The AI known as Cortana has become an iconic character within theHalofranchise. Cortana is very similar in both the games and the Paramount+Haloseries. In both, she was created by Dr Catherine Halsey, and acts as an AI guide for Master Chief in his endeavors. In fact, in both the show and the games, she isplayed by the same actor, Jen Taylor.
However, there are a few changes that have been made to Cortana that leave some fans scratching their head. The series has performed well with critics, but fans of theHalofranchise are not as happy. The series does not faithfully portray the Xbox games, and their use of Cortana is a clear example.
6Her Appearance
The first thing that gamers notice in the TV series is Cortana’s appearance. She isn’t as blue, and she looks more like a regular human with a blue tint to her. Maybe this was due to the budget of the show, or perhaps it was simply a style choice. Either way, many fans feel thatit just doesn’t look right.
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Fans love how Cortana was designed in the games, as she looks like an AI with the iconic blue color. However, this wasn’t portrayed in the series. Also, from the get-go, Cortana presents herself as a human-sized hologram, instead of a tiny AI in the Chief’s hand that has grown to be iconic.
5She’s Used As A Way To Control Master Chief
One of the big changes to Cortana in the series is her purpose. In the TV show, Cortana was created specifically as a means to control Spartans, in this case, John-117. Comparing this to what is depicted in the video gameHalo: Combat Evolved, the first chronological appearance of both characters, Cortana was simply the Pillar of Autumn’s ship, AI who was given to Master Chief as a way of protecting the UNSC from the Covenant.
Catherine Halsey explains in the show that Cortana is the next step for Spartans, turning them into perfect soldiers. Cortana will take over their bodies, removing their independence and replacing their cognition with an AI. This is not the case in the games, in which Cortana is an ally of Chief and actually can be removed.
4How She Was Created
Fans see how Cortana was created in the series. In the games, she already exists beforeHalo: Combat Evolved. InHalo Reach,players do see Cortana in Halsey’s lab,but she is already created and Noble Team simply deliver ‘the package’ to the Pillar of Autumn.
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In the TV series, Cortana begins life as a ‘flash clone’ of Catherine Halsey. The procedure of extracting its brain and injecting it directly into Master Chief all takes place on screen. In the games, Cortana is simply a chip inserted in Master Chief’s MJOLNIR armor and is not directly in John. It’s strange change made to the series that alters their relationship completely.
3Relationship With Master Chief
Every fan of theHalofranchise lovesthe relationship between Cortana and the Master Chief. InHalo: Combat Evolved,they pretty much hit it off from the get-go, and only grow in strength as they work together.
The Halo series does not establish this strong bond. Instead, Master Chief dislikes Cortana. He does not want her inside his head at all times, silencing her and stating he is getting rid of Cortana at the first chance he gets. He doesn’t even really warm to her by the series finale either. In the TV show, Master Chief only uses Cortana because he has no choice. Helpfully, in season 2 they develop a better relationship and become the twosome that gamers wanted to see on Paramount+.
2Her Abilities
Cortana has a few new abilities in the TV series that she doesn’t show in the games. One example is that she can completely control the Master Chief, as explained prior.
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When Chief journeys to his home world of Eridanus II, Cortana helps replicate his former home world from his memories, creating something of a simulation. These abilities are not present in theHalogames. In the original story,Cortana acts as a guideor as a computer to the Master Chief, alerting him of dangers and highlighting targets.
1Her Timeline Is Different
As fans are well aware, thisHaloTV series does not take place in the same universe as the games. Rather, it follows what is known as the ‘Silver Timeline.’ It was a bold choice to create a whole new universe and switch things around in the timeline.
In the games,Cortana was given to the Master Chief moments before he steps foot onto Haloand kick-starts their journey, but in the show, the Halo was not discovered up until this point. Cortana was a means to control Master Chief, switching up her purpose and when two characters came to know one another. In the games, Noble Team were responsible for transferring Cortana to eventually the Master Chief, but this was completely missed in the show.
