A Halo One-Two Punch could be the key to success for the Xbox handheld console

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In September 2023, a leaked document from Microsoft's FTC court case suggested that an Xbox handheld may be in development. Over the next year, this alleged handheld was the subject of much speculation, and in November, Xbox head Phil Spencer finally confirmed that an Xbox handheld was indeed in development, although he said it may be some time before see the light. . But this gives the Halo franchise plenty of time to prepare.

Halo has undergone some pretty big changes recently. In October, 343 Industries announced that all future Halo projects would now use Unreal Engine 5 instead Halo Infinitethe Slipspace engine. 343 also announced that it was undergoing a rebrand, adopting the new title “Halo Studios”. It's unclear how Halo Studios will christen its new engine and name, but a one-two punch for the upcoming Xbox handheld console could be huge for both the long-running sci-fi franchise and Xbox.

Every Halo game, ranked worst to best (according to Metacritic) -B

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Every Halo game, ranked from worst to best

While the Halo franchise doesn't churn out a title every year, it has amassed a collection of phenomenal games, as evidenced by their ratings.

It's time for a new mainline Halo game

THE Halo the franchise has been pretty consistent when it comes to release schedules. Also amidst the chaos of a new developer taking control of the franchise after Bungie's departure, a new mainline Halo the item was released every 4-6 years. About three years have passed since then Infinite halo hit Xbox consoles and PC first, meaning fans have started speculating about when they might see a new game.

While Infinite halo has managed to pull itself back from the brink numerous times and is now a fun live service multiplayer experience, many fans wanting something completely new. And, based on the recent rebranding and engine change, it seems that Halo Studios wants to do a clean sweep as well.

This new beginning should come in the form of a new mainline Halo entry, which clearly shows the benefits of switching to Unreal Engine 5. Release of this new Halo the game alongside the upcoming Xbox handheld would also be a great way to showcase the handheld's capabilities, once again using the flagship franchise to showcase the technical prowess of an Xbox console.

A Halo Wars sequel could appeal to a different audience

For a science fiction universe as vast as HaloIt's surprising how few spin-offs the franchise contains. But by far the most popular Halo spin-off (separate Halo 3: ODST) is the Halo Wars subseries. Making its debut in 2009 and returning with a sequel in 2017, Halo Wars is an RTS spin-off that sees players build and control an army of iconic UNSC, Covenant and Banish units.

Seven years have passed since then Halo Wars 2 released, and while some story DLC was released after its initial launch, fans of the RTS subseries have been asking for a full-fledged sequel for quite some time. While a Halo Wars the sequel wouldn't be as big of a draw as a new mainline Halo entry, it would still be a great addition to the Xbox portable console's future launch line-up, showcasing the console's diverse library and the supposed versatility of its control scheme.

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