You don't need to read dozens of books/comics/animations to catch up with Halo Lore, before Halo Infinite launch

[P40L0]

You actually just need one:

I actually managed to grab a copy and finish this in 1 day and it was a truly, full detailed, immersion into the Halo Universe and Timeline from 10.000.000 years ago (Precursors Age) to the end of Halo 5 (and even a bit further), including all canon books, comics, games, animated series and TV mini-series ever released, all in a perfectly fit order and accompanied by OUTSTANDING Arts and Illustrations along the journey.

This would be the most comprehensive yet quick and straightforward way to catch up with entire Halo Universe from start to finish, and to be truly ready for Halo Infinite when it will arrive these Holydays.

The only relevant piece of story left from this (only due to the timeframe it got released) is the Halo Wars 2 story, which will be extremely important for Infinite as we now got the confirmation of the Banished return.

No worries tho, after reading Halo Mythos you would have just to play Halo Wars 2 or watch this full "cinematic" version of the game here:



And you will be FULLY ready. :)

 

[Scott x 2]

Now this is something I need to purchase. I've got all of the books, but honestly, I just don't have the time to read them. I was going to start Bad Blood as I understand that follows Halo 5, is that also covered in this?

 

[Jawmuncher]

So is this right?

Right now theres a legion of bad AI led by Cortana & the banished will leave where they were stranded in Halo Wars 2 (I beat HW2, just forgot specifics). That's the current state of affairs right?

 

[P40L0]

Now this is something I need to purchase. I've got all of the books, but honestly, I just don't have the time to read them. I was going to start Bad Blood as I understand that follows Halo 5, is that also covered in this?

Click to shrink...

Mythos got released at the end of 2016 so does not include books released after, but it's not a big issue.
Basically the entire Lore is in there, and the couple of things left out could be easily and quickly resumed on Halopedia for example.

The big absent from there is Halo Wars 2, for which the video recap in the OP should be more than enough!

 

[Com_Raven]

Somehow I missed this book coming out, will look into it. Cheers, OP!

 

[Stalker]

So is this right?

Right now theres a legion of bad AI led by Cortana & the banished will leave where they were stranded in Halo Wars 2 (I beat HW2, just forgot specifics). That's the current state of affairs right?

Click to shrink...

Cortana is in control of the forerunner internet and has giant space drones called Guardians that can just fuck up anything
Most AI's in the universe have chosen to follow Cortana
The Spirit of Fire and The Banished are still fighting on the Ark
The Banished stopped some remaining Flood from uprising
Anders from the Spirit of Fire escaped using a Halo ring which was Intercepted by Cortana
The Infinity is on the run hiding from Cortana
Blue Team are being sent back to Reach to CASTLE Base to find "something" to combat Cortana and The Warden Eternal

The coming book Shadows of Reach will hopefully explain how chief ends up floating in space for Halo Infinite and how the Banished made it to Zeta Halo

 

[Jawmuncher]

Cortana is in control of the forerunner internet and has giant space drones called Guardians that can just fuck up anything
Most AI's in the universe have chosen to follow Cortana
The Spirit of Fire and The Banished are still fighting on the Ark
The Banished stopped some remaining Flood from uprising
Anders from the Spirit of Fire escaped using a Halo ring which was Intercepted by Cortana
The Infinity is on the run hiding from Cortana
Blue Team are being sent back to Reach to CASTLE Base to find "something" to combat Cortana and The Warden Eternal

Click to shrink...

Sweet that's exactly what I needed

 

[Deleted member 923]

Thanks for this, I've actually been looking for a way of catching up.

 

[P40L0]

So is this right?

Right now theres a legion of bad AI led by Cortana & the banished will leave where they were stranded in Halo Wars 2 (I beat HW2, just forgot specifics). That's the current state of affairs right?

Click to shrink...

Basically yes, with also Chief regrouping with the Arbiter, Blue Team, Osiris Team, Halsey, Alpha Nine ex-ODSTs (now Spartan IV), Lasky, Palmer, the other Spartan IVs and many others all aboard the Infinity, escaping Cortana's clutches on the galaxy controlled by the guardians.

Before Infinite, Chief and Blue Team also try to go back to what remained of Reach to find something useful against Cortana, and find a new threat, probably Banished but not the same faction stranded on the Ark with Atriox (but the "Shadows of Reach" novel should still be released).

Plus:

Spoiler

343 Guilty Spark managed to survive through a recovered fragment by an UNSC ship, which he managed to control to a Forerunner world/station, transferred himself in a promethean skelethon and after remembering his life as an ex-ancient-human, Chakas, decides to rename himself as simply "Spark".
He also got friendly and allies with Halo Wars 1 John Forge's daughter in search for the truth about the missing Spirit of Fire

 

[Kalentan]

Cortana is in control of the forerunner internet and has giant space drones called Guardians that can just fuck up anything
Most AI's in the universe have chosen to follow Cortana
The Spirit of Fire and The Banished are still fighting on the Ark
The Banished stopped some remaining Flood from uprising
Anders from the Spirit of Fire escaped using a Halo ring which was Intercepted by Cortana
The Infinity is on the run hiding from Cortana
Blue Team are being sent back to Reach to CASTLE Base to find "something" to combat Cortana and The Warden Eternal

The coming book Shadows of Reach will hopefully explain how chief ends up floating in space for Halo Infinite and how the Banished made it to Zeta Halo

Click to shrink...

I love the reference to the OG Fall of Reach cover:

 

[TechnicPuppet]

That looks great. If I wanted to read the novels, what would I start with?

 

[Iztok]

That reminds me, Halo lore is actually kind of great (IMO).
I can't wait to get lost in that world again.

 

[jem]

Man, that book looks great - sadly can't find anywhere to buy it new.

May have to get a used copy.

 

[Jawmuncher]

Basically yes, with also Chief regrouping with the Arbiter, Blue Team, Osiris Team, Halsey, Alpha Nine ex-ODSTs (now Spartan IV), Lasky, Palmer, the other Spartan IVs and many others all aboard the Infinity, escaping Cortana's clutches on the galaxy controlled by the guardians.

Before Infinite, Chief and Blue Team also try to go back to what remained of Reach to find something useful against Cortana, and find a new threat, probably Banished but not the same faction stranded on the Ark with Atriox (but the "Shadows of Reach" novel should still be released).

Plus:

Spoiler

343 Guilty Spark managed to survive through a recovered fragment by an UNSC ship, which he managed to control to a Forerunner world/station, transferred himself in a promethean skelethon and after remembering his life as an ex-ancient-human, Chakas, decides to rename himself as simply "Spark".
He also got friendly and allies with Halo Wars 1 John Forge's daughter in search for the truth about the missing Spirit of Fire

Click to shrink...

Interesting. Sounds like a lot is being laid out for Infinite

 

[Kalentan]

I will say I love Mythos, though the cover came a little ripped. :(

Still, at least it's hardcover underneath so that's nice.

 

[Stalker]

That looks great. If I wanted to read the novels, what would I start with?

Click to shrink...

Fall of Reach which is set Prior to Halo 1. It's the best way to jump into the series

 

[Kalentan]

Might be a hot take, but overall I honestly believe there is more good Halo books than bad Halo books, by a decent amount. some of the "bad" ones are honestly just mediocre rather than being straight up bad.

 

[JackSwift]

Gonna need this. Thank you.

 

[jem]

Might be a hot take, but overall I honestly believe there is more good Halo books than bad Halo books, by a decent amount. some of the "bad" ones are honestly just mediocre rather than being straight up bad.

Click to shrink...

I don't think that's a hot take at all.

Halo's extended media is generally well regarded. At worst it's just average sci-fi.

 

[nekkid]

Basically yes, with also Chief regrouping with the Arbiter, Blue Team, Osiris Team, Halsey, Alpha Nine ex-ODSTs (now Spartan IV), Lasky, Palmer, the other Spartan IVs and many others all aboard the Infinity, escaping Cortana's clutches on the galaxy controlled by the guardians.

Before Infinite, Chief and Blue Team also try to go back to what remained of Reach to find something useful against Cortana, and find a new threat, probably Banished but not the same faction stranded on the Ark with Atriox (but the "Shadows of Reach" novel should still be released).

Plus:

Spoiler

343 Guilty Spark managed to survive through a recovered fragment by an UNSC ship, which he managed to control to a Forerunner world/station, transferred himself in a promethean skelethon and after remembering his life as an ex-ancient-human, Chakas, decides to rename himself as simply "Spark".
He also got friendly and allies with Halo Wars 1 John Forge's daughter in search for the truth about the missing Spirit of Fire

Click to shrink...

I was really pumped by the idea of this rag tag team of heroes being the last thing left against the galaxy's biggest threat after 5. But it feels like it might go back to the classic lone Chief against everyone.

 

[ArchedThunder]

So is this right?

Right now theres a legion of bad AI led by Cortana & the banished will leave where they were stranded in Halo Wars 2 (I beat HW2, just forgot specifics). That's the current state of affairs right?

Click to shrink...

Atriox only took part of his army to the Ark, its speculated that he's still there and the Banished that we will fight in Infinite are the forces he left behind when he went to the Ark.

 

[Jawmuncher]

Atriox only took part of his army to the Ark, its speculated that he's still there and the Banished that we will fight in Infinite are the forces he left behind when he went to the Ark.

Click to shrink...

Ah ok. That would make sense.

 

[Theorry]

Thought this was a statement from 343 haha

 

[TechnicPuppet]

Fall of Reach which is set Prior to Halo 1. It's the best way to jump into the series

Click to shrink...

Thanks

 

[jelly]

Will it be the case that they follow their own mythos though or a loose sort of reimagining taking the odd thread?

 

[P40L0]

Thought this was a statement from 343 haha

Click to shrink...

Lol
Well, they did actually already said something very similar to the title, for Infinite (as a spiritual reboot, it will also welcome newcomers etc.).

But I think just reading Mythos and playing/watching HW2 will exponentially improve the experience booting up Infinite for the first time!

 

[aember]

I really hope they won't actually write the story for the game assuming that the players read the book.
e: actually just ignore this. This is a pretty positive thread and my post is 180 from that. Sorry.

 

[It’s Time To Go]

Might be a hot take, but overall I honestly believe there is more good Halo books than bad Halo books, by a decent amount. some of the "bad" ones are honestly just mediocre rather than being straight up bad.

Click to shrink...

No there's quite a lot of good halo books, at least. I highly recommend the Cole protocol.

 

[Stalker]

I really hope they won't actually write the story for the game assuming that the players read the book.

Click to shrink...

Book readers asked for extended universe lore to be included in the games story for a very long time.

Halo CE sets the tone as Chief being the last Spartan 2 and it was an outright lie. It's difficult but I think it's generally agreed that the inclusion of Blue team was a net gain for the series.

 

[P40L0]

I really hope they won't actually write the story for the game assuming that the players read the book.

Click to shrink...

It should be self contained also for newcomers according to 343, but the universe is huge and will be there with all its connections involved of course.

 

[ArchedThunder]

I really hope they won't actually write the story for the game assuming that the players read the book.

Click to shrink...

That's not the point of this thread. Halo Mythos is a big recap of the story of the whole franchise, OP is just suggesting it for people that want to see the greater context of the universe.

 

[OtisSpunkmeijer]

Expanding the universe beyond Chief being the last Spartan II (among other things) was the best thing the expanded lore did. The universe is too big to keep coming back to the same lone soldier.

 

[RestEerie]

the only question is as a game franchise, why can't all the (important) story be in the games.

 

[P40L0]

the only question is as a game franchise, why can't all the (important) story be in the games.

Click to shrink...

Important story is already in the games.
The universe around them is just immense, and knowing it better will also improve the scale and perception of the games in return.

 

[aember]

Book readers asked for extended universe lore to be included in the games story for a very long time.

Halo CE sets the tone as Chief being the last Spartan 2 and it was an outright lie. It's difficult but I think it's generally agreed that the inclusion of Blue team was a net gain for the series.

Click to shrink...

Is Blue Team the other spartans they show with Chief in 5? I guess it's good for the people that read the books. As someone who didn't read them, I can't say I cared at all about these "hi, I'm a spartan too" characters.

It should be self contained also for newcomers according to 343, but the universe is huge and will be there with all its connections involved of course.

Click to shrink...

Hopefully. Leave the book stuff for books. I already had my H4 experience ruined by a friend constantly repeating "oh yeah, you'd understand this if you read the books" throughout the entire game. Now that I think about it, that might be why I've become so negative about Halo books.

That's not the point of this thread. Halo Mythos is a big recap of the story of the whole franchise, OP is just suggesting it for people that want to see the greater context of the universe.

Click to shrink...

Yeah, it's my bad. Anytime Halo books are brought up I get kinda pessimistic (and post first, think later), as shown in the middle quote response here. I'll hop outta the thread, y'all enjoy the stories!

 

[JonCha]

It seems like they're setting Infinite up to be this multi-coalition conflict with Chief, the UNSC and maybe other Spartans vs Cortana/her rogue AIs/Prometheans vs Covenant vs and/or Banished. As far as the combat sandbox goes that could be pretty cool. Oh and I forgot the flood - who are seemingly certain to be in given we're back on a ring.

My only question: Blue Team are going back to Reach in the book? I'm assuming this wasn't mentioned in Halo 5. I didn't realise anything of Reach was left given it was glassed. I guess it's just a wasteland now.

 

[ArchedThunder]

Is Blue Team the other spartans they show with Chief in 5? I guess it's good for the people that read the books. As someone who didn't read them, I can't say I cared at all about these "hi, I'm a spartan too" characters.

Click to shrink...

Blue Team's integration in Halo 5 was poorly done, so don't judge those characters based on that.

 

[Stalker]

the only question is as a game franchise, why can't all the (important) story be in the games.

Click to shrink...

Anytime story has been included in the games it was been pretty much ignored by the majority of players in fairness.

The Terminal interaction rates are silly low and Terminals don't really impact the actual game.

Halo 4 dropped the ball and few cutscenes about who people like the librarian are would have made that whole thing much better.

My only question: Blue Team are going back to Reach in the book? I'm assuming this wasn't mentioned in Halo 5. I didn't realise anything of Reach was left given it was glassed. I guess it's just a wasteland now.

Click to shrink...

It was glassed and is pretty useless BUT the location CASTLE base was 2 mile underground and heavily heavily protected. It served as a major ONI and FLEETCOM stronghold and base during the war and it surviving even if just partly the Glassing of reach isn't surprising.

"It was hidden two kilometers directly underneath Menachite Mountain, part of the Highland Mountains in the Viery Territory.[note 1] Protected by massive amounts of granite, reinforced concrete, plates of Titanium-A armor, and EMP-hardened metal,[3] it was virtually bombproof, well defended, and nigh-impenetrable.[4] "

 

[oriic]

Basically yes, with also Chief regrouping with the Arbiter, Blue Team, Osiris Team, Halsey, Alpha Nine ex-ODSTs (now Spartan IV), Lasky, Palmer, the other Spartan IVs and many others all aboard the Infinity, escaping Cortana's clutches on the galaxy controlled by the guardians.

Before Infinite, Chief and Blue Team also try to go back to what remained of Reach to find something useful against Cortana, and find a new threat, probably Banished but not the same faction stranded on the Ark with Atriox (but the "Shadows of Reach" novel should still be released).

Plus:

Spoiler

343 Guilty Spark managed to survive through a recovered fragment by an UNSC ship, which he managed to control to a Forerunner world/station, transferred himself in a promethean skelethon and after remembering his life as an ex-ancient-human, Chakas, decides to rename himself as simply "Spark".
He also got friendly and allies with Halo Wars 1 John Forge's daughter in search for the truth about the missing Spirit of Fire

Click to shrink...

Wait!What?

The SPOILER is real stuff? O.o

 

[ArchedThunder]

Wait!What?

The SPOILER is real stuff? O.o

Click to shrink...

Yes, it is.

Spoiler

he's the ship AI for Rion Forge's ship now.

 

[Issen]

Yes, it is.

Spoiler

he's the ship AI for Rion Forge's ship now.

Click to shrink...

Holy shit. What's the source for all this stuff? I don't see any of this in wikis.

EDIT: Wait nevermind, it's on the Halopedia. Fucking christ, I hope we see more about this in Halo Infinite.

 

[ArchedThunder]

Holy shit. What's the source for all this stuff? I don't see any of this in wikis.

Click to shrink...

Halo: Renegades - Novel - Halopedia, the Halo wiki

Halo: Renegades is a novel set in the Halo universe by Kelly Gay, and released on February 19, 2019. The novel continues the story of Gay's 2016 novella Halo: Smoke and Shadow, picking up on Rion Forge and the crew of the Ace of Spades, as well as...

www.halopedia.org

You can read up on the events on the wiki pages of the characters, including Spark's.

 

[cyrribrae]

Wait!What?

The SPOILER is real stuff? O.o

Click to shrink...

Shockingly yes, haha. There are some crazy twists and turns happening on the periphery of these games. And I think the games (mostly) can be enjoyed without that context. But. Some crazy stuff that's pretty interesting too. There's so much I don't know anything about at all.

 

[Bulby]

Jun needs to make a come back, and not in a fucking suit.

 

[JonCha]

Anytime story has been included in the games it was been pretty much ignored by the majority of players in fairness.

The Terminal interaction rates are silly low and Terminals don't really impact the actual game.

Halo 4 dropped the ball and few cutscenes about who people like the librarian are would have made that whole thing much better.




It was glassed and is pretty useless BUT the location CASTLE base was 2 mile underground and heavily heavily protected. It served as a major ONI and FLEETCOM stronghold and base during the war and it surviving even if just partly the Glassing of reach isn't surprising.

"It was hidden two kilometers directly underneath Menachite Mountain, part of the Highland Mountains in the Viery Territory.[note 1] Protected by massive amounts of granite, reinforced concrete, plates of Titanium-A armor, and EMP-hardened metal,[3] it was virtually bombproof, well defended, and nigh-impenetrable.[4] "

Click to shrink...

That makes sense. That's pretty cool. If they're going there though how they're going to stumble upon the ring Chief is on? Seems like a bit of a stretch.

 

[nekkid]

I hope we see more about this in Halo Infinite.

Click to shrink...

 

[Bishop89]

If one wanted to purchase this, where would one go to purchase? 🤔🤔

 

[P40L0]

If one wanted to purchase this, where would one go to purchase? 🤔🤔

Click to shrink...

I just grabbed one new directly from Amazon.it
Don't know exactly the availability in other countries.

 

[ArchedThunder]

If one wanted to purchase this, where would one go to purchase? 🤔🤔

Click to shrink...

Amazon, Barnes and Noble, etc.

 

[Lyre]

Just bring back Offensive Bias pls, retcon everyone from Halo 4 and 5, particularly Lasky.