The best way to experience the Halo story is to play the games in release order, beginning with Halo: Combat Evolved, followed by Halo 2, Halo 3, Halo 3: ODST, Halo Reach, Halo 4, Halo 5: Guardians, and finally Halo Infinite.
So, you want to dive into the Halo universe but are unsure where to start? Figuring out what order to play halo games can be tricky, given the number of titles. The story spans different timelines and perspectives, and playing in the wrong order might impact your experience.
Luckily, there’s a simple method to follow that will let you get the most of the saga. I suggest starting with the beginning, and that means the release order is the way to go! This approach will let you experience the story and gameplay evolution.
What Order to Play Halo Games
Okay, you’re ready to jump into the world of Halo, but with so many games, it can feel like trying to navigate a maze! Don’t worry, we’ve all been there. Choosing the right order to play Halo isn’t just about playing them in any sequence, it’s about experiencing the story the way it was meant to be told, and understanding how the different pieces of the puzzle fit together. It’s also about enjoying the gameplay improvements and changes that came with each release. Let’s break down the best ways to dive into the Halo universe.
The Chronological Order: Starting at the Beginning
The most straightforward way to experience the Halo saga is by playing the games in the order they appear in the timeline of the story. This way, you watch the narrative unfold as it happened in the Halo universe, with all of its twists, turns, and surprises. Playing in chronological order can really help you understand the backstories of characters, the rise and fall of different factions, and the huge overarching story of the war against the Covenant and the dangers of the Flood.
Halo Wars: The Prequel
Although not a first-person shooter like most Halo titles, Halo Wars is a great starting point. Set about 20 years before the events of Halo: Combat Evolved, this real-time strategy game introduces us to the early days of the Human-Covenant war. You’ll command UNSC forces, including familiar faces, in an attempt to stop the Covenant’s advances. It’s a fantastic way to learn about the broader conflict and appreciate the scale of the war before diving into the core story.
Halo: Reach: Before the Master Chief
Before we ever met the Master Chief, there was Noble Team. Halo: Reach is a prequel that takes place right before the events of the first Halo game. This game puts you in the boots of a Spartan-III, a member of a special team tasked with defending the planet Reach from the Covenant. It’s known for its touching story, intense battles, and tragic end. Experiencing Halo: Reach before Combat Evolved lets you feel the weight of what happened to these heroes, and it makes the beginning of the first Halo even more impactful.
- Key Point: Playing Reach first sets up the desperate situation of the humans and makes the Master Chief’s arrival even more impressive.
- Gameplay: Expect intense battles, squad-based combat, and unique armor abilities.
Halo: Combat Evolved: The Beginning of a Legend
Here’s where it all started. Halo: Combat Evolved is where we first meet the Master Chief and embark on our adventure to stop the Covenant from activating the Halo rings. This is a crucial game to understanding the entire Halo story. The simple yet revolutionary gameplay set the standard for future games, and the mysterious nature of the Halo ring itself will keep you captivated from start to finish. Playing in chronological order shows you how the Master Chief’s journey begins after the destruction of Reach.
- Key Point: The game introduces you to the Flood, which is a major threat in the Halo universe.
- Gameplay: Experience the original Halo gameplay with a focus on combat, exploration, and solving the mysteries of the first Halo ring.
Halo 2: Expanding the Universe
Halo 2 takes the story to a new level, introducing the Covenant from a different perspective and showing us the Arbiter. This game significantly expands the Halo universe and the scope of the conflict. You get to experience the war from two sides and explore the political and religious complexities of both the UNSC and the Covenant. The action and stakes are higher, and the ending will leave you wanting more.
- Key Point: The introduction of the Arbiter adds depth to the conflict, showing a different perspective of the Covenant.
- Gameplay: Enjoy updated visuals, refined controls, and expanded multiplayer options compared to the first Halo.
Halo 3: The Conclusion of the Trilogy
The fight concludes in Halo 3, where the conflict with the Covenant and the Flood comes to a head. It ties many threads together and provides an epic and satisfying ending to the first trilogy. You see the full potential of the Master Chief in the battle against both alien threats, and you experience the climax of one of gaming’s greatest stories. It’s full of memorable moments, intense battles, and a truly moving ending.
- Key Point: Halo 3 brings closure to the original trilogy and wraps up many unanswered questions.
- Gameplay: Expect a wide variety of environments, intense combat encounters, and the introduction of new equipment and vehicles.
Halo 3: ODST: A Different Kind of Hero
This game takes place during the events of Halo 2, but from the perspective of the Orbital Drop Shock Troopers, or ODSTs. You are a nameless member of the squad, trying to find out what happened to your team after landing in New Mombasa. This game provides a different gameplay experience, focusing more on stealth and exploration, and features a more grounded, human story. It is a nice side step into the same period of time in the franchise, but with less focus on super soldiers.
- Key Point: The narrative is more personal and focuses on a group of soldiers fighting in the background of the major events of Halo 2.
- Gameplay: Experience a change in gameplay style, emphasizing stealth and survival with a darker atmosphere.
Halo: Reach: (Again) The End of Reach
Yes, you’ve technically played Reach already if you followed the chronological order, but a lot of players also think of it as being a good stepping stone into the series. After all the high stakes battles in the first four titles, jumping back to where things started can be a sad reminder of what happened before the legendary hero arrived.
Halo Wars 2: The Story Continues
This sequel to the original Halo Wars takes place after the events of Halo 3, continuing the UNSC conflict against new threats. It focuses on expanded strategic gameplay, more characters and a great continuing story.
- Key Point: Halo Wars 2 expands on the strategy gameplay in the franchise and introduces new conflicts and characters.
- Gameplay: Expect base-building, resource management, and large-scale battles.
Halo 4: The Reclaimer Saga Begins
With Halo 4, the story shifts to a new trilogy, focusing on the Master Chief’s relationship with Cortana. After being lost in space after the events of Halo 3, Master Chief awakens to a new threat. The game brings new enemy types, visual updates, and a deeper focus on the characters and the connection they have to the universe.
- Key Point: The story begins a new saga with a heavy focus on the human elements within the Master Chief’s experiences.
- Gameplay: The gameplay feels updated, focusing on combat enhancements and an improved user interface.
Halo 5: Guardians: A Split Focus
Halo 5: Guardians continues the Reclaimer Saga, focusing on two storylines: one of Master Chief and his team and one of Spartan Locke and his fireteam, who are tasked with hunting down Master Chief. This split narrative gives the player new perspectives, though some players did not prefer this change. The game features new gameplay and a new enemy faction, as well as an improved multiplayer.
- Key Point: The story focuses on a new threat, while also exploring the impact of the events of previous games on both the Master Chief and other characters.
- Gameplay: Expect refined controls, new Spartan abilities, and large-scale battles with new weapons and vehicles.
Halo Infinite: The Next Chapter
Set after the events of Halo 5, Halo Infinite puts the Master Chief in another critical struggle. The game introduces an open-world environment, allowing for exploration and unique player experiences. This game returns to the more traditional gameplay of the franchise while adding new elements to improve the player experience.
- Key Point: The story explores a new threat and re-examines the legacy of the franchise, and is also the latest main line title.
- Gameplay: Experience open-world exploration with the return of classic gameplay mechanics, new equipment, and a focus on story-driven experiences.
The Release Order: How Most People Experienced Halo
Another way to play the Halo games is in the order they were released, which is how most fans initially experienced the story. This way allows you to see the evolution of the gameplay, story, and graphics over time. You will feel the impact of advancements in technology, and enjoy the story unfolding as people around the world did during each release.
- Halo: Combat Evolved (2001)
- Halo 2 (2004)
- Halo 3 (2007)
- Halo 3: ODST (2009)
- Halo Wars (2009)
- Halo: Reach (2010)
- Halo 4 (2012)
- Halo 5: Guardians (2015)
- Halo Wars 2 (2017)
- Halo Infinite (2021)
Playing in release order lets you appreciate the changes and improvements in each game. You will notice each title’s impact, from the original Xbox title, to the most recent addition on modern consoles.
Which Order Should You Choose?
Honestly, there is no single best way to play the Halo games. It really depends on what you are looking to get out of the experience.
- For Story Lovers: Playing in chronological order is the best option, as it helps you grasp all the important narrative beats.
- For Those Who Appreciate Evolution: Playing in release order can be a great way to see how the franchise has changed over time.
- For Newcomers: Starting with Halo: Reach can be a good starting point, as it tells a great story that leads nicely into Combat Evolved.
Other Halo Experiences: A Broader Universe
While the main numbered games tell the primary story of the Master Chief, the Halo universe has a lot more to offer. There are other experiences that can add depth to your knowledge of the universe, these are non-essential but enhance the overall journey:
Halo: Spartan Assault and Halo: Spartan Strike
These top-down shooters offer a different style of gameplay and explore other corners of the universe and other conflicts. These games have their own stories, but are not necessarily needed for understanding the main story.
Halo Books and Comics
The Halo universe is not limited to video games. Many books and comics expand on the lore, fill in gaps in the story, and introduce new characters and situations. While these are not needed to enjoy the video games, they enrich your experience and give new context to the universe.
Ultimately, the order in which you play Halo is a personal decision. The important thing is to enjoy the story, immerse yourself in the universe, and have fun.
No matter which route you choose, get ready to experience an amazing journey full of epic battles, unforgettable characters, and a story that will keep you invested until the very end. Dive in, Spartan!
How To Play Halo Games in The Right Order!
Final Thoughts
Playing Halo in release order—starting with Combat Evolved, then continuing through the numbered sequels and spin-offs—offers the best initial experience. You’ll witness the story and gameplay evolve naturally. This ensures familiarity with core mechanics.
Alternatively, playing by the chronological story order, beginning with Halo Reach, offers a different perspective. This approach places events in their narrative sequence. Understanding the larger universe becomes easier.
Ultimately, what order to play halo games is a personal choice. I must suggest trying the release order first, though.
