Unsheathing the Arbiter: Why Halo's Iconic Warrior Deserves His Own Game

The Halo franchise has consistently revolved around its central figure, the iconic Master Chief. Adorned in one of pop culture's most recognizable sets of armor, the Master Chief has graced the covers of nearly every Halo game, numerous billboards, posters, and various Xbox marketing campaigns. Steve Downes' exceptional voice performance has brought this character to life, endearing him to fans. However, within the expansive Halo universe, there's more than just Master Chief that captures the hearts of enthusiasts.

Since its debut in 2001, the Halo series, given its scale, has naturally introduced a multitude of beloved side characters over the years. From Master Chief's indispensable ally, Cortana, to the outspoken and brave Sgt. Johnson, to the Chief's fellow Spartans in Halo 5: Guardians, each fan has their personal favorite within the Halo universe. Nevertheless, there's one character who consistently claims the top spot in the hearts of many fans, and that's none other than the Sangheili warrior, the Arbiter, who, astonishingly, has yet to receive his own standalone game.

Why does the Arbiter deserve his own Halo spin-off, you may ask?

The Arbiter made his first appearance in Halo 2, released in 2004, although his initial reception left something to be desired. At the time, fans eagerly anticipated the next chapter of Master Chief's journey. However, when the game abruptly shifted focus to an unknown Elite character, some fans were left feeling less than thrilled. Halo 2 employed a similar approach to Metal Gear Solid 2, with players frequently taking control of the Master Chief. Yet, a significant portion of the game was dedicated to Arbiter gameplay, which didn't resonate with fans at the time.

Fast forward nearly two decades, and fans have developed a greater appreciation for Halo 2's dual-protagonist structure. While playing as the Master Chiefremains enjoyable, there are now numerous titles that offer that experience. Consequently, having the opportunity to step into someone else's shoes has become a unique and welcome novelty within Halo 2. The same holds true for the Arbiter's narrative in Halo 2. What was once perceived as overly complex Covenant lore is now recognized as essential world-building for the entire franchise.

As the dust of the Halo 2 controversy has settled, fans can now recognize the complexity and depth of the Arbiter's character, as well as the intriguing perspective he offers on the Halo universe. Following his defeat by the Master Chief in the first Halo, the Arbiter is thrust into a life of servitude, forced to work for the Prophets until he meets his demise on a suicide mission. This predicament fuels his deep resentment toward humanity and the Chief, making his subsequent cooperation with them in Halo 3 all the more compelling.

The Arbiter boasts a consistently impressive visual design across his appearances and benefits from the remarkable voice talent of Keith David, a legend in his own right. He has become nearly as iconic as the Master Chief. Consequently, it seems like a missed opportunity that a Halo spin-off featuring the Arbiter in a leading role has yet to materialize. In fact, the Arbiter's presence has been notably scarce since Halo 5, with only a brief cameo in that installment. The potential for an Arbiter-led Halo spin-off is boundless, with numerous settings readily available for exploration. An Arbiter-centric game could delve into his battles on his home world of Sanghelios, his collaboration with the Master Chief on Zeta Halo, or even the uncharted years between Halo 3 and 5.