What Order to Play Halo Games: A Journey Through Time, Space, and Occasionally Confusing Chronology

The Halo franchise, developed by Bungie and later 343 Industries, is one of the most iconic and beloved series in the gaming world. With its rich lore, memorable characters, and groundbreaking gameplay, it’s no wonder that fans often debate the best order to experience these games. But with multiple timelines, spin-offs, and prequels, the question of “what order to play Halo games” can feel as complex as the Forerunner saga itself. Let’s dive into the various ways to approach this legendary series, whether you’re a newcomer or a seasoned Spartan looking to revisit the universe.

1. Release Order: The Classic Approach

The most straightforward way to experience the Halo series is to play the games in the order they were released. This approach allows you to witness the evolution of the franchise, from its humble beginnings to its modern iterations.

• Halo: Combat Evolved (2001): The game that started it all. Follow Master Chief as he uncovers the mysteries of the Halo ring and battles the Covenant.
• Halo 2 (2004): Introduces dual-wielding, the Arbiter, and a deeper dive into the Covenant’s politics.
• Halo 3 (2007): The epic conclusion to the original trilogy, featuring large-scale battles and emotional moments.
• Halo Wars (2009): A real-time strategy spin-off set before the events of Halo: Combat Evolved.
• Halo 3: ODST (2009): A side story following Orbital Drop Shock Troopers during the events of Halo 2.
• Halo: Reach (2010): A prequel to Halo: Combat Evolved, focusing on the fall of Reach.
• Halo 4 (2012): The start of the Reclaimer Saga, introducing the Forerunners and a more personal story for Master Chief.
• Halo 5: Guardians (2015): A divisive entry that shifts focus to Spartan Locke and the hunt for Master Chief.
• Halo Wars 2 (2017): Continues the story of the Spirit of Fire and introduces the Banished.
• Halo Infinite (2021): The latest mainline entry, offering an open-world experience and a fresh start for the series.

Pros: You experience the games as they were intended, with each entry building on the last.
Cons: The timeline can feel disjointed, especially with prequels and spin-offs.

2. Chronological Order: For the Lore Enthusiasts

If you’re a stickler for continuity and want to experience the story in the order it unfolds within the Halo universe, chronological order is the way to go.

• Halo Wars (2531): Set 21 years before Halo: Combat Evolved, this game explores the early days of the Human-Covenant War.
• Halo: Reach (2552): The tragic story of Noble Team and the fall of Reach, which occurs just before the events of Halo: Combat Evolved.
• Halo: Combat Evolved (2552): Master Chief’s first encounter with the Halo ring.
• Halo 2 (2552): The Covenant’s invasion of Earth and the Arbiter’s journey.
• Halo 3: ODST (2552): A parallel story set during the events of Halo 2.
• Halo 3 (2553): The final battle against the Covenant and the Flood.
• Halo 4 (2557): Master Chief awakens to face a new threat, the Didact.
• Halo 5: Guardians (2558): The hunt for Cortana and the rise of the Created.
• Halo Wars 2 (2559): The Spirit of Fire’s battle against the Banished on the Ark.
• Halo Infinite (2560): Master Chief’s latest adventure on Zeta Halo.

Pros: A cohesive narrative experience that follows the timeline of the Halo universe.
Cons: Gameplay mechanics and graphics improve over time, so starting with older games might feel jarring.

3. Thematic Order: Tailored to Your Interests

If you’re more interested in specific aspects of the Halo universe, such as Master Chief’s journey or the Covenant’s perspective, you can tailor your playthrough accordingly.

• Master Chief’s Saga: Play Halo: Combat Evolved, Halo 2, Halo 3, Halo 4, Halo 5: Guardians, and Halo Infinite for a focused look at the Chief’s story.
• Covenant Perspective: Halo 2 and Halo 3: ODST offer unique insights into the Covenant and their internal struggles.
• Prequels and Spin-offs: Halo Wars, Halo: Reach, and Halo Wars 2 provide backstory and expand the universe.

Pros: A personalized experience that aligns with your interests.
Cons: You might miss out on key plot points or character development.

4. The “Skip the Spin-offs” Order: For the Purists

If you’re only interested in the mainline FPS games, you can skip the spin-offs and focus on the core entries.

• Halo: Combat Evolved
• Halo 2
• Halo 3
• Halo 4
• Halo 5: Guardians
• Halo Infinite

Pros: A streamlined experience that focuses on the main story.
Cons: You’ll miss out on some of the franchise’s most interesting lore and characters.

5. The “Start with Infinite” Order: For the Modern Gamer

If you’re new to the series and want to jump into the latest entry, Halo Infinite is designed to be accessible to newcomers. Afterward, you can go back and explore the earlier games.

Pros: You start with the most polished and modern entry.
Cons: You might miss references and callbacks to previous games.

FAQs

Q: Do I need to play all the Halo games to understand the story?
A: Not necessarily. While playing all the games provides a richer experience, the mainline entries (Halo 1-5 and Infinite) are enough to follow the core narrative.

Q: Are the spin-offs like Halo Wars and ODST worth playing?
A: Absolutely! They add depth to the universe and offer unique gameplay experiences.

Q: What’s the best order for a first-time player?
A: Release order is generally recommended, as it allows you to experience the series as it evolved.

Q: Can I skip Halo 5: Guardians?
A: While it’s not the most popular entry, it’s still an important part of the story, especially leading into Halo Infinite.

Q: Is Halo Infinite a good starting point?
A: Yes, it’s designed to be newcomer-friendly, though you’ll appreciate it more if you’ve played the earlier games.