What are the Best Bungie Games Ever Made?

Though they’ve changed hands over the years, Bungie remains one of the most-notable AAA developers in gaming. From working on computer games in the ‘90s to making console exclusives for Microsoft during the 2000s, before cutting ties and later being acquired by Sony in 2022. Say what you will about Bungie -- their popularity has kept them going.

Believe it or not, there was a point in history when Bungie dominated the world of single-player and multiplayer gaming with their groundbreaking Halo series. But now their time has passed, players and developers have moved on and the world of video games has changed. Still, Bungie’s successes should not be forgotten as we delve into their most-iconic creations.

10 Oni

Bungie’s Lost Anime Game

If you were to line up Bungie’s library of games, Oni would stick out like a sore thumb that’s been tattooed with manga. Inspired by tech noir anime, Oni takes place in a cyberpunk world where you play as Special Agent Konoko, fighting a criminal organization known as the Syndicate while unearthing the truth about her past.

As far as gameplay went, Oni’s combat was a blend of third-person melee combat with gunplay action. While it wasn’t the breakout game that would put them on the map, Oni was successful enough to gain a following. It even had notable names attached to it. For instance, the console port was handled by Rockstar Games. As for the soundtrack, a fair chunk of it was done by Martin O’Donnell, the same composing genius behind the music for the original Halo games and the first Destiny.

Fun Fact: Oni was released the same year as the first Halo.

9 Marathon

The Halo Prototype

Though it was only their second FPS game, Marathon was Bungie’s first success to spawn a trilogy. Set in the future, you and your AI companion, Leela, must save a colony ship from an alien invasion. While it wasn’t exactly DOOM or Wolfenstein, Marathon was an interesting first-person shooter for its time.

It was among the first games to have the freedom to look around your environment fully. Yes, it sounds ludicrous to consider such a common thing as looking up and down as a praiseworthy mechanic, but remember, this was during a time when most FPS games on PC could only turn left or right. Hardcore Halo fans might also notice Marathon shares some similarities with the series, such as the enemy designs and even a story where the protagonist has an AI companion. Marathon was such a commercial success that it spawned two more follow-ups.

8 Destiny

The Start of Something Big

With the Halo games behind them, Bungie set out to start a fresh new series, one that blended mythology and science-fiction, and took place in a shared world between players. In 2014, they released Destiny. Players customize their own heroes known as Guardians, the vanguards of the last safe city on Earth, and combat the Darkness and its forces.

Upon release, the game was a huge success, with new and veteran fans of Bungie praising Destiny for its detailed world, unique weapons, powerful abilities and open exploration. The praise didn’t last forever, though. Server problems, repetitive missions and long load times became a hindrance. The biggest overarching issue players had with Destiny was its story, which they found lacking. It's not helped that it relied heavily on expansion content that they had to pay for along with a full-price game.

7 Halo 3: ODST

“Pays To Be the Strong Silent Type”

A squad of ODSTs drop into a city under Covenant control. Trapped within enemy territory and unable to radio for help, the separated team must fight to survive while trying to locate their missing teammates. Once labeled as the black sheep of the franchise, Halo 3: ODST has come to gain a cult following.

You’re not playing a supersoldier in power armor -- you’re playing as humans trying to survive in a city crawling with hostile aliens. With a story that leans heavily on mood, tension and mystery, the gameplay balances heavy combat with moments of stealth and survival. It was also the first Halo game to have a fully explorable city to roam in. Even its phenomenal soundtrack was deserving of an Oscar. Unfortunately, Halo 3: ODST’s biggest flaw was its brief campaign, making it one of the shortest games in the Halo series.

6 Myth: The Fallen Lords

All-Out War

In the world of Myth, the land is under attack by the undead forces of Balor and his Fallen Lords. What set Myth apart from other RTS games at the time was its focus on giving the player an army to command and setting them off to war. There was no option to gather resources and build bases, so no spending hours collecting materials or endlessly clicking through menus to set up buildings -- just a focus on combat.

Myth is relentless in its difficulty, though. Each mission gives you a set amount of troops to command, with no option to replenish your numbers in battle. When they all die, it’s game over. If you don’t know what you’re doing, you’re in for a hard time. Still, everyone loves a challenge and Myth provided an interesting enough fantasy setting and story to warrant two sequels, though Bungie only worked on the second game, not the third.

5 Destiny 2

Bigger & Better

Bungie’s looter shooter returns in Destiny 2. The last safe city of Earth has fallen to the Red Legion, its Guardians cut off from the Traveler’s light. With the Darkness growing in power, it’s up to you to reconnect the Guardians' leaders and put a stop to the invading Red Legion.

Having heard players’ complaints from the first game, many of Destiny’s problems were improved upon with a more interesting story, better loadouts, a more refined loot system and additional content to enjoy. Yes, there are still tons of expansions to pay for, and the load times still feel too long, but it was a step in the right direction. Destiny 2 is not without its hiccups and shortcomings, but to this day it remains one of the most played games on consoles and PC, continuing to receive frequent patches and new content.

4 Halo 2

Twice the Protag, Twice the Action

In Halo 2, players assume the role of two protagonists: Master Chief, a supersoldier battling an alien invasion on Earth, and the Arbiter, a disgraced Elite whose faith and allegiance to the Covenant will be challenged. Though both fight on separate sides, their actions will forever change the course of the war for all factions. Like a true sequel should, Halo 2 expanded the story and world.

Players finally get a look into the Covenant’s structure, leadership and faith. As the Arbiter, you see things from the Covenant’s viewpoint, fighting alongside the very aliens in his own campaign adventure. As for the gameplay, everything was changed with fresh additions like new weapons, new vehicles, new enemies, new locations and also dual-wielding. The soundtrack is a masterpiece too, even featuring the iconic Blow Me Away instrumental from the rock band Breaking Benjamin during the Gravemind level.

3 Halo: Combat Evolved

“I Think We’re Just Getting Started”

You are Master Chief, a supersoldier aboard the Pillar of Autumn. With your AI companion, Cortana, you crash onto a mysterious ring world called Halo and set out to discover its secrets before the invading Covenant can. Praised by players as one of the best single-player campaigns in an FPS, Halo: Combat Evolved launched as an exclusive for the original Xbox and completely changed console gaming.

Before Halo, the thought of a console being capable of running a video game that looks, sounds and plays like something you would see on PC was unheard of at the time. A full story across ten levels with voice-acted cutscenes, weapon and enemy variety, open areas, and a rocking soundtrack never heard before. The first Halo was the reason players owned an Xbox, turning Master Chief into the console’s mascot and starting what would become the biggest and best-selling franchise in gaming.

Fun Fact: The first Halo was originally envisioned as an RTS for the Apple Computer, until Microsoft approached Bungie with a better deal. The rest is history.

2 Halo Reach

The Tearful Farewell

Before Halo, there was Reach. You are Noble Six, an experienced Spartan assigned to Noble Team. When Covenant forces are spotted on Reach, it falls on you to launch an assault and repel their attack. Unfortunately with each passing day it becomes more and more of an uphill battle. Because no matter what you do or what you sacrifice, it is inevitable. Reach will fall.

Halo Reach was the prequel that stole players’ hearts, before breaking them. It was the first Halo game to feature a fully-customizable protagonist, allowing you to determine Noble Six’s armor and gender. The combat was faster and more intense than ever, with each mission feeling like fighting a war against an unstoppable force. To this day, the tragic story still makes players sad, even more when you realize this was Bungie’s swan song, their last game for the Halo franchise before they handed it off to another studio.

1 Halo 3

“This Is the Way the World Ends”

Covenant forces have taken Earth, the Flood is spreading and time is short. The Covenant are more driven than ever as they search for the Ark, the final installation that will allow them to activate every Halo ring in the galaxy. With their backs against the wall, Master Chief and the Arbiter’s allies form an uneasy alliance. Only one thing matters now. Finish the fight.

Bungie’s had a long list of accomplishments, but Halo 3 should forever be marked as their most outstanding achievement. No game has managed to capture so much hype and buildup to its release. Everything about this game is a masterpiece of fun, from its single-player to its multiplayer. More than that, Halo 3 truly felt like a true conclusion to one of the most epic trilogies in gaming. All the loose ends were tied up, the story was done and everyone was satisfied.

Then Microsoft needed more money, so more Halos were made. Go figure.