There was a time when it felt like the Halo franchise was practically everywhere. Not only was Bungie expanding the world with many fantastic FPS titles, but there were also a slew of spin-offs released that built the series out even further. Once it got handed off to 343 Industries, Halo continued to grow in exciting new ways. However, since the release of Halo Infinite, there really has not been anything for fans to turn to. But, now feels like the perfect time to change that.
As of now, there is no news on what the future of Halo holds. Players do know that new titles are on the way, but what those titles will entail remains a mystery. As they wait for that next mainline chapter, it feels like a great time for Xbox to explore the world of spin-offs again. Doing so would not only give fans something to turn to, but as Xbox lowers the barriers of console exclusivity, it could also be a fantastic way to bring the console's flagship series to other consoles.
What Would the Halo Universe Look Like Without Master Chief?
In the Halo franchise, Master Chief has saved humanity many times, but things could have turned out differently without his skill.
Halo Could Be the Perfect Ticket to Bridging the Gap Between Consoles
Xbox is Slowly Bringing Down the Walls of Console Exclusivity
For decades, console exclusivity was a major part of the video game industry. Players would gravitate towards certain consoles because of the titles they offer. While Nintendo and PlayStation seem to still be putting a heavy emphasis on that, Xbox is slowly going away from it entirely. As the studio focuses more on building out an ecosystem and making Xbox Game Pass into a powerhouse, players are now able to play the likes of Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, Hi-Fi Rush, and Sea of Thieves on whatever console they choose.
With each new Xbox game, the barriers between consoles seem to be getting even smaller as the studio continues to release them for almost every device. This August, this approach seems to be going to the next level with the release of Gears of War: Reloaded. Gears of War has always been one of Xbox's flagship franchises, but with this remaster, the series will finally be launching on PlayStation. And because of that, it seems only natural that Halo will join in on the multiplatform fun sooner rather than later.
Halo Wars 3 Could Usher in a New Era for the Franchise
As of now, there is no news on what the next mainline Halo game will look like. But it seems increasingly likely that whenever it launches, it will be a multiplatform game. However, before that happens, it feels like a slew of spin-offs could be the perfect way to usher that new era in. It has been way too long since the last spin-off hit store shelves, and depending on what form they come in, they could be a great way to introduce new players to the world of Master Chief.
One of the most requested ones comes in the form of another Halo Wars, which puts an RTS spin on the universe. The last entry launched back in 2017, so it feels long overdue for a sequel. Outside of that, the studio could also craft a brand-new version of Halo: Spartan Assault or Spartan Strike. If it wanted to deliver a more standard feeling Halo game, then another Halo 3: ODST title could be a fantastic treat. If none of that was of interest to a developer, then a whole new Halo spin-off concept could also work wonders.
Whatever form these new spin-offs come in, they could be wonderful treats for both new and veteran fans alike. Veteran fans would likely love exploring Halo in new ways, while new fans could use them as perfect jumping-on points, especially if their console of choice had never had the franchise before. And if they are able to make their mark, then they could be a fantastic way to hype up mainline Halo's big multiplatform debut.
Halo Infinite
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OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 87 /100 Critics Rec: 94%
- Released
- December 8, 2021
- ESRB
- T for Teen: Blood, Mild Language, Violence
- Developer(s)
- 343 Industries
- Publisher(s)
- Xbox Game Studios
- Engine
- Slipspace
- Multiplayer
- Online Multiplayer
- Cross-Platform Play
- PC, Xbox One & Xbox Series X|S
WHERE TO PLAY
- Genre(s)
- First-Person Shooter
