Halo’s Story Potential is Still Caught Between a Rock and a Hard Place

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Halo's Story Potential is Still Caught Between a Rock and a Hard Place

As a seasoned gamer with over two decades of gaming under my belt, I can confidently say that Halo has been a constant companion throughout my journey. The franchise has seen its fair share of highs and lows, but it’s always managed to leave me on the edge of my seat, eager for more.

Since 2001, Halo has consistently been one of the largest first-person shooter series in video games. This popular franchise, under Microsoft’s banner, played a significant role in boosting the reputation of Xbox, and it continues to offer captivating new additions for gamers. Despite a potential decrease in its fanbase since its heyday, there are still exciting developments to look forward to.

Following the occurrences in Halo Infinite, numerous intriguing mysteries linger, which another game may be poised to resolve. The perils of the Endless, Master Chief’s next destination, and the sequel’s direction are all up in the air with a multitude of possibilities. There is also a possibility that Halo might temporarily part ways with Master Chief. While an ending like that in Halo Infinite might not be entirely fulfilling for our legendary hero, it does leave him in a relatively favorable position. As for what the next Halo game will focus on, there’s no definitive answer yet; however, continuing Master Chief’s story and introducing a new lead character both hold potential.

Halo Branching Out to Explore Other Protagonists Could Be a Breath of Fresh Air

Making Way For a New Story

In most Halo storylines, Master Chief takes center stage, but this isn’t always true. Two fan favorites, Halo 3: ODST and Halo Reach, deviate from the usual formula by not focusing on the legendary Spartan. Instead, they spotlight characters like Rookie in ODST and Noble Six in Reach, offering unique insights into the conflict with the Covenant. A future game that follows a different protagonist might allow the series to delve more deeply into aspects of Halo’s lore that are more fitting for a character less stoic than Master Chief.

As a gamer, I can’t help but appreciate the charm of strong, taciturn protagonists. From Kratos to Joel from The Last of Us, these characters are masterfully crafted for storytelling, with Master Chief being the epitome of this archetype. Yet, in the upcoming Halo game, a slight tweak to this formula could bring a fresh perspective, at least for now.

Master Chief’s years of conditioning and war have made him the perfect Spartan soldier.

A tale about an inexperienced soldier, not a Spartan and less emotionally toughened by combat, could provide an intriguing narrative development. As the game advances, they might transform into a more reserved and battle-scarred character, echoing Master Chief. This evolution could make for a compelling spin-off title. In essence, linking this new storyline back to Master Chief might prove beneficial in the long run.

Halo Needs to Wrap Up Master Chief’s Story in a More Satisfying Way

Worthy of a Hero’s Send-Off

The post-credits scene of Halo Infinite was nothing but a massive cliffhanger, promising that more turmoil was on the way. If interpretations of the scene are correct, then Atriox is about to unleash the rest of the Endless, meaning a threat even more powerful than the Flood is imminent. Keeping Master Chief out of such a massive story could potentially feel as though the franchise was snubbing the character.

It seems quite plausible that since the Endless are supposedly stronger than the Flood, Halo might be preparing for a climactic showdown where humanity faces its greatest danger. Although this isn’t officially confirmed yet, if it turns out to be true, Master Chief would undoubtedly need to be involved in such a significant clash. It could be unfortunate to assign this powerful foe to a new main character. Even if Master Chief were to perish in the attempt to vanquish the Endless, his character deserves a farewell befitting his importance within the Halo franchise.

The Harbinger from
Halo Infinite
is the first sneak peek at the Endless.

Beyond this point, numerous queries surround the role of The Weapon within the entire scenario. Given the latest iteration of Cortana, there’s a need for further narrative exploring the bond between the Spartan and this new companion. This could potentially be the Spartan’s last story, requiring at least one more tale to develop their relationship appropriately.

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2024-09-23 13:34