Halo Infinite
WHERE TO PLAY
Nearly 20 years ago today, Microsoft and junior developer Bungie Studios teamed up for one of the most ambitious, multi-media launch titles in existence. Crafting an entire Sci-Fi universe from space dust, the result was an unmitigated success – catapulting Microsoft as a major player in the industry andHaloas one of the gaming greats. Well outside of the launch window of both Xbox Series X and S, canHalo Infinitemeet those sky-high expectations?
Thankfully, I feel like I don’t have to make such a massive determination on my own. Weeks ahead of the official launch ofHalo Infinite, developer 343 Industries through the multiplayer into Open Beta, reigniting the team-based multiplayer shooter scene that hasn’t been overly rocked by other competitors likeBattlefieldorCall of Duty. Even better, while the broader gaming community has beensharpening their knivesfor months following missed release dates, underwhelming trailers, and a fundamental rethinking of the game, 343 blows away expectations.
I’ll go as far as to say it is actually incredible the amount of meditation and reconsideration that 343 Industries has put intoHalo Infinitesince the launch ofHalo 5. Some of the deepest feedback about core developments in the series – whether we are talking about the soundtrack, art design, color scheme – have been overhauled to match the sky-high expectations of a new console generation.
The mostresonating concernwith the community writ large is an underwhelming progression system that locks out cosmetics. While Bungie has stated repeatedly that they are on the path to addressing the Battle Pass situation, it’s hard to not view it as a broader problem with the state of games as a whole. And yes, it’s a bit more painful when it is being implemented and adopted by a series that in many ways pioneered the online multiplayer shooting scene.
But if you want an impression of the multiplayer, you don’t need this review – it’s been available for weeks as a free-to-play option to wet the palate for the full experience. After investing a couple of dozen hours across in the campaign across a few difficulty levels, I can easily say thatHalo Infiniteis what the Xbox Series X has been waiting for.
Taking place shortly after the events ofHalo 5: Guardians, Master Chief and players are opened up to a mystery of their own – what happened over the last few months, how was Cortana defeated, and why is the Weapon (a pseudo-Cortana AI) still around? Master Chief keeps catching glimpses from the past and dreamy messages from his AI companion from beyond the grave… but with little explanation other than it being remnant data. With the entire playground of Zeta Halo at your disposal (with some of its pieces already fragmented), you start off with more questions than answers.
Not diving into the story spoilers, butHalo Infinitefeels like a true return to form for the game’s story. Thanks to a central focus on Master Chief and a lot of blanket uncertainty about… well… most of the story at this point, there is an air of mystery that I haven’t truly felt sinceCombat Evolved. If you had been concerned thatGuardianswas ushering in a post-Master Chief shift in the universe,Halo Infiniteimmediately puts those fears to rest.
While the series as a whole has gotten more accessible thanks to the one-two punch ofHalo: The Master Chief Collectionand Xbox Game Pass,Halo Infinitestill does a lackluster job of engaging new joiners into the broader universe. While it provides a rich story for those who’ve been following and an excellent playground for those who care more about the action, it expects a certain degree of familiarity with the saga so far. To some degree, it rob’s the game from being such an easy recommendation to anyone looking to get into the series – despite being the best of the bunch.
Speaking of best of the bunch, it would be a crime to not mention how much 343 Industries has refined both the open world and flow of the game thanks to Zeta Halo’s dynamic structure. Namely, the introduction of collectibles, bounties, and smaller side quests break the game away from more on-rails experience. Even better, it works – I spent more time than I want to admit grappling up clips to get cosmetic armor pieces or tracking down a minor upgrade point. While it never overshadowed the set pieces and story of the main missions, being able to divert and save fellow UNSC members added a layer to gameplay toHalo Infinitethat the series was sorely missing.
Some other minor points worth noting about my time with Master Chief:
Celebrating its 20th anniversary, it feels almost poetic thatHalo Infiniteis its biggest, boldest, and most creative launch since the series released. Bringing a return to form for both the campaign and multiplayer, the entire experience is aHalotour de force for the Xbox brand. With the promise thatHalo Infinitewill be a launching ground for futureHaloexperiences, Master Chief is looking at a bright future ahead.
