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Enter the Halo universe

Halo Games and Books in Chronological Order

One war. Thousands of hidden operations.

Follow the Halo story across games, novels, comics, audio and screen stories, with core canon ordered together and the television Silver Timeline clearly separated.

Halo’s central campaigns sit inside a much larger military history of Spartans, colonies, Forerunners and operations that happen between the famous missions.

Open the full timeline ↓
Last editorial check

Universe orientation

The famous missions are only part of the war.

The quick answer

Begin with Combat Evolved. Add The Fall of Reach immediately before or after it, then follow game release order with selected novels between chapters.

Switch to release order or use Starter Mode for a shorter route.

Universe explored

The Halo universe, story by story

Every mapped story, with adaptations and editions grouped together.

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Story chronology · Full mapped list

The list follows in-universe chronology. Era and continuity remain visible on each record.

Showing 82 of 82 released stories.

  1. NovelCanon

    Halo: Cryptum

    Direct link to this story
    ReadBook / comicCanon

    Placed ~100,000 BCE. Source status: C.

    Story eraFORERUNNER PREHISTORYContinuityCore Halo canonIn-world placement~100,000 BCEFirst releaseRelease year not listed in sourcePlacement confidenceApproximate
    Goodreads
  2. NovelCanon

    Halo: Primordium

    Direct link to this story
    ReadBook / comicCanon

    Placed Forerunner era. Source status: C.

    Story eraFORERUNNER PREHISTORYContinuityCore Halo canonIn-world placementForerunner eraFirst releaseRelease year not listed in sourcePlacement confidenceStrong
    Goodreads
  3. NovelCanon

    Halo: Silentium

    Direct link to this story
    ReadBook / comicCanon

    Placed end of Forerunner-Flood war. Source status: C.

    Story eraFORERUNNER PREHISTORYContinuityCore Halo canonIn-world placementend of Forerunner-Flood warFirst releaseRelease year not listed in sourcePlacement confidenceStrong
    Goodreads
  4. Anthology storiesCanon

    Halo: Fractures — Forerunner-era stories

    Direct link to this story
    ReadBook / comicCanon

    Placed Multi-Era. Source status: C.

    Story eraFORERUNNER PREHISTORYContinuityCore Halo canonIn-world placementMulti-EraFirst releaseRelease year not listed in sourcePlacement confidenceApproximate
  5. NovelCanonC / Multi-Era

    Halo: Epitaph

    Direct link to this story
    ReadBook / comicCanon

    Placed Forerunner/Didact history + post-Halo 4 framing. Source status: C / Multi-Era.

    Story eraFORERUNNER PREHISTORYContinuityCore Halo canonIn-world placementForerunner/Didact history + post-Halo 4 framingFirst releaseRelease year not listed in sourcePlacement confidenceStrong
    Goodreads
  6. NovelCanonC / Multi-Era

    Halo: Broken Circle — ancient Covenant portions

    Direct link to this story
    ReadBook / comicCanon

    Placed Covenant founding era. Source status: C / Multi-Era.

    Story eraEARLY HUMAN / COVENANT HISTORYContinuityCore Halo canonIn-world placementCovenant founding eraFirst releaseRelease year not listed in sourcePlacement confidenceStrong
  7. NovelCanon

    Halo: Contact Harvest

    Direct link to this story
    ReadBook / comicCanon

    Placed 2524–2525. Source status: C.

    Story eraEARLY HUMAN / COVENANT HISTORYContinuityCore Halo canonIn-world placement2524–2525First releaseRelease year not listed in sourcePlacement confidenceStrong
    Goodreads
  8. NovelCanon

    Halo: The Cole Protocol — relevant prewar/backstory

    Direct link to this story
    ReadBook / comicCanon

    Placed 2535. Source status: C.

    Story eraEARLY HUMAN / COVENANT HISTORYContinuityCore Halo canonIn-world placement2535First releaseRelease year not listed in sourcePlacement confidenceStrong
  9. Short fictionCanonC / Multi-Era

    Waypoint Chronicles — early-war / historical stories

    Direct link to this story
    ReadBook / comicCanon

    Placed various. Source status: C / Multi-Era.

    Story eraEARLY HUMAN / COVENANT HISTORYContinuityCore Halo canonIn-world placementvariousFirst releaseRelease year not listed in sourcePlacement confidenceApproximate
  10. NovelCanonC / Multi-Era

    The Fall of Reach — childhood/training portions

    Direct link to this story
    ReadBook / comicCanon

    Placed 2517 onward. Source status: C / Multi-Era.

    Story era2517–2531ContinuityCore Halo canonIn-world placement2517 onwardFirst releaseRelease year not listed in sourcePlacement confidenceApproximate
  11. NovelCanon

    Halo: Silent Storm

    Direct link to this story
    ReadBook / comicCanon

    Placed 2526. Source status: C.

    Story era2517–2531ContinuityCore Halo canonIn-world placement2526First releaseRelease year not listed in sourcePlacement confidenceStrong
  12. NovelCanon

    Halo: Oblivion

    Direct link to this story
    ReadBook / comicCanon

    Placed 2526. Source status: C.

    Story era2517–2531ContinuityCore Halo canonIn-world placement2526First releaseRelease year not listed in sourcePlacement confidenceStrong
  13. GameCanon

    Halo Wars

    Direct link to this story
    PlayGameCanon

    Placed 2531. Source status: C.

    Story era2517–2531ContinuityCore Halo canonIn-world placement2531First releaseRelease year not listed in sourcePlacement confidenceStrong
  14. Graphic novelCanon

    Halo Wars: Genesis

    Direct link to this story
    ReadBook / comicCanon

    Placed 2531 lead-in. Source status: C.

    Story era2517–2531ContinuityCore Halo canonIn-world placement2531 lead-inFirst releaseRelease year not listed in sourcePlacement confidenceStrong
    Goodreads
  15. Anthology storiesCanonC / Multi-Era

    Halo: Evolutions — early-war stories

    Direct link to this story
    ReadBook / comicCanon

    Placed various. Source status: C / Multi-Era.

    Story era2517–2531ContinuityCore Halo canonIn-world placementvariousFirst releaseRelease year not listed in sourcePlacement confidenceApproximate
  16. NovelCanon

    Halo: The Cole Protocol

    Direct link to this story
    ReadBook / comicCanon

    Placed 2535. Source status: C.

    Story eraHUMAN-COVENANT WAR — 2530s–2551ContinuityCore Halo canonIn-world placement2535First releaseRelease year not listed in sourcePlacement confidenceStrong
    Goodreads
  17. YA novelCanon

    Halo: Battle Born

    Direct link to this story
    ReadBook / comicCanon

    Placed 2548. Source status: C.

    Story eraHUMAN-COVENANT WAR — 2530s–2551ContinuityCore Halo canonIn-world placement2548First releaseRelease year not listed in sourcePlacement confidenceStrong
    Goodreads
  18. YA novelCanon

    Halo: Meridian Divide

    Direct link to this story
    ReadBook / comicCanon

    Placed 2548. Source status: C.

    Story eraHUMAN-COVENANT WAR — 2530s–2551ContinuityCore Halo canonIn-world placement2548First releaseRelease year not listed in sourcePlacement confidenceStrong
    Goodreads
  19. Novelization / overlapAdaptation continuityR/C

    Halo: The Flood / side material that references earlier operations

    Direct link to this story
    ReadBook / comicAdaptation continuity

    Placed Multi-Era. Source status: R/C.

    Story eraHUMAN-COVENANT WAR — 2530s–2551ContinuityCore Halo canonIn-world placementMulti-EraFirst releaseRelease year not listed in sourcePlacement confidenceApproximate
  20. Live-action film/webseriesCanon

    Halo: Forward Unto Dawn

    Direct link to this story
    WatchMovieCanon

    Placed 2526. Source status: C.

    Story eraHUMAN-COVENANT WAR — 2530s–2551ContinuityCore Halo canonIn-world placement2526First releaseRelease year not listed in sourcePlacement confidenceStrong
  21. Animated shortCanon

    Halo Legends — The Babysitter

    Direct link to this story
    WatchTV / streamingCanon

    Placed Covenant War. Source status: C.

    Story eraHUMAN-COVENANT WAR — 2530s–2551ContinuityCore Halo canonIn-world placementCovenant WarFirst releaseRelease year not listed in sourcePlacement confidenceStrong
  22. Animated shortCanon

    Halo Legends — The Package

    Direct link to this story
    WatchTV / streamingCanon

    Placed Covenant War. Source status: C.

    Story eraHUMAN-COVENANT WAR — 2530s–2551ContinuityCore Halo canonIn-world placementCovenant WarFirst releaseRelease year not listed in sourcePlacement confidenceStrong
  23. Animated shortCanon

    Halo Legends — Homecoming

    Direct link to this story
    WatchTV / streamingCanon

    Placed Covenant War. Source status: C.

    Story eraHUMAN-COVENANT WAR — 2530s–2551ContinuityCore Halo canonIn-world placementCovenant WarFirst releaseRelease year not listed in sourcePlacement confidenceStrong
  24. Animated shortCanon

    Halo Legends — Prototype

    Direct link to this story
    WatchTV / streamingCanon

    Placed Covenant War. Source status: C.

    Story eraHUMAN-COVENANT WAR — 2530s–2551ContinuityCore Halo canonIn-world placementCovenant WarFirst releaseRelease year not listed in sourcePlacement confidenceStrong
  25. Animated shortCanon unclearC/A

    Halo Legends — The Duel

    Direct link to this story
    WatchTV / streamingCanon unclear

    Placed ancient Covenant. Source status: C/A.

    Story eraHUMAN-COVENANT WAR — 2530s–2551ContinuityCore Halo canonIn-world placementancient CovenantFirst releaseRelease year not listed in sourcePlacement confidenceStrong
  26. Animated retellingAdaptation continuityR/A

    Halo Legends — Origins I–II

    Direct link to this story
    WatchTV / streamingAdaptation continuity

    Placed Multi-Era. Source status: R/A.

    Story eraHUMAN-COVENANT WAR — 2530s–2551ContinuityCore Halo canonIn-world placementMulti-EraFirst releaseRelease year not listed in sourcePlacement confidenceApproximate
  27. Animated shortNon-canonI / non-canon

    Halo Legends — Odd One Out

    Direct link to this story
    WatchTV / streamingNon-canon

    Placed alternate comedy. Source status: I / non-canon.

    Story eraHUMAN-COVENANT WAR — 2530s–2551ContinuityCore Halo canonIn-world placementalternate comedyFirst releaseRelease year not listed in sourcePlacement confidenceStrong
  28. CampaignCanonReleased 28 Jul 2026

    Operation: METEORITE

    Direct link to this story
    PlayGameCanon

    A distinct three-mission campaign included with Halo: Campaign Evolved, set in 2551—one year before the events of Halo: Combat Evolved.

    Story eraHUMAN-COVENANT WAR — 2530s–2551ContinuityCore Halo canonIn-world placement2551First release2026Placement confidenceStrong
  29. Digital short storyCanonReleased 28 Jul 2026

    Halo: Hungry Buzzards

    Direct link to this story
    ReadBook / comicCanon

    Troy Denning's separate short story accompanies Operation: METEORITE and remains its own narrative work rather than a version of the campaign.

    Story eraHUMAN-COVENANT WAR — 2530s–2551ContinuityCore Halo canonIn-world placement2551 / Operation: METEORITE eraFirst release2026Placement confidenceApproximate
  30. NovelCanon

    Halo: The Fall of Reach — final Reach portions

    Direct link to this story
    ReadBook / comicCanon

    Placed Aug 2552. Source status: C.

    Story era2552 — REACH / HALO EVENTContinuityCore Halo canonIn-world placementAug 2552First releaseRelease year not listed in sourcePlacement confidenceStrong
  31. GameCanon

    Halo: Reach

    Direct link to this story
    PlayGameCanon

    A game prequel best experienced after the original trilogy.

    Story era2552 — REACH / HALO EVENTContinuityCore Halo canonIn-world placementJul–Aug 2552First release2010Placement confidenceStrong
  32. Comic miniseriesCanon unclear

    Halo: Collateral Damage

    Direct link to this story
    WatchTV / streamingAdaptation continuity
    ReadBook / comicCanon unclear

    Placed 2552, pre-Reach fall. Source status: C.

    Story era2552 — REACH / HALO EVENTContinuityCore Halo canonIn-world placement2552, pre-Reach fallFirst releaseRelease year not listed in sourcePlacement confidenceStrong
  33. Comic adaptationCanon unclearR

    Halo: The Fall of Reach

    Direct link to this story
    ReadBook / comicCanon unclear
    WatchTV / streamingAdaptation continuity

    The foundational novel, published before Combat Evolved and central to Spartan-II history. The supplied chronology also indexes a animated adaptation version with this story. The supplied chronology also indexes an additional animated adaptation version with this story.

    Story era2552 — REACH / HALO EVENTContinuityCore Halo canonIn-world placementsame novel eventsFirst release2001Placement confidenceStrong
  34. GameCanon

    Halo: Combat Evolved

    Direct link to this story
    PlayHalo: Campaign Evolved — remake (released 28 Jul 2026)Canon

    The cleanest first contact with Master Chief, Cortana and the Halo ring. Halo: Campaign Evolved is the 2026 remake/expanded adaptation of this same underlying campaign and stays attached here rather than becoming a duplicate story card.

    Story era2552 — REACH / HALO EVENTContinuityCore Halo canonIn-world placementSep 2552First release2001Placement confidenceStrong
  35. NovelCanonC/R

    Halo: The Flood

    Direct link to this story
    ReadBook / comicCanon

    Placed Sep 2552; retells CE + offscreen stories. Source status: C/R.

    Story era2552 — REACH / HALO EVENTContinuityCore Halo canonIn-world placementSep 2552; retells CE + offscreen storiesFirst releaseRelease year not listed in sourcePlacement confidenceStrong
    Goodreads
  36. Arcade gameCanon

    Halo: Fireteam Raven

    Direct link to this story
    PlayGameCanon

    Placed during Combat Evolved. Source status: C.

    Story era2552 — REACH / HALO EVENTContinuityCore Halo canonIn-world placementduring Combat EvolvedFirst releaseRelease year not listed in sourcePlacement confidenceApproximate
  37. Comic storyCanon

    Halo Graphic Novel — The Last Voyage of the Infinite Succor

    Direct link to this story
    ReadBook / comicCanon

    Placed during Halo CE. Source status: C.

    Story era2552 — REACH / HALO EVENTContinuityCore Halo canonIn-world placementduring Halo CEFirst releaseRelease year not listed in sourcePlacement confidenceApproximate
  38. Comic storyCanon

    Halo Graphic Novel — Breaking Quarantine

    Direct link to this story
    ReadBook / comicCanon

    Placed during Halo CE. Source status: C.

    Story era2552 — REACH / HALO EVENTContinuityCore Halo canonIn-world placementduring Halo CEFirst releaseRelease year not listed in sourcePlacement confidenceApproximate
  39. NovelCanon

    Halo: First Strike

    Direct link to this story
    ReadBook / comicCanon

    Bridges Combat Evolved and Halo 2.

    Story era2552 — REACH / HALO EVENTContinuityCore Halo canonIn-world placementbetween CE and Halo 2First release2003Placement confidenceStrong
    Goodreads
  40. GameCanon

    Halo 2 — opening / Earth

    Direct link to this story
    PlayGameCanon

    Placed Oct 2552. Source status: C.

    Story eraHALO 2 / ODST / HALO 3ContinuityCore Halo canonIn-world placementOct 2552First releaseRelease year not listed in sourcePlacement confidenceStrong
  41. GameCanon

    Halo 3: ODST

    Direct link to this story
    PlayGameCanon

    A parallel ground-level story set during Halo 2’s events.

    Story eraHALO 2 / ODST / HALO 3ContinuityCore Halo canonIn-world placementoverlaps Halo 2 Earth eventsFirst release2009Placement confidenceApproximate
  42. Audio logs / in-game audio dramaCanon

    Sadie’s Story

    Direct link to this story
    PlayGameCanon
    ListenAudiobook / audioCanon

    Placed during ODST. Source status: C.

    Story eraHALO 2 / ODST / HALO 3ContinuityCore Halo canonIn-world placementduring ODSTFirst releaseRelease year not listed in sourcePlacement confidenceApproximate
  43. Comic miniseriesCanon unclear

    Halo: Uprising

    Direct link to this story
    WatchTV / streamingAdaptation continuity
    ReadBook / comicCanon unclear

    Placed between Halo 2 and Halo 3. Source status: C.

    Story eraHALO 2 / ODST / HALO 3ContinuityCore Halo canonIn-world placementbetween Halo 2 and Halo 3First releaseRelease year not listed in sourcePlacement confidenceStrong
  44. GameCanon

    Halo 2 — Delta Halo / Great Schism

    Direct link to this story
    PlayGameCanon

    Placed Oct–Nov 2552. Source status: C.

    Story eraHALO 2 / ODST / HALO 3ContinuityCore Halo canonIn-world placementOct–Nov 2552First releaseRelease year not listed in sourcePlacement confidenceStrong
  45. GameCanon

    Halo 3

    Direct link to this story
    PlayGameCanon

    Completes the original game trilogy’s central conflict.

    Story eraHALO 2 / ODST / HALO 3ContinuityCore Halo canonIn-world placementNov–Dec 2552First release2007Placement confidenceStrong
  46. Comic storyCanon

    Halo Graphic Novel — Armor Testing

    Direct link to this story
    ReadBook / comicCanon

    Placed pre-Halo 2/3 era. Source status: C.

    Story eraHALO 2 / ODST / HALO 3ContinuityCore Halo canonIn-world placementpre-Halo 2/3 eraFirst releaseRelease year not listed in sourcePlacement confidenceStrong
  47. Comic storyCanon

    Halo Graphic Novel — Second Sunrise Over New Mombasa

    Direct link to this story
    ReadBook / comicCanon

    Placed Halo 2 Earth. Source status: C.

    Story eraHALO 2 / ODST / HALO 3ContinuityCore Halo canonIn-world placementHalo 2 EarthFirst releaseRelease year not listed in sourcePlacement confidenceStrong
  48. NovelCanon

    Halo: Glasslands

    Direct link to this story
    ReadBook / comicCanon

    Placed 2553. Source status: C.

    Story eraKilo-Five / ONI aftermathContinuityCore Halo canonIn-world placement2553First releaseRelease year not listed in sourcePlacement confidenceStrong
    Goodreads
  49. NovelCanon

    Halo: The Thursday War

    Direct link to this story
    ReadBook / comicCanon

    Placed 2553. Source status: C.

    Story eraKilo-Five / ONI aftermathContinuityCore Halo canonIn-world placement2553First releaseRelease year not listed in sourcePlacement confidenceStrong
    Goodreads
  50. NovelCanon

    Halo: Mortal Dictata

    Direct link to this story
    ReadBook / comicCanon

    Placed 2553. Source status: C.

    Story eraKilo-Five / ONI aftermathContinuityCore Halo canonIn-world placement2553First releaseRelease year not listed in sourcePlacement confidenceStrong
    Goodreads
  51. NovelCanon

    Halo: New Blood

    Direct link to this story
    ReadBook / comicCanon

    Placed postwar / Alpha-Nine. Source status: C.

    Story eraKilo-Five / ONI aftermathContinuityCore Halo canonIn-world placementpostwar / Alpha-NineFirst releaseRelease year not listed in sourcePlacement confidenceStrong
  52. NovelCanon

    Halo: Hunters in the Dark

    Direct link to this story
    ReadBook / comicCanon

    Placed 2555. Source status: C.

    Story eraKilo-Five / ONI aftermathContinuityCore Halo canonIn-world placement2555First releaseRelease year not listed in sourcePlacement confidenceStrong
    Goodreads
  53. NovelCanon

    Halo: Last Light

    Direct link to this story
    ReadBook / comicCanon

    Placed 2553. Source status: C.

    Story eraKilo-Five / ONI aftermathContinuityCore Halo canonIn-world placement2553First releaseRelease year not listed in sourcePlacement confidenceStrong
    Goodreads
  54. NovelCanon

    Halo: Retribution

    Direct link to this story
    ReadBook / comicCanon

    Placed after Last Light. Source status: C.

    Story eraKilo-Five / ONI aftermathContinuityCore Halo canonIn-world placementafter Last LightFirst releaseRelease year not listed in sourcePlacement confidenceApproximate
    Goodreads
  55. NovellaCanon

    Halo: Shadow of Intent

    Direct link to this story
    ReadBook / comicCanon

    Placed 2553. Source status: C.

    Story eraKilo-Five / ONI aftermathContinuityCore Halo canonIn-world placement2553First releaseRelease year not listed in sourcePlacement confidenceStrong
    Goodreads
  56. NovellaCanon

    Halo: Smoke and Shadow

    Direct link to this story
    ReadBook / comicCanon

    Placed 2557. Source status: C.

    Story eraKilo-Five / ONI aftermathContinuityCore Halo canonIn-world placement2557First releaseRelease year not listed in sourcePlacement confidenceStrong
    Goodreads
  57. NovelCanon

    Halo: Renegades

    Direct link to this story
    ReadBook / comicCanon

    Placed after Smoke and Shadow. Source status: C.

    Story eraKilo-Five / ONI aftermathContinuityCore Halo canonIn-world placementafter Smoke and ShadowFirst releaseRelease year not listed in sourcePlacement confidenceApproximate
    Goodreads
  58. NovelCanon

    Halo: Point of Light

    Direct link to this story
    ReadBook / comicCanon

    Placed after Renegades. Source status: C.

    Story eraKilo-Five / ONI aftermathContinuityCore Halo canonIn-world placementafter RenegadesFirst releaseRelease year not listed in sourcePlacement confidenceApproximate
  59. Live-actionCanonC / Multi-Era

    Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn — framing material

    Direct link to this story
    ReadBook / comicCanon

    Placed 2557 frame / 2526 story. Source status: C / Multi-Era.

    Story eraHALO 4 / SPARTAN OPS / ESCALATIONContinuityCore Halo canonIn-world placement2557 frame / 2526 storyFirst releaseRelease year not listed in sourcePlacement confidenceStrong
  60. GameCanon

    Halo 4

    Direct link to this story
    PlayGameCanon

    Begins the next major Master Chief arc.

    Story eraHALO 4 / SPARTAN OPS / ESCALATIONContinuityCore Halo canonIn-world placement2557First release2012Placement confidenceStrong
  61. Game episodic campaignCanon

    Halo 4: Spartan Ops

    Direct link to this story
    PlayGameCanon

    Placed 2558. Source status: C.

    Story eraHALO 4 / SPARTAN OPS / ESCALATIONContinuityCore Halo canonIn-world placement2558First releaseRelease year not listed in sourcePlacement confidenceStrong
  62. Comic miniseriesCanon unclear

    Halo: Initiation

    Direct link to this story
    WatchTV / streamingAdaptation continuity
    ReadBook / comicCanon unclear

    Placed Sarah Palmer backstory / Halo 4 era. Source status: C.

    Story eraHALO 4 / SPARTAN OPS / ESCALATIONContinuityCore Halo canonIn-world placementSarah Palmer backstory / Halo 4 eraFirst releaseRelease year not listed in sourcePlacement confidenceStrong
  63. Comic seriesCanon unclear

    Halo: Escalation

    Direct link to this story
    WatchTV / streamingAdaptation continuity
    ReadBook / comicCanon unclear

    Placed 2558–2559. Source status: C.

    Story eraHALO 4 / SPARTAN OPS / ESCALATIONContinuityCore Halo canonIn-world placement2558–2559First releaseRelease year not listed in sourcePlacement confidenceStrong
  64. Live-action series/filmCanon

    Halo: Nightfall

    Direct link to this story
    WatchMovieCanon

    Placed 2556. Source status: C.

    Story eraHALO 4 / SPARTAN OPS / ESCALATIONContinuityCore Halo canonIn-world placement2556First releaseRelease year not listed in sourcePlacement confidenceStrong
  65. NovellaCanon

    Halo: Saint’s Testimony

    Direct link to this story
    ReadBook / comicCanon

    Placed 2558. Source status: C.

    Story eraHALO 4 / SPARTAN OPS / ESCALATIONContinuityCore Halo canonIn-world placement2558First releaseRelease year not listed in sourcePlacement confidenceStrong
    Goodreads
  66. NovelCanon

    Halo: Legacy of Onyx

    Direct link to this story
    ReadBook / comicCanon

    Placed 2558. Source status: C.

    Story eraHALO 4 / SPARTAN OPS / ESCALATIONContinuityCore Halo canonIn-world placement2558First releaseRelease year not listed in sourcePlacement confidenceStrong
    Goodreads
  67. Audio drama / ARGCanon

    Hunt the Truth — Season 1

    Direct link to this story
    ListenAudiobook / audioCanon

    Placed 2558. Source status: C.

    Story eraHUNT THE TRUTH / HALO 5ContinuityCore Halo canonIn-world placement2558First releaseRelease year not listed in sourcePlacement confidenceStrong
  68. Audio drama / ARGCanon

    Hunt the Truth — Season 2

    Direct link to this story
    ListenAudiobook / audioCanon

    Placed 2558. Source status: C.

    Story eraHUNT THE TRUTH / HALO 5ContinuityCore Halo canonIn-world placement2558First releaseRelease year not listed in sourcePlacement confidenceStrong
  69. GameCanon

    Halo 5: Guardians

    Direct link to this story
    PlayGameCanon

    Continues Halo 4 and introduces Fireteam Osiris as a second viewpoint.

    Story eraHUNT THE TRUTH / HALO 5ContinuityCore Halo canonIn-world placement2558First release2015Placement confidenceStrong
  70. NovelCanon

    Halo: Bad Blood

    Direct link to this story
    ReadBook / comicCanon

    Placed immediately after Halo 5. Source status: C.

    Story eraHUNT THE TRUTH / HALO 5ContinuityCore Halo canonIn-world placementimmediately after Halo 5First releaseRelease year not listed in sourcePlacement confidenceApproximate
    Goodreads
  71. Anthology storiesCanonC / Multi-Era

    Halo: Fractures — post-Halo 5 stories

    Direct link to this story
    ReadBook / comicCanon

    Placed 2558+. Source status: C / Multi-Era.

    Story eraHUNT THE TRUTH / HALO 5ContinuityCore Halo canonIn-world placement2558+First releaseRelease year not listed in sourcePlacement confidenceStrong
  72. GameCanon

    Halo Wars 2

    Direct link to this story
    PlayGameCanon

    Placed 2559. Source status: C.

    Story eraBANISHED / CREATED CONFLICT — 2559–2560+ContinuityCore Halo canonIn-world placement2559First releaseRelease year not listed in sourcePlacement confidenceStrong
  73. Comic miniseriesCanon unclearC / Multi-Era

    Halo: Rise of Atriox

    Direct link to this story
    WatchTV / streamingAdaptation continuity
    ReadBook / comicCanon unclear

    Placed Atriox life / pre-HW2. Source status: C / Multi-Era.

    Story eraBANISHED / CREATED CONFLICT — 2559–2560+ContinuityCore Halo canonIn-world placementAtriox life / pre-HW2First releaseRelease year not listed in sourcePlacement confidenceStrong
  74. NovelCanon

    Halo: Shadows of Reach

    Direct link to this story
    ReadBook / comicCanon

    Placed 2559. Source status: C.

    Story eraBANISHED / CREATED CONFLICT — 2559–2560+ContinuityCore Halo canonIn-world placement2559First releaseRelease year not listed in sourcePlacement confidenceStrong
    Goodreads
  75. NovelCanon

    Halo: Divine Wind

    Direct link to this story
    ReadBook / comicCanon

    Placed 2559. Source status: C.

    Story eraBANISHED / CREATED CONFLICT — 2559–2560+ContinuityCore Halo canonIn-world placement2559First releaseRelease year not listed in sourcePlacement confidenceStrong
    Goodreads
  76. NovelCanon

    Halo: Outcasts

    Direct link to this story
    ReadBook / comicCanon

    Placed 2559. Source status: C.

    Story eraBANISHED / CREATED CONFLICT — 2559–2560+ContinuityCore Halo canonIn-world placement2559First releaseRelease year not listed in sourcePlacement confidenceStrong
    Goodreads
  77. NovelCanon

    Halo: The Rubicon Protocol

    Direct link to this story
    ReadBook / comicCanon

    Follows survivors on Zeta Halo during events connected to Infinite.

    Story eraBANISHED / CREATED CONFLICT — 2559–2560+ContinuityCore Halo canonIn-world placementZeta Halo / before Infinite main campaignFirst release2022Placement confidenceApproximate
    Goodreads
  78. GameCanon

    Halo Infinite — campaign

    Direct link to this story
    PlayGameCanon

    Placed 2560. Source status: C.

    Story eraBANISHED / CREATED CONFLICT — 2559–2560+ContinuityCore Halo canonIn-world placement2560First releaseRelease year not listed in sourcePlacement confidenceStrong
  79. Game seasonal narrativeCanon

    Halo Infinite — multiplayer Academy narrative

    Direct link to this story
    WatchTV / streamingCanon
    PlayGameCanon

    Placed post-2559 / 2560. Source status: C.

    Story eraBANISHED / CREATED CONFLICT — 2559–2560+ContinuityCore Halo canonIn-world placementpost-2559 / 2560First releaseRelease year not listed in sourcePlacement confidenceStrong
  80. AnthologyCanonC / Multi-Era

    Halo: Waypoint Chronicles — Volume One

    Direct link to this story
    ReadBook / comicCanon

    Placed ancient through Infinite era. Source status: C / Multi-Era.

    Story eraBANISHED / CREATED CONFLICT — 2559–2560+ContinuityCore Halo canonIn-world placementancient through Infinite eraFirst releaseRelease year not listed in sourcePlacement confidenceStrong
    Goodreads
  81. Live-action seriesAdaptation continuityX

    Halo — Season 1

    Direct link to this story
    WatchTV / streamingAdaptation continuity

    An intentionally independent screen timeline, not the core game canon.

    Story eraSILVER TIMELINE — PARAMOUNT+ TELEVISIONContinuitySilver TimelineIn-world placementSILVER TIMELINE — PARAMOUNT+ TELEVISIONFirst release2022Placement confidenceApproximate
    IMDb
  82. Live-action seriesAdaptation continuityX

    Halo — Season 2

    Direct link to this story
    WatchTV / streamingAdaptation continuity

    Continues the separate Silver Timeline adaptation.

    Story eraSILVER TIMELINE — PARAMOUNT+ TELEVISIONContinuitySilver TimelineIn-world placementSILVER TIMELINE — PARAMOUNT+ TELEVISIONFirst release2024Placement confidenceApproximate
    IMDb

Not part of the checklist

Announced and unreleased

These records are tracked for context but are excluded from chronology numbers, filters and progress until release.

  • Halo: Parasite's Wake2026Upcoming — 20 Oct 2026

Find your route

Halo order guide

Use one authoritative timeline, then choose the view that matches how you want to experience the universe.

Halo Games and Books Watch Order

Use the chronology for story sequence, then switch to release order when you want the original viewing experience.

Halo Games and Books Games in Order

Game entries stay in the same researched timeline, with adaptations and side stories labelled so they do not distort the play sequence.

Halo Games and Books Books in Order

Books, comics and other reading material are placed by story chronology while publication order remains available as a separate view.

Halo Games and Books Release Order

Release order re-sorts the same mapped stories by first publication or release instead of creating a duplicate guide page.

What Order Should You Play the Halo Games?

Start with the guide’s recommended route if this is your first time. Use the full chronology when you want the complete cross-media timeline.

Quick answers

Common Halo order questions

Direct answers based on the same chronology, continuity labels and coverage notes used in the guide.

What Order Should You Play the Halo Games?

Begin with Combat Evolved. Add The Fall of Reach immediately before or after it, then follow game release order with selected novels between chapters.

Should you use chronological or release order for Halo?

Use chronological order to follow events as they happen. Use release order when you want to preserve the sequence of the original reveals. Both views use the same researched stories.

What does this Halo order guide include?

All-media guide: 83 ordered game, book, comic, audio and screen records across core Halo canon and the separately labelled Silver Timeline. Coverage is current through released and confirmed story material available by 22 September 2026.

Suggested routes

Choose a way in.

Use the full chronology or follow a shorter route.

01 · First contact

Combat Evolved

The mystery lands best before chronology and lore become the priority.

02 · Lore route

Add The Fall of Reach

Halo publishing is direct story material, not a disposable tie-in shelf.

03 · Screen route

Silver stays separate

The television series intentionally diverges from core canon.

Abstract branching map representing separate story continuities

Story versions

Choose how to experience it.

Researched editions and adaptations stay together under one story.

See how stories are organised

Sources

What anchors this order.

Official franchise, creator and publisher sources anchor the chronology. Conflicts and uncertain placements are labelled.

Official Halo book guide ↗Halo Waypoint universe hub ↗Official Silver Timeline explanation ↗

Continue exploring

Similar themes, different worlds.

Missing something?

Help expand Halo.

Request a title or correction.

Send a request
Story Order

Every story has a place.

Story Order is an independent editorial guide to watching, reading and playing fictional universes in chronological or release order across film, television, books, comics, games and audio.

Find your next universe.

Story Order is an independent editorial guide. It is not affiliated with or endorsed by the rights holders referenced on this site. Franchise names, characters and trademarks belong to their respective owners. Story Order’s universe artwork is original; separately sourced material is identified on the artwork and sources page.