TheHalofranchise is in something of a precarious position right now, but it’s also poised to be more exciting than ever. 343 Industries,recently rebranded as Halo Studios, seems to be learning from the shortcomings of previous entries, especiallyHalo Infinite, which many expected to set the series back on track. But with this pivot in studio identity, even if it’s mostly symbolic,Halomight just have a chance to rise again.
That said, it seems clear that Halo Studios won’t simply be able to continue doing what it’s always done—something has to give. The heart and soul ofHaloprobably won’t change, of course: future mainline games are likely to remain action-heavy first-person shooters. But just because Microsoft is shackled to audience expectations and genre conventions doesn’t mean that it can’t branch out with more inventive and off-the-wall spin-off titles, and looking toward other franchises could be the best way to get the ball rolling.Helldiversis an IP that shares more than a bit of DNA withHalo, and although its sophomore release has garnered a lot of buzz, its inaugural outing is worth learning from as well.
Halo Studios Could Take Notes from Helldivers' Top-Down Arcade Gameplay
Halo: Spartan Strike and Halo: Spartan Assault Never Got the Attention They Deserved
In 2013, Microsoft let looseHalo: Spartan Assault, a top-down, twin-stick shooter set between the events ofHalo 3andHalo 4. Two years later cameHalo: Spartan Strike, which doubled down on the arcade-style gameplay of its predecessor. Although this duology is far from perfect, it’s hard to deny that the concept of an arcadetwin-stick shooter in theHalouniversehas potential, and this potential should be realized in future spin-offs.
Halois an FPS first and foremost, but its more particular moment-to-moment gameplay elements work within theSpartan Assaultformula, at least in theory. Many traditionalHalomissions task players with controlling space on a large battlefield, moving swiftly in and out of danger to dispatch enemies in the most efficient manner possible. This is rather different from the more linear and progressive nature of other FPS games, such asCall of Duty, which are more about constant forward movement and momentum. These foundational gameplay elements translate well to the arcade formula ofSpartan AssaultandStrike, and they would translate even better with an injection ofHelldiversdesign.
The First Helldivers Would Make a Strong Base for a Spartan Assault/Strike Revival
Though it attracted something of a cult following, a lot of players slept onHelldiversback in 2015, which is a crying shame: the series' first outing may appear quaint and rudimentary in comparison to its younger AAA sibling, but it is just as expressive, bombastic, and relentlessly addictive. Now-iconic gameplay systems like Stratagems function in much the same way in this first game, and the satisfying blend of long-term planning and real-time reaction, not to mention terrific co-op functionality, are just as strong inHelldivers 1as they are inHelldivers 2.
SinceHalohas already established a precedent for twin-stick shooters, it would make sense to borrow some ofHelldivers 1’s design sensibilities for aHalo: Spartanthreequel. Indeed, adaptingHelldivers' multiplayer features, and creative implementation of tools, unique weapons, and power-ups, could be a boon forHalo’s spin-off lineupdown the road, which in turn would benefit the broader series. The fact is,Halois in need of some more allure, something that can attract the widest possible audience, and by leaning into multiplayer, sci-fi wackiness, and overwhelming alien vs. human combat, it has a better chance at reestablishing its cultural prestige and relevance.
