Halo Infinite is unmissable, whether you are a long-lasting fan of the series or a newcomer.
The king is finally back after a long six-year hiatus. Halo fans had to wait since the massive cliffhanger in which Halo 5 ended. 6 long years in which the landscape of shooters as a genre changed massively; we saw the rise and dominance of the battle royale, the gradual phasing out of the team-based FPS, and the neglect of the single-player campaign.
But now, it’s time for the legend to return and reclaim its spot at the top. And because of serendipity, Halo Infinite arrives at the same time as the celebration of the franchise and the Xbox’s 20th anniversary. Is Halo Infinite the game fans wanted? The game the industry deserves? Can this new installment live up to the legacy of the giants on whose shoulders it stands?
Let’s start with the Halo Infinite Campaign. Whenever a game tries to reinvent the formula that turned it into a phenomenon or a classic, things tend to go sideways. It might as well have been the case with Halo Infinite; however, 343 Industries seems to know what it is doing, and although it made a risky move, it certainly was a calculated one. It is said Halo Infinite once had a Zelda-sized open world, but it had to be cut to merely a third of its original measurements. However, this decision pays off, as the game feels complete, densely packed, and, more importantly, alive.
Yes, Halo opted for a radical approach to its campaign by ditching the corridor system it was widely known for and, instead, gave players the freedom to roam the Zeta Ring at their own pace.
This has led many to compare Halo Infinite to the Far Cry series, and there is some merit to that claim. Just like in those games, the chief has to capture bases, gain a better position for the UNSC to make its way against the Banished forces, and even hunt down mini-bosses. But Halo has learned from those who came before and understands why those mechanics were successful in the first place. That’s why the base-capturing system doesn’t feel repetitive, and instead, successfully merges the Halo experience with the open-world exploration and territory control of those kinds of games.
But the player is not greeted with this vast open world; instead, there is a sort of prologue or col-opening that feels a tad more familiar. The chief has to make his way through a Banished ship to nullify the tractor beam that, a la Star Wars, has captured the Pelican that found him drifting in space. This Banished ship serves as both a tutorial and a transition from the old corridor-based levels.
It is when we finish this prologue that the contrast makes itself evident, as we change drastically from the enclosed and claustrophobic spaces of a ship to the almost overwhelming grandiosity of the Zeta Halo. Perhaps the first section could have been a little bit shorter, but at least it serves as a springboard for the campaign as a whole.
Halo never looked so good. The next generation and the massive overhaul it had to go through since last year’s fans’ discontent turned it into a much better-looking game. The Halo biomes have always been awe-inspiring, and this is not the exception. Nature at its finest, contrasting directly with the sober and sterile Forerunner architecture. Simple exquisite. But the open-world experience would be a lot less fun if not for the grapple shot, the latest tool in the chief’s arsenal.
The grapple shot allows you to climb to new heights like never before, swing across multiple platforms and structures, and provides a lot of grounds for experimentation in tactical combat. Reach first introduced Halo to such tools, such as the Jetpack, and the Grappleshot feels so natural, one would ask, What took so long for it to be introduced in the first place.
But that is not the only new addition to the chief’s repertoire. There is also a progression and modification system that accompanies the open world and serves as an incentive to capture as many bases as possible. Spartan cores, that is, pieces of Mjolnir armor that can be salvaged and repurposed, are objects one can acquire through the game to improve the chief’s shields, or even add utility to the grapple shot, such as electrifying it to shock enemies upon hooking them.
It feels a bit weird, to be honest, but not completely out of place in Halo lore. Yes, it is the first time there are some customization elements like those in the series, but they are seemingly incorporated and provide some depth to the classic gameplay.
Halo Infinite Multiplayer is worth mentioning. Although the Halo Infinite multiplayer beta was released a couple of weeks ago, the full version of the game came with it, and it’s already proving to be a fan favorite. In a market saturated by the battle royale mode, a classic FPS arena feels heaven-sent, a refreshing experience that builds upon the magic of its predecessors. The multiplayer feels like a renewed version of Halo 3, but with updated graphics and mechanics, taken directly from Halo 5: Guardians.
There is a lot of mobility because sprinting is still a permanent ability, and also thanks to the grapple shot, which, in multiplayer mode, is a consumable, but one that players are already mastering to create a lot of opportunities on the battlefield. The addition of classic modes, such as SWAT, Fiesta, and Slayer, is both welcoming to new players and a gift for seasoned veterans, who will find comfort in how loyal the game feels to Halo 3 and Reach.
Now, regarding the battle pass and microtransactions, this could be discouraging for some players, who are fed up with predatory systems; however, 343 Industries is listening to the audience and tweaking on the go to provide an optimal experience. There are even some cosmetics that can be unlocked during the campaign, but there is an understandable sense of discomfort in paying real money to customize your Spartan, something that has been a part of the Halo series since its inception, and that reached cruise speed during Halo Reach.
Halo Infinite is unmissable, whether you are a long-lasting fan of the series or a newcomer; this game is both a fitting continuation of the saga and an excellent starting point for one of gaming’s finest franchises.
