The Halo franchise is a military science fiction video game series known for its pivotal role in establishing the Xbox console, its iconic protagonist Master Chief, and its groundbreaking multiplayer experiences. Originally developed by Bungie Studios and now overseen by Halo Studios (formerly 343 Industries), the series is a cornerstone of Microsoft’s Xbox brand.
Story and setting
Halo is set in the 26th century, an era of interstellar travel where humanity is locked in a desperate war for survival against a highly advanced alien collective known as the Covenant. The Covenant are a theocratic alliance who believe that the massive, ancient Forerunner ringworlds—the titular Halos—will lead them on a “Great Journey” to godhood. The Covenant’s religion dictates that humanity must be eradicated before this journey can begin.
The main story follows Master Chief Petty Officer John-117, a genetically augmented super-soldier known as a Spartan, and his artificial intelligence companion, Cortana. The plot is a sprawling space opera involving four major factions:
- UNSC: The United Nations Space Command, representing humanity’s military forces.
- The Covenant: A zealous alien empire determined to activate the Halos.
- The Flood: A parasitic lifeform that threatens all sentient life in the galaxy.
- The Forerunners: An ancient, technologically advanced race that created the Halos to contain the Flood.
Signature gameplay and design
The original Halo: Combat Evolved was widely praised for setting new standards in the first-person shooter genre. Its most notable innovations include:
- The “Golden Triangle”: A refined gameplay loop combining weapons, grenades, and melee attacks.
- Recharging shields: Players have a regenerating energy shield that serves as their first layer of defense, changing the health management dynamic of FPS games.
- Vehicular combat: The inclusion of drivable vehicles like the Warthog integrated ground warfare seamlessly into the game’s expansive levels.
- Intelligent AI: Enemy forces exhibit sophisticated tactics for their time, such as taking cover and reacting to the player’s actions.
Key entries in the series
Main series
- Halo: Combat Evolved (2001): The game that launched the franchise and the original Xbox console. It introduced Master Chief and his fight against the Covenant and the Flood on the first Halo ring.
- Halo 2 (2004): Significantly expanded the multiplayer experience with the addition of Xbox Live support, a redesigned matchmaking system, and the ability to dual-wield weapons. It also deepened the story by introducing the Arbiter as a playable character.
- Halo 3 (2007): Concluded the original trilogy, bringing an end to the Human-Covenant War. It introduced the Forge map editor and saved gameplay films.
- Halo: Reach (2010): A prequel that chronicles the events leading up to the first game and the fall of the planet Reach.
- Halo Infinite (2021): The latest mainline installment, which brought back a more open-world feel to the campaign and featured a free-to-play multiplayer mode.
Spin-offs and adaptations
The universe has been extended through various other games and media:
- Halo Wars (2009) and Halo Wars 2 (2017): Real-time strategy games developed by Ensemble Studios and Creative Assembly, respectively.
- Halo 3: ODST (2009): A side-story exploring the events between Halo 2 and 3 from the perspective of non-Spartan soldiers.
- Novels and comics: A rich literary universe complements the games, detailing events both before and during the main plot.
- Television Series: A live-action TV series premiered on Paramount+ in 2022, though it exists in its own separate “Silver Timeline”.
Legacy
With billions of dollars in sales and a vibrant competitive community, Halo remains a highly influential franchise. Its impact on console multiplayer and FPS design is undeniable, and its expansive universe continues to captivate fans.
