Get your Halo post-show fix with a universe of games, books, and more

So you’ve finished the first season of Halo, the series on Paramount+, and now there’s a Master Chief-shaped hole in your heart. What do you have to do? Thankfully, 20 years of the Halo franchise offers games, books, podcasts, and more ways to explore the universe and make the wait for Season 2 of the show a little shorter.

Before we get to some recommendations, a quick note: “Halo,” the series, is set in the so-called silver timeline, with a storyline that draws on many of the core themes and characters from the games, augmented fiction, and other media content, but rather branches out Deviated from the core canon to better serve the vastly different demands of a television series, but also to ensure that the game’s timeline and events don’t become tangled with the ongoing demands of a show. So as you explore the various games and novels that make up the core canon, you’ll absolutely recognize familiar characters and events, but are sometimes presented in brand new ways, giving you a rich and expansive universe that fills you with familiar elements as well as familiar ones Elements can discover significant surprises! And of course, the same goes for fans of the game who are experiencing the show for the first time.

For most fans, the Halo franchise began in 2001 Halo: Combat Evolved and the original Xbox console, although technically the Halo The Fall of Reach novel predated the game’s launch by a few weeks and featured the Chief, the dark origins of the Spartan program and many of the characters and history that are very present in it, presented both the games and the TV timeline. But for the first part of this exercise, we’ll start with the game where it all began – and some essential tips for players who want to experience the Master Chief’s story first-hand – all available with Xbox Game Pass on consoles and PC:

• Halo: The Master Chief Collection – Master Chief’s legendary original journey can be experienced in a single integrated experience that includes both the series’ epic campaigns and multiplayer suites. Whether you’re a longtime fan or meeting Spartan John-117 for the first time, The Master Chief Collection is the definitive Halo gaming experience and history lesson, featuring modernized, enhanced versions of halo 1 and 2as well as halo 3its epic expansion, Halo 3: ODST, Halo 4and Hello Reach – a prequel set shortly before the events of the first game.
• Halo 5: Sentinels – The Master Chief saga continues, with solo and up to 4 player co-op experience spanning three worlds. A mysterious and unstoppable force threatens the galaxy. Fireteam Osiris and Blue Team’s Spartans must embark on a journey that will change the course of history and the future of mankind.
• Halo infinity – Jump into the latest Halo campaign with Xbox Game Pass. With all hope lost and the fate of mankind hanging in the balance, the Master Chief will face one of the most ruthless enemies he has ever faced on the surface of a new and dangerous Halo ring. Halo infinity also features a free-to-play multiplayer suite available on Xbox consoles, Windows PC and Steam where players take control of their own customizable Spartan across a variety of exciting game modes in a multiplayer offering hosted in will continue to grow and evolve over time.

If you’re a fan of the written word, over 30 Halo novels have been written to date. If you’re not sure where to start, we can recommend a few collections to delve into the history of the franchise.

• The Fall of Reach, The Flood, and First Strike – Delve into the original books of the Halo franchise that serve as a prelude Halo: Combat Evolved and bridging the gap between him and the events of halo 2. Whether you’ve played or not, these novels lay a foundation for a better understanding of the stakes in the conflict between humanity and the Alliance, and provide additional color and background information on key characters and events.
• Contact Harvest – Explore the story of mankind’s first contact with the Alliance. What started this war? Why did the Alliance attack? What happened to the first human world visited by the dangerous alien alliance? Written by Joseph Staten of 343.
• Kilo Five Trilogy – If you’re looking for a more advanced dive into the Halo universe, this character-driven trilogy, consisting of Glasslands, The Thursday War, and Mortal Dicata, will shine a spotlight on the darker side of the UNSC . ONI and how the Spartan program impacted the families left behind.
• “Silent Storm” and “Oblivion” – Want a glimpse into the Master Chief’s early career? ‘Silent Storm’ and ‘Oblivion’ are two fantastical novels by acclaimed author Troy Denning that take a look at some of the Chieftain’s harrowing exploits at the beginning of humanity’s war with the Alliance.

The Halo universe also includes visual and audio storytelling in the form of short films, television and audio transcripts. These provide additional context for the universe and can tell a different story about the Master Chief and the Spartans, complementing the games’ stories.

• Halo Legends – This collection of seven short films delves deeper into the Halo universe and was produced and directed by a number of respected anime studios including Bones, Toei Animation and Bee Train.

• Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn – Released as a five-part series in 2012, this was the first live-action, feature-length Halo offering. The story connects Cortana and the Master Chief with Captain Thomas Lasky and the UNSC Infinity.
• Halo: Hunt the Truth – Pickup on the story of Halo 5: SentinelsThis two-season investigative audio series follows journalist Benjamin Giraud – voiced by Keegan Michael Key – as he searches for the story behind the Master Chief and his exploits.
• Halo Infinite: Memory Agent – This six-episode narrative podcast series follows a secret agent whose memory is reset every seven hours as he tries to save the Master Chief from the events of Halo infinity.

So you’ve played, read, seen and heard all of this and it’s you quiet hungry for more? Whether you recently graduated in Forerunner history, want to cosplay as your favorite Spartan, or just need a refresher on your favorite character, check out these resources.

• “Halo Encyclopedia” (2022) – in celebration of the 20th^th On the anniversary of the Halo franchise, 343 Industries has partnered with Dark Horse to create a definitive guide to the Halo universe, spanning two decades of storytelling. This epic tome features a massive collection of never-before-seen artworks from a range of incredible artists and was authored by 343 Industries’ in-house lore team.
• Halo Mythos – Experience the grand history of the Halo universe in one easily accessible location, from the reign of the majestic Forerunners untold millennia ago to humanity’s struggle against the alien forces of the Alliance and the Deluge. Written by the expert team at 343 Industries and illustrated with over fifty stunning full color paintings.
• Previously on Halo – A fansite developed by Halo superfan and current 343 Industries Community Writer Alex Wakeford, Previously on Halo is a spartan guide to all games, books, comics, and characters in the vast Halo universe.
• 405^th infantry detachment – A costume and props community with guides, resources, and more for anyone looking to take their love for Halo to the next level

Whether you just finished your first fight with the Master Chief or have been with us since 2001, the Halo community has something for everyone. The Halo universe is filled with stories of hope, heroism, and humanity in whatever medium you choose, and we couldn’t be more excited to have you in battle with us.

For the latest on Halo, including news straight from the studio, visit Halo waypoint. And for all things Xbox, stay tuned to Xbox Wire.