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Ask anyXboxowner what their favorite game is, and there’s a good chance they’ll sayHalo. This isn’t surprising once you’ve experienced the magic of the classicHalotitles.
If you’re one of the rare gamers who missed the glory days of Xbox and haven’t played anyHalogames, there’s no need to hunt down an original Xbox ortinker with emulators. Microsoft, though 343 Industries to be exact, has already made it easy for you. Simply grab theHalo: Master Chief Collectionon Xbox or PC, and you’re all set to dive into the legendary series.
What Is Halo: Master Chief Collection?
Halo: Master Chief Collectionis the ultimate way to experience most of theHalogames. The collectionfeatures six incredible titles, all updated with modern improvements and quality-of-life features. While the initial launch of thecollection faced some issues, years of support from 343 Industries have turned it into the best version of each game. The games included inHalo: Master Chief Collectionare:
The collection includes both single-player campaigns and their respective multiplayer modes. Over time, several new maps and game modes have been added,including the popular Firefight mode.
Different Orders You Could Play Halo Games in the Master Chief Collection
If you’re ready to dive into the rich world ofHalo, you might be wondering where to begin. There are multiple ways to approach your journey, and this guide will cover all of them, offering a personal recommendation as well.
Release Order
The release order is how most fans experienced the series and offers a great way to see how the gameplay evolved with each entry. It allows you to appreciate the improvements as the series progresses. The release order is:
Chronological Order
If you’d like to understand the story more clearly, the chronological order is a good option. This is the order in which the events of the games unfold, and is also how theHalogames were released on PC. However, this isn’t always the best way to experience the games from a gameplay perspective. The drop in gameplay quality betweenHalo: ReachandHalo 1is significant, andHalo: Reachdoesn’t have the same narrative impact if played first, as you won’t be as invested in the world yet. The chronological order is:
Best Order to Play Halo Games in Master Chief Collection
This order is recommended as it takes both narrative and gameplay into consideration.
Start with the originalHalotrilogy to establish the foundation of the series, then jump straight intoHalo: Reach. This order ensures that theemotional impact ofReach’s endinghits harder, as you’ll have the context of everything you’re fighting for.
From there, it’s up to you. You can either dive intoHalo 4next, finishing the series withODST, or playODSTfirst. ManyHalofans suggest playingODSTbeforeHalo 4, as it’s a side story, butHalo 4works as a follow-up toHalo 3with its direct narrative continuation. However, if you prefer to avoid a drastic gameplay shift, you might want to playODSTfirst and then tackleHalo 4afterward.
