Halo is the most successful Xbox exclusive in the consoles history. Original developer Bungie created a first person shooter masterpiece back in 2001 and even though they have since left the franchise, Halo 4 has proved the series is more than safe in the hands of new developer 343 Industries. While Call of Duty remains the most popular first person shooter, Halo is widely regarded as the best. Some prefer the manic pace of Call of Duty while others love Halo’s more skilful approach. Whatever your preference, the one area where Halo trounces Call of Duty is perhaps, the most important when it comes to online warfare. Maps define an online experience and Halo has a rich and varied selection that is miles ahead of the competition.
Narrowing it down to just 7 maps was a terribly difficult process. At one stage, 4 of the maps that ultimately made it onto this list weren’t even being considered, such is the overall standard of each iterations maps. It also depends on your play style. Is Halo best when engaging in frantic dogfights? Or is the true test of skill decided by nothing but a DMR? In the end, I decided on choosing the best of the best, based on balance and fun – maps that are truly befitting of the heroic Spartans that grace them. Here are the 7 best maps in Halo.
7. Haven (Halo 4)
The previous Halo games set such a benchmark with maps that it was always going to be hard for new developer 343. Haven is the only Halo 4 map on this list and while some might complain that it’s very similar to another choice further on, I think it has already become an instant classic in its own right.
Inspired by the new quicker based gameplay, Haven is a two story symmetrical Forerunner base with an outer ring and multiple access points between levels. The center circle is the main fighting area and while it does encourage the use of assault rifles, long lines of sight and clever jump points mean DMR players can pick off foes from afar. The human lifts completely open up objective game modes, especially in Oddball and it’s the best choice when making Custom games. Shotty/Snipers anyone?
Best Game Modes: Oddball and Slayer
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13 Comments
got to agree there. Sandtraps great for custom game infection as well
Glad you agreed with Sandtrap. It was a great map that didn’t deserve the hate it got. Thanks for the comment man
Epitaph? Really? Epitaph was one of the weaker-playing maps in Halo 3(it looked gorgeous, but had shield doors [i]everywhere[/i]). Epilogue improved things somewhat, but it was still essentially just a killing floor with narrow passages to ramps above. I’ve never seen it on a favorite Halo 3 maps list, let alone a franchise-wide list! Terrible choice that damages the author’s credibility, in this reader’s opinion.
My own opinion damages my credibility? That’s a new one! I really enjoyed Epitaph. I used to play split screen with my brother and completely own. “I’ve never seen it on a favorite Halo 3 maps list”. Exactly my point which I stated above. I said it was a controversial choice but it was my choice to make.
The article wasn’t entitled “My Favorite 7 Halo Maps”. Sure, it’s subjective, but your ability to determine which maps are best is allowed to be called into question, when you say, rank Chiron TL-34 as the greatest map in the franchise. That’s an extreme example, but only slightly more than ranking Epitaph the number 3 map in the franchise.
Good list but I would find a way to fit in Midship(halo 2). It was so good! And Ivory Tower.
I never liked Ivory Tower that much. Completely forgot about Midship! Thanks for the comment
Blood Gulch was not included in Halo 4. What I Think your referring to is Ragnarok which is actually a remake of Valhalla from Halo 3.
Valhalla is a remake of BloodGulch
As a fanboy of Counter Strike, I have to whole heartedly agree with blood gulch as the number 1 choice. It was the first FPS map I enjoyed after leaving the PC and joining the console world. I still remember the lan parties where i would sneak along the ridge, actually hunkered down in my seat as if making a noise would reveal my position precariously crouched high above the map. Then, while no one noticed, I would steal the flag and launch myself into the middle of the map and push the joystick in the direction of my base so hard my thumbs would be blistered the next day. Finally, as I would near my base, a warthog would drive by and rip me to shreds, pausing only for the passenger to jump out and return the flag, restarting the entire process. Good times.
Haha,those were the days man
Haven with 66% of the vote!!! Shocked
Sword base?
Really?
LOL
It’s the worst halo map.