Halo Ranked
Year: 2001-Present
Developer: Bungie (2001-2010), Ensemble Studios (2009), Vanguard Entertainment (2013 & 2015), Creative Assembly (2017), 343 Industries (2011-Present)
Publisher: Microsoft
Main Entries: 5 (plus 2 remakes)
Spin Off's: 6
Halo is one of modern gaming's greatest landmarks, setting the standard for all console FPS' back in 2001, it went on to become one of the most influential and popular franchises in the history of videogames.
For the purpose of this list, Halo: The Master Chief Collection has not been included due to it being ports of previous generation games, however the remake of Halo 2 included in the collection is being considered as a contender.
#13 Halo: Spartan Assault (2013)
For the purpose of this list, Halo: The Master Chief Collection has not been included due to it being ports of previous generation games, however the remake of Halo 2 included in the collection is being considered as a contender.
#13 Halo: Spartan Assault (2013)
Kicking off our list is 2013's spin-off top down shooter from 343 Industries & Vanguard Entertainment. Taking place between Halo 3&4, Spartan Assault follows the characters of Spartan's Palmer and Davies and explores the ending of the ceasefire between the Human & Covenant forces.
Spartan Assault lands in last place due to its short length, easy difficulty, and its reliance on Microtransactions spoiling the flow of gameplay. Being something that fills in the blanks more than an outright Halo game, Spartan Assault is only worth playing for die hard Halo fans.
#12 Halo: Spartan Strike (2015)
Spartan Assault lands in last place due to its short length, easy difficulty, and its reliance on Microtransactions spoiling the flow of gameplay. Being something that fills in the blanks more than an outright Halo game, Spartan Assault is only worth playing for die hard Halo fans.
#12 Halo: Spartan Strike (2015)
Continuing in the trend set by it's predecessor, Spartan Strike does very little different, simply offering a refined version of what we had before. Bigger and better than the previous entry, but nothing you should rush to play.
#11 Halo Wars 2 (2017)
#11 Halo Wars 2 (2017)
This was a sequel I never thought we would see ever get made, but it did it! Set several decades after the events of Halo Wars, the crew of the UNSC Spirit of Fire awake from cryo-sleep to find that they have arrived at The Ark. A group of covenant (The Banished) left behind after the events of Halo 3 inhabit the installation though and immediately attack the Spirit of Fire. It becomes a race against time for our heroes to escape The Ark alive.
Narratively Halo War 2 is ok, but none of the major players are given enough screen time to really shine. The gameplay too feels as though it has been dumbed down from Halo Wars 1. But it does look incredible and it's still good to see that Halo Wars did eventually get a sequel.
#10 Halo Wars (2009)
Narratively Halo War 2 is ok, but none of the major players are given enough screen time to really shine. The gameplay too feels as though it has been dumbed down from Halo Wars 1. But it does look incredible and it's still good to see that Halo Wars did eventually get a sequel.
#10 Halo Wars (2009)
It pains me to put Halo Wars this low down, but it speaks to the quality of the other games ahead. Halo Wars was a wild card entry for the franchise. Being the first entry to leave the FPS genre and trade it in for an RTS approach. Wars tells the story of the UNSC Spirit of Fire as it attempts to stop the Covenant invasion of the planet Harvest, however when the Covenant find ancient Forerunner artefacts it becomes a race against time to fight back the Flood parasite that has been awoken from its slumber.
Returning to the series intended routes and developed by Ensemble Studios, Halo Wars had one of the most reputable names in RTS development behind it, however poor sales figures and high development costs saw Ensemble go under soon after the games release. Still an Xbox Live multiplayer mainstay to this day, Halo Wars has becomes something of a cult classic amongst RTS & Halo fans alike.
#9 Halo 3 (2007)
Returning to the series intended routes and developed by Ensemble Studios, Halo Wars had one of the most reputable names in RTS development behind it, however poor sales figures and high development costs saw Ensemble go under soon after the games release. Still an Xbox Live multiplayer mainstay to this day, Halo Wars has becomes something of a cult classic amongst RTS & Halo fans alike.
#9 Halo 3 (2007)
This'll net me some flack in the comments. The finale to the original Halo trilogy, Halo 3, provides somewhat of a split opinion among the Halo community which contributes to its position on this list.
As the Covenant armada descends on earth for a full scale invasion, the likes of which Humanity has never seen before, the Master Chief must find 'The Ark'. The Ark is where the Halo rings are created and controlled, it is his job to lead the Covenant there and destroy it, ending their pursuit for 'The Great Journey'. However, with Cortana stranded on the Covenant city High Charity along with the Flood Gravemind, Chief must ally with nemesis The Arbiter to get Cortana back and stop the Covenant from activating the entire Halo relay.
An Xbox Live chart topper from the day of its release that is still holding the top spots to this day, Halo 3 is one of the most popular games of the seventh generation. Combine this with the Forge and Theatre creation modes and Halo 3 had something for everyone. Unfortunately the weak storyline, somewhat disappointing ending, and at terrible level design can sour the singleplayer experience.
#8 Halo 2 (2004)
As the Covenant armada descends on earth for a full scale invasion, the likes of which Humanity has never seen before, the Master Chief must find 'The Ark'. The Ark is where the Halo rings are created and controlled, it is his job to lead the Covenant there and destroy it, ending their pursuit for 'The Great Journey'. However, with Cortana stranded on the Covenant city High Charity along with the Flood Gravemind, Chief must ally with nemesis The Arbiter to get Cortana back and stop the Covenant from activating the entire Halo relay.
An Xbox Live chart topper from the day of its release that is still holding the top spots to this day, Halo 3 is one of the most popular games of the seventh generation. Combine this with the Forge and Theatre creation modes and Halo 3 had something for everyone. Unfortunately the weak storyline, somewhat disappointing ending, and at terrible level design can sour the singleplayer experience.
#8 Halo 2 (2004)
The most popular game on the original Xbox platform and the most expensive game ever created at its time, Halo 2 was a monument entry for the series. Helping make Xbox a common household name and aiding in making Xbox Live a success, Halo 2 is the reason we have online multiplayer on consoles today. Without its huge multiplayer success, much of what we take for granted in gaming today wouldn't even exist. A true revolutionary in every sense of the word.
#7 Halo 2: Anniversary (2014)
#7 Halo 2: Anniversary (2014)
To celebrate Halo 2's 10th birthday, Microsoft and 343 Industries pulled out all of the stops and released The Master Chief Collection. Including Halo's 1-4 with a ground up remake of Halo 2, this is one of the biggest remastering collections ever created.
Following Chief & Cortana after events of Combat Evolved, Halo 2 explores the breakdown and eventual civil war within the Covenant order as well as the discovery of another Halo ring and the beginning of the invasion of Earth. Halo 2 had one of the franchises most thrilling campaigns thanks to its non-stop pulse pounding action. Brought into a new generation by a new game engine and CG cutscenes created by industry leaders Blur, Halo 2 Anniversary was a gaming birthday we will remember for years to come.
#6 Halo 4 (2012)
Following Chief & Cortana after events of Combat Evolved, Halo 2 explores the breakdown and eventual civil war within the Covenant order as well as the discovery of another Halo ring and the beginning of the invasion of Earth. Halo 2 had one of the franchises most thrilling campaigns thanks to its non-stop pulse pounding action. Brought into a new generation by a new game engine and CG cutscenes created by industry leaders Blur, Halo 2 Anniversary was a gaming birthday we will remember for years to come.
#6 Halo 4 (2012)
A start to a new trilogy for the Master Chief and Cortana. Set a number of years after Halo 3, when the remains of the UNSC Forward Unto Dawn come into contact with the Forerunner planet of Requiem, the last remaining Spartan and his trusty A.I companion accidentally awaken a Forerunner warlord called the Didact who is hell bend on destroying Humanity.
A shorter, more intimate Halo game that focuses on Chief & Cortana's relationship, the idea of being mortal and the concept of love; Halo 4 was an entry to split the community. Some praising its evolution of the series beyond grizzled sci-fi shooter, and some criticising it for its inclusion of many modern FPS staples that Halo has lived and functioned well enough without for so long.
343's first major Halo game may have split the communities opinion, but the fact that it brought the series forward ready for the next generation proved 343 respected the source material but wanted to take it to new places.
#5 Halo: Reach (2010)
A shorter, more intimate Halo game that focuses on Chief & Cortana's relationship, the idea of being mortal and the concept of love; Halo 4 was an entry to split the community. Some praising its evolution of the series beyond grizzled sci-fi shooter, and some criticising it for its inclusion of many modern FPS staples that Halo has lived and functioned well enough without for so long.
343's first major Halo game may have split the communities opinion, but the fact that it brought the series forward ready for the next generation proved 343 respected the source material but wanted to take it to new places.
#5 Halo: Reach (2010)
Series creator Bungie's last hoorah for their beloved franchise. Taking place as a prequel to Combat Evolved, Reach follows the story of Noble Team. A small group of elite Spartans tasked with aiding in the defence of the planet Reach against invading covenant forces. Exploring the origins of the A.I Cortana, as well as the cataclysmic events on Reach which echo throughout the entire series; Halo: Reach is a more mellow entry for the series, showing the human side to the Spartan soldiers which for so long had been portrayed as stone cold war machines.
One of the largest entries in the series thanks to its scale, wealth of content, and a large multiplayer suite. Halo: Reach dominated the Xbox Live multiplayer charts for years after its release in 2010 and is one of the series most beloved entries by long time fans and new players alike.
#4 Halo 5: Guardians (2016)
One of the largest entries in the series thanks to its scale, wealth of content, and a large multiplayer suite. Halo: Reach dominated the Xbox Live multiplayer charts for years after its release in 2010 and is one of the series most beloved entries by long time fans and new players alike.
#4 Halo 5: Guardians (2016)
After an extensive viral marketing campaign called Hunt The Truth, a lot of people were thrown into a state of confusion in the lead up to Halo 5's launch. Almost every returning fan to the series had slated the multiplayer beta earlier in the year for its very un-Halo style of gameplay, yet the concept of the game seemed far too good to pass up. The reality is that Halo 5 Guardians is one of the most refreshing, unique, and action packed entries in the entire franchise.
Following Spartan Locke and Fireteam Osiris as they hunt down the AWOL Blue Team led by the Master Chief; believing that he is a pawn in a Forerunner plan to destroy human colonies by raising ancient Forerunner constructs out of the ground called Guardians. The result is a race against time to find the Chief, with each level aiming to be even more explosive than the mission previous to it and one that provides one of the best Halo stories in the series. It does however rely too much on the extended fiction and can leave even fans of the series confused if you're not 100% up to date with events in the Halo universe that occur in the comics, books, and films.
The multiplayer is also a new standard setter in the series, providing some of the best balanced gameplay and most varied gametypes available in years, all on fantastic maps.
#3 Halo: Combat Evolved (2001)
Following Spartan Locke and Fireteam Osiris as they hunt down the AWOL Blue Team led by the Master Chief; believing that he is a pawn in a Forerunner plan to destroy human colonies by raising ancient Forerunner constructs out of the ground called Guardians. The result is a race against time to find the Chief, with each level aiming to be even more explosive than the mission previous to it and one that provides one of the best Halo stories in the series. It does however rely too much on the extended fiction and can leave even fans of the series confused if you're not 100% up to date with events in the Halo universe that occur in the comics, books, and films.
The multiplayer is also a new standard setter in the series, providing some of the best balanced gameplay and most varied gametypes available in years, all on fantastic maps.
#3 Halo: Combat Evolved (2001)
The game that started it all, the game that revolutionised console FPS' forever. A must have launch game for the original Xbox, Halo: CE showcased graphics and gameplay environments that had never been seen on a console before. Expansive levels, so large they took you hours at a time to explore, rich detailed environments and of course proving that FPS' mechanics can work on a controller. Without Halo: CE, modern gaming would be a very different place.
#2 Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary (2011)
#2 Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary (2011)
Combat Evolved was the game that started it all. In 2011, 343 did a brilliant job of not only tackling a remaster of the game, but rebuilding it from the ground up in a new engine. Telling the story of the Master Chief and Cortana exploring a mysterious ring world known as Halo whilst also repelling invading Covenant forces. However as they explore, they uncover the true, deadly intention of Halo.
Including new Easter eggs and references in preparation for Halo 4, Halo: CEA was a great nostalgia trip for the majority of players that also gave us a bit of insight as to what to expect next for the franchise. The remakes biggest drawback however was the lack of in-game multiplayer, instead requiring you to use the Halo: Reach multiplayer suite to replay your favourite maps.
#1 Halo 3: ODST (2008)
Including new Easter eggs and references in preparation for Halo 4, Halo: CEA was a great nostalgia trip for the majority of players that also gave us a bit of insight as to what to expect next for the franchise. The remakes biggest drawback however was the lack of in-game multiplayer, instead requiring you to use the Halo: Reach multiplayer suite to replay your favourite maps.
#1 Halo 3: ODST (2008)
Another community dividing game, perhaps the most out of all the other ones listed here previously. Halo 3: ODST, developed as a standalone expansion to Halo 3, explores the events on Earth during Mission 4 of Halo 2.
Most of the community state that Halo 3 ODST is the best game in the entire franchise thanks to its focused, driven, and well written story that is not only arguably the best story in the franchise but perhaps one of the most human stories in videogaming. However some of the community criticise its slow pace, short length, lack of multiplayer, and costing the same price as a full AAA game at the time of release despite having such little content.
The reason it made the top spot is due to its brilliant combination of gameplay mechanics that simply make the series truly shine as one of modern gaming's greatest; plus its heartfelt tale of a group of scattered soldiers attempting to regroup and escape a city in the midst of an alien invasion, with well written characters and extremely human take on war in the place where you live.
Coupled with the excellent Firefight wave survival mode, Halo 3 ODST re-wrote the Halo rule book and absolutely nailed it, even if it only came in a small serving.
Most of the community state that Halo 3 ODST is the best game in the entire franchise thanks to its focused, driven, and well written story that is not only arguably the best story in the franchise but perhaps one of the most human stories in videogaming. However some of the community criticise its slow pace, short length, lack of multiplayer, and costing the same price as a full AAA game at the time of release despite having such little content.
The reason it made the top spot is due to its brilliant combination of gameplay mechanics that simply make the series truly shine as one of modern gaming's greatest; plus its heartfelt tale of a group of scattered soldiers attempting to regroup and escape a city in the midst of an alien invasion, with well written characters and extremely human take on war in the place where you live.
Coupled with the excellent Firefight wave survival mode, Halo 3 ODST re-wrote the Halo rule book and absolutely nailed it, even if it only came in a small serving.