Halo: Campaign Evolved, the ground-up remake of Halo: Combat Evolved, is part of Xbox’s first-party lineup, which means it arrives on Game Pass the moment it fully launches. The catch is that not every tier of the service unlocks it, and the pre-launch window works differently from the subscription itself.
Quick answer: Yes. Halo: Campaign Evolved is included on day one with Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass when the full game releases on July 28, 2026. If you already hold either plan on Xbox Series X|S or PC, you download the complete campaign at no extra cost.
Which Game Pass tiers include Halo: Campaign Evolved
The day-one release covers only the two premium tiers. Game Pass Premium subscribers get the game within a year of launch rather than on day one, and there is no confirmed plan for it to reach Game Pass Essential. The version delivered through the service is the Standard Edition, so no pre-order cosmetics come attached.
| Tier | Price | Includes the game on July 28? |
|---|---|---|
| Game Pass Ultimate | $22.99/month | Yes, day one |
| PC Game Pass | $13.99/month | Yes, day one |
| Game Pass Premium | $14.99/month | No, arrives within a year of launch |
| Game Pass Essential | $9.99/month | Not confirmed |
You can join or confirm your plan through the official Xbox Game Pass page.
What your subscription actually delivers
Ultimate and PC Game Pass hand you the complete package, not a trimmed version. That means all 13 campaign missions, which cover the 10 original levels rebuilt in Unreal Engine 5 plus the three new Operation: METEORITE missions with the Master Chief and Sgt. Johnson.
You also get the remastered soundtrack, the expanded arsenal, drivable Wraith hijacking, and support for solo play or up to four-player online co-op. Cross-play and cross-progression run across Xbox, PC, and PlayStation 5, so squads can mix platforms even though the buying route differs.
Early Access is not part of Game Pass
The five-day Early Access window began July 23 at 8 AM PDT, but it is tied to editions rather than to any subscription. Only buyers of the Premium Edition ($69.99) or the physical Collector’s Edition can play early. A Game Pass membership on its own keeps you on the standard July 28 schedule.
If you want in early and already subscribe, the Premium Edition Upgrade costs $20 and unlocks both the early window and the cosmetics. That upgrade adds the Alpha Halo Armory Pack (5 Master Chief armor skins and 6 weapon skins), the Foundry Armory Pack, the digital artbook, the Hungry Buzzards short story, and the digital manual. The Early Access and Foundry Armory Pack offer requires a pre-order by July 27, 2026 at 11:59 PM local time.
PlayStation 5 players are not covered
This is the first mainline Halo game to appear on PlayStation, but Game Pass does not exist on PS5, and the game is not part of any PlayStation Plus tier. PS5 owners buy it directly from the PlayStation Store, either the Standard Edition at $49.99 or the Premium Edition at $69.99 for the cosmetics and Early Access.
Subscribe or buy: how to decide
| Your situation | Best move |
|---|---|
| Already on Ultimate or PC Game Pass | No purchase needed; it’s in your library on July 28 |
| Want to own it outright with no recurring bill | Standard Edition, $49.99 |
| Want Early Access from July 23 | Premium Edition ($69.99) or the $20 upgrade on top of Game Pass |
| Playing on PS5 | Buy Standard ($49.99) or Premium ($69.99) from the PlayStation Store |
How to confirm it worked
If your plan qualifies, Halo: Campaign Evolved shows an “Included with Game Pass” label on its store page rather than a price, and you can install it without checkout. When the “Play” button replaces “Buy” on Xbox Series X|S or PC, your subscription is covering the game.
The launch itself is locked in. Halo Studios confirmed the remake went gold ahead of release, which keeps the July 28 Game Pass date on track for Ultimate and PC Game Pass members.
The short version: keep Ultimate or PC Game Pass and you pay nothing extra on launch day, while Early Access, cosmetics, and PS5 all require a separate purchase.
