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Best Games to Play If You’re Waiting for the Next Halo

Want more Halo or a different shooter while waiting for Halo: Campaign Evolved? Compare Halo Infinite, The Master Chief Collection, Titanfall 2, DOOM Eternal, and Marathon by campaign, multiplayer, and play style.
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If you want something to play while waiting for Halo: Campaign Evolved, start with Halo Infinite multiplayer if you want more Halo, Halo: The Master Chief Collection if you want older campaigns, or Titanfall 2 and DOOM Eternal if you want a different kind of shooter. For a newer sci-fi multiplayer format, consider Marathon—but check its current service status before jumping in.

Xbox Wire’s July 21, 2026 Game Pass roundup lists Halo: Campaign Evolved for July 28, 2026, describing it as a modernized remake of Halo: Combat Evolved’s campaign. The announcement says it is rebuilt from the ground up, adds three missions, and supports online co-op for up to four players. Release timing and availability can change; check Xbox Wire’s announcement for the stated details.

Which game should you choose?

What you want Start with Why it fits
More Halo multiplayer, with no game purchase required for multiplayer Halo Infinite multiplayer It is free to play and includes Arena and Big Team Battle, among other modes, according to Halo Support.
Classic Halo campaigns Halo: The Master Chief Collection It keeps you in the Halo universe and collects older Halo games; Microsoft’s Xbox shooter catalog lists it.
A separate sci-fi shooter campaign Titanfall 2 A recommendation for players who want a different franchise’s campaign rather than another Halo match.
Fast, high-intensity shooter combat DOOM Eternal A distinct, more aggressive-feeling alternative—not a close Halo substitute.
Team-based sci-fi scavenging and extraction Marathon Xbox Wire describes crews of up to three scavenging and extracting while contending with AI and rival teams.

These are different answers to different kinds of waiting: a campaign, familiar Halo multiplayer, a return to older Halo stories, or a new multiplayer structure. Microsoft’s shooter catalog is evidence that it lists Titanfall 2, DOOM Eternal, and The Master Chief Collection; that listing does not establish current price, subscription inclusion, regional availability, or support on every platform.

If you want to keep playing Halo

Halo Infinite multiplayer: the direct, free-to-play option

Halo Infinite multiplayer is free to play, and Halo Support says a Game Pass subscription is not required for multiplayer. The campaign is separate: it can be purchased or accessed through some Game Pass memberships, whose current terms should be checked before subscribing.

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#1 Best Overall
Halo: Campaign Evolved | Standard Edition | PlayStation 5
  • A CLASSIC REIMAGINED — Experience the original Halo: Combat Evolved campaign rebuilt with high‑definition visuals, updated cinematics, refined controls, and a brand‑new three‑mission adventure.
  • ENHANCED AUDIO & VISUALS — Relive every mission with modernized animations, a remastered soundtrack, and fully rebuilt sound design for deeper immersion across the Halo universe.
  • NEW STORY CONTENT — Play as the Master Chief alongside Sgt. Johnson in Operation: Meteorite, a standalone campaign featuring new environments, enemies, and gameplay challenges.
  • ICONIC VEHICLES EVOLVED — Drive and hijack classic Halo vehicles with new gameplay possibilities, including piloting a fully controllable Wraith tank for the first time in Halo: CE.
  • CO‑OP YOUR WAY — Play solo, in 2‑player split‑screen co‑op (console only), or up to 4‑player online co‑op with full crossplay and cross‑progression support.

Halo Support lists crossplay and cross-progression, Arena and Big Team Battle, PvP and PvE modes, custom games, multiplayer split-screen, and Forge tools for creating multiplayer maps and modes. That breadth makes it the most practical choice here if the thing you miss is Halo’s match-based multiplayer rather than a new single-player story. See Halo Support’s overview for the current feature description.

Halo: The Master Chief Collection: revisit older campaigns

If you have not played the earlier games, Halo: The Master Chief Collection is the clearest way to stay with Halo’s established campaigns rather than switching to another franchise. Microsoft’s Xbox shooter catalog lists it, but the catalog alone does not settle which editions or platforms are available to you, or whether it is currently included with a subscription.

Rank #2
Halo: Campaign Evolved | Premium Edition | XBOX Series X|S and Windows Digital
  • PREMIUM EDITION CONTENT — Receive the Alpha Halo Armory Pack with 5 armor skins and 6 weapon skins, plus the Digital Artbook, Digital Short Story, and in‑game bonus content.
  • A CLASSIC REIMAGINED — Experience the original Halo: Combat Evolved campaign rebuilt with high‑definition visuals, updated cinematics, refined controls, and a brand‑new three‑mission adventure.
  • ENHANCED AUDIO & VISUALS — Relive every mission with modernized animations, a remastered soundtrack, and fully rebuilt sound design for deeper immersion across the Halo universe.
  • NEW STORY CONTENT — Play as the Master Chief alongside Sgt. Johnson in Operation: Meteorite, a standalone campaign featuring new environments, enemies, and gameplay challenges.
  • CO‑OP YOUR WAY — Play solo, in 2‑player split‑screen co‑op (console only), or up to 4‑player online co‑op with full crossplay and cross‑progression support.

If you want a different shooter campaign

Titanfall 2: a separate sci-fi campaign

Titanfall 2 is a good first pick if you want a new sci-fi shooter story instead of another Halo campaign. It is a separate franchise, so treat it as a change of setting and approach, not a game that reproduces Halo’s exact feel. Microsoft lists it in its Xbox shooter catalog; check your platform’s store for current availability and edition details.

DOOM Eternal: a more intense alternative

Choose DOOM Eternal if you want a high-intensity shooter rather than Halo’s particular mix of campaign and multiplayer. It is a different flavor, not a close replacement. The Microsoft Xbox shooter catalog lists the game, but does not establish its current price or subscription status.

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Rank #3
Halo: The Master Chief Collection
  • System requirement your device must meet all minimum requirements to open this product OS Xbox One architecture x64
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Support on Ko-Fi

If you want a newer sci-fi multiplayer format

Marathon: extraction instead of arena matches

Marathon is the option for players open to a different multiplayer rhythm. Xbox Wire describes teams of up to three players scavenging and extracting while facing AI and rival Runner teams. That is an extraction-shooter structure, not a like-for-like stand-in for Halo Arena or Big Team Battle. Xbox Wire announced a September 23, 2025 launch date in its April 12, 2025 overview; because that date is now past, confirm the game’s current service status and platform availability before deciding to play.

Read Xbox Wire’s Marathon overview for the announced format and launch information. The article describes the planned game and date; it should not be treated as confirmation of current availability.

Quick Recap

Best Value
Sale
Ukonic Halo Light-Up Covenant Energy Sword Collectible Desktop Lamp with LED Light | Video Game-Themed Room Essentials | Bedside Table Lamp, Home Decor Accessories | 14 Inches Tall
  • Save Humanity: Light up your next mission with this Halo Energy Sword replica. Inspired by the popular video game franchise, you can wipe out the competition with this collectible LED desk lamp.
  • Authentic Design: Wield Master Chief's powerful Type-1 Energy Sword, a legendary melee weapon seen in Halo Infinite. This authentic replica features light-up action and serves as a standing desk lamp.
  • Dimensions: This 1:3 scale Energy Sword mood light measures approximately 14 inches tall including the base. Although this double-bladed Sangheili weapon is not made of real plasma, it will illuminate your fortress.
  • Powerful Display: At the flip of a switch, this Energy Sword LED mood light will cast a brilliant glow. Features a convenient in-line on/off switch to ensure easy access. Powered by USB cable (included).
  • Makes A Great Gift: This officially licensed Energy Sword desk lamp will light up your Halo fandom. Perfect for intergalactic warriors who are looking to revamp their home decor with a geeky room essentials.
Rank #4
Halo 2 - Xbox
  • Master Chief can now wield two weapons at once, board Covenant vehicles and steal Covenant weapons like the incredible double energy sword
  • Lead an all-new unit of super-soldiers, the ODST -- tougher, badder and deadlier versions of your old comrades
  • New enemies, allies and surprises around every corner - intense combat action with enhanced AI and real-time lighting
  • Immense single-player action with maassive landscapes and huge cities to explore and defend - destructible and interactive environments
  • Take the action online with your Xbox Live and switch sides, to become a Covenant Elite!

How to make the choice

  • Want story or repeatable matches? Pick Titanfall 2 or DOOM Eternal for a different campaign; pick Halo Infinite for Halo multiplayer.
  • Want Halo continuity or a fresh setting? Choose The Master Chief Collection or Infinite to stay in Halo; choose the other recommendations for separate worlds.
  • Want arena-style matches or extraction? Infinite offers Arena and Big Team Battle; Marathon is built around scavenging and extraction.
  • Need a free entry point? Halo Support documents Infinite multiplayer as free. For the other games, check your platform’s store; catalog listings do not guarantee a current subscription benefit or availability in your region.

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.

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