The Complete History of the Halo Series: From Combat Evolved to Infinite

The history of the Halo series is a journey through the evolution of one of gaming's most iconic sci-fi shooter franchises. Created by Bungie and later developed by 343 Industries, Halo has captivated millions with its epic battles between humanity and the alien Covenant alliance, all revolving around the legendary super-soldier, Master Chief (Spartan-117), and his AI companion, Cortana. From its explosive debut with Halo: Combat Evolved in 2001 to the expansive, semi-open world of Halo Infinite, the series has continually set new standards in gameplay, storytelling, and multiplayer innovation. Below is a chronological overview of the Halo series, highlighting each game's key features, storyline, and major innovations.

Halo: Combat Evolved (2001)

The original Halo: Combat Evolved launched alongside the Xbox in 2001, instantly becoming a system-seller and laying the foundation for the franchise's success. Players are introduced to Master Chief, a Spartan super-soldier awakened from cryosleep to defend humanity against a Covenant invasion. Set on the mysterious ringworld Halo-a massive artificial construct hiding a dangerous secret-the story revolves around humanity's battle with the Covenant and the accidental release of the parasitic Flood. Gameplay innovations included a regenerating energy shield, the ability to carry only two weapons at a time, intuitive grenade and melee systems, and drivable vehicles like the Warthog and Scorpion tank. The impact was immense: critical acclaim, over 6 million copies sold by 2005, and a defining role in shaping console FPS controls. Halo: CE remains celebrated as one of the greatest video games, earning a spot in the Video Game Hall of Fame.

Halo 2 (2004)

Halo 2 expanded upon the original's ideas, releasing for Xbox in 2004. The story moved between Earth and a new ringworld, introducing a dual narrative: players experienced the conflict both as Master Chief and as the Arbiter, an elite Covenant warrior. This approach deepened the lore, exposing the Covenant's internal conflicts and religious motivations. New gameplay features included dual-wielding light weapons, additional firearms (energy sword, Covenant carbine, SMG, etc.), and vehicle hijacking, which added tactical options. The visible health bar was removed, leaving faster-regenerating shields for more dynamic combat. Halo 2's crowning achievement was its groundbreaking Xbox Live multiplayer-setting standards with advanced matchmaking and ranking systems. It became the most played Xbox Live game for nearly two years, selling around 8.5 million copies by 2008. While multiplayer received universal praise, the campaign's cliffhanger ending drew mixed reactions.

Halo 3 (2007)

Concluding the original trilogy, Halo 3 debuted on Xbox 360 in 2007 as Bungie's envisioned climax to Master Chief's saga. The war escalates as the Covenant invade Earth, seeking to activate the Halo ring network and annihilate humanity. Master Chief, now allied with the Elites led by the Arbiter, battles to stop the Prophet of Truth and eliminate the Flood. The gameplay refined the series formula with improved graphics, epic-scale battles, new weapons, vehicles, and equipment like the bubble shield and grav lift. For the first time, four-player online co-op was available throughout the campaign. Multiplayer innovations included the Forge map editor and Theater replay mode, empowering the community to create custom arenas and game modes (the fan-created "Grifball" became an official playlist). Enhanced AI, notably among Brutes, made combat more varied. Halo 3 was a critical and commercial hit, praised for its epic set pieces and satisfying conclusion to Bungie's classic trilogy.

Halo 3: ODST (2009) & Halo: Reach (2010)

Halo 3: ODST (2009)

Bungie's Halo 3: ODST was a spin-off released in 2009 for Xbox 360. Shifting away from Master Chief, ODST follows an ordinary Orbital Drop Shock Trooper, the Rookie, in the city of New Mombasa during Halo 2's timeline. The noir-inspired campaign has the Rookie searching for his scattered squadmates, piecing together events through flashback missions. Gameplay encourages a more tactical, stealthy approach as ODSTs lack the superhuman abilities of Spartans. The atmospheric jazz soundtrack by Martin O'Donnell enhances the sense of uncertainty and isolation. ODST introduced the co-op Firefight mode-defending against enemy waves-a feature that became a staple in later shooters. Overall, ODST offered a fresh, experimental perspective on the Halo universe.

Halo: Reach (2010)

Halo: Reach, Bungie's final entry in the series, was released in 2010 as a prequel to Combat Evolved. The campaign chronicles the fall of the planet Reach, a crucial military stronghold, shortly before the events of the first game. Players take on the role of Noble 6, a member of the Noble Team of Spartan super-soldiers, desperately fighting to defend Reach from the overwhelming Covenant forces. The narrative is emotionally charged, with team members falling one by one, culminating in the evacuation of the Pillar of Autumn-a direct tie-in to the original Halo's opening. Reach introduced armor abilities (sprint, jetpack, camouflage, armor lock, etc.), replacing consumable equipment and adding new tactical layers. Dual-wielding was removed, but player customization and equipment options expanded. Improved graphics and animations enabled grander battles, including the franchise's first space combat mission. Forge 2.0 empowered map creativity with the massive Forge World. Reach received critical acclaim for its gripping campaign, developed characters, and poignant tone, serving as a fitting finale to Bungie's era.

Halo 4 (2012) & Halo 5: Guardians (2015)

Halo 4 (2012)

Halo 4 marked the beginning of the "Reclaimer Saga" under 343 Industries, launching in 2012 for Xbox 360. The story resumes four years after Halo 3, as Master Chief and Cortana encounter the Forerunner planet Requiem and the ancient antagonist, the Didact. Central to the narrative is Cortana's struggle with rampancy-a digital deterioration after exceeding her lifespan-adding emotional depth and exploring Chief's humanity. Gameplay introduced new Forerunner enemies (Prometheans) with unique weapons and tactics, and abilities like Promethean Vision (see-through-walls scan). The War Games multiplayer mode adopted customizable loadouts, unlockable weapons, and perks, mirroring contemporary military shooters, which divided longtime fans who preferred classic Halo balance. Despite debate over changes, Halo 4's campaign was praised for its cinematic storytelling, visuals, and orchestral score, solidifying 343 Industries' stewardship of the series.

Halo 5: Guardians (2015)

Released exclusively for Xbox One in 2015, Halo 5: Guardians pushed storytelling and mechanics further. The campaign alternates between Master Chief's Blue Team and Spartan Jameson Locke's Fireteam Osiris, as Locke's squad is tasked with tracking down Chief, who is searching for the missing Cortana. The plot reveals Cortana's new, galaxy-shaping ambitions, casting her as an antagonist. Halo 5 introduced universal Spartan abilities (sprint, thrusters, clamber, slides, and special moves like Spartan Charge and Ground Pound), making movement and combat more dynamic. The new Smart Scope aiming system preserved Halo's tradition of no damage bonuses. Warzone mode offered large-scale, 12v12 battles mixing PvP and PvE objectives, with players summoning vehicles and weapons via the REQ System. Classic Arena mode focused on pure, balanced competition. Four-player online co-op replaced local split-screen, disappointing some longtime fans, though network infrastructure saw significant improvements. While multiplayer was praised for polish and depth, the campaign's focus on Locke and limited Chief presence proved divisive, prompting 343 Industries to refocus on Master Chief for future titles.

Halo Wars (2009) & Halo Wars 2 (2017)

The Halo universe expanded beyond shooters with the real-time strategy spin-off, Halo Wars (2009) for Xbox 360, developed by Ensemble Studios. Set in 2531, twenty years before Combat Evolved, it follows the UNSC Spirit of Fire crew as they battle the Covenant across distant colonies. Streamlined for console play, Halo Wars featured intuitive controls, cinematic cutscenes, and classic Halo units and vehicles. It was praised for accessibility, engaging campaign, and successfully bringing RTS gameplay to consoles. After Ensemble Studios' closure, Robot Entertainment handled ongoing support. Halo Wars received a Definitive Edition and, most importantly, a sequel years later.

Halo Wars 2 launched in 2017 for Xbox One and PC, co-developed by 343 Industries and Creative Assembly. The story jumps to 2559, after Halo 5, as the Spirit of Fire crew awakens to face the Banished, a brutal Covenant splinter faction led by Atriox, on the Forerunner Ark. The sequel expanded Halo lore, introducing the Banished as major antagonists (later central to Halo Infinite). Gameplay evolved with larger battles, more diverse missions, improved graphics, and high-quality CGI cutscenes. The new Blitz mode merged RTS with collectible card game elements for fast-paced matches. Halo Wars 2 cemented the RTS subseries as a valuable addition to the Halo universe, offering fans a fresh, strategic perspective on the galactic conflict.

Halo Infinite (2021)

After a six-year hiatus, Halo Infinite debuted in December 2021 for Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, and Windows, aiming to both continue Master Chief's story and spiritually reboot the franchise. Set in 2560 on the ruins of Zeta Halo, Chief awakens after defeat by Atriox to find the ring under control of the Banished. He is aided by a pilot and a new AI companion, the Weapon, created in Cortana's likeness. The campaign's goal: defeat the Banished and unravel Cortana's fate, revealed through terminals and audio logs.

For the first time, Halo adopts a semi-open world structure, allowing players to freely explore Zeta Halo's surface, capture enemy outposts, rescue scattered marines, and complete side activities. Story missions advance the plot with more linear, directed sequences. The gameplay emphasizes sandbox combat: players creatively combine weapons, grenades, vehicles, and the environment. A key innovation is the Grappleshot-a grappling hook that transforms movement and tactics, enabling vertical traversal, pulling objects from a distance, and dynamic combat maneuvers. Equipment upgrades (active camo, shield, thruster) can be found and enhanced throughout the adventure.

Infinite's combat blends Halo's classic elements (no aim-down-sights bonuses, two-weapon limit, shield-based health) with new abilities and smarter enemy AI. The multiplayer component launched separately as a free-to-play experience, featuring staple modes like Arena (4v4), Big Team Battle (12v12), and seasonal content updates. The return to classic Halo principles-equal starts, no classes or perks, map control, and skill-based play-was widely praised. Ongoing updates have added online co-op, a revamped Forge map editor, and the Firefight mode, evolving Infinite into a live service platform. Critics applauded Halo Infinite's successful blend of nostalgia and modern mechanics, marking it as both a culmination of two decades of innovation and a promising foundation for the franchise's future.