6. The Library – Halo: Combat Evolved
The Halo franchise is one of the most influential series in the genre, and Bungie’s legacy began when Halo: Combat Evolved launched alongside the original Xbox in 2001. Two elements distinguished Halo’s campaign from other first-person shooters at the time. First, its futuristic and sci-fi setting differentiated it from an era which saw many WWII, boots-on-the-ground campaigns. Secondly, its diverse gameplay which drew from a number of genres across its 10 missions.
Bungie gave a nod to the survival horror genre in its “love it or hate it” mission The Library. In this mission, John-117 is teleported into the Library of Installation 04. This level introduces players to the terrifying horde enemy, the Flood, while explaining turning the narrative of the game on its head. The game is not simply about a conflict between humans and the Covenant, but rather a broader story about an apocalypse-inducing enemy that requires the entire universe to be destroyed in order for it to be stopped.
