Though the Halo franchise does not release a title every year, it has amassed a collection of fantastic games, as evidenced by their Metacritic scores.
Halo is one of the most well-known video game franchises of all time. Since the release of Combat Evolved in 2001, the series has forever altered first-person shooters and online multiplayer.
While fans do not get a new Halo title every year, the series has had a significant number of entries by this point. They haven’t all been classics, however. Some of them will be remembered for eternity by gamers, while others are just terrible titles that even die-hard fans will forget. The Metacritic reviewers certainly have favorites, and here are their average ratings for each game.
Halo: Spartan Assault – 53
Spartan Assault, as a twin-stick shooter, was considerably different from the Halo titles that came before it. Instead of being in first person, players had to slay the Covenant from the top down. Nonetheless, the series’ signature look and sound remained. Unfortunately, because it was designed for mobile devices, it lacked the scale and depth of storytelling found in the main games. But it was still enjoyable.
The story, set between Halo 3 and Halo 4, helped bridge the gap between the two stories, but fans would have preferred it to be done in a much more typical Halo fashion. This is why the Metacritic fan rating is 4.6, with major concerns about the number of microtransactions, bad graphics, and a lousy story. Fans complain that the $12.99 price tag is still too high for what is essentially a mobile game. The switch to Xbox did not help this game.
Halo: Spartan Strike – 66
Playing with or against friends has always been an important component of Halo, therefore Spartan Strike’s lack of multiplayer severely harmed its appeal. However, the game was an improvement over Spartan Assault.The twin-stick shooter had tighter gameplay and more vehicles and weaponry than its predecessor. Nonetheless, it was a less engrossing adventure than Halo fans had hoped for.
Spartan Strike has a user score of 6.4, with users feeling that as far as top-down shooters go, this is a good one. On the other hand, that doesn’t make it a fantastic game. Set in two halves, one during the events of Halo 2 and the other after the events of Halo 4, the key selling point of this game was the lack of microtransactions. That, in the opinion of the fans, was a vast improvement over the first.
Halo Wars 2 – 79
Halo Wars 2 was a good game, albeit a little shallow in comparison to other RTSs on the market. It has well-explained and straightforward gameplay, making it ideal for genre newcomers.
Plus, fans of the Halo universe were treated to a decent story told through some stunning cinematics. If only the campaign had lasted a little bit longer. Fortunately, it had a slew of compelling multiplayer modes to keep players occupied.
Unlike Spartan Strike, this game’s sequel did not improve on the original. Halo Wars 2 overcomplicated what was excellent about Halo Wars. Users awarded it a 6.4 rating, with one of the major faults being the game’s poor connection troubles, which caused gamers to constantly disconnect from online games for no apparent reason. Frustrating. Perhaps these issues will be addressed in a possible sequel.
Halo Wars – 82
It, like its predecessor, was simple in comparison to other games in the category. However, by being released as an Xbox 360 exclusive (it wasn’t ported to PC until years later), the game avoided comparison with the more sophisticated RTSs available on Steam. It garnered a lot of accolades for being more functional than most console real-time strategy games.
Halo’s first step into a different genre was a breath of fresh air for fans, as both critics and fans appreciated this game, with a user rating of 7.5. What was nice about this game was that it didn’t feel like a spinoff; they managed to completely change up the genre while still making a great game that fits in with the universe’s lore. Halo Wars was a fun game, and it was great to use various vehicles that weren’t in the original series.
Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary – 82
The original Combat Evolved was undeniably a classic. Its tenth-anniversary remaster was also good. The original’s design and sound were updated to Xbox 360 standards, and players could choose to return to the 2001 presentation at any time.
Everything else about the game was nearly identical to the prior iteration. Unfortunately, this resulted in a number of levels with repetitive-looking backgrounds, which was fine in 2001 but not so much in 2011.
Despite this, people awarded the previous game’s remake an 8.1 on Metacritic; there isn’t much to say about this one because it is a complete remaster of the original. Every level is the same, but it gave newer fans an opportunity to play the original game, which every gamer should do.
Halo 3: ODST – 83
ODST was the Halo series at its best in terms of storytelling. Instead of being a massive action thriller, the story took the shape of a mystery in which a rookie soldier attempted to find their missing companions. Investigating the dark New Mombasa was an evocative experience that was supplemented by more standard action-focused missions.
The gameplay in ODST wasn’t all that different from the original Halo 3, but it didn’t need to be because it was still a lot of fun. And enjoyable combat was required for ODST’s action-packed Firefight mode.
Surprisingly, players gave Halo 3: ODST a 7.6 rating, indicating that they appreciated the story and the newly introduced fighting but were dissatisfied by the game’s absence of multiplayer. The game included Halo 3’s multiplayer, but with additional maps. This isn’t a problem now, but it left a bad taste in my mouth at the time.Fans have been clamoring for a sequel, and the Orbital Drop Shock Troopers are the ideal solution.
Halo 5: Guardians – 84
When Halo 5’s campaign was released, it attracted a lot of flak. The lack of a split-screen and the campaign’s short length were both disappointing. However, the narrative was the most contentious aspect, as it took some questionable twists and turns, particularly with regard to the popular character Cortana. Playing the majority of the game as Spartan Locke rather than Master Chief didn’t help matters. Still, the game wasn’t all bad; it had beautiful graphics, a robust multiplayer system, and exciting gunplay.
The user rating of 6.4 reflects the wide disparity between what critics and fans thought of the fifth mainline Halo tale. Another major concern was the microtransactions, which required fans to pay money to customize their Spartan’s appearance.
When compared to Halo Reach, which required players to work for their armor and complete in-game challenges, this appeared to be a significant step back for 343. Halo 5, a game that was evocative of a Call of Duty game, did a number of things wrong in that sense.
Halo: The Master Chief Collection – 85
The Master Chief Collection initially appeared to be the ultimate package because it contained Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary, a newly remastered Halo 2: Anniversary, Halo 3, and Halo 4 – as well as late add-ons for Halo 3: ODST and Halo Reach. Unfortunately, technological issues prevented the MCC from being as good as it may have been. Multiplayer, in particular, has numerous issues.
Still, having all those classics on one system was incredible when the game (or games) worked. So much so that, despite its flaws, supporters did not fully disregard it. Users gave this game a modest 7.9 rating; the main complaints are the glitches and bugs encountered, but for the most part, this game runs flawlessly.
Bringing four of the best games on the console to life on the latest consoles is almost unheard of in a bundle that contains four of the best titles on the platform.MCC pays players for playing the game throughout all entries and also features different playlists, so fans can just play the driving missions. A superb feature of a great game, the user score is quite low; however, remastered games will not receive the highest scores, will they?
Halo 4 – 87
Halo 4 came under a lot of scrutiny because it was 343 Industries’ first original game in the franchise. It ended up being a fantastic debut for the developer, as they were able to stamp their mark on the franchise while retaining the majority of what fans love about Halo.
In addition, the tale was fantastic. It emphasized Master Chief’s close friendship with Cortana. As she struggled with her mortality, the latter was more captivating than she’d ever been. Despite receiving high marks from critics, fans gave Halo 4 a 7.1 rating, with the main concern being the length of the campaign. This was more than compensated for by the multiplayer, which provided personalization, fast-paced combat, and new and interesting game options.
When it came to delivering its first Halo game, 343 Industries had a lot on its shoulders, and for the most part, it hit it out of the park. I created a new class of enemies to help spice things up. The main issue among fans was how different this seemed from the original trilogy, but the game needed to go in a new path, which they achieved extremely effectively with Halo 4.
Halo Infinite – 87
The industry has begun to be dominated by open-world gaming. 3D open worlds aren’t a new concept; in the early 2000s, games like Grand Theft Auto 3 and The Elder Scrolls 3: Morrowind provided excellent open environments for players to enjoy. However, constant advancements in gaming hardware and engines have enabled studios to create massive, breathtaking open worlds that are a joy to simply explore at a leisurely pace.
Regardless, many people were skeptical of Halo’s foray into the open-world subgenre. Although many games have made the transition successfully, a notable few have struggled. And there is, of course, plenty of value in meticulously hand-crafted linear levels, which the Halo series is known for. Thankfully, Halo’s open world did not disappoint, resulting in a one-of-a-kind campaign unlike anything else in the series.
In terms of multiplayer, the fast-paced, exciting fighting is as enjoyable as ever. However, the online modes felt barebones at launch, which is likely one of the reasons Halo Infinite fell short of a Metascore of 90.
Fans appreciated Backrooms game as well, rating it a 7.9. They liked the story, the wide environment, and the side missions. There was lots to do, and it came with a decent challenge. What people didn’t like was the multiplayer, and 343 lost a trick by not incorporating a Battle Royale game mode. Call of Duty: Warzone and Fortnite are two of the most popular games on the market, and it’s a shame Halo didn’t capitalize on this.
Halo: Reach – 91
Bungie had already nailed its unique Halo FPS formula by 2010. This meant that with Reach, they had to find a way to shake things up without destroying anything, which they did.
The addition of armor powers altered how battles played out in both multiplayer and campaign modes. Having the tale take place before the events of the other games. On the other hand, provided players a better understanding of humanity’s conflict with the Covenant.
Fans and critics alike praised the game’s engaging tale, furious multiplayer, and stunning graphics. This game has stood the test of time, and it takes a lot for a game to do so. Halo Reach delivered on all fronts, with users giving it an 8.4 rating; this was Bungie’s final send-off. And they went out with a bang. Gamers are disappointed since nothing has been as fantastic since 343 took over.
Halo 3 – 94
Given how groundbreaking the original two Halo games were. It should have been tough for this game to measure up to the fans’ expectations. It did, however, do everything correctly. Halo 3 expanded on the already excellent gameplay of its predecessor by adding new vehicles and weaponry. It also introduced new modes such as Forge, which allowed players to modify and design maps. There was also a Theater mode, which took advantage of the boom in online video by allowing individuals to preserve recordings of all their games. Overall, it was one of the most popular first-person shooters of all time.
Users gave this title an 8.2 rating, which is practically perfect because fans are more pickier than critics. With its genuinely famous multiplayer, Halo 3 was the best game of its era and helped cement the brand as one of the best FPS shooters.
Halo 3 was fantastic, and it genuinely established the standard for FPSs that has arguably not been matched since. Forge mode offered unlimited enjoyment, and the campaigns had replay value with the use of skulls, which transformed how the game was played.
Halo 2 – 95
Halo 2 improved on everything that the first game accomplished well, as any good sequel should. It made ingenious changes to combat, such as dual-wielding and the ability to seize vehicles. Combat Evolved’s creative multiplayer was no longer limited to LAN servers, thanks to the arrival of Xbox Live. The inclusion of the disputed Arbiter levels was the game’s primary drawback for man. Yet even these provided players with a distinct viewpoint on the Covenant.
Halo enthusiasts adore Halo 2, which provided a flawless sequel to the original. With its sleek and enhanced MasterChief design serving as the frosting on the cake. This one received an 8.7 rating from fans, who praised its innovative online features. The fact that its storyline was just 9 hours long prevented it from reaching a higher level than HCE. But gamers had the multiplayer to keep them occupied.
Halo: Combat Evolved – 97
Halo has always provided an FPS experience unlike any other. And it all began with Combat Evolved. This initial game established series hallmarks such as exciting fighting, captivating plot, and wonderful music. Not to mention the multiplayer.
PvP shooters were still in their infancy when this game was released. This game, on the other hand, included LAN multiplayer that was deeper and more interesting than the classic Goldeneye. Who knows where internet shooters would be if Halo: Combat Evolved didn’t exist?
This game has a Metacritic score of 97, placing it 22nd on the list of all-time games, which is no small feat given the list’s inclusion of some well-known names.Back in 2001, Halo: Combat Evolved delivered tenfolds, but fans were critical, giving it an 8.7 on the user score.
Many of these reviews are recent, and they complain that the game hasn’t aged well. The first Halo does not need to because it established the benchmark not only for the franchise but for all future games. What would video games be like without this masterpiece?
