How Halo Lays the Foundation for an Ideal Horror Game

Back in 2009, fans of the Halo universe were treated to Halo Wars 1 and Halo 3: ODST, two titles that sparked a widespread interest in seeing the franchise explore different gaming genres. Over the years, 343 Industries has slowly tried to expand these boundaries through mobile titles like Halo: Spartan Assault and Halo: Spartan Strike, as well as their arcade game, Halo: Fireteam Raven. Despite these efforts, many players are still itching for more substantial spinoffs. Enter the idea of a Halo horror game, a concept that fans have been pondering for quite a while now. With the introduction of Halo: Tulpamancy on Halo Waypoint, and more games rumored to be in the works at Halo Studios, we might be closer than ever to seeing this wish fulfilled.

Lately, there’s been a buzz in the Halo Infinite community with the drop of the new multiplayer event, Operation: Forerunner. In this event, players can acquire a variety of themed armor sets, showcasing looks inspired by the Didact and even bringing back Halo 4’s Prefect armor. While players are busy flaunting their new Forerunner gear in fresh multiplayer playlists, Halo Studios has added a chilling layer to the saga with a new Halo Waypoint Chronicle titled Halo: Tulpamancy. Set only months after Zeta Halo’s mysterious disappearance and just before the iconic return of Master Chief, the story takes place in a mysterious locale identified only as Site Yankee-002-G3.

Here, a squad of ONI agents and scholars uncovers an ancient human vessel from the age-long Human-Forerunner War, a relic from a time when humanity was a technological powerhouse in the galaxy, second only to the Forerunners, over millennia ago. But, as history tells, humanity’s defeat led to their devolution and eventual redistribution across Earth and the Halo rings. Traces of the ancient human psyche and knowledge have lingered dormant within modern humans’ genetics, waiting for the right catalyst—such as the discovery at Site Yankee-002-G3.

On boarding this ancient ship, the ONI crew’s routine investigations quickly turn unsettling. Strange behaviors manifest among the members, with sleepwalking, odd linguistic regressions, and shared memories surfacing among them. One crew member, overtaken by a buried genetic memory or “geas,” is thrust into terrifying encounters and vivid recollections of battles fought by humanity against the Forerunners and the dreaded Flood. This ordeal uncovers that some from the ancient human lineage might have evaded the punitive reach of the Forerunners, hiding beyond the Perseus Arm of the galaxy.

The tale’s connection to tulpas in Buddhist philosophy adds another layer—these being entities brought to life through the power of thought and meditation.

Taking cues from the psychological tension in Tulpamancy, there’s a compelling case for a Halo horror game. Fans dreaming of a game that captures the tense atmosphere of the likes of Dead Space could soon have their wishes answered. Instead of a straightforward, gore-centered battle against the Flood, why not explore the chilling mental strain of a crew haunted by forgotten memories? Picture a game where playing as an unassuming researcher, marine, or ODST plunges you into horrifying visions as you navigate the corridors of one such ancient vessel. Seamlessly transition between present-day crises and historical confrontations against the Flood and Forerunners, culminating in a small yet terrifying outbreak reminiscent of the Necromorph scenes from the USG Ishimura, only this time you’re not a Spartan or Elite—just another human caught in the crossfire.

Beyond the pure thrill of terror, such a game would peel back the layers on many lingering mysteries of the Halo lore. By setting players in a world where they can experience ancient humanity’s diverse reality, see extinct subspecies like Denisovans in their prime, and wield unknown weaponry, a psychological horror entry would not just entertain but profoundly enrich the vast narrative tapestry of Halo. Imagine venturing to ancient lands, seeing new yet familiar landscapes, and stepping back in time to experience humanity’s forgotten history first-hand. The potential for an unforgettable horror masterpiece in the Halo universe is indeed vast and waiting to be explored.