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Play OverviewPlay Overview

Halo (2001) is the longstanding sci-fi shooting video game series that started when Halo: Combat Evolved launched alongside the Xbox in 2001. The franchise has featured on every Xbox platform since then, with Halo 5: Guardians serving as the latest entry in the series on Xbox One.

Weapons must be used to deplete opponents’ energy shields before being able to damage them, so multiplayer combat encounters are a game of cat and mouse. Add to this the melee of attacks, varied terrain and advanced artificial intelligence of the enemies, and you can see why it takes a long time to master.

The game’s futuristic setting, dramatic music, fantastical weapons and diverse enemies makes Halo 5: Guardians competitive, exuberant and fun, without taking itself too seriously. Whether in its single-player campaign or online multiplayer modes, players revel in the lore, story and heroic characters as much as the necessary quick reactions and headshots.

The original trilogy:
  • Halo Combat Evolved is on original Xbox
  • Halo 2 is on original Xbox
  • Halo 3 is on Xbox 360

Interstitial games:
  • Halo 3: ODST is set after Halo 2 and on Xbox 360
  • Halo: Reach is a prequel to the original trilogy on Xbox 360

A new Reclaimer Saga trilogy:
  • Halo 4 is on Xbox 360
  • Halo 5: Guardians in on Xbox One
  • Halo Infinite is on Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S and PC

Spin-off games
  • Halo Wars is a strategy game on Xbox 360
  • Halo Wars 2 is a strategy game on Xbox One
  • Halo: Spartan Assault and Halo: Spartan Strike are a mobile shooting game on iOS, Android

Rereleased and updated games:
  • Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary is updated for Xbox 360, Xbox One and PC
  • Halo: The Master Chief Collection is remastered Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary, Halo 2, Halo 3, Halo 3 ODST, Halo 4, Halo: Reach on Xbox One and PC.

Our examiner, Andy Robertson, first checked Halo 4 years ago. It was re-examined by Jo Robertson and updated 11 months ago.
Kids not old enough for this yet? There are lots of games similar to Halo (Series). Here are some similar younger-rated games:

Play StylePlay Style

This is an Action and Shooting game with Adventure, Fighting, Narrative and Traversal elements. You can play with 1 to 4 players in the same room or as a 16-player online game. Along with the online and split-screen battles in arenas, you can play through the main story co-operatively in Halo games:
  • Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary with 2 players, split-screen or online
  • Halo 2: Anniversary with 2 players, split-screen or online
  • Halo 3 with 4 players online or 2 players split-screen
  • Halo 3: ODST with 4 players online or 2 players split-screen
  • Halo: Reach with 4 players online or 2 player split-screen
  • Halo 4 with 4 players online or 2 players split-screen
  • Halo 5: Guardians with 4 players online, no split-screen mode.

Cross-Platform: You can play Halo Wars with people on either Xbox One or PC.

 
You can play this game in the following styles:

DurationDuration

Play Time: This game will take between 8 hours and 12 hours to complete. In addition to this time to complete the story mode in these games, the online multiplayer modes can keep players entertained for many years.

Age RatingsAge Ratings

Content Rating

Halo 5: Guardians was rated PEGI 16 with violence. The majority of the campaign is concerned with dispatching enemy alien characters, however human characters can also be attacked with melee weapons, explosives and various firearms. Enemies which are shot or stabbed usually fall to the ground and there may be a small amount of blood.

During multiplayer gameplay, players can assassinate heavily armoured human characters by jumping on their back and twisting their neck, with a breaking sound. Some more non-realistic guns can blow your enemies up into glowing parts which disintegrate.

The game features online playing capability which may involve real-time interaction with other players.
 
Users Interact: The game enables players to interact and communicate with each other, so may expose players to language usually associated with older rated games.

Rated for younger players in the US. As reflected in its age ratings and descriptors, Halo 5: Guardians marks the first time the series was given a ESRB TEEN rating in the US rather than its usual MATURE 17+ classification. This not only makes it an alternative over other, more violent, first-person shooters, but also takes its gameplay in a more layered, strategic direction.

Skill Level

10+ year-olds usually have the required skill to enjoy this game. Still, it's important for parents and guardians to consider the maturity required to process the game content. It's also important to ensure children understand in-game purchases and have spending limits set-up. The campaign can be a good place for novice players to start. The online battles require considerably more skill and experience so are better for older teenagers.

Account Rating

  • You need be 18-years-old to to subscribe to Xbox Live Gold for online play, but can then configure family accounts for younger players to play online with Xbox One.

CostsCosts

Halo usually costs £2.99 to £49.74. 

Halo 3

XBox Store Xbox One £14.99

Halo 5: Guardians

XBox Store Xbox One £14.99

Halo Reach

XBox Store Xbox One £6.99

Halo Wars

XBox Store Xbox One £11.99

Halo Wars 2: Awakening The Nightmare

XBox Store Xbox One £14.99 Free

Xbox Game Pass

Halo Wars 2: Complete Edition

XBox Store Xbox One £49.74

Halo Wars 2: Icons Of War

XBox Store Xbox One £7.99 Free

Xbox Game Pass

Halo Wars 2: Standard Edition

XBox Store Xbox One £29.99

Halo Wars: Definitive Edition

XBox Store Xbox One £15.99
Steam StoreSALE PC £16.99 £4.24 until 21/03/2024

Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary

XBox Store Xbox One £14.99

Halo: Reach

XBox Store Xbox One £6.99

Halo: Spartan Assault

Steam StoreSALE PC £2.99 £0.80 until 21/03/2024

Halo: Spartan Strike

Steam StoreSALE PC £2.99 £0.80 until 21/03/2024

Halo: The Master Chief Collection

XBox Store Xbox One £29.99
Steam StoreSALE PC £33.99 £8.49 until 21/03/2024

Halo

App Store Mac -
There are the following additional costs associated with this game:
  • In-Game Purchases: Additional in-game purchases are offered for items that enhance the experience.
  • You need a subscription to play online:
 
In the online part of Halo 5: Guardians, you can purchase REQ packs to unlock cosmetic items. 
 
It's important to set up your accounts and devices appropriately. More information is on our Financial Resources page.
 

DetailsGame Details

Release Date: 15/11/2001, updated in 2020

Price: 75% off

Out Now: Android, Mac, PC, Xbox, Xbox 360, Xbox One and iOS

Skill Rating: 10+ year-olds

Players: 1-4 (16 online)

Genres: Action, Shooting (Adventure, Fighting, Narrative and Traversal)

Accessibility: 20 features

Components: 3D Third-Person

Developer: Halo (@Halo)


Taming Gaming Book Written by parents for parents, the database complements the in-depth discussion about video game addiction, violence, spending and online safety in the Taming Gaming book. We are an editorially independent, free resource without adverts that is supported by partnerships.

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