I don’t want to reminisce too much about the good old days when games came with physical manuals full of instructions, secrets, and advanced techniques. Still, I didn’t think I’d see the day when a digital game manual would be locked behind a premium edition.
Xbox Game Studios has, for some reason, decided to gate the digital manual for Halo: Campaign Evolved behind its premium edition, and it’s an incredibly odd decision.
Game Manuals Are Now a Premium Feature
Digital game manuals aren’t exactly a new thing, and plenty of digital releases still include them. For most modern games, though, almost everything is already available in-game through tutorials or a glossary you can pull up at any time. That’s why it feels so odd that a remake of such an old, widely familiar game not only includes a manual, but also locks it behind the $60 Premium Edition.
Image via Xbox Game Studios
Halo: Campaign Evolved is a $40 release, which already makes it a compelling purchase, and I think most people would even consider buying the $60 Premium Edition to support the studio. But gating something as basic as a manual behind the more expensive edition just feels needlessly stingy. Here’s a complete description of what comes in the manual:
A lovingly crafted modern homage to the original Halo: Combat Evolved game manual, this digital edition blends classic presentation with contemporary detail. Featuring updated gameplay information, controls, and background lore, the Halo: Campaign Evolved digital game manual is a nostalgic companion for longtime fans and a helpful introductory guide for newcomers stepping onto Alpha Halo for the first time.
I don’t think most people will even bother opening the digital manual, just like most people don’t care about the mini digital artbooks that come with these expensive editions. So why do this? If you’re going to honor the classic with a homage to the original’s manual, at least make it accessible to everyone, as it was back in 2001.
Evidently, a lot of people are completely fine with advanced access being offered as an incentive, but in the case of Halo: Campaign Evolved’s Premium Edition, you’re able to start playing a full five days early, which isn’t something to shrug off either. That’s the case with every upcoming title published by Xbox Game Studios, and they’re able to capitalize on FOMO quite easily, considering the successful early-access numbers of Forza Horizon 6.
Here is everything else that comes with the Premium Edition:
- Halo: Campaign Evolved game
- Alpha Halo Armory Pack, featuring 5 Master Chief Armor skins & 6 weapon skins
- Art of Halo: Campaign Evolved Digital Artbook
- Halo: Hungry Buzzards Digital Short Story
- Digital Game Manual
- Up to 5 days early access
Image via Xbox Game Studios
Halo Campaign Evolved Release Date
Halo: Campaign Evolved is coming to PC, Xbox Series S|X, and PS5 on July 28, 2026. Premium Edition owners can start playing on July 23, 2026.
These strange decisions aside, Halo: Campaign Evolved looks like a strong remake, all things considered. It stays faithful to the original’s art direction despite the graphical upgrade thanks to Unreal Engine, and the added missions are a welcome bonus. It also includes full co-op support with crossplay across all platforms, along with shared progression between systems.
