Best Halo Games to Play After the TV Series

If the Halo TV series left you craving more of the Master Chief’s universe, the best place to start is Halo: The Master Chief Collection on PC or Xbox. It bundles six core campaigns, including the remastered original, so you can jump straight into the story that inspired the show—without buying each game separately.

What to Look For

When picking a Halo game after watching the show, focus on three things: story connection (does it follow Master Chief and the events the series references?), campaign quality (are the levels varied and engaging?), and multiplayer longevity (will you still be playing in a month?). Also consider whether you want modern conveniences like cross-play and 4K updates, or if you’re happy with older graphics. Budget matters too—some games are free, others cost full price, and the Master Chief Collection often goes on sale.

Halo: Combat Evolved (2001)

Strengths: This is where it all began. The campaign introduces the ringworld, the Flood, and the Master Chief’s iconic fight against the Covenant. The level design is legendary, from the Pillar of Autumn’s corridors to the silent, creepy Library. The anniversary remaster in the Master Chief Collection gives it modern controls and visuals while letting you toggle back to the original graphics.

Trade-offs: The level “The Library” drags on, and the enemy AI can feel dated in the second half. The original multiplayer is basic by today’s standards—no sprint, no aim-down-sights.

Who it suits: Anyone who wants to see the exact story the TV series loosely adapts, and players who appreciate gaming history.

Halo 2 (2004)

Strengths: The story expands with dual protagonists—Master Chief and the Arbiter—giving you a Covenant perspective. The campaign is tighter than the first game, with better pacing and the iconic “Gravemind” level. The multiplayer here is what made Halo a competitive esport, and the anniversary version in the MCC includes remastered cutscenes and a modern multiplayer suite.

Trade-offs: The campaign ends on a cliffhanger that only resolves in Halo 3. The Arbiter levels can feel disjointed if you’re only interested in Chief.

Who it suits: Players who want deeper lore and a taste of what made Halo’s multiplayer legendary.

Halo 3 (2007)

Strengths: This is the epic conclusion to the original trilogy. The campaign is polished, with memorable set pieces like the Ark and the Warthog run. It’s the most accessible of the classic games, and the multiplayer is still active in the MCC with custom games and forge mode. The story directly continues from Halo 2, so you’ll get closure on the Chief’s arc.

Trade-offs: The graphics, even in the MCC, show their age. The campaign is shorter than some of the others.

Who it suits: Players who want the definitive Master Chief experience and a strong multiplayer community.

Halo: Reach (2010)

Strengths: A prequel set before the original game, Reach tells the tragic story of Noble Team. It’s often praised as the best campaign in the series for its emotional weight and character development. The multiplayer introduces armor abilities, which add variety, and the firefight mode (wave-based co-op) is a blast.

Trade-offs: The tone is darker and more somber than the TV series. The armor abilities can feel gimmicky to purists.

Who it suits: Players who love character-driven stories and want to see the fall of a planet, not just a lone hero.

Halo Infinite (2021)

Strengths: The most modern entry, with a semi-open world that lets you explore the ring at your own pace. The grappling hook is a game-changer, making traversal and combat feel fresh. The multiplayer is free-to-play, with cross-play and cross-progression, so you can jump in without buying anything. The campaign continues Master Chief’s story after Halo 5, and it’s the most visually impressive.

Trade-offs: The open-world structure can feel repetitive, and the story is more self-contained than the epic trilogy. The multiplayer’s progression system has been criticized for being slow.

Who it suits: Newer players who want a modern shooter, and those who don’t mind a less linear campaign.

Halo 3: ODST (2009)

Strengths: A side story set during the events of Halo 2, where you play as an Orbital Drop Shock Trooper in the ruined city of New Mombasa. It’s a stealthier, more atmospheric experience with a jazzy soundtrack. The campaign is shorter but has a unique “investigate the city” structure that rewards exploration.

Trade-offs: No Master Chief, and the gameplay is slower-paced. It’s more of a spin-off than a mainline entry.

Who it suits: Fans of noir-style storytelling and players who want a different perspective on the war.

How to Choose

Budget: If you’re on a tight budget, start with Halo Infinite’s free multiplayer, then pick up the Master Chief Collection on sale (it frequently drops to around $10). For a single purchase, the MCC gives you the most content per dollar.

Use case: If you want to follow the TV series’ plot, play Halo: Combat Evolved and Halo 2 first—they cover the same ground. If you want the best modern gameplay, go with Halo Infinite. For a deep story, Halo: Reach is unmatched.

Trade-offs: Older games have dated mechanics but are cheaper and more story-focused. Newer games have better graphics and multiplayer but may feel less like the original vision. The MCC bundles all the classics, so you can try multiple and see which clicks.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to play Halo 5 before Infinite? No, but it helps. Infinite’s story references Halo 5, but you can follow along without it. If you want the full context, play Halo 5 (it’s in the MCC? No, it’s not—it’s a separate purchase).

Is the Master Chief Collection worth it in 2025? Absolutely. It includes six games with all campaigns, multiplayer, and frequent updates. It’s the best value in gaming if you want to catch up on the series.

Which Halo game has the best multiplayer? It depends on taste. Halo 3 is the classic, Halo 2 is the competitive favorite, and Halo Infinite is the most modern with free-to-play access.

Can I play the TV series’ story in the games? The series is a separate canon, so no game matches it exactly. But the first two games cover the same basic premise: a super-soldier fighting the Covenant on a ringworld.

Are the older games too dated? The MCC versions have updated controls and 4K resolution, so they feel modern enough. The gameplay is still tight, but you’ll notice the lack of sprint and mantling in the early games.

What about Halo Wars? If you like real-time strategy, Halo Wars and Halo Wars 2 are worth a look, but they’re not shooters. They expand the lore but aren’t essential after the TV show.

Bottom Line

Start with Halo: The Master Chief Collection—it gives you the original trilogy plus Reach and ODST, all in one package. If you want the most modern experience, grab Halo Infinite for its free multiplayer and fresh campaign. For a story that hits the same emotional notes as the TV series, Halo: Reach is the standout. Whatever you choose, you’ll find the universe is richer than any single show can capture.

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