I rumble along in the armored cocoon of my Scorpion tank and climb an elevated path to the Exiled Fortress. With every explosive cannon explosion, the outposts prove that they are not a great threat, but my enemies have prepared for this approach and the narrow mountain path runs into a blockade. As my Marines disembark and charge ahead, I fight my way in the nearby hills and begin shooting down jackals with a unique sniper rifle – prey from an earlier conquest. But no plan survives first contact with the enemy, and I finally climb the outer fortress wall and fall into a nest of entrenched brute when the familiar clatter of my assault rifle clears the way.
Halo Infinite walks a fine line between old and new, and does so with as much success as I’ve seen it from a game. As one of the most iconic “gameplay,” it is confidently nostalgic and rooted in an established legacy that is reminiscent of the earliest games in the series. Whether it’s the satisfying staff of a plasma grenade, the haughty screams of a sword-wielding stealth elite, or the gradual discovery of a mysterious halo ring, Infinite pays homage to Combat Evolved, 20 years after that first release. At the same time, the new game from 343 Industries goes its own way. Gear like the incredibly satisfying grapple, open world elements that offer more opportunities to explore, and freeform basic attacks that challenge players to think creatively – all of these and more help the formula stay fresh and relevant. The balancing act works, and this is the best a Halo game has felt in over a decade.
Master Chief’s newest adventure begins on media resource with his defeat by a brutal warlord and the destruction of the UNSC infinity. It’s a reset of expectations about where the story went after the last game and a figurative breakdown of the intricate fictional framework that defined the previous two series entries. Master Chief wakes up six months later with a new, naive AI companion by his side and gets to work doing what he does best – overcoming insurmountable adversity one ball at a time.
The resulting story is relatively straightforward as it unravels the mystery of what happened in his absence, but the narrative is tinged with vaguely mystical undertones about the absent Cortana and the long-forgotten secrets of the Halo. While some questions are being answered, Infinite indulges in its head-scratching perplexity, and even passionate lore enthusiasts can finish with a resounding “Huh?” This also sticks to the old halo form, but this time around I found a lot more enjoyable in the real character moments, moments of hope and resilience, and I could have used a little less confusion.
Halo Infinite’s manufacturing values have gone through the roof, with breathtaking exteriors and imposing cathedral-like interiors. The score is impeccably fast-paced, emotionally powerful and perfectly balanced between familiar motifs and surprises. Likewise, the voice actors deliver powerful performances that elevate these science fiction characters and convey humanity and loss. In action, everything moves and crackles with tension and excitement, from gun flashes to vehicle explosions.
The fight plays out like a dream, and whatever a player likes or dislikes, the action should motivate players to complete a playthrough. Each weapon brings something worthwhile to the table, and the enemies are fierce and challenging, especially when you run on this legendary difficulty level. Boss fights in the more demanding settings are especially exciting and exciting – a rare achievement in first-person shooters. The new equipment, especially the grapple, has a transformative effect on the gameplay and leads to a more mobile and vertical game. There is a constant sense of movement and momentum in fights, and I couldn’t wait for the next few encounters.
The new open world and progression elements lean heavily on established hits in the genre, and gradually adopting a zone isn’t deeply innovative. But the fights feel so good that I didn’t mind too much. I particularly enjoyed the larger bases and outposts that encourage creative thinking in the approach to routing the baddies. I also loved the little moments of discovery – hidden arms caches on a mountaintop or caves containing the last weapons of a doomed naval squad.
The accompanying multiplayer suite from Infinite is free and guarantees a similar level of enthusiasm as the long campaign. Whether in tense ranked games, desperately running to capture a flag in quick play, or beating up warthogs in 24-player big team battles, core competitive shooting is fast and a lot of fun. The “fair start” mentality is a breath of fresh air in a multiplayer scene dominated by games with earned weapons or mismatched classes; here, if you win an exchange, it is because you collected the right weapon and fought the best engagement.
Slow multiplayer progression systems, limited character customization, and individual weapon and grenade balances require some tweaking during these early weeks of the game. These elements affect my enjoyment of an otherwise rewarding match-to-match experience. But these features have already been tweaked since it was released and can be significantly different in weeks, so there’s a limit to how much I want to tear down the game when the actual multiplayer battles are so much fun.
Like many, I’m saddened that Halo Infinite didn’t launch cooperative multiplayer, if only because it was a bulwark of the show’s identity. It’s a disappointing omission, but I have to judge the game in front of me, not the features I wanted. And in that regard, Halo Infinite is a smashing hit. Whether you want a big, mysterious sci-fi adventure or want to engage in intense PvP, Halo Infinite hits right where it counts and ushers in a new era for one of gaming’s most iconic pillars.
