Which Halo Game is Canonically First?
The Halo franchise has a rich and complex history, spanning multiple games, books, and media. Among the many questions that arise when exploring the series, one of the most pressing is: Which Halo game is canonically first? In this article, we’ll delve into the timeline of the Halo universe, examining the order of events and the chronology of the games to provide a definitive answer.
The Early Years: The Forerunners and the Fall of Reach
The Halo universe begins around 100,000 years ago with the Forerunners, a technologically advanced species that built the Halo Array, a series of rings designed to prevent the destruction of life in the galaxy. However, the Forerunners eventually abandoned their creations, leaving the rings to be discovered by other civilizations.
Fast-forward to 2552, when the Covenant, a powerful alien alliance, glassed the planet Reach, home of the UNSC (United Nations Space Command) Fleet Command. This event marks the beginning of the Human-Covenant War, which would rage on for several years.
Halo: Combat Evolved
Released in 2001, Halo: Combat Evolved is the first game in the series and follows the story of Master Chief Petty Officer John-117, also known as the Master Chief, as he attempts to stop the Covenant from destroying the Earth.
Halo Wars
However, Halo Wars (2531) is actually the series’ earliest-set game, taking place 21 years before the start of Halo: Reach and Halo: Combat Evolved. This game is set during the Covenant’s invasion of the Outer Colonies and follows a group of UNSC soldiers as they fight against the Covenant.
The Chronology of the Games
Here is a brief summary of the games in chronological order:
| Game | Year |
|---|---|
| Halo Wars | 2531 |
| Halo: Reach | 2552 |
| Halo: Combat Evolved | 2552 |
| Halo 2 | 2552 |
| Halo 3 | 2552 |
| Halo 3: ODST | 2552 |
| Halo 4 | 2557 |
| Halo 5: Guardians | 2560 |
| Halo Infinite | 2560 |
Why Halo Wars is Considered the First Game in the Series
While Halo: Combat Evolved is often considered the first Halo game, Halo Wars is actually the earliest game in the series. This is because the events of Halo Wars occur 21 years before the start of Halo: Reach and Halo: Combat Evolved.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the Halo game that is canonically first is Halo Wars, which takes place in 2531 and sets the stage for the events of the Human-Covenant War. While Halo: Combat Evolved is often considered the first game in the series, Halo Wars provides a rich backstory and a deeper understanding of the Halo universe.
Additional Facts and Figures
- The Forerunners were a technologically advanced species that built the Halo Array.
- The Covenant was a powerful alien alliance that glassed the planet Reach.
- The Human-Covenant War lasted for several years.
- Master Chief Petty Officer John-117, also known as the Master Chief, is the main protagonist of the Halo series.
- The games in the Halo series can be played in the following order: Halo Wars, Halo: Reach, Halo: Combat Evolved, Halo 2, Halo 3, Halo 3: ODST, Halo 4, Halo 5: Guardians, and Halo Infinite.
References
- Halo Wiki
- Bungie.net
- IGN.com
- Polygon.com
- Quora.com
- HowLongToBeat.com
- VintageIsTheNewOld.com
Note: The article includes bold and italic formatting to highlight important points and provide a clear distinction between headings and subheadings. Additionally, bullets and tables are used to provide a concise and easy-to-read summary of the information.