Summary
With news that Halo Studios, formerly 343 Industries, hasshifted away from using a proprietary engine and toward multiple projects, fans of the science-fiction FPS are awaiting the next announcements from arguably Microsoft’s biggest studio. With the possibility of a more varied game catalog featuring theHalouniverse in some way, many fans have seemingly looked beyondHalo Wars,Spartan Assault, andFireteam Raven.
When looking at theHaloseries' history, the franchise has dabbled with themes, tones, and gameplay mechanics that would make for intriguing projects if taken to their logical extreme. From Flood-based horror, ODST-inspired squad-based tactics shooters, and galaxy-wide expansive 4X strategy titles.
1Role Playing Game
With Varied Factions, Cultures, & Locations The Halo Universe Is Prime For Exploration
Even before the explosion of expanded universe content following 343 Industries' procurement of the mantle of responsibility from Bungie, theHalofranchise had already shown players a whole universe of creatures and cultures. While the Master Chief is a gaming icon and a vessel for the player to roam around spectacles such as High Charity and the ruins of Delta Halo, it’s a shame players couldn’t experience more of it in a more hands-on capacity.
Though the destruction of the Human-Covenant War is arguably one of the most monumental events in theHalouniverse, the existence of Forerunner beings and Sangheili Republics in the centuries predating and existing beyond its boundaries is incredibly enticing. While they may not fit as snugly within the proven bounds of aHaloFPS title, a galaxy-spanning RPG could givethe narrative much-deserved room to breathe.
2Puzzle / Simulation
Hyper-Fixating On Humanity’s 26th-Century Covert Policing Efforts
AlthoughHalo 5: Guardians' Locke vs Chief dynamic was arguably mismanaged, the crux of its messaging and marketing remains one of the most innovative and intriguing pieces ofHalomedia. The Office of Naval Intelligence’s gray hat and underhanded ways have been a longstanding open secret toHalofans. From the UNSC’s conflict with Insurrection forces and the kidnapping of children for the Spartan-II program to plans to assassinate the Arbiter himself, they have been monitoring and manhandling power for centuries.
As such, in line with many of the themes brought forward by multimedia endeavors such as 2015’sHUNT the TRUTHaudio drama, a more intricate and slow-paced gaming venture would suit such a project. Similar to puzzle titles such asPapers, Pleasethe conceited efforts ofHalo’shuman intelligence agency could be transformedinto an engaging sci-fi title.
3City Builder
From A San’Shyuum Colony To The Basis Of High Charity
While the Covenant forces seen inHalo: Combat Evolvedare a furious hand of the theocratic war machine, the Covenant as players first interacted with them had been built through centuries of war and construction. From the initial conflicts between the Prophets and Elites to skirmishes such as the Unggoy Rebellion, the Covenant created cities and superstructures in collaboration under their faith 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 asSimCityorFrostpunk.Building up districts and segregating species in the name of the Forerunners could providethe centuries of upheaval and engineeringof the Covenant room to have its story told.
44X Strategy
Taking “Playable Elites” To Its Foremost Extreme
Although theHaloseries has had its share of strategy titles withthe success of the real-time strategyHalo Warsseries, the scale and scope of the franchise’s universe have arguably never been properly portrayed. With factions such as the Forerunners and Endless occupying grossly different ideals and technologies, the possibilities are seemingly limitless in how such a galactic interaction could proceed.
In line with 4X strategy titles such asStellaris, the glassing of planets from a Sangheili Super Carrier or trade negotiations between Humans and Unggoy could be portrayed with intricate detail. Without the constraints of necessary warfare, players could see how the known creatures of theHalouniverse could coexist - or enact explosive vengeance on one another.
5Flight Combat Sim
Expanding On The Ideas Put Forward By Reach’s “Long Night Of Solace”
Despite being theirfinal project within theHaloIP, the staff at Bungie producingHalo Reachwere more than happy with making some sweeping additions to theHalogameplay formula. With armor abilities and the DMR at ground level,Reach’s sixth campaign mission “Long Night of Solace” provides players with the series' first instance of playable ship-to-ship combat.
Taking the framework provided in 2010, and players' seemingly overwhelming support of the style of play, the range of human and alien ships could be incorporated into anAce Combat-esque flight combat sim. As the tried and trueHalocombat loop of dropping shields and committing enemy damage is a proven formula, it seems wasteful to concern it only with FPS gameplay.
6Action-Platformer
A Genre That Appears Like A Wasted Opportunity
In the last two decades, LEGO video games have become not only fun cross-brand action platformers butstaples of multi-generational play. As such, with Microsoft bestowing theHaloIP to LEGO rival Mega Blocks, it seems like a wasted opportunity that a similar family-friendly platforming title using plastic bricks andHaloiconography was not capitalized on.
That would be fair to say until 2017 when the long-prophesizedHalo-Mega Blocks video game collaborationwas leaked online. While the action platformer"had a lot of fun ideas and invention behind it"it was ultimately canceled. However, with LEGO titles continuing to see broad market appeal and Sony working with LEGO to produce their tie-in titleLego Horizon Adventures, the idea seems like one with a lot of merit with Microsoft’s Game Pass-focused ecosystem.
7Survival Horror
An Expansion Of The Blood-Curdling Tone Seen In Some Iconic Halo Levels
Although aHalohorror title may seem peculiar at first, given the franchise’s one-man-army aesthetic, the franchise has its fair share of terror-inducing moments in its near quarter-century existence. FromHalo: Combat Evolved’s Flood reveal in “343 Guilty Spark” to being tracked by Hunters in “Blue Team” fromHalo 5: Guardians, there are definitely instances of tension and fear in the series.
Especially considering the zombie-like attributes of the Flood and the series' comfortability with using the faction as a horror staple, the opportunities made available by stripping players of their Mjölnir armor and turning the lights off are seemingly endless. With console power constantly pushing the number of enemy combatants on screen, the perfect time to have an overwhelming horde of Flood forms charging toward the player is creeping ever closer.
Skewing The Teamwork & Grounded Combat Of ODSTs Toward A Recon Shooter
As one of its last parting gifts to fans of the franchise after its tenure at its head, Bungie releasedHalo 3: ODST- the onlyHalotitle as yet to place players within the boots of a non-Spartan soldier. Taking plasma boltswithout the Master Chief’s armormeant they hit like a truck and led to players mostly taking a more strategic, stealth-oriented combat style.
The success of grounded squad-based shooters such as Ubisoft’sRainbow Six: Siegehas proved that the slower pace and commitment to teamwork is one that players enjoy. Beyond that, withHalo 3: ODSTcharacters like Edward Buck making waves in more modern titles such asHalo 5: Guardians, the series is seemingly open to an adjusted form of play.
