Halo Games Play Order: Full Timeline Guide

To play the Halo series in the best order, start with Halo: Combat Evolved (2001) and follow the main numbered titles in release order: Halo 2, Halo 3, Halo 3: ODST, Halo: Reach, Halo 4, and Halo 5: Guardians, then Halo Infinite. This order matches the original release sequence and gives you the core story without spoilers, though the chronological story order differs slightly. Below is a complete guide to both approaches, what each game adds, and how to choose the right path for you.

Formula

This calculator works out your average running pace and speed from a finish time and distance. The formulas are:

• Pace (min/km) = Finish time (minutes) ÷ Distance (km)
• Speed (km/h) = Distance (km) ÷ (Finish time (minutes) ÷ 60)

Where:

• t = finish time in minutes (e.g., 50 minutes)
• d = distance in kilometers (e.g., 10 km)

Worked Example

Using the default values from the calculator: finish time = 50 minutes, distance = 10 km.

1. Pace = 50 ÷ 10 = 5.00 min/km
2. Speed = 10 ÷ (50 ÷ 60) = 10 ÷ 0.8333 = 12.00 km/h

So a 50-minute 10K means you ran at an average pace of 5:00 per kilometer, which is 12 km/h.

Why Play Order Matters in Halo

Halo’s story is spread across multiple games, novels, and extended media. The main games form a continuous narrative about the Master Chief, a supersoldier fighting the Covenant, the Flood, and later the Forerunners. Playing in the wrong order can spoil major plot twists, like the identity of the Arbiter or the fate of Cortana. The release order is the safest for newcomers because each game assumes you know what came before it.

However, the chronological story order starts with Halo: Reach, which is a prequel to the original game. If you play Reach first, you’ll understand the fall of the planet Reach, but you’ll also see characters and events that are meant to be tragic because you already know the outcome from Combat Evolved. Most fans recommend release order for first-time players.

Release Order (Recommended for Beginners)

1. Halo: Combat Evolved (2001) – The original, where you first meet Master Chief and Cortana on the ringworld Halo.
2. Halo 2 (2004) – Introduces the Arbiter, a Covenant elite, and expands the conflict.
3. Halo 3 (2007) – Ends the original trilogy’s story arc.
4. Halo 3: ODST (2009) – A side story set during Halo 2 and 3, following Orbital Drop Shock Troopers in New Mombasa.
5. Halo: Reach (2010) – A prequel to Combat Evolved, showing the fall of the planet Reach.
6. Halo 4 (2012) – Starts a new saga with the Didact and the Forerunners.
7. Halo 5: Guardians (2015) – Continues Master Chief’s story and introduces new playable characters.
8. Halo Infinite (2021) – A soft reboot that brings the story back to basics on Zeta Halo.

This order gives you the intended narrative flow, and each game’s mechanics build on the previous ones. The Master Chief Collection (MCC) includes all of these except Halo 5 and Infinite, making it easy to play in this order.

Chronological Story Order

If you want to experience the events in the order they happen in the Halo universe, use this sequence:

1. Halo: Reach (2552, before Combat Evolved)
2. Halo: Combat Evolved (2552)
3. Halo 2 (2552)
4. Halo 3: ODST (2552, parallel to Halo 2)
5. Halo 3 (2552–2553)
6. Halo 4 (2557)
7. Halo 5: Guardians (2558)
8. Halo Infinite (2560)

Note that Halo Wars and Halo Wars 2 are real-time strategy games set earlier (2531 and 2559 respectively), but they are not essential for the main story. If you want to include them, play Halo Wars before Reach and Halo Wars 2 after Halo 5.

How to Choose the Right Order for You

Your choice depends on your priorities:

• New to Halo? Use release order. It avoids spoilers and matches how the developers intended you to experience the story.
• Want to follow the timeline strictly? Use chronological order. This is better for lore enthusiasts who already know the basics.
• Only care about Master Chief’s story? Play Combat Evolved, Halo 2, Halo 3, Halo 4, Halo 5, and Infinite. ODST and Reach are spin-offs that don’t feature Master Chief as the protagonist.
• Short on time? Play the main numbered titles only (1–5 plus Infinite). You’ll miss some context but still get the core story.

Common Misconceptions and Mistakes

One common mistake is thinking Halo: Reach is the first game because it’s a prequel. While it happens first chronologically, it was released after Halo 3 and assumes you know what the Pillar of Autumn is and why the Covenant are attacking. Playing it first can spoil the mystery of the original.

Another misconception is that Halo 3: ODST is a full sequel. It’s a shorter, standalone expansion that takes place during Halo 2’s events. It’s not required to understand the main plot, but it adds depth to the Battle of Earth.

Also, Halo 5’s story is often criticized for being disjointed, but playing it in order still helps. If you skip it, Halo Infinite’s opening will confuse you about Cortana’s fate.

How to Play Halo Today

The easiest way to play the series is through the Halo: The Master Chief Collection (MCC), available on Xbox and PC. It includes Halo: Combat Evolved, Halo 2, Halo 3, Halo 3: ODST, Halo: Reach, and Halo 4, all remastered with updated graphics and modern controls. You can buy the whole collection or individual games. Halo 5: Guardians is not in the MCC and is only on Xbox (and via cloud streaming on PC). Halo Infinite is available on Xbox and PC, and its multiplayer is free-to-play.

If you’re playing on PC, note that Halo 5 is not available natively, so you’ll need an Xbox or Xbox Cloud Gaming to play it. Halo Infinite is on Steam and the Microsoft Store.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to play every Halo game to understand the story?

No. The main numbered titles (1–5 and Infinite) give you the core story. The spin-offs like ODST and Reach add background but aren’t essential. If you skip them, you’ll still follow Master Chief’s journey, but you’ll miss some emotional weight, especially in Reach.

Is Halo: Reach a good starting point?

Not for most people. It’s a prequel, but it assumes you know the fate of the characters and the significance of the Pillar of Autumn. Starting with Combat Evolved gives you the intended introduction to the universe.

What is the difference between release order and chronological order?

Release order is the order the games were published (Combat Evolved first). Chronological order is the order the events happen in the story (Reach first). Release order is better for avoiding spoilers; chronological order is for lore fans who want to experience the timeline as it unfolds.

Should I play Halo Wars?

Halo Wars and Halo Wars 2 are real-time strategy games set in the same universe. They are not required for the main story, but they expand the lore, especially the Forerunner conflict in Halo Wars 2. Play them if you enjoy strategy games or want more backstory.

Can I skip Halo 5 and go straight to Infinite?

You can, but you’ll be confused about Cortana’s status and the state of the galaxy. Halo Infinite’s story directly follows Halo 5’s ending. If you skip it, you’ll miss key context. At least watch a summary video before playing Infinite.

Does the Master Chief Collection include all games?

No. The MCC includes Halo: Combat Evolved, Halo 2, Halo 3, Halo 3: ODST, Halo: Reach, and Halo 4. It does not include Halo 5: Guardians or Halo Infinite. Those are separate purchases.

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in t | Finish time | min | 50 | 0
in d | Distance | km | 10 | 0
out pace | Average pace | min/km | t / d | 2
out speed | Average speed | km/h | d / (t / 60) | 2