Get Your Halo Post-Show Fix with a Universe of Games, Books, and More

So, you’ve finished the first season of “Halo” the series on Paramount+ and now there’s a Master Chief-shaped hole in your heart. How do you solve this problem? Fortunately, the Halo franchise has 20 years’ worth of games, books, podcasts, and more ways for you to explore the universe and make the wait for Season 2 of the show feel a little shorter.

Before we get into some recommendations, a quick note: “Halo” the series takes place in what’s known as the Silver timeline, with a plot that draws from many of the core themes and characters from the games, extended fiction, and other media properties but is branches from the core canon in order to better conform to the very different needs of a television series, but also to ensure that the game timeline and events aren’t tangled in the ongoing needs of a show. As you go through the different games and novels of the core canon you’ll recognize many familiar characters. However, they are sometimes presented in new ways. This gives you an expansive world to explore with significant unexpected elements and familiar themes. Fans of the series will also find the same experience when they first see the show.

Most Halo fans know that the Halo franchise began in 2001. Halo, Combat Evolved and the original Xbox console, although technically, the novel “Halo The Fall of Reach” preceded the game launch by a few weeks and introduced the Chief, the dark origin of the Spartan program and many of the characters and history that are very present in both the games and the TV timeline. But for the first part of this exercise, we’re starting with the game where it all began — and with some essential picks for gamers eager to experience the Master Chief’s story firsthand – all available with Xbox Game Pass on consoles and PC:

• The Master Chief Collection Halo – The Master Chief’s iconic original journey can be experienced across a single integrated experience, featuring both the series’ epic campaigns and multiplayer suites. Whether you’re a long-time fan or meeting Spartan John-117 for the first time, The Master Chief Collection is the definitive Halo gaming experience history lesson – with modernized, enhanced versions of Halo 1 and 2As well as Halo 3Its epic expansion. Halo 3:ODST, Halo 4And Halo Reach – a prequel set just before the events of the first game.
• Halo 5: Guardians – The Master Chief saga continues, with solo and up to 4-player cooperative experience that spans three worlds. The galaxy is under threat from an unstoppable and mysterious force. Blue Team, Spartans of Fireteam Osiris, and Spartans must take a dangerous journey to change history and ensure the survival of humankind.
• Halo Infinite – Jump into the latest Halo campaign with Xbox Game Pass. When all hope seems lost and humanity’s fate hangs in the balance, the Master Chief will confront one of the most ruthless foes he’s ever faced across the surface of a new and dangerous Halo ring. Halo InfiniteA free-to-play multiplayer game suite is also available for Xbox consoles and Windows PC. This allows players to take full control of their Spartan and play a range of thrilling games in an online multiplayer experience that will grow over time.

If you’re a fan of the written word, there have been over 30 Halo novels written to date. If you’re not sure where to start, we can recommend a few collections to get immersed in franchise lore.

• “The Fall of Reach,” “The Flood,” and “First Strike” – Dive into the original books of the Halo franchise, serving as a prelude to Halo, Combat Evolvedand bridge the gap between them and the events Halo 2. Whether you’ve played or not, these novels create a foundation for better understanding the stakes of the conflict between humanity and the Covenant and provide additional color and background on key characters and events.
• “Contact Harvest” – Explore the history of humanity’s first contact with the Covenant. Was there a war that started? The Covenant attacked? Is there any record of the visit to the human first planet by this dangerous alien alliance. Written by 343’s own Joseph Staten.
• Kilo Five Trilogy – If you’re looking for a more advanced dive into the Halo universe, this character-driven trilogy consisting of “Glasslands,” “The Thursday War,” and “Mortal Dicata” will spotlight the darker side of the UNSC, ONI, and how the Spartan program impacted the families who were left behind.
• “Silent Storm” and “Oblivion” – Interested in getting a glimpse into some of the Master Chief’s early career? “Silent Storm” and “Oblivion” are two fantastic novels by renowned author Troy Denning that take a look at some of the Chief’s harrowing exploits early in humanity’s war with the Covenant.

Audio logs, short films and TV shows are all part of the Halo universe. These add additional context to the universe, and may tell a story that is complementary to the tales of the game.

• “Halo Legends” –  This collection of seven short films dives deeper into the Halo universe and was produced and directed by a number of distinguished anime studios including Bones, Toei Animation, and Bee Train.

• “Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn” – Released in 2012 as a five episode series, this was the first feature-length live-action Halo offering. Cortana, the Master Chief and Captain Thomas Lasky from the UNSC are all part of the story. Infinity.
• “Halo: Hunt the Truth” – Tying into the story of Halo 5: Guardians, this two-season investigative audio series follows journalist Benjamin Giraud – voiced by Keegan Michael Key – as he seeks to learn the story behind the Master Chief and his exploits.
• “Halo Infinite: Memory Agent” – This six-episode narrative podcast series follows a secret agent whose memory resets every seven hours as they attempt to deliver vital information to the Master Chief ahead of the events of Halo Infinite. 

So you’ve played, read, watched and listened to all this and you’re stillAre you hungry for more? WheTher you’ve recently graduated with a degree in Forerunner history, are looking to cosplay as your favorite Spartan or just need a refresher on your favorite character, check out these resources.

• “Halo Encyclopedia” (2022) – in celebration of the 20^th343 Industries and Dark Horse teamed up to create a comprehensive guide to Halo’s universe that spans two decades. This massive tome contains a huge collection of unpublished art from an array amazing artists and was written by 343 Industries’ internal lore group.
• “Halo Mythos” – Experience the grand story of the Halo universe in one easy-to-access place, from the reign of the majestic Forerunners countless millennia ago, to humanity’s struggle against the alien forces of the Covenant and the Flood. This book was written by 343 Industries’ expert team and is illustrated with over fifty full-color paintings.
• Halo – Previously – A fan site developed by Halo superfan and current 343 Industries Community Writer Alex Wakeford, Previously on Halo is a Spartan’s guide to every game, book, comic and character across The vast Halo universe.
• 405^th Infantry Division – A costume and prop community offering guides and resources and more for anyone looking to take their love of Halo to the next level

No matter if you just finished your first fight with the Master Chief or if you’ve been with us since 2001, the Halo community has something to offer for everyone. The Halo universe is filled with tales of hope, heroism, and humanity in whatever medium you choose, and we couldn’t be more excited to have you in the fight with us.

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