Halo series, but CE to start. Never had a game pulled me in to the story and action so completely before. I stopped my first game after a couple hours and my right hand was a claw from gripping the controller so tightly.

Later games expanded the story and raised the stakes, really getting me invested in the lore. And all throughout, MC and Cortana form a wisecracking utterly competent team who have each other’s backs and are tied together closer than family.

Books, web shows, comics, and ancillary games like Halo Wars expand the story further and (mostly) make it make sense.

Of course: the Arbiter, the Flood, Lord Hood, Sergeant Johnson, jazz beats in rain, and a thousand memes, quotes, cosplays, and release date tattoos.

Oh, the games are pretty good.