Halo is a franchise that has been ongoing for decades at this bespeak. Information technology originally came out in 2001, and the series has since spawned a diversity of video games, books, and so much more. The Halo universe has expanded to gargantuan proportions, but we're not complaining.

Due to the long, sprawling lore that surrounds the franchise, information technology can be hard to determine where the story starts first. In order to rectify this, we take organized Halo games in chronological order regarding where each lies on the timeline. Whether you are a long-standing fan of Primary Chief's adventures or a newcomer wondering where to begin, read on and find out the chronology of Halo's universe.

Updated December 29, 2021 past Amanda Hurych: Halo Infinite'south release has rocked the very cadre of the series' narrative. The events that transpired in the game have vast repercussions for the future of the franchise, especially for those looking to delve further into the lore. That said, there is no greater fourth dimension to immerse yourself in Halo's universe than right now. So much is going on that gamers will love. It'south truly an heady fourth dimension to be a Halo fan.

13 Halo Wars

Gameplay screenshot of Halo Wars snowy map
Game Release Date February half dozen, 2009
Halo Timeline 2531 CE
Developer Ensemble Studios
Genre Real-Time Strategy
Average Completion Time 10 Hours

Designed as a real-time strategy game, Halo Wars is considered the primeval game entry in terms of Halo lore. All the same, when because the many books that comprise Halo's expanded universe, The Forerunner Saga definitely takes the block in terms of earliest entry overall.

Taking place roughly 21 years before the events of the original game, Halo Wars focuses on a grouping of UNSC soldiers and scientists aboard the Spirit of Fire as they stop the Covenant from getting their hands on an armada of aboriginal Forerunner ships.

12 Halo: Reach

Halo Reach cover
Game Release Date September 14, 2010
Halo Timeline 2552 CE
Developer Bungie
Genre First-Person Shooter
Average Completion Time 9 Hours

The end mission of Halo: Accomplish takes place simply a few moments before the original Halo: Combat Evolved, and then information technology's non difficult to tell where this falls on the Halo timeline. The game tells the tragic story of a team of Spartans attempting to defend the doomed planet Reach from an overhwleming force of Covenant invaders.

Fans of the series knew from the commencement that it would be a losing fight. The campaign possesses a somber tone, but information technology introduces robust gameplay through its multiplayer component.

xi Halo: Combat Evolved

Halo: Combat Evolved promotional image
Game Release Engagement November 15, 2001
Halo Timeline 2552 CE
Developer Bungie
Genre First-Person Shooter
Boilerplate Completion Time 10 Hours

The original title that started it all, Halo: Gainsay Evolved is the first game where players command Chief Principal. With an fantabulous weapon sandbox and other phenomenal gameplay elements that have remained central staples for the rest of the franchise, Halo: Combat Evolved focuses on the Chief'southward journey across the titular Halo ring.

Non only does he acquire about the gigantic ringworld'due south true purpose, but he also has to defend himself and others against Covenant forces and the grotesque Flood.

This is the game that kickstarted all lore for the franchise, and we have it to thank for the hours we've spent learning and wondering about this universe.

10 Halo: Fireteam Raven

Screenshot of Halo Fireteam Raven arcade game
Game Release Date July 2018
Halo Timeline 2552 CE
Developer Play Mechanix Inc.
Genre Arcade Runway Shooter
Boilerplate Completion Fourth dimension 1 60 minutes

Halo: Fireteam Raven takes identify during the events of Halo: Combat Evolved and follows a group of ODST soldiers battling the Covenant on a Halo band. Fireteam Raven is unique among the Halo games due to being a cooperative arcade shooter that originally debuted at Dave & Buster's.

However, fighting to protect the Pillar of Autumn against waves of Grunts and Elites still feels like a familiar experience to any Halo fan.

9 Halo two

Halo 2 Anniversary cover art
Game Release Date November 9, 2004
Halo Timeline 2552 CE
Developer Bungie
Genre First-Person Shooter
Average Completion Time 10 Hours

Halo 2 is often considered ane of the greatest first-person shooters ever fabricated with some even because it better than the original. It directly continues the adventures of Master Chief, while besides calculation brand new gameplay elements that took the series to new heights.

The story takes place subsequently the events of Gainsay Evolved every bit the Covenant brand a play for some other Halo ring, and humanity has to muster its forces to stop them.

From an expanded weapon sandbox to double-wielding, Halo 2 was full of surprises for fans. This includes the famously aggressive multiplayer and a new playable character in the grade of the Arbiter.

8 Halo 3: ODST

Halo 3 ODST Cover
Game Release Appointment September 22, 2009
Halo Timeline 2552 CE
Developer Bungie
Genre Start-Person Shooter
Average Completion Fourth dimension 7 Hours

Originally idea of every bit a pocket-size side project by Bungie that merely supported the story of Halo 3, ODST somewhen grew to get a full-fledged game that is able to stand up alpine among its brethren Halo titles. Playing every bit a lone ODST roaming the ruins of New Mombasa was an incredibly engrossing feel that no one saw coming.

The tranquility streets in the dead of nighttime, the jazz overtones courtesy of Martin O'Donnell and Michael Salvatori, and the unique plot progression make ODST a darling jewel in the collection of Halo games we've played. Halo 3: ODST takes identify during the events of Halo two.

7 Halo three

The ending of Halo 3, in which John looks to Cortana as the Halo ring detonates.
Game Release Date September 25, 2007
Halo Timeline 2552 CE
Developer Bungie
Genre Get-go-Person Shooter
Boilerplate Completion Time 8 Hours

Halo 3 concludes the story started by the original Halo, earlier the later events of the Reclaimer Saga. Due to being the grand finale of a trilogy, the game was designed to exist bigger and meliorate than what came earlier.

Main Principal must deal with the entirety of the Covenant nether the Prophet of Truth and eradicate the Flood from the confront of the universe, all while trying to rescue his AI companion, Cortana. Many gameplay additions were presented to players, including the Forge Map Editor, which allowed you to modify multiplayer maps.

six Halo: Spartan Assault

Halo Spartan Assault gameplay screenshot and cover art
Game Release Date July 18, 2013
Halo Timeline 2552 CE - 2557 CE
Developer Vanguard Games
Genre Top-Down, Twin-Stick Shooter
Boilerplate Completion Time 5 Hours

Halo: Spartan Assault is a twin-stick shooter that originally came out for mobile platforms. When it comes to placing Halo games in order, this one sits roughly between the events of Halo 3 and iv.

It gives players the chance to control Spartan Sarah Palmer as she fights confronting the Covenant. Even though the game released after Halo 4, lore-wise, its events occur before. Palmer is an interesting character in the Halo universe, and information technology'south nifty to be able to feel a part of her story.

Although the game had fairly mixed reviews, it garnered enough attention to eventually create a sequel.

five Halo 4

Halo 4 Cortana
Game Release Engagement November 6, 2012
Halo Timeline 2557 CE
Developer 343 Industries
Genre Starting time-Person Shooter
Boilerplate Completion Time eight Hours

Halo 4 is the offset game in the Reclaimer Saga and is also the get-go mainline Halo title to be solely created by 343 Industries. The story picks upward four years later the events of Halo 3. Master Master and Cortana are pitted confronting the Precursor known as the Didact, as well as a splinter faction of the Covenant.

The threat of the Didact pales in comparison to the tragedy of Cortana's onset of AI rampancy. Equally she and the Chief struggle to undo the Didact's plans, they have to contend with her deteriorating condition.

Halo 4 put extra focus on the relationship betwixt Master Chief and Cortana throughout the campaign, and the multiplayer underwent massive changes equally well, incorporating loadouts as an integral function of the feel.

iv Halo: Spartan Strike

Halo Spartan Strike cover art and gameplay screenshot
Game Release Date Apr 16, 2016
Halo Timeline 2557 CE - 2558 CE
Developer Vanguard Games
Genre Top-Downwardly, Twin-Stick Shooter
Average Completion Time 6 Hours

The sequel to Spartan Assault, Halo: Spartan Strike is a twin-stick shooter game in the same vein. This game technically takes place during two fourth dimension periods: partially during Halo ii and partially during events after Halo 4.

The game primarily focuses on the player hunting down an artifact called the Conduit. This artifact was showtime located in the ruins of New Mombasa, merely information technology got transported to a Halo ring. The struggle to obtain it is the main objective of the narrative.

Narrative takes a back seat to gameplay in this arcade-mode title. This short entry in the Halo franchise barely whets the appetite for lore-hungry fans.

3 Halo 5: Guardians

Halo 5 Guardians cover image of Locke versus Master Chief
Game Release Date October 27, 2015
Halo Timeline 2558
Developer 343 Industries
Genre First-Person Shooter
Average Completion Time 8 Hours

Halo 5: Guardians is the middle entry in 343'south trilogy of Halo games. Information technology tells the stories of both Master Chief and Spartan Locke. The latter hunts the onetime later on Chief goes rogue to find Cortana.

As information technology turns out, Cortana has intentions of assuming the Forerunners' Drapery of Responsibility. Her method of monitoring and controlling all sentient life in the galaxy convincingly puts her at odds with the Primary. No 1 can say that Guardians did not make assuming choices when it came to the direction of Halo's narrative.

However, despite having generally favorable reviews, Halo 5's campaign was criticized for defective couch co-op among a few other complaints. Many fans felt the game to be a step backward for the series.

2 Halo Wars 2

Halo Wars 2 cover art
Game Release Date February 21, 2017
Halo Timeline 2559 CE
Developer Artistic Associates
Genre Existent-Time Strategy
Average Completion Fourth dimension 9 Hours

Halo Wars 2 is the sequel to the original Halo Wars and takes place subsequently Halo 5: Guardians. It follows the Spirit Of Burn crew dealing with the Banished on the abandoned Ark. Similar to Halo Wars, it is a real-time strategy game that is gear up in the Halo universe.

Its controls and gameplay mechanics are likewise remarkably inviting for newcomers to the RTS genre. While information technology is not the definitive Halo experience, it is a solid entry in the franchise, with story beats that help to set the plot for Halo Infinite.

Atriox, the leader of the Banished during Halo Wars two, plays a pivotal role in Infinite. Fans who want to truly capeesh his presence and motivations would do well to play this game earlier rushing into Infinite.

i Halo Infinite

A screenshot showing Master Chief and Cortana in Halo Infinite
via Xbox
Game Release Date Dec 8, 2021
Halo Timeline 2560
Developer 343 Industries
Genre Starting time-Person Shooter
Average Completion Time ten Hours

Halo Infinite is the latest release in the franchise. It takes place later on the events of Halo 5: Guardians and Halo Wars 2. The Banished are the game's main enemies, with Space taking identify right afterwards they wiped out most UNSC forces on Zeta Halo. Master Chief awakens 3 months later with a new AI companion known equally the Weapon, and together they accept to defeat the Banished and stop the rising of a new ancient antagonistic forcefulness on the band.

Seriously, if you call up most what the arrival of the Harbinger and the Endless means, your jaw should be hitting the floor. Halo Infinite potentially sets up a whole new direction for the series to have.

343 Industries definitely made Space i of Master Chief's greatest adventures yet and, perhaps, the well-nigh ambitious Halo game to appointment. The story is full of surprises, and the multiplayer feels fantastic.

Side by side: Halo Infinite Guide: Everything We Know So Far