Xbox Game Pass getting the most eagerly-anticipated remake of modern times for free, while PS5 owners have to pay
You just need to be an Ultimate or PC Game Pass member to revisit one of gaming's true greats
Quick Summary
Xbox has announced the games coming to Game Pass in the remainder of July (and beginning of August), with the return of Master Chief being the undoubted highlight.
Halo: Campaign Evolved will be available to Ultimate and PC Game Pass members from 28 July.
Xbox might be shifting back to a tried and tested exclusives model in the coming year, but one remaining consequence of its foray into cross-platform is that Master Chief will soon arrive on PlayStation 5 for the first time.
Halo: Campaign Evolved will officially release in just a week's time, on 28 July and it marks a real shift for the series. There's just one thing – it will only be available to purchase on PlayStation, while Xbox Series X/S and PC owners can get it for free with Xbox Game Pass Ultimate or PC Game Pass membership.
Rebuilt from the ground up, the remake of Halo: Combat Evolved (originally released for the first Xbox) retains the same gameplay and mission structure, but with dramatically improved graphics. It also features some control changes, such as when driving the Warthog.
The campaign mode is the real star – as the tweaked title suggests – although you still get four-player online co-op. There are new missions too, as well as a healthy serving of additional weapons, vehicles and enemies.
Those who pre-ordered the Premium Edition will actually get to play the game in early access from Thursday, 23 July, but if you're an Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscriber, you don't have much longer to wait.
The additional Xbox Game Pass games for July 2026
Shift at Midnight is another day one release for Ultimate and PC Game Pass members that's arriving soon – tomorrow, in fact. While Hell is Us will be added for all members, including Premium, from Thursday.
Mistfall Hunter is coming at the end of the month, on 30 July, as a new release also. And Corsair Cove will be available for PC only the day after.
Xbox has announced a couple of games coming next month, too. Both Heretic + Hexen and Beast of Reincarnation will be available from 4 August. The latter is yet another day one release.
Sadly, there are eight games being removed from the service at the end of July, with the pixel-perfect platformer Celeste being a particular favourite. I advise you download and play it in the days you have left.
