Top 10 Halo Campaign Missions

“Halo 3: ODST” (2009)

The second campaign mission of “ODST,” Mombasa Streets tries something new for the Halo franchise and succeeds spectacularly. Serving as a semi-open world mission, a first of its kind in the series, Mombasa Streets sees the Rookie exploring the vast city in order to find beacons which trigger an explanation of events from the past. It also contains hidden audio logs and supply caches for the player to find at their leisure. The original approach, the freedom given to the player, and the ingenious method into explaining past events make this level highly memorable.

“Halo: Combat Evolved” (2001)

The mission that started it all, Halo introduces us to so many facets of what would become staples of the series in the future. Only the second campaign mission of the original game, this chapter gives players their first look at Installation 04 as Master Chief's escape pod crashes on the ring. The level includes the introduction of jackals and banshees, the first action-packed ride in the warthog, and of course, the first look at Halo itself. This is when players realized that a new level of gaming had arrived.

“Halo: Reach” (2010)

This mission involves delivering a bomb to the Super Carrier, but it's done in a highly original way and made everyone realize that “Reach” was a fantastic and original addition to the series. It is the only Halo level in space to feature ship-to-ship combat, a massive divergence from the usual first person shooter style of gameplay that the series usually upholds. The mission provides breathtaking views, gorgeous graphics, and intense ship combat, something that fans had been clamoring for for a long time. Long Night of Solace absolutely delivered on its promise.

“Halo: Reach” (2010)

Taking place immediately after the events of Long Night of Solace, Exodus wastes no time and puts players immediately back into the action, providing another stunning and excitingmission. Depicting the raid and evacuation of New Alexandria, the player needs to traverse through the beautiful city and evacuate civilians, secure landing pads, and fire missiles. Not only is the mission extremely intense, but the level is notable for the introduction of bullfrogs and for the various paths the player can take to achieve their objectives. Ambitious levels always suit Halo, and Exodus proves to be no exception.

“Halo 4” (2012)

When “Halo 4” was announced after the original trilogy was completed, fans were left questioning the new games' ability to match its predecessors. Despite a few shortcomings, Halo 4 fit like a glove for longtime fans, and levels like Reclaimer prove that it could stand with the best of them. The player is tasked with guiding a Mammoth, its first appearance in the series, as it destroys defensive cannons. Not only is the Mammoth a fascinating new addition to the series that provides a myriad of battle opportunities, the desert setting is gorgeous and acts as a perfect playground for the ensuing destruction.

“Halo: Combat Evolved” (2001)

As every bit as exciting and committed as its title suggests, Assault on the Control Room is a Halo masterpiece, and includes everything that the series' battles do best. Easily the longest in the game, this mission is insanely cluttered, as Master Chief battles with wraiths, ghosts, and banshees alike, and is the only level in the original game to give the players a scorpion tank, an opportunity that we're sure everyone took advantage of and had a blast with. It's loud, it's chaotic, and it's an absolute blast.

“Halo 3” (2007)

“Halo 3” provided the series with many epic moments and missions, and The Ark is definitely one of its best. The level is incredibly sprawling, as it ranges from Chief taking potshots with a sniper rifle to destroying vehicles in a brute prowler to a climactic battle with a scarab. The level provides the always fun opportunity of driving a scorpion tank, and includes the goosebumps-inducing moment of the massive Forward Unto Dawn swooping down to the planet as the music swells. The series doesn't get more cinematic than this.

“Halo 2” (2004)

Depicting the explosive Battle of Mombasa, Metropolis is the campaign mission that everyone thinks of when they think of “Halo 2.” As Master Chief battles his way across a Covenant-guarded bridge, the mission throws everything it can at the player and provides a breathless and varied experience that few video games at the time could provide. Not only is this the first level in the game to provide a tank for maximum carnage, but it's also the series' introduction to the scarab, a formidable foe that every player had a blast boarding and taking down.

“Halo: Combat Evolved” (2001)

In order to locate the control room on Halo, Master Chief leads the UNSC Marines on a daring mission that includes invisible opponents and shield-wielding jackals, providing one of the original game's most memorable levels and one of the largest missions of the series. The Silent Cartographer begins with a chaotic battle on the beach and follows with a drive in the warthog, all before making your way inside to fight even larger, more complex adversaries. Those hunters certainly provide an palm-sweatingly exhilarating challenge.
Before we look at our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.

Coastal Highway
“Halo 3: ODST” (2009)

New Alexandria
“Halo: Reach” (2010)

Delta Halo
“Halo 2” (2004)

The Pillar of Autumn
“Halo: Reach” (2010)

“Halo 3” (2007)

An easy favorite among many diehard Halo Fans, The Covenant provides some of the best times that video games have to offer. Capping the original trilogy in mesmerizing fashion, The Covenant sees Master Chief and Arbiter working together to stop the Prophet of Truth from firing the rings. The level is a combination of everything fantastic about Halo, including an engaging vehicular fight with two scarabs at once, a battle with an onslaught of the Flood, and emotional gut-punching scenes like Keyes's death. Playing this mission is an unforgettable experience.

Do you agree with our list? What Halo campaign mission was your favourite? For more ambitious top tens published every day, be sure to subscribe to Watchmojo.com.