The Perfect Entry Point: Why Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary is the Ideal Place to Start Your Halo Journey
For newcomers looking to enlist with gaming‘s most iconic supersoldier for the first time, look no further than the title that started it all—Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary. This lovingly-crafted remake of the pioneering 2001 Xbox launch title kicks the Master Chief‘s saga off in bombastic fashion, tossing players onto the mysterious ringworld known as Halo as Earth‘s forces clash with the imposing Covenant armada.
Anniversary retains the sharp gameplay and oppressive alien vistas fans fell in love with while polishing visuals for modern displays. Share in the awe of experiencing the series that made console shooters a phenomenon for the first time. Then, if you crave more adventures alongside Spartan 117 and his enthralling sci-fi universe, use our guide to branch out.
Finding Your Path Through Over 20 Years of History
Part of Halo‘s enduring appeal lies in the wealth of stories waiting for fans to discover across media from video games to novels to live-action series. Over two decades, the games alone have constantly innovated to build a vivid space opera cosmos.
For those hungry for more games after their Anniversary intro, below lists provide tailored entry points based on interest:
By Release Date
Follow the gameplay and visual evolution as the titles push Xbox console capabilities to the limits:
- Halo: Combat Evolved (2001)
- Halo 2 (2004)
- Halo 3 (2007)
- Halo Wars (2009) *real-time strategy spin-off
- Halo 3: ODST (2009)
- Halo: Reach (2010)
- Halo 4 (2012)
- Halo: The Master Chief Collection (2014) *compiles 1-4 and Reach
- Halo 5: Guardians (2015)
- Halo Wars 2 (2017) *RTS sequel
- Halo Infinite (2021)
Chronological Order
Piece together events as they unfold in series lore as humanity clashes with hostile religious zealots:
- Halo Wars (2009)
- Halo: Reach (2010) *details early days of Spartan program and first contact with Covenant forces
- Halo: Combat Evolved (2001)
- Halo 2 (2004)
- Halo 3: ODST (2009) *side story focusing on elite Orbital Drop Shock Troopers navigating chaos during Halo 2’s climactic New Mombasa battle
- Halo 3 (2007)
- Halo 4 (2012)
- Halo 5: Guardians (2015)
- Halo Wars 2 (2017)
- Halo Infinite (2021)
Jumping straight to Infinite is perfectly fine for those seeking a self-contained starting point focusing on Master Chief responding to a new enemy faction. However, seeing Chief’s complete journey by playing them in order enriches emotional investment exponentially. Other media like novels and the Paramount+ TV series also complement the games.
Why Halo Infinite Marks the Perfect New Starting Point
Offering a balanced learning curve for franchise newcomers while rewarding loyalists with subtle references, Halo Infinite exemplifies an inviting new chapter. Series gameplay hallmarks like kinetic weapon feel, AI-driven sandbox combat scenarios, and seamless vehicle integration shine brighter than ever on next-gen hardware.
As Xbox‘s flagship launch title on both Series X|S and PC, Infinite hit the ground running by attracting over 20 million players in its first two months—a series best. The shift to free-to-play multiplayer removes barriers allowing easy entry backed by strong post-launch support with events and battle passes.
Critics praised series steward 343 Industries for learning from past missteps and getting back to basics by letting Master Chief‘s heroics shine. Familiar faces introduced in past games like the created-turned-enemy AI Cortana and Brute mercenary leader Atriox appear, but the story stands firmly solo. Events of the last two decades still shape things, but the focus stays on Chief‘s exploits.
Both newcomers and life-long fans have found common ground on the mysteries of Halo Infinite’s Zeta Halo that sets up adventures for years to come via expansions.
By The Numbers: Quantifying Halo’s Legendary Legacy
Across 23 titles over 21 years, Halo has moved 81+ million copies worldwide generating over $6 billion making it an entertainment juggernaut.
Halo 2 long held the opening day sales record moving $125 million copies in 24 hours until the next sequel Halo 3 smashed that with $170 million globally.
The games have inspired toys, apparel, live concerts, official recipes, and energy drinks further expanding its pop culture imprint.
Halo propelled Microsoft’s Xbox onto the map as serious rival to Sony’s PlayStation while pioneering console online multiplayer and land parties. Its iconic Gregorian chant-inspired orchestral score ranks among gaming’s most recognizable sonic identities.
Campaign Lengths, Post-Game Options, and More Compared
| Game | Avg. Main Story Length | Side Missions/Post-Game Content | # of Boss Fights | Vehicles Available | Notable Features |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Halo CE | 8-12 hours | Warthog Run final stage | 3 major bosses | 12 types | Introduced regenerating shield to genre |
| Halo 2 | 8-10 hours | Continue fight as the Arbiter | 4 major bosses | 18 types | First to include dual-wielding weapons |
| Halo 3 | 9-12 hours | Complete hidden terminals | 5 major bosses | 22 types | Added equipment pickups like bubble shields |
| Halo 3: ODST | 6-8 hours | Uncover clues about squad mates | 0 major bosses | 15 types | First semi-open world structure |
| Halo Reach | 7-9 hours | Lone Wolf epilogue mission | 4 major bosses | 19 types | Fills in early days of Spartan program backstory |
| Halo 4 | 7-9 hours | Play Spartan Ops co-op episodes | 6 major bosses | 18 types | First entry on Xbox 360 hardware |
| Halo 5 | 8-12 hours | Blue Team arc conclusion | 8 major bosses | 14 types | First campaign playable in 4-player co-op |
| Halo Infinite | 15-20 hours | Complete FOBs and targets | 4 major bosses | 24 ground types | First fully open world structure |
Why This Sci-Fi Saga Captivates Gamers and Beyond
Core elements leading to Halo’s lasting multi-generational appeal among gamers include:
Mythic Sci-Fi Storytelling: An expansive space opera equal parts epic mythology like Star Wars and hard military science fiction like Aliens expertly woven into tales filled with betrayals, shifting allegiances, and noble sacrifices.
Memorable Musical Motifs: Halo’s Gregorian chant-laced orchestral score conducted by Martin O’Donnell sets a tone of futuristic grandeur perfect for framing Chief’s heroics.
Addictive Arena-Style Combat: conventions pioneered on PC taken to new heights evolving with each entry from LAN parties to esports competitions.
Customization: Vast cosmetic and sandbox content keeps multiplayer exciting year after year while empowering personal expression.
For me personally as a devout Halo veteran, standout moments include attacking Scarabs in Halo 3, holding out against increasingly difficult waves in Firefight mode alongside friends in ODST and Reach, and facing off against fellow Spartans in Halo 2’s iconic “Metropolis” Warthog run sequence. I still get choked up watching Noble Six‘s last stand in Reach and Cortana’s farewell to Master Chief in Halo 4.
Pre-Game Prep – Optimizing Your Infinite Experience
From control schemes to difficulty tuning, tailoring options upfront prevents frustration allowing you to better enjoy free-flowing campaign combat and multiplayer skirmishes. Let’s overview key steps to take before inserting that Halo Infinite data chip:
Difficulty: Heroic blends challenge with power fantasy satisfaction for first-timers. Save Legendary for subsequent runs.
Controls: Bumper Jumper scheme frees up thumbs allowing easier aiming and jumping simultaneously. Tweak look acceleration/dead zone values to fit your reflexes.
Audio: Immerse yourself in spatial 3D game sound using quality headphones. Hearing shots whistling past your ears keeps you vigilant.
Gear Up: Ensure your display supports at least 1080p output and 60 fps frame rate. Use the Rockstar Energy promotion for 2XP boost consumables if still active.
See you on the Halo, recruits! Humanity needs all skilled fighters we can muster against The Banished, so polish your Mjolnir armor and let’s show those Brutes our determined spirit. From the hallways of the Infinity cruiser to the surface of Zeta Halo, awe-inspiring trials await!
