Halo has been a part of my life since childhood. From playing the campaign and getting lost in its amazing world to skipping school to attend a friend’s LAN party, I can confidently say that Halo is my favorite video game franchise. I’m also sure that, in the future, Halo will once again be the king of the gaming hill! Whether you’re a veteran of the franchise or a recruit looking to get into it, here are all the Halo spin-offs games ranked. See the mainline list here.
5. Halo Spartan Assault/ Spartan Strike
Initially released as mobile games, these two titles are twin-stick shooters in which you play as Spartans. One aspect I really enjoyed was the art style; it reminded me of Halo Wars (which I’ll be discussing next).
Another standout element is the music, composed by Tom Salta, which easily matches the quality of the mainline Halo soundtracks. For mobile games, they can be surprisingly fun and well-crafted experiences.
4. Halo Wars
The first Halo game to venture into a different genre! I wasn’t much of a fan of RTS games at the time – Halo 3 and Call of Duty were my main obsessions – but from the moment I saw the teaser trailer, Halo Wars had me hooked. I spent hours re-watching that trailer and even more time playing the game on release day. My family even told me I was talking in my sleep about needing more points to build structures!
Honestly, I don’t have anything bad to say about this game. The story and art are a visual delight, supported by a beautiful soundtrack. It’s a fantastic introduction for anyone new to the RTS genre and a great addition to the Halo universe.
3. Halo Wars 2
Introducing The Banished! While Halo Wars 2 has some flaws, particularly the menu, which can feel awkward to navigate, the game excels in almost every other area. The story is amazing, supported by incredible cutscenes and voice acting. The gameplay delivers epic battles and, most importantly, makes you feel like a true Commander of your troops. Few games capture that feeling, and Halo Wars 2 is one of them; a game I keep returning to whenever I want to experience what it’s like to be an Admiral in battle.
The DLCs are fantastic as well, with one featuring a great return of the Flood. It’s an important title to play before Halo Infinite, and here’s hoping we get a sequel soon.
2. Halo Reach
Goodbyes… Halo: Reach was the final game developed by Bungie. The game included some controversial decisions, such as the addition of sprinting and loadouts. Despite that, it remains a strong entry in the franchise. One of its standout features is Forge mode, which introduced many new tools, including a full sandbox map for players to create on, resulting in endless fun and creative custom games. The multiplayer isn’t the strongest in the series; as I mentioned, loadouts were controversial, and the maps don’t quite measure up to previous titles. Still, it’s an enjoyable experience.
Where Reach truly shines is its campaign. Your customizable Spartan appears in the story cutscenes, and while the missions are slightly more linear than Halo 3, they still feature fantastic open sandboxes. The gunplay and firefights remain fun and dynamic. The story itself is solid, with incredible characters saying their final goodbyes, much like Bungie did. The dynamic between the characters is excellent, but there is one Halo story that takes camaraderie to an entirely new level…
1. Halo 3: ODST
Considered a favorite among Halo fans, Halo 3: ODST was the first game where you didn’t play as Master Chief, or even a Spartan. Instead, you take on the role of an Orbital Drop Shock Trooper, the UNSC’s elite soldiers known for stealth and surprise attacks. The developers elevated the sandbox concept to a new level: you could explore an entire city while also engaging in more linear missions. The ambience and music are unique compared to other Halo games, creating an immersive mood and style. The only drawback is that stealth could have been more integral, for example, suppressed weapons can still alert enemies. With a bit more polish, this could have been perfected, but even as it stands, ODST is a masterpiece.
The game also introduced Firefight mode, which remains incredibly replayable and is still enjoyed by many players today. It didn’t include a traditional multiplayer, which wasn’t necessary, since Halo 3 was still recent and popular, and in many ways, ODST is connected to it. The story is one of the best in the franchise, I’d say it’s better than Halo 3 and on par with Halo 2. The characters are charismatic and full of personality, making it easy to care for and connect with them from the first moment you meet them. ODST is the kind of spin-off I wish we saw more of in the Halo universe: new stories, new characters, new perspectives, all while capturing the essence that makes the franchise so special. Here’s hoping Halo Studios explores more spin-offs soon. This franchise has infinite potential, and we’ve only just begun to scratch its surface.
Leave a Reply