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Halo ReviewHow does your child play Halo (Series)?
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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.
Our examiner, Andy Robertson, first checked Halo 3 years ago. It was re-examined by Jo Robertson and updated 5 months ago.
Our examiner, Andy Robertson, first checked Halo 3 years ago. It was re-examined by Jo Robertson and updated 5 months ago.
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Play Overview
Halo 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:
Interstitial games:
A new Reclaimer Saga trilogy:
Spin-off games
Rereleased and updated games:
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.
Play 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:
Cross-Platform: You can play Halo Wars with people on either Xbox One or PC.
- 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:
Duration
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 Ratings
Content Rating
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.
Costs
Halo usually costs £1.99 to £49.74.
There are the following additional costs associated with this game:
In the online part of Halo 5: Guardians, you can purchase REQ packs to unlock cosmetic items.
The following in-game purchases are available:
It's important to set up your accounts and devices appropriately. More information is on our Financial Resources page.
Halo 3
Halo 5: Guardians
Halo Reach
Halo Wars
Halo Wars 2: Awakening The Nightmare
Halo Wars 2: Complete Edition
Halo Wars 2: Icons Of War
Halo Wars 2: Standard Edition
Halo Wars: Definitive Edition
Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary
Halo: Reach
Halo: Spartan Assault
Halo: Spartan Strike
Halo: The Master Chief Collection
Halo
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- In-Game Purchases: Additional in-game purchases are offered for items that enhance the experience.
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You need a subscription to play online:
- You need Xbox Live Gold to play online with Xbox 360.
- You need to purchase a Xbox Live Gold subscription to play online with Xbox One.
In the online part of Halo 5: Guardians, you can purchase REQ packs to unlock cosmetic items.
The following in-game purchases are available:
Halo Wars 2: Serina & Spearbreaker Bundle
It's important to set up your accounts and devices appropriately. More information is on our Financial Resources page.
Game Details
Release Date: 15/11/2001, updated in 2020
Price: 75% off
Out Now: Android, Mac, PC, Xbox, Xbox 360, Xbox One and iOS
Content Rating: PEGI 16
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
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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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