Chances are, if you’re here, you love Halo. But what I’m wondering from each one of you is what exactly is the one quality that you think separates Halo from the rest of the field? Is it the gameplay? the story? a certain character (Master Chief, for example), relationship, weapon, universe element, part of the community… I could go on and on. Obviously there are no shortage of amazing things about this franchise. But what sticks out the most?
For me it has always been and undoubtedly will always, be the community. The way that Bungie interacted with the community for those first 3 games was pretty unprecedented for a console title - and the community responded exceptionally. I made an earlier post about how we really need to see a “Bungie Favorites” system back ( https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/forums/6e35355aecdf4fd0acdaee3cc4156fd4/topics/want-community-bring-back-favorites/6ad97fa9-287b-41e5-86d8-a169c7da7cc7/posts ), but it was that in addition to the fileshare, forge, bungie forums, and even theater which combined to make Halo such a fun experience for friends to share. Being able to share and receive custom content kept the game fresh and made it a living, breathing platform for essentially unlimited gameplay. While I love Halo, this is what Halo has that no other game has been able to touch.
So what’s yours?
Though not at first, the story.
That, and the unique selection of Custom Games!
The story (now)
The community, I’ve met friends and awesome people through here and at times I struggle with my emotions a lot and the help alks I’ve had with people here have really helped me. It means a lot to me when I’m really down and I can actually come here for advice and friendship.
The gameplay IMO is the best.
The customizability and sheer amount of opportunities for fun. Halo can be whatever you want it to be.
The story brought me in and kept me, the multiplayer gave me countless hours of fun through college and the community gave me some amazing friends 
Initially, nostalgia.
No, seriously. I started playing Halo at a very young age, and, me being a very impressionable child had very positive experiences playing Halo. So, now that I’m older, I have a very deep psychological and emotional attachment to the franchise. Of course, I would have fallen away from the franchise if I didn’t actually like it - so, the main reason is that I love Halo’s story, however inconsistent it may be. I have a very active imagination, and I have tonnes upon tonnes of unique ideas for stories that take place in the Halo universe or are altogether alternate universe stories (check out my AU, ‘Trial By Fire’ in the Community Creations forum).
Of course, the multiplayer has provided me with so many months worth of pure, unadulterated fun, both by myself, and with friends. I am, and forever will be, heavily invested in Halo.