The Halo series helped define console shooters through iconic campaigns, memorable worlds, and some of the most influential multiplayer in gaming. Here is a complete guide to the franchise, how it evolved, where to start, and which entries still stand above the rest.
Halo: Combat Evolved set a new standard for first-person shooters on consoles. Its mix of vehicle combat, open-ended encounters, and mysterious sci-fi storytelling gave the Xbox its defining game and launched one of gaming’s most important franchises.
Halo 2 took everything bigger. It sharpened the shooting, raised the cinematic ambition, and brought Halo into online multiplayer in a way that changed console gaming for years. For many players, this is where Halo became a phenomenon.
Halo 3 delivered a huge finish to the original trilogy with refined gameplay, memorable set pieces, and one of the strongest multiplayer suites of its era. It remains one of the clearest examples of Halo at its most confident and complete.
Later entries pushed the series in different directions. Halo: Reach delivered a more grounded and emotional prequel. Halo 4 leaned harder into character drama. Halo 5 emphasized mobility and squad-based structure. Halo Infinite brought back more player freedom, but with a modern open-zone approach that divided opinion.
If you want to experience Halo from the beginning, start with Halo: Combat Evolved. It introduces the universe, the core shooting rhythm, and the sense of discovery that made the series special in the first place. It is older, but the foundation is still easy to appreciate.
If you want a more modern-feeling entry point, Halo: Reach is also a strong place to begin. It is emotionally grounded, easier to revisit today, and gives you a clear sense of what made Bungie-era Halo so beloved. Returning players often begin with Halo 2 or Halo 3, but new players are usually best served by either starting at the beginning or choosing Reach as a smoother on-ramp.
The Halo series covers a surprisingly wide range of tones and styles while still holding onto its core identity. Across the franchise, you get a mix of military sci-fi storytelling, sandbox-driven combat, vehicle battles, co-op campaigns, and competitive multiplayer that helped define a generation. Some games are tightly focused. Others are larger, stranger, or more experimental. But the best Halo entries still deliver a distinct sense of scale, momentum, and atmosphere that few shooters match.
Our Respawnses take a closer look at the story, gameplay, exploration, immersion, and replayability of each entry. These breakdowns highlight what still feels great, what has aged well, and where different Halo games stand today. If you want a clearer sense of which campaign fits your style or which entry is worth revisiting, our Respawnses give you the full picture.
Halo has higher highs than most shooter franchises, but it is also more uneven than people sometimes remember. The best entries still feel essential. The weaker ones are often interesting, but more divisive. Our full tier list breaks down what each game does best and how they compare across the series.
The Halo series remains one of the most important shooter franchises ever made. Its influence can still be felt in campaign design, console multiplayer, co-op play, and the broader shape of modern sci-fi action games. Whether you come back for the music, the scale, the split-screen memories, or the clean rhythm of its combat, the best Halo games still offer something few series can replicate. Even with its uneven later years, Halo remains a franchise well worth revisiting.