Summary
As one of the most influential video game franchises of all time,Halohas maintained a monolithic level of relevancy throughout its over 20-year-long run so far. Following the operations of the iconic Master Chief, the series has always been more known for its action-packed gameplay than the characters and narrative surrounding its combat.Halofeatures a rich lore and story despite this fact, however, and Master Chief himself has shown clear character development with each of his appearances.
Officially namedMaster Chief Petty Officer John-117,Halo’s protagonistis actually a result of the extremely unethical Spartan-II Program which saw him kidnapped and replaced with a clone at the age of six. Processes like genetic modification and implants which killed many of the young subjects were integrated into Chief at the age of fourteen, allowing him to utilize the signature MJOLNIR armor. The creator of this program, Catherine Halsey, served as the basis for the AI Cortana, informing the deep connection the Spartan would develop with her. Chief would go on to become a legendary soldier known for creating great fear in his enemies, but he has spent most of the series driven by a sense of unflinching loyalty to humanity that lies at his core.
Halo: Combat Evolved
The original incarnation of Master Chief characterized his imposing presence and military prowess, but it also showed him to have a memorable personality and showed him to be very conversational. He still serves as more of a vehicle for the player than the focus on the game’s narrative, but he would begin to be changed forever through the events set in motion by the destruction of the first Halo.
Halo 2
As what is likely the most popular and influential entry of the Halo franchise, this sequel established Chief as more of the hardened action hero icon he is known to be. His motivation remains the same overall, but being assisted by the Gravemind andthe Arbiter Thel ‘Vadamand being forced to leave Cortana behind set up the more somber tone of the next game.
Halo 3
With the darker tone and emotional depth of the third entry, Master Chief became more nuanced and complex beyond his simple war hero status. The final Bungie-era take on the character saw him lose one of his only friends in Johnson and make the ultimate sacrifice of stranding himself aboard half of a drifting ship with Cortana, solidifying Chief’s legacy and his emotional ties to the AI.
Halo 4
Awakened from cryonic sleep and caught up in the plans of the Forerunner world Requiem, Chief and Cortana struggled to balance their goals and protect the ship UNSC Infinity in a way that lined up with military protocol. Master Chief disobeyed orders and witnessed Cortana sacrifice herself again, succeeding indefeating the Forerunner Didactbut creating a sadness within his hardened exterior.
Halo 5: Guardians
After discovering Cortana is still alive, Chief and his Blue Team go AWOL for the sake of finding her and are tracked down byJameson Locke’s Osiris Team duringGuardians. While his actions uncovered a grand plan led by Cortana as the game’s major antagonist, going rogue this time around showcased Master Chief’s descent from the loyal roots of his earlier military conquests due to his emotional attachment to the AI.
Halo Infinite
The most recentHalocampaign redirects the series from the Cortana angle through introducing the Banished, a serious threat to humanity who motivate a return to form for Master Chief’s dynamic in Infinite. The Pilot andthe Weapon, a recreation of Cortanathat persists after her destruction, ground Chief through humanizing him like their predecessors, and the Endless are now set up as the next threat for him to face.
WHERE TO PLAY
When all hope is lost and humanity’s fate hangs in the balance, the Master Chief is ready to confront the most ruthless foe he’s ever faced. Step inside the armor of humanity’s greatest hero to experience an epic open-world adventure and explore the massive scale of the Halo ring.With Network Campaign Co-Op and Mission Replay, you can relive your favorite moments, rediscover collectibles and explore the wonders of Zeta Halo on your own or with up to three other fireteam members.Experience Halo’s celebrated multiplayer reimagined and free-to-play! With over 70 maps in matchmaking, billions of customization configurations, and countless community Forge creations to experience, Halo Infinite is the franchise’s most expansive multiplayer offering to date.Enjoy an unprecedented variety of gameplay experiences, ranging from fast-paced intense ranked modes to whimsical mayhem in Custom Games, or even co-operative coordination in the wave-based survival mode Firefight: King of the Hill. Assemble your Fireteam and conquer every mode – Halo offers endless opportunities for teamwork, strategy, and unforgettable victories.
