Master Chief finally returns to the battlefield. After 6 years away, Sierra 117 is polishing his Spartan armour and reloading his rifle.
Credit : Xbox/Microsoft
This new journey was set to reimagine the Halo series and give the iconic franchise a new coat of paint.
Does Halo Infinite offer a return to form? Or has it contributed to the Series’ recent history of disappointment?
About
Halo Infinite is the newest addition to Xbox’s flagship gaming franchise. The mini reboot of master chief’s journey has been highly anticipated by Halo and Xbox fans.
Since it was first announced at E3 2018, Infinite was proposed as the game that would bring Halo back into the best shooter discussion.
It was planned to arrive in 2020, but the effects of the pandemic meant the game was incomplete.
After a bad presentation at the Xbox Games Showcase in 2020, developers 343 decided to delay the game until the 2021 holiday season.
Whilst it was originally set to be an Xbox series X launch title, releasing it as part of the celebrations for 20 years of both Halo and Xbox seems like the perfect timing.
On November 15th, 2021, an open beta for the multiplayer was released to thank fans as part of the Xbox 20th anniversary celebrations, allowing players to test the multiplayer three weeks before the full game released.
On December 8th, the full game, which included the campaign and an improved multiplayer, released on Xbox and Windows platforms.
Halo Infinite is set to be a live service game. This means that content will continue to be added for a number of years.
Both the campaign and multiplayer will receive updates that adds more content in a seasonal format.
The game is currently still on its first season, with season 2 launching in May 2022.
343 have stated this would be the singular Halo game for the next 10 years.
So has it had a good start?
Campaign Story
Halo has a long history that is hard to dissect as a newcomer. With 6 mainline games and a number of spinoffs, there is a lot to catch up on.
Playing through the previous games isn’t necessary to enjoy this game’s campaign, but it may help.
I would suggest at least watching a recap video to understand more of the Halo lore so that the ending cutscenes don’t go over your head.
Despite 343 claiming that Halo Infinite is a mini reboot for the franchise, the story continues on from Halo 5’s campaign.
Set a couple years after the events of Halo 5, super soldier Master Chief is on a new mission to tame a new threat.
The main setting of Infinite is Zeta Halo, a broken Halo ring that is ruled by a group of rogues known as the Banished.
After a losing battle against the banished, Master Chief is rescued from the depths of space by a lone pilot.
Instead of returning home, Master Chief decides to go back to zeta halo to finish the fight against the Banished.
The beginning is very reminiscent of previous games, with a big indoor section filled with enemies and ancient structures.
Though it provides nostalgia, it’s what happens after this section that makes Halo Infinite standout.
After finding the way out of the indoor area, the world of zeta halo is revealed.
For a franchise first, players get to explore the world however they like, with many tasks to complete.
From this point, Master Chief must traverse the land to find clues that will help him hunt down the Banished leader Escharum.
The new open world is a very welcomed addition to the campaign. It is really fun just running and gunning as Master Chief and provides a much needed break from the intense main story levels.
The boss fights are quite frequent and well designed. Lots are placed in tight spaces and require some real consideration of weapon selection and approach.
Another great addition is the grappleshot, the new tool allows Master Chief to latch onto enemies, climb mountains, grab distant weapons, and traverse buildings.
One thing I will say is that the story’s plot seems to lack the significance of other games. Whilst the characters and interactions are rather strong, the plot only seems to contribute to the main Halo story during the final few missions.
But with more campaign set to release in the future, the story could be more fleshed out and suggests that there is a lot more to come from Infinite’s campaign yet.
Multiplayer
As someone who is usually not too keen on first person shooters, I have always loved playing Halo with friends.
Halo multiplayer has always felt different. The crazy weapons and absolute chaos of hijacking warthogs and blowing up a banshee is always a blast.
Even the less highly thought of titles like Halo 4 have provided moments of fun. But myself and the rest of the Halo fanbase have noticed the decline in quality in recent titles.
That’s why it’s been so refreshing to play Infinite’s multiplayer.
After playing for a number of months, the Infinite multiplayer definitely restores the fun aspects of previous titles.
Wielding power weapons like the gravity hammer and energy swords always feel great, but the default weapons are useful too.
The maps offer a variety of landscapes that are missing from the campaign. From sandy plains to space stations, each map has a unique identity.
Each map is highly detailed, with multiple routes and levels planted throughout.
Since starting the Multiplayer in November, I have played at least one game almost every day.
The variety of modes encourage a ‘just one more game’ attitude whilst playing.
The fast pace coupled with the simple objectives creates matches full of non-stop action.
It’s a real nostalgia trip for those that remember playing Halo on the 360 or original Xbox.
My favourite part of the multiplayer so far has been the limited time events.
During these events, completing objectives within multiplayer will unlock special items that can then be used to customise your Spartan.
The games are fun, but the overall multiplayer systems still need tweaking.
Players have highlighted issues with game modes such as Big Team Battle and loading playlists.
However, the biggest concern so far has been with the battle pass. Players have stated that the battle pass possess a slow progression and lack of quality.
I think that some of the criticism is harsh. The progression is not seem that slow in relation to the pass’ duration, and I have been happy with the customisation available, especially for a game that is still in its first few months.
That being said, there is some room for improvement.
343 has been listening to the criticisms and have acknowledged the need to improve some of these issues.
This is a promising step in the right direction. As long as 343 continue to address the community’s issues, the future of Halo Infinite’s multiplayer looks brighter than its impressive start.
Gameplay
Arguably the best thing about this game is the gameplay.
The game modes may have a few hiccups but the gameplay in each mode maintains a high quality consistently.
Whether you are unleashing havoc from a vehicle or on two feet, the experience always feels smooth and satisfying.
Both the campaign and multiplayer are mechanically sound and perform with little to no problems.
Throughout my playthrough of the campaign, I can’t recall having any technical issues.
The most important aspect of any first person shooter is the guns and how they shoot.
In Halo Infinite, each gun and item works in the way they were intended to. A pistol possess distinct feel compared to a rifle.
Whilst this is a basic need of a shooter game, finding the right balance of power and usability for each weapon can be more complex.
Despite this, Halo Infinite manages to make every weapon seem like a viable option.
Some weapons do feel stronger than others, but there isn’t one weapon in the game that can be considered unusable in my opinion.
Vehicles are also pretty simple to operate despite them following the wild physics that have become a typical feature of the Halo games.
However, the best example of how good the mechanics in this are comes from the special abilities.
Swinging around with the grappleshot and placing shields to withstand an onslaught feels swift and effortless.
Using these abilities in a big fight provides moments that makes you genuinely feel like you are inside Master Chief’s armour taking down brutes and elites.
Halo Infinite’s gameplay feels like the best in the series yet and offers the perfect balance of fun and efficiency.
Audio + Visuals
Halo Infinite’s appearance has received a significant improvement from the gameplay trailer that left fans disheartened last year.
The developers have worked hard to provide audio and visual improvements that make Halo Infinite look and sound like a AAA title for the Xbox Series X/S.
There is no doubt that what the game now offers is great, it’s what it doesn’t offer that lets it down.
Switching to an open world model has allowed the world of Zeta Halo to expand upon the traditional environments that Master Chief finds himself battling in.
Zeta Halo retains the classic mountainous forests of other locations found in previous titles. These forests are filled with ancient relics and structures that reminds soldiers of those that came before them.
Also, the buildings found across the ring are grand towers that don a metallic exterior. Inside these buildings, the glowing walls and engraved patterns solidify the extra-terrestrial themes.
Gazing upon these environments can feel very rewarding.
Reaching the edge of a floating section to see more in the distance or coming out of the beginning section to see Zeta Halo’s landscape being opened are moments full of wonder.
But after entering the third building that looks the same as the previous two, they begin to blur into one, making the moments of wonder feel less wonderful.
Thought they remain loyal to the classic games, the lack of variety in the terrains and halls can make sections of the campaign feel repetitive.
Hopefully the addition of DLC should make the campaign’s environments more varied.
Multiplayer does not suffer as much from this issue. The use of separate maps allows for a greater freedom when designing the areas.
You could go as far to say that variety is crucial when creating multiplayer maps.
The current maps offer a good range of locations, but more maps would offer a greater sense of unpredictability when loading into a game.
My Experiences
A few months ago, I nominated Halo Infinite as my most anticipated game. In that post, I mentioned that I have not played Halo for a while so I could not wait to get my hands on this game.
And now, I am glad that I have.
Halo has been a part of my Xbox experience since day one and it has been a huge part of my gaming experience.
Halo 4 was bundled in with my Xbox 360, and the box to my Xbox One was themed around the Master Chief Collection.
Though I had played Halo 3 at friends’ houses and at my local youth club, Halo 4 was my first deep dive into the Halo universe.
At this age, I was usually more interested in sports or single-player adventure games. But Halo was always a rare exception to that rule.
So like many others, Halo is a franchise that I hold dear to my heart. I want it to succeed.
I was desperate for Master Chief to come back with bang and to provide a healthy boost of nostalgia.
After over a month of playing, I am happy to say that Halo Infinite delivers.
The multiplayer is fun and chaotic. It has no trouble in pulling you in to play just one more game.
If you played any of the original Halo trilogy, you should try Infinite’s multiplayer. It’s a throwback.
There are some tweaks needed, but the foundations are strong and promising.
With steady improvements and additional content, the multiplayer could be a shooter powerhouse similar to the likes of Fortnite and Call of Duty : Warzone.
What makes this game stand out though is the campaign.
Master Chief’s latest adventure is action-packed, and the open world adds another dimension to the adventure.
Playing as the Spartan soldier has never felt so good.
Halo Infinite has had an impressive start. And with many more years to come, the foundations have been built for Xbox’s flagship game to stay on top for a while.
Rating
My Rating for Halo Infinite is a 4.5 stars.
Master Chief’s latest journey is a return to form that offers a fun yet challenging experience.
Whilst the game is not yet perfect, it is a strong start to the next generation for Xbox’s biggest series.
Where To Get It
Halo Infinite is an Xbox exclusive which means it is only available on Xbox and PC.
The easiest way to play is through Xbox Game Pass.
Some good news is that the Multiplayer is FREE. The campaign is available at £54.99.
If you are wanting to buy it outright, here is a link to the Xbox Store
For those looking for a physical copy, click here
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