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Halo is one of the most iconic series in gaming, and knowing the Halo games in order helps you understand how its vast universe and storytelling have evolved over the years. In this guide, you can explore the franchise in two ways: by story lore order, which follows the chronological timeline of events across the Halo universe, or by release order, which highlights how the series developed from its early days to modern entries. Use the buttons on this page to switch between these views and trace the legendary journey of Halo.

Halo Wars

• Release date:

  February 26, 2009

Platforms:

What it’s about: The Covenant has declared war on humanity, and Harvest is the first battleground. Set 21 years before the events of Halo: Combat Evolved, Halo Wars is an exciting real-time strategy game set in the legendary Halo universe. In this unique installment in the Halo franchise, players experience the epic battles that marked the beginning of the Covenant War. With the UNSC Spirit of Fire at their disposal, players fight in the intense and enormous conflicts that would define humanity’s relentless heroism in its darkest hour.

Halo: Reach

• Release date:

  September 14, 2010

Platforms:

What it’s about: Experience the story before the events of Halo: Combat Evolved as you fight to defend the planet Reach from a harrowing Covenant invasion. In this first-person shooter you can customize your own Spartan with armor and accessories to experience both a pulse-pounding campaign and addictive multiplayer mode. Reach will fall, but it won’t go down without a fight.

Halo: Combat Evolved

• Release date:

  November 15, 2001

Platforms:

What it’s about: Bent on Humankind’s extermination, a powerful fellowship of alien races known as the Covenant is wiping out Earth’s fledgling interstellar empire. Climb into the boots of Master Chief, a biologically altered super-soldier, as you and the other surviving defenders of a devastated colony-world make a desperate attempt to lure the alien fleet away from earth. Shot down and marooned on the ancient ring-world Halo, you begin a guerilla-war against the Covenant. Fight for humanity against an alien onslaught as you race to uncover the mysteries of Halo.

Halo 2

• Release date:

  November 9, 2004

Platforms:

What it’s about: Halo 2 is the sequel to the highly successful and critically acclaimed Halo: Combat Evolved. In Halo 2, the saga continues as Master Chief-a genetically enhanced super-soldier-is the only thing standing between the relentless Covenant and the destruction of all humankind.

Halo 3

• Release date:

  September 25, 2007

Platforms:

What it’s about: Halo 3 is a shooter game where players primarily experience gameplay from a first-person perspective. Much of the gameplay takes place on foot, but also includes segments focused on vehicular combat. The balance of weapons and objects in the game was adjusted to better adhere to the “Golden Triangle of Halo”: these are weapons, grenades, and melee attacks, which are available to a player in most situations. Players may dual-wield some weapons, forgoing the use of grenades and melee attacks in favor of the combined firepower of two weapons. Many weapons available in previous installments of the series return with minor cosmetic and power alterations. Unlike previous installments, the player’s secondary weapon is visible on their player model, holstered or slung across the player’s back. Halo 3 introduces “support weapons”, which are cumbersome two-handed weapons that slow the player, but offer greatly increased firepower in return. In addition to weapons, the game contains a new class of gear called equipment; these items have various effects, ranging from defensive screens to shield regeneration and flares. Only one piece of equipment can be carried at a time. The game’s vehicular component has been expanded with new drivable and AI-only vehicles.

Halo 4

• Release date:

  November 6, 2012

Platforms:

What it’s about: Halo 4 marks the start of an epic new saga within the award-winning Halo universe. The Master Chief returns in this award-winning first-person shooter developed by 343 Industries. Shipwrecked on a mysterious world, faced with new enemies and deadly technology, the Chief returns to battle against an ancient evil bent on vengeance and annihilation…the universe will never be the same.

Halo 5: Guardians

• Release date:

  October 27, 2015

Platforms:

What it’s about: Halo 5: Guardians delivers epic multiplayer experiences that span multiple modes, full-featured level building tools, and another chapter in the Master Chief saga. The Master Chief saga continues, with solo and up to 4-player cooperative experience that spans three worlds. A mysterious and unstoppable force threatens the galaxy. The Spartans of Fireteam Osiris and Blue Team must embark on a journey that will change the course of history and the future of mankind.

Halo Wars 2

• Release date:

  February 21, 2017

Platforms:

What it’s about: After decades adrift and declared “lost with all hands,” the brave crew of the UNSC Spirit of Fire are mysteriously awoken above an ancient Forerunner haven known as the Ark. In Halo Wars 2, Captain Cutter and his crew will face one of humanity’s most formidable threats yet: The Banished – a fierce and powerful Brute faction led by a cunning and lethal warrior known as Atriox. Halo Wars 2 delivers real-time strategy at the speed of Halo combat. Get ready to lead armies of Spartans and other Halo fighting forces like Warthogs, Scorpions and exciting new units in a brutal war against a terrifying new enemy on the biggest Halo battlefield yet.

Halo Infinite

• Release date:

  November 15, 2021

Platforms:

What it’s about: The Master Chief returns in Halo Infinite – the next chapter of the legendary franchise. When all hope is lost and humanity’s fate hangs in the balance, the Master Chief is ready to confront the most ruthless foe he’s ever faced. Step inside the armor of humanity’s greatest hero to experience an epic adventure and explore the massive scale of the Halo ring.

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