The Halo series has always been at the top of the shooter game world. But more importantly, it is one of Microsoft’s most important titles and an Xbox exclusive, bringing us one of the greatest characters in gaming, Master Chief. After a long wait, Master Chief finally returns, and this time he comes with one of the best entries in the legendary Halo series.

In a year where many shooter giants fell, Halo Infinite came to correct the course and give us an incredibly fun and beautiful experience.

Story

It’s recommended to read about the story of Halo before playing the game to understand everything about this massive storyline. You can read it through the following link:

https://bit.ly/30D6CO8

The story of Halo Infinite begins with a surprise attack by a group called the Banished on the United Nations Space Command (UNSC) fleet, which was searching for Cortana on one of the Halo rings. They successfully destroy the UNSC forces, and our hero, Master Chief, loses a brutal battle against the Banished leader, Atriox. We see the destruction everywhere caused by the Banished as Master Chief floats in space.

Six months later, he is saved by Echo 216, a new character introduced in the series. The pilot pulls Master Chief back into his ship, hoping to return to Earth, but Master Chief decides to quickly land on the Halo ring, called Zeta, to uncover the Banished’s plans. This ring is the only remaining main Halo ring and is considered the most mysterious. He also faces their new leader, Escharum, who desperately wants to defeat Master Chief himself.

Another new character is The Weapon, an advanced AI created to replace Cortana, with the mission to eliminate Cortana. Together, Master Chief, The Weapon, and the pilot are up against a massive Banished army, with the fate of the universe hanging in the balance, as Halo rings could destroy all life.

What makes the story so great is the mystery, excitement, and secrets uncovered as you progress. But what’s even better is the characters: Master Chief, the pilot, and The Weapon. Each has their unique personality. The pilot is a coward who wants to escape to Earth, while Master Chief is brave, fearless, and determined. The Weapon is a new character with a lot to learn, and her naive comments make the game even more engaging. Over time, we see Master Chief’s development. He is not just a killing machine, but a human like us. I don’t want to spoil too much, but in short, the story is truly beautiful.

Gameplay

Halo Infinite focuses heavily on the fun of shooting, like its previous entries. The shooting system is an Arena Shooter, allowing you to shoot from any angle and from almost anywhere. You can carry two weapons at once while fighting massive waves of enemies.

The shooting fun in Halo Infinite comes from its design, which can be broken into three parts: weapon design, ability design, and enemy design.

• Weapon Design: This is where the fun of shooting shines, as you need to choose the right weapon at the right time. It’s not just about shooting; each weapon has a unique purpose and is powerful in its own way. The arsenal includes assault rifles, shotguns, pistols, sniper rifles, plasma guns, and more. Each weapon feels special when you use it, and hitting targets is incredibly satisfying.

Vehicles add another layer of fun to the game. There are tanks, helicopters, and the famous Ghost vehicle. These vehicles serve three main functions: 1) kill enemies while driving, 2) carry troops to fire from them, and 3) help you navigate the map. Each vehicle offers one or two of these functions.

• Ability Design: Halo Infinite stands out with its new abilities. These are tools that help you in combat and improve your situation. One of the key abilities is the grappling hook, which is incredibly fun to use. You can climb, move faster, pull weapons from the ground, or even pull yourself toward enemies for a powerful punch.

Other abilities include enemy detection, placing shields for cover, and Dash, which lets you quickly move in any direction. There’s also a new ability to pick up and throw Fusion Coils at enemies, making combat even more exciting. Imagine fighting the Banished, firing relentlessly, then suddenly grappling a Fusion Coil and throwing it at an enemy in a few seconds.

• Enemy Design: The AI for enemies has always been advanced in Halo, and this is no different. Enemies will dodge your shots, hide behind walls, and try to flank you. Some will even retreat to use a sniper rifle. They talk about you constantly, and when they kill you, they celebrate.

Enemies come in different types: weak and strong. Some will attack with all their strength, while others will throw grenades. The variety in enemies makes you use different weapons to defeat them. You’ll also fight their war machines, adding more variety to each encounter.

The game also includes Boss Fights, each one offering a significant challenge where you need to use your environment, abilities, and weapons to exploit the boss’s weakness. One of the standout bosses is Escharum, the imposing leader of the Banished who will track your every move and talk to you throughout the game.

The gameplay is a mix of thrilling shooting and combat against enemies, with quick decisions and tactical battles. Every encounter leaves you satisfied and eager for more.

Game World

The biggest change in the game is the shift from a linear structure to a semi-open world. This change was highly anticipated, and it was done beautifully. There are some flaws, but the fun of the gameplay makes up for them.

The main missions are divided into two types: one is linear, like the earlier games in the series, which is essential for progressing the story and showcasing cinematic scenes. The other is more activity-based, where you complete tasks across the world before progressing to the next mission. While it might feel repetitive, the joy of gameplay makes it enjoyable.

There are many activities in the world, such as: 1) freeing hostages, 2) destroying enemy fortresses, 3) capturing supply points, and 4) defeating deadly leaders for their powerful weapons.

Each activity rewards you with various prizes. Spartan Cores allow you to upgrade your tools and armor, and you’ll also find audio logs that explain crucial plot points. Tasks like killing leaders reward you with powerful, rare weapons. There are also courage points that unlock additional benefits in the game.

When you capture supply points, you can call for military vehicles from your pilot friend. These supply points also offer a range of weapons, and the soldiers you save gather there. As you earn more courage points, you’ll unlock stronger vehicles, weapons, and soldiers.

In short, the more you advance in courage points, the stronger your vehicles, weapons, and soldiers become.

With everything at your disposal, you become a true killing machine. The soldiers you free or those who fight alongside you bring a lot of joy to the gameplay. They will search for better weapons and talk to each other about different topics depending on the situation. When you fight alongside them in the famous Warthog vehicle, it truly feels like a real battle.

The best part of the game is the ability to improvise, using unique weapons, abilities, brave soldiers, and diverse enemies in dynamic situations. Every encounter feels fresh, and you’ll be excited to try something new every time.

Graphics and Sound

Although the game was developed for older consoles, the final version took full advantage of the Xbox Series’ power, delivering stunning visuals. From character designs to Master Chief’s iconic armor, to the detailed enemies and the breathtaking world, the graphics are masterfully crafted.

One standout feature is the Long One Shot system, where there are no scene cuts or loading screens between scenes, similar to the movie 1917. This gives a seamless experience, and the graphical quality remains consistent throughout. There may be occasional frame drops to 30fps or lower in some situations, but overall, the game runs smoothly on the Xbox Series X in 4K.

As for the music, just standing on the main menu of Halo Infinite will bring back memories with the iconic Halo theme. The soundtrack, composed by the great Gareth Coker, is one of the best I’ve ever heard. The music complements the details of each mission and cinematic scene perfectly. The open-world sounds also create an immersive experience, with different weapon and vehicle sounds that add to the intensity of the game.

The voice acting is also top-notch. Steve Downes and Jen Taylor return as Master Chief and Cortana (though Jen Taylor voices the new AI, The Weapon). Even new voice actors, like Nicolas Roye (the Pilot), provide a powerful and emotional performance.

Multiplayer Review

To read the separate review of the multiplayer mode, click the following link:

https://bit.ly/2Zc2jsp

Conclusion

Simply put, go play this game. It’s the best game of the year, and it’s available on Game Pass.

Final Rating

10/10