Genres The Halo Franchise Should Enter

Key Takeaways

The
Halo
universe is ripe for exploration with varied factions, cultures, and locations.
Xbox Game Studios could explore the covert policing efforts of humanity in a slow-paced sci-fi title.
Possibilities for
Halo
projects include a city builder, 4X strategy, flight combat sim, and survival horror.

As a long-time fan of the Halo franchise, I can’t help but feel a sense of both excitement and nostalgia when contemplating potential new directions for this iconic series. While the games have consistently delivered thrilling action and captivating storylines, there are certain genres that, in my humble opinion, could elevate the Halo experience to unprecedented heights.

As a dedicated Halo fan, I’m eagerly waiting for updates from Halo Studios, formerly known as 343 Industries, now that they’ve moved away from their proprietary engine and are working on multiple projects. This shift has sparked excitement among us science-fiction FPS enthusiasts, hoping for a diverse collection of games set in the expansive Halo universe. While games like Halo Wars, Spartan Assault, and Fireteam Raven have been entertaining, they’ve got me dreaming about what’s coming next!

When examining the history of the Halo series, it’s interesting to consider how various themes, tones, and gameplay elements could be developed further if pushed to their full potential. This could result in captivating projects spanning from terrifying horror games based on the Flood, tactical shooters focusing on squad play reminiscent of ODST, all the way to grand 4X strategy titles encompassing the entire galaxy.

1 Role Playing Game

With Varied Factions, Cultures, & Locations The Halo Universe Is Prime For Exploration

Similar Titles: Mass Effect & Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic

Before 343 Industries took over the management of the “Halo” franchise from Bungie, which led to an increase in universe content, players had already been introduced to a vast world filled with creatures and cultures within this franchise. Although Master Chief is a well-known gaming character who serves as a player’s avatar to explore places like High Charity and the remains of Delta Halo, it’s regrettable that players haven’t been given the opportunity to interact more directly with these areas.

As a gamer immersed in the epic saga of the Halo universe, it’s hard not to be captivated by the lore surrounding the Forerunner beings and Sangheili Republics, entities that predate and outlive the Human-Covenant War. Although these stories might not seamlessly fit into a traditional first-person shooter (FPS) Halo game, I can’t help but imagine the vast potential of an RPG set in this galaxy. Such a game would offer the narrative the space it needs to unfold and expand, allowing me to explore more corners of this fascinating universe.

2 Puzzle / Simulation

Hyper-Fixating On Humanity’s 26th-Century Covert Policing Efforts

Similar Titles:Papers, Please & Not Tonight

Despite some criticism over how the dynamic between Locke and Chief in Halo 5: Guardians was handled, the core message and marketing of this game remains one of the most creative and captivating aspects of the Halo franchise. The Office of Naval Intelligence, with its morally ambiguous actions and covert methods, has been a well-known secret among Halo fans for quite some time. From the UNSC’s struggles against Insurrection forces, the kidnapping of children for the Spartan-II program, to their plans to assassinate the Arbiter himself, they have been manipulating power behind the scenes for centuries.

Given that many multimedia projects like the 2015 audio drama “HUNT the TRUTH” delve deep into complex themes, a similar game with a slower pace might be well-suited for a project like this. For instance, it could resemble puzzle games such as “Papers, Please”, where the covert operations of Halo’s human intelligence agency are turned into an immersive sci-fi title.

3 City Builder

From A San’Shyuum Colony To The Basis Of High Charity

Similar Titles: Frostpunk & Surviving Mars

In the game Halo: Combat Evolved, the Covenant forces portrayed are a relentless arm of the theocratic war machine. However, upon first encounter as players, the Covenant had been shaped over centuries through conflict and construction. Starting from the conflicts between the Prophets and Elites to battles like the Unggoy Rebellion, the Covenant joined forces in building cities and colossal structures under their belief in the Great Journey.

This zealous encompassing of cultures and ethics under one banner and Holy City could be easily incorporated into a city builder much in line with titles such as SimCity or Frostpunk. Building up districts and segregating species in the name of the Forerunners could provide the centuries of upheaval and engineering of the Covenant room to have its story told.

4 4X Strategy

Taking “Playable Elites” To Its Foremost Extreme

Similar Titles:Stellaris & Civilization 6

Despite the Halo series boasting successful strategy games like Halo Wars, its expansive universe has yet to be fully explored and depicted in its grandeur. With factions like the Forerunners and Endless holding contrasting beliefs and technologies, there’s an abundance of potential for how interstellar dynamics among them might unfold.

As a gamer, I can imagine diving into a game that mirrors the depth and strategy found in titles like Stellaris, but set within the captivating universe of Halo. Instead of just waging war from a Sangheili Super Carrier or negotiating trades between Humans and Unggoy, this game would let me explore intricate details of these interactions. It could showcase how various species in the Halo universe might live harmoniously – or it could allow for enacting destructive retaliation if tensions escalate. This game would offer a unique perspective on warfare and diplomacy without the limitations, allowing us to explore the full potential of coexistence or conflict within this iconic universe.

5 Flight Combat Sim

Expanding On The Ideas Put Forward By Reach’s “Long Night Of Solace”

Similar Titles:Ace Combat & War Thunder

Although creating Halo Reach was their last project within the Halo IP, the Bungie team enthusiastically embraced making significant enhancements to the Halo gameplay structure. Features like armor abilities and the DMR on ground level set Halo Reach apart, with its sixth campaign mission “Long Night of Solace” offering players a unique opportunity for ship-to-ship combat – a first in the Halo series.

Using a framework established in 2010, along with an overwhelming enthusiasm from players for this playstyle, we could expand upon the variety of both human and alien spacecraft within a flight combat simulator that resembles the style of “Ace Combat”. Since the reliable combat system in “Halo”, which involves breaking shields and inflicting damage on enemies, has been successful, it seems unnecessary to limit its application solely to FPS gameplay.

6 Action-Platformer

A Genre That Appears Like A Wasted Opportunity

Similar Titles: LEGO: Horizon Adventures & Bionic Commando

Over the past twenty years, LEGO video games have evolved into more than just enjoyable cross-brand action platformers; they’ve become essential elements of multi-generational playtime. It’s a missed chance that, when Microsoft transferred the Halo IP to Mega Blocks (a rival of LEGO), they didn’t also create a family-friendly platformer featuring Halo themes and plastic brick mechanics.

It could be accurately stated that up until 2017, when the much-anticipated collaboration between Halo and Mega Blocks video game was leaked, it was reasonable to assume its existence. Although the action-platformer had many innovative concepts, it ultimately failed to materialize due to cancellation. However, given the enduring popularity of LEGO titles and Sony’s partnership with LEGO for their joint production, Lego Horizon Adventures, the concept appears promising within Microsoft’s Game Pass-centric gaming environment.

7 Survival Horror

An Expansion Of The Blood-Curdling Tone Seen In Some Iconic Halo Levels

Similar Titles: Warhammer: Vermintide & Left 4 Dead

Despite Halo’s reputation for one-man-army gameplay, its horror elements should not be underestimated. Over nearly a quarter-century, it has delivered numerous spine-tingling moments. For example, the first appearance of the Flood in “343 Guilty Spark” from Halo: Combat Evolved and being pursued by Hunters in “Blue Team” from Halo 5: Guardians, are instances that have created a sense of tension and fear within the series.

Given the creepy traits that the Flood shares with zombies and the series’ tendency to use them as a source of horror, there are countless possibilities when it comes to removing players’ Mjölnir armor, dimming the lights, and increasing tension. With console technology continually improving the number of enemies visible on screen, it seems inevitable that a massive horde of Flood forms will soon be charging at the player during a terrifying assault.

8 Squad-Based Tactical Shooter

Skewing The Teamwork & Grounded Combat Of ODSTs Toward A Recon Shooter

Similar Titles: Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Vegas & Star Wars: Republic Commando

In a final tribute to its franchise followers before stepping down as the lead developer, Bungie launched “Halo 3: ODST” – the unique Halo game that lets players don the uniform of a non-Spartan soldier instead. Without the protective armor of the Master Chief, these plasma bolt shots felt like being hit by a truck, encouraging gamers to adopt a more tactical, stealthy approach in combat.

The popularity of tactical team-focused shooter games like Ubisoft’s “Rainbow Six: Siege” demonstrates that players appreciate a more deliberate pace and cooperative gameplay. Additionally, characters from earlier titles such as “Halo 3: ODST” like Edward Buck are making an impact in newer games like “Halo 5: Guardians”, suggesting that the “Halo” series is adaptable to new play styles.

2024-10-27 01:36