Halo is a military science fiction action-adventure franchise primarily consisting of first-person shooters. It defined the term “killer app” during its initial debut back in 2001 with the release of Combat Evolved for the original Xbox console, and has since grossed billions of dollars in sales.
Most of the entries in the Halo franchise to date have been developed by series creator Bungie, featuring the iconic protagonist Master Chief, but modern titles are under the direction of Halo Studios (formerly 343 Industries).
This article lists the various video game entries of Halo in both production and chronological order (not including remasters).
Halo in Production Order
Halo: Combat Evolved
| Initial Release Date | November 15, 2001 |
| Developer | Bungie |
| Platform(s) | – PC – Mac – Xbox 360 – Xbox |
Halo: Combat Evolved (2001) is the inaugural game in the franchise and served as the premier launch title for the original Xbox. This classic first-person shooter follows the story of Master Chief, a super-soldier, and his AI companion Cortana as they battle the alien Covenant on a mysterious ringworld called Halo.
Renowned for its immersive single-player campaign, dynamic gameplay, and groundbreaking multiplayer features, the game introduced mechanics like regenerating shields and vehicle-based combat. Halo: Combat Evolved became a critical and commercial success, laying the foundation for one of gaming’s most iconic franchises.
Halo 2
| Initial Release Date | November 9, 2004 |
| Developer | Bungie |
| Platform(s) | – PC – Xbox |
Halo 2 (2004) expands the epic sci-fi saga of the battle between humanity, the Covenant, and the enigmatic Flood. The game introduces dual-wielding weapons, improved graphics, and a narrative told from dual perspectives—Master Chief and the Arbiter, a disgraced Covenant Elite.
Halo 2 is celebrated for its cinematic storytelling, innovative gameplay, and pioneering Xbox Live integration, which revolutionized online multiplayer gaming on consoles. Its success solidified Halo as a cultural phenomenon and set new standards for the FPS genre.
Halo 3
| Initial Release Date | September 25, 2007 |
| Developer | Bungie |
| Platform(s) | – Xbox 360 |
Halo 3 (2007) first-person shooter developed by Bungie and published by Microsoft Game Studios for the Xbox 360. It serves as the conclusion to the original Halo trilogy, following the adventures of the Master Chief and his allies as they fight to stop the Covenant, the Flood, and the threat of the Halo rings from destroying the galaxy.
Halo 3 builds on the gameplay innovations of its predecessors with improved mechanics, new weapons, vehicles, and multiplayer options, including the ability to create custom maps via the Forge mode. The game’s epic story culminates in a dramatic and emotional finale, while its robust multiplayer mode supporting high-speed Wi-Fi connection set a new benchmark for competitive online play.
Halo Wars
| Initial Release Date | February 26, 2009 |
| Developer | Ensemble Studios |
| Platform(s) | – PC – Xbox One – Xbox 360 |
Halo Wars (2012) is a real-time strategy (RTS) game released in 2009 for the Xbox 360, developed by Ensemble Studios and published by Microsoft Game Studios. Set in the Halo universe, the game takes place before the events of Halo: Combat Evolved, focusing on the human military’s struggle against the Covenant during the early years of the Human-Covenant War.
Players control the UNSC (United Nations Space Command) forces, managing resources, building bases, and commanding troops in large-scale battles. The game introduces Halo fans to a new genre within the franchise, offering a fresh perspective on the conflict from the ground level. While Halo Wars was praised for its intuitive controls and engaging strategy gameplay on console, it also laid the foundation for future RTS titles within the Halo universe and helped expand the lore.
Halo 3: ODST
| Initial Release Date | September 22, 2009 |
| Developer | Bungie |
| Platform(s) | – Xbox 360 |
Halo 3: ODST (2009) for the Xbox 360, developed by Bungie and published by Microsoft Game Studios. Set between the events of Halo 2 and Halo 3, the game follows a group of Orbital Drop Shock Troopers (ODSTs) who are deployed to the city of New Mombasa after a devastating Covenant attack.
Unlike the mainline Halo games, ODST offers a more grounded and tactical perspective, focusing on a squad of soldiers who don’t have shields rather than the Spartans like Master Chief. The game introduces a new protagonist, “The Rookie,” who explores the city in a non-linear fashion, uncovering the story through environmental storytelling and audio logs. ODST features a mix of stealth and combat and includes the critically acclaimed Firefight mode, a cooperative multiplayer mode where players face waves of enemies.
While ODST was praised for its atmospheric setting, character depth, and gameplay variation, it also received recognition for offering a unique and refreshing take on the Halo series.
Halo: Reach
| Initial Release Date | September 14, 2010 |
| Developer | Bungie |
| Platform(s) | – Xbox 360 |
Halo: Reach (2010) for the Xbox 360, developed by Bungie and published by Microsoft Game Studios. Set in the years leading up to the events of Halo: Combat Evolved, it tells the tragic story of Noble Team, a group of elite Spartans defending the planet Reach from a Covenant invasion.
Players take on the role of “Noble Six,” a new Spartan, as they work alongside their team to protect the planet, all while facing overwhelming odds. Reach introduced several new gameplay features, including armor abilities (such as jetpacks and invisibility), an expanded multiplayer experience, and a more personalized story with customizable characters.
The game was praised for its engaging campaign, emotional narrative, and refined multiplayer modes, including the popular Halo: Reach multiplayer suite and Forge mode for map creation. It was also one of the final entries in the Halo series developed by Bungie before the franchise transitioned to 343 Industries, leaving a lasting legacy as one of the series’ most beloved titles.
Halo 4
| Initial Release Date | November 6, 2012 |
| Developer | 343 Industries |
| Platform(s) | – Xbox 360 |
Halo 4 (2012) marks the beginning of a new trilogy in the Halo franchise, known as the “Reclaimer Saga.” The game takes place four years after the events of Halo 3, with Master Chief and his AI companion, Cortana, stranded on a mysterious Forerunner ringworld called Requiem.
As Master Chief, players face a new enemy faction, the Prometheans, and uncover secrets that tie into the larger Forerunner civilization and Cortana’s deteriorating condition. Halo 4 introduced a more personalized narrative, exploring Master Chief’s emotional depth and his bond with Cortana. It also featured enhanced graphics, new weapons, and multiplayer modes, including War Games, which offered competitive online play.
The game’s story-driven campaign and innovative multiplayer experience helped Halo 4 establish itself as a significant entry in the Halo franchise, paving the way for future Halo titles under 343 Industries’ leadership.
Halo: Spartan Assault
| Initial Release Date | July 18, 2013 |
| Developer | 343 Industries / Vanguard Games |
| Platform(s) | – PC – Xbox One – Xbox 360 – iOS – Windows Phone |
Halo: Spartan Assault (2013) is a top-down, twin-stick shooter that takes place between the events of Halo 3 and Halo 4, following the exploits of two Spartan soldiers, Sarah Palmer and Gabriel Thorne, as they fight against Covenant forces during the Human-Covenant War.
Players control their Spartan in various mission-based campaigns, engaging in combat with Covenant enemies, using a variety of weapons and vehicles from the Halo franchise.
The game was designed with a more accessible, arcade-style approach compared to traditional Halo titles, focusing on quick missions and a smaller, more tactical experience. Halo: Spartan Assault was well-received for its action-packed gameplay, despite being a departure from the series’ main first-person shooter mechanics.
Halo: Spartan Strike
| Initial Release Date | April 16, 2015 |
| Developer | 343 Industries / Vanguard Games |
| Platform(s) | – PC – iOS – Windows Phone |
Halo: Spartan Strike (2015) is a top-down, twin-stick shooter that serves as a spiritual successor to Halo: Spartan Assault and is set during the events of Halo 2 and Halo 3. The game follows a new Spartan soldier, known as the Commander, as they fight against the Covenant and the Flood on the planet of Recor.
Players engage in a series of mission-based campaigns, using a variety of iconic Halo weapons, vehicles, and equipment to defeat enemy forces. The game focuses on tactical, fast-paced combat with an emphasis on strategic use of vehicles and environmental features.
Halo: Spartan Strike was praised for its improved mechanics, larger levels, and more dynamic combat compared to its predecessor while offering a more arcade-like experience outside the main Halo franchise.
Halo 5: Guardians
| Initial Release Date | October 27, 2015 |
| Developer | 343 Industries |
| Platform(s) | – Xbox One |
Halo 5: Guardians (2015) is the fifth main installment in the Halo series and follows the story of two main protagonists: Master Chief, the iconic Spartan-II supersoldier, and Spartan Locke, a member of the new generation of Spartans. The game focuses on their respective missions, with Master Chief searching for his missing AI companion, Cortana, who has gone rogue, and Spartan Locke tasked with hunting him down.
The game features a deep, cinematic campaign with fast-paced gameplay and new mechanics such as the ability to slide, clamber, and ground-pound, and introduces the Warzone mode, a large-scale multiplayer mode that blends PvP and PvE elements. It also includes a competitive multiplayer mode, Arena, with a focus on classic Halo gameplay, along with improved graphics and a greater emphasis on teamwork.
The game was praised for its gameplay mechanics, multiplayer modes, and visual upgrades, although its story received mixed reactions, with some fans expressing disappointment over the lack of focus on Master Chief in favor of Jameson Locke and the game’s narrative direction. Despite the mixed reception, Halo 5: Guardians was a commercial success and further established 343 Industries’ role in the Halo franchise.
Halo: Fireteam Raven
| Initial Release Date | July 10, 2018 |
| Developer | 343 Industries / Play Mechanix / Raw Thrills |
| Platform(s) | – Arcade |
Halo: Fireteam Raven (2018) is a cooperative, arcade-style first-person shooter that takes place during the events of Halo: Combat Evolved. Players assume the roles of members of Fireteam Raven, a group of elite ODST (Orbital Drop Shock Trooper) soldiers, who fight alongside Master Chief to repel the Covenant threat during the Battle of Installation 04.
The game is designed for arcade cabinets and features a unique, immersive experience with large screens, motion controls, and high-quality sound to simulate the intensity of a battle. Players can team up in groups of up to four to fight through various levels, using a combination of traditional Halo weapons and new mechanics tailored to the arcade format.
While Halo: Fireteam Raven focuses on cooperative gameplay, it also includes a variety of special abilities and team-based strategies to enhance the experience. The game was well-received by players for its entertaining and accessible arcade experience, offering Halo fans a fun, hands-on way to immerse themselves in the franchise’s universe, particularly in social or arcade settings.
Halo Infinite
| Initial Release Date | December 8, 2021 |
| Developer | 343 Industries |
| Platform(s) | – PC – Xbox Series X|S – Xbox One |
Halo Infinite (2021) is the sixth main entry in the Halo series and follows the adventures of Master Chief as he faces a new threat, the Banished, a faction of alien mercenaries that have taken control of Installation 07 (Zeta Halo). Set after the events of Halo 5: Guardians, Halo Infinite features a more open-world structure, allowing players to explore vast environments while battling the Banished and uncovering the mysteries surrounding the Halo rings.
One of the key features of Halo Infinite is its return to the franchise’s roots with a focus on classic combat, including the iconic weapons, vehicles, and movement mechanics. The game also introduces new gameplay elements like the Grappleshot, a tool that allows Master Chief to reach distant places or pull enemies closer.
The campaign is complemented by a free-to-play multiplayer mode, which brings back familiar game modes while introducing new maps and mechanics. Halo Infinite received praise for its revitalized gameplay, engaging open-world elements, and return to the series’ beloved aesthetics. Its live service approach for multiplayer ensures that the game remains fresh with frequent updates, though it faced mixed reactions to some microtransaction systems. Overall, Halo Infinite marked a new chapter in the Halo franchise, revitalizing interest and excitement for the series.
Halo in Chronological Order
Halo Wars
2531 – Set during the early years of the Human-Covenant War.
Halo Reach
2552 – Covers the fall of the planet Reach, leading directly into Halo: Combat Evolved.
Halo: Combat Evolved
2552 – The story of Master Chief and Cortana’s discovery of the first Halo ring.
Halo: Fireteam Raven
2552 – Expands the story with multiple perspectives, taking place concurrently with the events of Halo: Combat Evolved.
Halo 2
2552-2553 – Continues the story of Halo: Combat Evolved, with much of the action taking place on Earth.
Halo 3: ODST
2552 – Occurs during the events of Halo 2, focusing on a squad of Orbital Drop Shock Troopers.
Halo 3
2552-2553 – Concludes the Human-Covenant War and the story of the original trilogy.
Halo: Spartan Assault
2554 – Follows events after Halo 3, focusing on UNSC and Covenant remnants.
Halo 4
2557 – Introduces the Forerunners as a new threat and delves deeper into Cortana and Master Chief’s relationship.
Halo: Spartan Strike
2557 – A side story that runs parallel to the events of Halo 4.
Halo 5: Guardians
2558 – Focuses on the rise of Cortana and the Created.
Halo Wars 2
2559 – Introduces the Banished and sets the stage for future conflicts.
Halo Infinite
2560 – Follows Master Chief as he confronts the Banished and deals with the aftermath of Cortana’s actions.