Halo Infinite has revitalized one of the most iconic franchises in video game history, marking a triumphant return to the roots that made the series a beloved classic. Released in late 2021 and receiving consistent updates and expansions into 2024, Halo Infinite has breathed new life into the Halo universe, blending nostalgia with modern innovations. As the sixth main entry in the series, it offers a fresh take on the franchise’s legendary gameplay, world, and characters.

A Return to Form

At its core, Halo Infinite successfully captures the essence of what made the original Halo trilogy a landmark in the FPS genre. It brings back the classic combat loop of Halo: Combat Evolved — a balance of gunplay, grenades, and melee attacks, all while emphasizing player movement and strategy. The iconic Halo sandbox, where players must adapt to various weapons and environments, feels more refined and expansive than ever before. This return to form, paired with the game’s nostalgic yet modernized soundtrack, brings long-time fans back to what they loved about the series, while offering new players a taste of what made Halo special.

Master Chief’s Journey Continues

At the heart of Halo Infinite is the continuation of Master Chief’s story, which picks up after the events of Halo 5: Guardians. The narrative focuses on Chief’s mission to stop the Banished, a faction led by the imposing warlord Atriox. These enemies, who were first introduced in Halo Wars 2, have now risen as a serious threat, replacing the Covenant as the main antagonists.

The story delves into Master Chief’s personal journey, making it a more emotional experience than previous entries. The game introduces new characters, such as the AI companion “The Weapon,” who plays a crucial role in helping Chief uncover what happened to Cortana. The storytelling in Halo Infinite strikes a careful balance between introspective moments and bombastic action, ensuring the saga remains engaging for veteran players and newcomers alike.

Open-World Design

One of the most significant changes in Halo Infinite is its semi-open-world design. The game introduces a sprawling, explorable environment set on Zeta Halo, a ring world that serves as a central location for the game. This open-world element allows players to take on missions in a more flexible order, offering freedom to engage in side activities, capture enemy outposts, and collect upgrades for Master Chief’s abilities.

This design shift gives the series a breath of fresh air without losing the linear mission structure that fans love. Zeta Halo is filled with stunning vistas, hidden secrets, and enemy strongholds that challenge players to approach combat creatively. While it may not be as densely populated as some other open-world games, the freedom and exploration Halo Infinite offers are still a marked departure from the series’ more linear roots.

Multiplayer: Free-to-Play Success

The multiplayer component of Halo Infinite has been another major highlight. Launched as a free-to-play experience, it has attracted a large player base from around the world. The gameplay embraces the classic arena-style combat that made Halo multiplayer famous while integrating modern elements such as battle passes and seasonal content.

Halo Infinite’s multiplayer offers a wide variety of modes, from small-scale, tactical skirmishes to large-scale battles with vehicles in Big Team Battle. The tight, responsive controls, balanced weaponry, and teamwork-focused gameplay have earned it praise, though there were some criticisms regarding progression and cosmetic unlocks early on. Thankfully, 343 Industries has actively listened to player feedback, rolling out updates and balancing patches to enhance the experience.

Looking Ahead

Halo Infinite represents both a return to the past and a step forward for the franchise. With plans for more story expansions, seasonal updates, and ongoing multiplayer support, Halo Infinite is designed to evolve over time, ensuring that the universe of Halo continues to grow in exciting ways. Its compelling mix of open-world exploration, refined combat, and free-to-play multiplayer has secured its place as a defining game in the Xbox Series X/S era, promising more great things to come for fans of the franchise.