So, you’ve completed the primary season of “Halo” the sequence on Paramount+ and now there’s a Grasp Chief-shaped gap in your coronary heart. What are you to do? Luckily, the Halo franchise has 20 years’ price of video games, books, podcasts, and extra methods so that you can discover the universe and make the await Season 2 of the present really feel a little bit shorter.
Earlier than we get into some suggestions, a fast observe: “Halo” the sequence takes place in what’s referred to as the Silver timeline, with a plot that pulls from most of the core themes and characters from the video games, prolonged fiction, and different media properties however is branches from the core canon with a view to higher conform to the very completely different wants of a tv sequence, but additionally to make sure that the sport timeline and occasions aren’t tangled within the ongoing wants of a present. So, as you discover the assorted video games and novels that make up the core canon, you’ll completely acknowledge acquainted characters and occasions, however typically offered in model new methods, providing you with a wealthy and expansive universe to find with each acquainted components in addition to vital surprises! And naturally the identical is true for followers of the sport experiencing the present for the primary time.
For many followers, the Halo franchise began in 2001 with Halo: Fight Advanced and the unique Xbox console, though technically, the novel “Halo The Fall of Attain” preceded the sport launch by a couple of weeks and launched the Chief, the darkish origin of the Spartan program and most of the characters and historical past which are very current in each the video games and the TV timeline. However for the primary a part of this train, we’re beginning with the sport the place all of it started — and with some important picks for avid gamers wanting to expertise the Grasp Chief’s story firsthand – all obtainable with Xbox Sport Move on consoles and PC:
- Halo: The Grasp Chief Assortment – The Grasp Chief’s iconic unique journey will be skilled throughout a single built-in expertise, that includes each the sequence’ epic campaigns and multiplayer suites. Whether or not you’re a long-time fan or assembly Spartan John-117 for the primary time, The Grasp Chief Assortment is the definitive Halo gaming expertise and historical past lesson – with modernized, enhanced variations of Halo 1 and 2, in addition to Halo 3, its epic enlargement, Halo 3:ODST, Halo 4, and Halo Attain – a prequel set simply earlier than the occasions of the primary sport.
- Halo 5: Guardians – The Grasp Chief saga continues, with solo and as much as 4-player cooperative expertise that spans three worlds. A mysterious and unstoppable drive threatens the galaxy. The Spartans of Fireteam Osiris and Blue Staff should embark on a journey that can change the course of historical past and the way forward for mankind.
- Halo Infinite – Leap into the most recent Halo marketing campaign with Xbox Sport Move. When all hope appears misplaced and humanity’s destiny hangs within the stability, the Grasp Chief will confront one of the crucial ruthless foes he’s ever confronted throughout the floor of a brand new and harmful Halo ring. Halo Infinite additionally contains a free-to-play multiplayer suite obtainable on Xbox consoles, Home windows PC and Steam, the place gamers take management over their very own customizable Spartan throughout quite a lot of thrilling sport modes in a multiplayer providing that can proceed to develop and evolve over time.
In case you’re a fan of the written phrase, there have been over 30 Halo novels written thus far. In case you’re undecided the place to start out, we will suggest a couple of collections to get immersed in franchise lore.
- “The Fall of Attain,” “The Flood,” and “First Strike” – Dive into the unique books of the Halo franchise, serving as a prelude to Halo: Fight Advanced and bridging the hole between it and the occasions of Halo 2. Whether or not you’ve performed or not, these novels create a basis for higher understanding the stakes of the battle between humanity and the Covenant and supply extra coloration and background on key characters and occasions.
- “Contact Harvest” – Discover the historical past of humanity’s first contact with the Covenant. What began this struggle? Why did the Covenant assault? What occurred to the primary human world to be visited by the harmful alien alliance? Written by 343’s personal Joseph Staten.
- Kilo 5 Trilogy – In case you’re in search of a extra superior dive into the Halo universe, this character-driven trilogy consisting of “Glasslands,” “The Thursday Struggle,” and “Mortal Dicata” will highlight the darker aspect of the UNSC, ONI, and the way the Spartan program impacted the households who have been left behind.
- “Silent Storm” and “Oblivion” – Excited about getting a glimpse into a number of the Grasp Chief’s early profession? “Silent Storm” and “Oblivion” are two incredible novels by famend creator Troy Denning that check out a number of the Chief’s harrowing exploits early in humanity’s struggle with the Covenant.
The Halo universe additionally contains each visible and audio storytelling, within the type of brief movies, TV and audio logs. These present additional context to the universe and might inform a special story concerning the Grasp Chief and the Spartans complimentary to the tales of the video games.
- “Halo Legends” – This assortment of seven brief movies dives deeper into the Halo universe and was produced and directed by quite a lot of distinguished anime studios together with Bones, Toei Animation, and Bee Practice.
- “Halo 4: Ahead Unto Daybreak” – Launched in 2012 as a 5 episode sequence, this was the primary feature-length live-action Halo providing. The story hyperlinks Cortana and the Grasp Chief with Captain Thomas Lasky and the UNSC Infinity.
- “Halo: Hunt the Fact” – Tying into the story of Halo 5: Guardians, this two-season investigative audio sequence follows journalist Benjamin Giraud – voiced by Keegan Michael Key – as he seeks to be taught the story behind the Grasp Chief and his exploits.
- “Halo Infinite: Reminiscence Agent” – This six-episode narrative podcast sequence follows a undercover agent whose reminiscence resets each seven hours as they try and ship very important data to the Grasp Chief forward of the occasions of Halo Infinite.
So that you’ve performed, learn, watched and listened to all this and also you’re nonetheless hungry for extra? Whether or not you’ve just lately graduated with a level in Forerunner historical past, want to cosplay as your favourite Spartan or simply want a refresher in your favourite character, try these assets.
- “Halo Encyclopedia” (2022) – in celebration of the 20th anniversary of the Halo franchise, 343 Industries partnered with Darkish Horse for a definitive information to the Halo universe encompassing 20 years of storytelling. This epic tome contains a large assortment of never-before-seen artwork from an array of unbelievable artists, and is penned by the inner lore staff at 343 Industries.
- “Halo Mythos” – Expertise the grand story of the Halo universe in a single easy-to-access place, from the reign of the majestic Forerunners numerous millennia in the past, to humanity’s wrestle towards the alien forces of the Covenant and the Flood. Written by the knowledgeable staff at 343 Industries, and illustrated with greater than fifty gorgeous full-color work.
- Beforehand on Halo – A fan website developed by Halo superfan and present 343 Industries Neighborhood Author Alex Wakeford, Beforehand on Halo is a Spartan’s information to each sport, e-book, comedian and character throughout the huge Halo universe.
- 405th Infantry Division – A dressing up and prop neighborhood providing guides and assets and extra for anybody seeking to take their love of Halo to the subsequent degree
Irrespective of in the event you simply completed your first battle with the Grasp Chief or in the event you’ve been with us since 2001, the Halo neighborhood has one thing to supply for everybody. The Halo universe is crammed with tales of hope, heroism, and humanity in no matter medium you select, and we couldn’t be extra excited to have you ever within the battle with us.
For the most recent on all issues Halo together with information instantly from the studio, head to Halo Waypoint. And for all issues Xbox keep tuned to Xbox Wire.
