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The Master Chief Collection: Ranking The Halo Games
With the release of Halo: The Master Chief Collection, we thought it would be fun to rank the Halo games from our least favorite, to the absolute best.
#7: Halo Wars
To kick off our countdown we are starting with Halo Wars. This title came out in 2009 after Halo 3 which was kind of an awkward time for the franchise who wouldn't end up giving us another game starring the Master Chief until 343's Halo 4 in 2012. None the less, it is still a Halo game, and a fun one that is. For some gamers the gameplay is not what they're looking for. Relating to games such as Starcraft and Age of Empires, the real-time stategy game allows us to build our own bases and armies to fight off the Covenant and take one step closer to protecting the human race.
#6: Halo 3: ODST
Another title released in 2009, Bungie decided to make a game that focuses on another part of the battle: the UNSC soldiers known as the "Orbital Drop Shock Troopers". The story actually takes place during Halo 2''s campaign when the troops are dropped into the city of New Mombosa in search of their missing squad members. The campaign is surprisingly entertaining with a nice change of pace since you do not have the Master Chief's abilities such as overshields, higher jump, speed, and strength. Although some gamers feel that they could have done without ODST, we feel that it was a well-worth spin-off game that we can easily enjoy. The game also begins the "Firefight" gameplay in which you fight off waves of Covenant with teammates as long as you can.
#5: Halo 3
At number 5 we rank Halo 3. This highly-anticipated game released in 2007 to finish the original trilogy everyone was dying to see. The game pits Master Chief and his new alliance the Arbiter, in his final act to stop the Covenant and destroy the Flood before all of the Halos are activated and Earth is lost. With a very emotional story and finding out more and more about the Master Chief, fans can get almost everything they want just from the campaign. The online experience really improves allowing players to fully share game clips, images, and maps they create on their own using the Forge editor.
#4: Halo: Reach
Halo: Reach was Bungie's last title for the series. A prequel set before the events of Halo: Combat Evolved, Halo: Reach was a bold move for the franchise which doesn't star the Master Chief, but about the other Spartans set out when war first breaks out with the Covenant. You are placed in a tight squad called "Noble Team" with an emotional story and strong characters. You'll get to experience the fall of Reach, which is the last colony on Earth who holds civilians and the UNSC marines. What makes Reach really impressive is the growth you experience building your Spartan from the start. As you level up and progress you'll unlock many different armors and abilities which you can bring in the campgain so you'll look how you want to look. Reach also gives the "Firefight" gameplay once again and an enhanced multiplayer that brings a whole new experience.
#3: Halo 4
When many thought it was the end for the Master Chief after the events of Halo 3, everyone's hearts were filled with joy when Halo 4 was announced. The surprise took some time, but ultimately the franchise was handed over from Bungie to 343 Industries (which is bascially half of Bungie's employees). Halo 4 would be the start of a new trilogy called the Reclaimer Saga which will put Master Chief against some of his toughest challenges ahead of him including the loss of Cortona. In Halo 4 you will fight a new ancient foe called the Prometheans along with the Covenant still lurking in every corner. Once again the multiplayer brings many new features including loadouts for matchmaking and a new game mode called "Spartan Ops".
#2: Halo: Combat Evolved
The game that started it all, Halo: Combat Evolved. Debuting on the original Xbox, Halo soon had a breakthrough with the world on what it means to be a first-person shooter. The game launched debuting a beautifully crafted world, a great futuristic campaign, and multiplayer that gave the word 'slayer' a new meaning. As the game marked the first entry to the series, there wasn't any online play so split screen and system link (anyone remember that?!) were your only options. Back in 2011 was the 10 year anniversary of the game in which 343 remastered the entire game in high definition graphics, enhanced online multiplayer, and Firefight.
#1: Halo 2
The number one on our countdown marks our favorite and best game of them all, Halo 2. There are so many cool things about Halo 2 we would need a giant column to explain. But to say the main points, Halo 2 was a huge step after the success of the first game. The campaign instantly launches you into battle and new gameplay such as dual wielding and an array of new weapons. The game also features a new protagonist to play as, the Arbiter who is beginning to question the ways of the Covenant and is punished for it. Although the campaign is filled with thrills and a breathtaking story, the multiplayer is where things get really fun. Maps such as Lockout, Headlong, Ascension are just a small glimpse of the countless hours of fun you can have with your friends, especially since the game launched for Xbox Live as well. And if that wasn't great enough, many of these maps were filled with glitches throughout which allowed players to step outside of boundaries for the levels and do incredible things. Needless to say, we are ecstatic for the MCC since it will have the 10 year anniversary remastered edition included.
What is your favorite Halo game in the franchise?
Are you excited for The Master Chief Collection?
Want to challenge us online?
Tell us what you think and be legendary.
