The legendary FPS that helped define modern console shooters might soon be back on PC—this time, DRM-free and packed with modern perks. Fans of Halo: Combat Evolved have reason to be excited, as the iconic game could be headed to GOG’s preservation platform, bringing nostalgia and accessibility together in a big way.
The Halo That Changed Everything
When Halo: Combat Evolved launched in 2001 alongside the original Xbox, it didn’t just introduce Master Chief to the world—it reshaped expectations of what console FPS games could be.
It had fluid gameplay, incredible sci-fi set pieces, and perhaps most importantly, a control scheme that finally made sense on a gamepad. Before Halo, shooters on consoles often felt sluggish or awkward. With Halo, everything just clicked.
The game wasn’t just a commercial success—it was a cultural touchstone. It sold millions, spawned a multi-billion-dollar franchise, and played a major role in cementing Xbox’s place in the gaming world.
And more than two decades later, it still holds up.
Rumors Point to GOG Revival
Now, there’s buzz that Halo: Combat Evolved could make its way to GOG, the DRM-free digital storefront known for reviving old classics and giving them new life. The rumor mill started churning after a nostalgic trailer from GOG teased the possibility, alongside nods to Silent Hill and Silent Hill 2.
GOG has been on a tear lately, bringing back long-lost gems like the original Resident Evil trilogy and Dino Crisis. Their mission? Game preservation—ensuring players can access iconic titles legally, easily, and with enhancements that make them work better on modern systems.
If Halo: Combat Evolved lands on GOG, it’ll likely join that elite group of re-releases. And if history’s any guide, it won’t be just a basic port.
What GOG Usually Brings to the Table
GOG isn’t just about putting old games up for sale. They go the extra mile to modernize and optimize them, often including things like:
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Enhanced controller support for games that originally didn’t have it
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Compatibility patches for modern operating systems
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High-resolution options or upscaled assets
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Complete removal of DRM and always-online requirements
The platform’s developers have a track record of making sure these old titles don’t feel like museum pieces. Instead, they run smoothly, play cleanly, and still manage to capture what made them special to begin with.
So imagine Halo: Combat Evolved, one of the most foundational shooters of all time, being reborn in this way—on PC, with no DRM, controller support, and compatibility baked in.
Why This Could Be a Bigger Deal Than an Unreal Engine Remake
Sure, there are whispers about an Unreal Engine 5 remake of Halo: Combat Evolved for the franchise’s upcoming 25th anniversary. But purists often prefer the original experience—with a little polish rather than a full-scale reimagining.
The Master Chief Collection already offers an Anniversary Edition with HD visuals and a silky framerate. It’s great, no doubt. But it’s tied to Microsoft’s store and Xbox app, and it comes with its own layer of DRM. Plus, not everyone’s a fan of how the remastered visuals changed the game’s mood.
The GOG version, if real, might offer a stripped-down, cleaner alternative:
Just the game, as it was meant to be played. No online checks. No bloat.
And for longtime PC players—especially those who remember the early Gearbox port of Halo CE—it would be a welcome return to form.
Dreamlist Voting Could Make the Difference
Interestingly, GOG’s Dreamlist program allows users to vote on the games they most want to see revived. That means fans have a direct hand in shaping which classics get preserved next.
Currently, Halo: Combat Evolved, Silent Hill, and Silent Hill 2 are reportedly high on that list, and the latest GOG trailer seems to acknowledge those fan wishes.
That kind of player input is rare in today’s gaming landscape—and refreshing.
GOG’s Track Record of Delivering on Preservation
Let’s be clear: GOG has done this before, and done it well. Games that were once thought lost to time have returned in better shape than ever. And they didn’t come back quietly.
Titles like Star Wars: Dark Forces, Blade Runner, and System Shock 2 all found new life on the platform. So the idea of Halo following suit? It’s not a pipe dream.
In fact, it makes a lot of sense. Microsoft has shown an increasing willingness to put its older titles on other platforms—Age of Empires, for instance, came to Steam and was a hit all over again. And with Halo Infinite trying to win back fans, celebrating the franchise’s origin story would be a strategic move.
So, Will It Happen?
Nothing is officially confirmed just yet. But when GOG drops hints, they don’t usually do so without a plan in motion. And given how important Halo: Combat Evolved is, it would be the crown jewel in GOG’s preservation push.
Even if the Unreal Engine 5 remake happens—and it might—there’s something uniquely satisfying about having access to the original version in its purest form. No extra fluff. Just Halo.
That’s what fans have been asking for, for years. Maybe, just maybe, they’re about to get it.
