Every Mainline Halo Game Ranked From Worst to Best

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It’s quite intriguing to ponder over the contrast between Halo being an enduring icon in gaming history, symbolizing the Xbox brand, and yet understanding that the gaming world is undergoing constant change and transformation, which might lessen its impact as it had in earlier days. In essence, while Halo may not hold the same widespread influence as before, its sales figures still place it among the heavyweights in the industry. This is because Halo isn’t merely a video game; it’s a series of games, a book series, a TV show, and much more.

Hello! Halo has gone through several stages during its existence. Initially, under Bungie’s guidance, it created the original trilogy which laid the foundation and catapulted Halo into a major success. Later on, 343 Industries took over and navigated Halo through another phase amidst increasing competition. Now, as 343 Industries transforms into Halo Studios, they are excited to share that the next Halo game will transition to Unreal Engine 5 with the aim of recapturing its status as a visual powerhouse in the gaming world.

Although an official announcement for the next Halo game is yet to come, this gap provides us with a great chance to examine and rank the primary Halo games released during the initial two development phases.

8) Halo 5: Guardians

In Halo 4, the foundation was laid for developing a deep storyline involving Master Chief and Cortana. With this foundation in place, Halo 5 merely needed to deliver on its promise. Unfortunately, Halo 5 fell short in numerous areas. Players were disappointed by the absence of split-screen co-op, the campaign felt abridged compared to the multiplayer focus, and the character of Master Chief was noticeably diminished. If only Halo 5: Guardians had effectively built upon the narrative foundation set by Halo 4, it could have been a resounding success.

7) Halo 3: ODST

In Halo 3, before reaching the grand finale, there’s the standalone tale of Halo 3: ODST, which unfolds as the Covenant invades Earth. A team of top-tier ODST operatives find themselves scattered after a failed drop into the city. You assume control of The Rookie to scour the area and locate your missing squadmates.

In ODST, the narrative was richer, providing more background details and taking place in a semi-open world environment. However, despite being marketed as a full game, some felt it lacked the scope expected from a standalone title, resembling an expansion pack instead. The campaign was relatively brief, and while the multiplayer was essentially a revamped version of Halo 3‘s multiplayer, it helped justify the price tag. Today, in the context of Halo: The Master Chief Collection, it serves as an excellent bonus content piece.

6) Halo: Combat Evolved

The Halo series was solidly established and primarily shaped by the original game Halo: Combat Evolved. Essentially, Halo marked a new era of gaming for Millennials, moving beyond Nintendo 64, and offering an opportunity to play more mature cooperative games with friends.

Regardless if you play alone or with friends on the same couch, mastering the art of battling the Covenant, maneuvering the Warthog, and defeating Banshees was a significant part of the experience in Halo: Combat Evolved. However, revisiting this classic game may not be as enjoyable for current or even long-time gamers due to its lack of modern updates. For instance, sprinting is not available, and certain level designs feel repetitive, which might deter modern players from diving into the original Halo. Despite a possible remaster, these factors could make the game less appealing to newer audiences.

5) Halo Infinite

In a novel twist for the Halo series, Halo Infinite ventured into an open-world environment. Graphically and mechanically, it thrived as a stunning open-world game. The introduction of new enemies linked to The Banished, along with the incorporation of the Grappleshot, seamlessly integrated as a fresh addition to Master Chief’s weaponry.

Nevertheless, the game Halo Infinite carries an impression of a series that’s still exploring its identity amidst the evolving gaming scene, serving both as a First-Person Shooter (FPS) and a Role-Playing Game (RPG). While the Covenant are mostly absent in Halo Infinite, it introduces a new setting, Halo Zeta. This change might instill a sense of nostalgia for the original alien race that has been integral to the series since its inception. However, the engaging combat, formidable enemies, and thrilling boss battles in Halo Infinite make it an exhilarating experience, especially as a reboot following Halo 5.

4) Halo: Reach

As a gamer, I’d say “Halo: Reach” is a game that takes us back to the beginning of the Halo saga, set before “Halo: Combat Evolved,” but it doesn’t feel outdated at all. In fact, it feels surprisingly modern and remains just as engaging today. This was Bungie’s final contribution to the Halo series, and it dives even deeper into humanity’s conflict with the Covenant. Plus, it introduced some cool armor abilities that spiced up the multiplayer experience.

In this game, you take on the role of Noble Six, a part of the elite Noble Team, battling to safeguard the planet Reach from an invasion by the Covenant. Narratively, the game provided a highly gratifying conclusion to the Halo series led by Bungie, but there’s a discrepancy in the storyline and timeline compared to the novel “Halo: The Fall of Reach”.

3) Halo 4

343 Industries faced significant anticipation when they took on the development of Halo 4, being the first Halo title under their care. Despite the weight of expectation, they executed the delivery remarkably. The narrative of Halo 3 concluded thoroughly, yet left a subtle cliffhanger that carried over to Halo 4. This new chapter in the story was carefully crafted, leading Master Chief as he emerged from Cryo stasis and was drawn towards the Forerunner planet of Requiem.

As long as the Covenant serves as adversaries, even in their splinter form, additional layers are unveiled. For instance, mechanized soldiers from the Forerunner Empire, known as Prometheans, are now introduced for players to face off against. On a separate note, the evolving bond between Master Chief and Cortana throughout the gameplay stands out significantly. This relationship development was carefully planned, with Cortana’s importance continually increasing within Halo’s narrative.

2) Halo 2

In Halo 2, they bravely deviated from the original Halo: Combat Evolved by allowing players to assume control of The Arbiter. While in the first game, viewers were subjected to the heart-stopping experience of being overrun by enemies armed with the Plasma Sword, in Halo 2, the tables turn and players get to wield the Plasma Sword as The Arbiter. This change also provides a more intimate look at the Covenant, helping us understand them better as not just an alien threat but as a potential ally against the Flood. A significant part of this understanding comes when The Arbiter and Master Chief come together, marking a pivotal moment that hints at the possibility of collaboration between these two forces.

1) Halo 3

In the course of playing Halo 3, many boys matured into men. This transformation is a sentiment that anyone who experienced this game shares, as the culminating mission – driving the Warthog and leaping into Forward Unto Dawn – is a memorable milestone in gaming that symbolizes the conclusion of an epoch.

In the game Halo 3, Master Chief takes on a dual threat to Earth: the Flood and the Covenant. The narrative revolves around the activation of the Halo rings, initiated from the Forerunner Ark on Earth. Although characters like the Arbiter are present in Halo 3, their role is less prominent compared to their co-protagonist status in Halo 2. This diminished presence can feel disappointing, but it doesn’t detract from the fact that Halo 3 remains the most exceptional game in the series.

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2025-05-30 04:10