didn't hold back.

When Halo: Combat Evolved first released as an original Xbox launch title in November 2001, it quite literally changed the game and permanently raised the bar of what’s expected of a first-person shooter game on console.

While not as slick as a PC's keyboard and mouse, at the time Halo: Combat Evolved on Xbox was by far the closest console gamers had to experiencing that. The OG Halo was also praised for its compelling story and fantastic multiplayer modes, the latter of which the recent remake is very much lacking.

Halo: Campaign Evolved is a “misstep”, says series co-creator

On X (formerly Twitter), Marcus Lehto, co-creator of the Halo series and an art director for the original developers, Bungie, has been very vocal about his thoughts on the recent remake, Halo: Campaign Evolved.

Much like the original game, Halo: Campaign Evolved has story co-op, and that includes good old local (and online) play. However, it’s missing arguably its most popular and most important mode of the series, competitive multiplayer.

“Split-screen MP in Campaign Evolved should have been included. There's little excuse aside from lack of oversight and poor planning that led to this misstep. So sad this wasn't included,” tweeted Lehto when talking about the lack of PvP.

The counterargument to this would be that Halo: The Master Chief Collection has multiplayer from the very faithful 2011 remaster, Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary. However, not everyone who picked up the 2026 remake will own that collection. Some might, but some won’t.

The lack of PvP was well known from the moment the remake was announced; after all, it is called “Campaign Evolved”. That being said, playing the legendary Combat Evolved PvP multiplayer in a remake built using Unreal Engine 5 is an enticing prospect and is surely something that many fans would welcome.

READ MORE: Halo Studios hit by Microsoft layoffs following Campaign Evolved launch

Marcus Lehto has been critical of Halo: Campaign Evolved more than once

Sharing his disappointment over Halo: Campaign Evolved not having PvP multiplayer isn't the first time that Marcus Lehto has been critical of the remake created by 343 Industries- sorry, Halo Studios.

“While Forerunner tech was metal (not stone), it was also ancient, vast, alive, and a tomb to the horrors that lurked within. It had seen hundreds of millennia of conflict. Yet the game shows it as shiny metal that looks like it was built a few years ago,” said Lehto.

“I understand the tightening of the Forerunner aesthetic throughout the game. Admittedly, my original team was all over the place back in 2000. However, Halo Studios went too far in the wrong direction,” he also tweeted.

However, Lehto hasn't been entirely negative about the remake; he’s actually tweeted some positive opinions.

“Finished the fight on Heroic and honestly loved my playthrough of Halo Campaign Evolved. It was simultaneously a blast from my own past and fresh re-envisioning of the game I helped create,” he explained. “Perfect, no. Fun, absolutely yes!”

At the end of the day, we all have different opinions, and Marcus Lehto is no exception, but he does have a unique insight into the series and, to be fair, it’s hard to argue against any of the concerns he’s raised.

Halo: Campaign Evolved is out now on PC, PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S.

REVIEW: Halo: Campaign Evolved has saved the franchise; it's that exceptional