How well does the PC version of Halo: Campaign Evolved perform technically? This test includes benchmarks alongside analyses of DLSS, FSR, and ray tracing. Focusing on GPU benchmarks with Nvidia GeForce, AMD Radeon, and Intel Arc, we also take a closer look at upsampling with DLSS and FSR, as well as latency measurements.
Halo: Campaign Evolved: The Technical Aspects of the PC Version
Microsoft’s iconic first-person shooter series, Halo, debuted in 2001. Initially a flagship title for the original Xbox, Halo has transitioned through generations. Now, 25 years later, we have “Halo: Campaign Evolved,” a complete remake of the original game. This is not a simple remaster like the 2014 release, Halo: The Master Chief Collection; the Halo Studios have rebuilt the technical framework from the ground up, leading to considerable improvements.
Unlike the poorly received Halo Infinite, Halo: Campaign Evolved showcases incredible aesthetics. Every environment, from outdoor levels to intricate indoor settings, dazzles the eye. Two standout features include exquisite environmental rendering in outdoor spaces and impressive lighting effects indoors. The detailed models complement the overall visual experience, making these aspects the highlights of the graphics.
Utilizing Unreal Engine 5 for the First Time
Halo: Campaign Evolved does not rely on its own engine; the developers have opted for Unreal Engine 5, version 5.5.4.0. Unfortunately, technical details from Microsoft remain scarce, leaving many questions unanswered.
However, a preliminary report from Digital Foundry indicates why the visuals are so striking. The game reportedly employs hardware Lumen and therefore hardware ray tracing for its dynamic lighting and reflections. While the graphics menu does not explicitly indicate this, the lighting is generally impressive, showcasing surfaces that reflect light beautifully.
Regarding reflections, the game employs a mix of pure ray tracing, screen-space reflections, and hybrid reflections. The hybrid-reflection approach predominates, and fortunately, they display minimal noise interference. This enhances the visual fidelity and suggests that the developers have a strong grasp of effective lighting solutions. Moreover, the minimum GPU requirements hint at the necessity for a GeForce RTX 2060 or Radeon RX 6600.
Additionally, Halo: Campaign Evolved is touted as the first major game to utilize the MegaLights feature of UE5, allowing many more light sources without significant performance degradation. This is particularly visible with colorful weapon fire reflecting light, adding vibrancy to combat encounters.
Challenges with Cutscenes
Although Halo: Campaign Evolved features several cutscenes, they were not rendered on your personal computer but rather offline by Microsoft at only 30 FPS. Developers need to introduce a 60 FPS option as this creates a jarring disconnect between in-game visuals and cutscenes.
Additionally, the 30 FPS limitation persists even with frame generation active. Initially, only 15 FPS is displayed before frame generation boosts it to 30. This ultimately leads to noticeable graphical glitches, reducing overall enjoyment. Frame generation should be disabled during cutscenes, eliminating the need for players to toggle settings manually.
Intel XeSS Limited to Steam Version
On the note of upsampling, Halo: Campaign Evolved supports DLSS 4 Preset K across all quality settings. While DLSS 4.5 with Preset M is not utilized, it can be forced through the driver app. FSR upscaling options 4.0.2 and 4.1 are also available. However, XeSS is exclusive to the Steam version and is not accessible in the Microsoft Store version, limiting advanced frame generation options for some users.
Widescreen Testing
Many games today support widescreen formats, but some can falter in this area. Screenshots captured at 3440 × 1440 (UWQHD) and 2560 × 1440 (WQHD) illustrate how well the game adapts to both 21:9 and traditional 16:9 formats.
Official System Requirements
Loading Times
Games vary significantly in loading times; some load almost instantaneously, while others seem to take an eternity. By measuring the time it takes to reach the main menu and subsequently enter a test sequence, we can deduce an average loading time. Given that loads can fluctuate, we conduct three separate trials, restarting the PC each time to clear the cache.
Official Steam Deck and Steam Machine Compatibility
When games debut on Steam, they often run on portable Steam Decks and stationary Steam Machines. This article provides a general outline of compatibility, even if technical tests were not conducted for every title.
