Platforms: Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PC
It's all about the grappleshot. Like a toyline rebooted with new play features, Master Chief's new retractable weapon is the big selling point of Halo Infinite. Unlike Malibu Stacy with a new hat, though, this latest accessory fundamentally changes how Halo plays, and for the better.
While Halo’s faceless protagonist is still an armoured superman capable of devastating alien hordes through sheer physicality – either slamming into opponents with brutal melee strikes or juggling the series' now-familiar arsenal of sci-fi weaponry – the grapple adds speed to Master Chief's arsenal. Enemies can be latched onto from afar, zooming in on them for an accelerated melee take down, or shields can be ripped away from them in a flash, leaving them exposed to a burst of rifle fire.
The tool also adds more verticality to gameplay. Master Chief can latch onto overhead surfaces – an early section has him essentially web-swinging over platforms while escaping an exploding ship – or pull himself up to higher platforms. It makes navigating Infinite’s maps feel a tad more tactical, letting players hunt for vantage points to rain fire down on enemies, or seek out routes to higher ground when under fire. As you progress through the game, you'll be able to upgrade the grapple too, delivering stun attacks on impact.
Everything in _Halo Infinite_’s campaign is in service of improving combat, and 343 undeniably delivers.
Best of all, it feels intuitive. While a few low-key tutorials are offered on the grapple's usage, many of its tricks – such as removing shields – are left for players to discover through trial and error. Typically, if you think you should be able to do something with the gadget, you probably can – a brilliant bit of forethought on developer 343 Industries' part. What's more, it's fun, and feels like such a natural addition to the series that it'll make going back to past entries feel stilted in comparison. The only downside is that the grappleshot totally eclipses other new additions to the game, such as an enemy sensor or the Drop wall, an energy shield.
Structurally, Halo Infinite feels both progressive and familiar. The majority of the game takes place on the Zeta Halo, a new ring world that echoes back to the very first Halo game. It's arguably a fitting choice to mark the 20th anniversary of the series, but also feels like 343 wanting to reset the series somewhat. Thankfully, it's not purely an exercise in nostalgia though, as Infinite is far more of an open world than past instalments in the series, complete with objectives on the map to check off.
The story also feels like a bit of a throwback to Halo: Combat Evolved, at least to start with. Humanity is, once again, on the brink of extinction, this time in the wake of a conflict with the Banished, a splinter group from long-time space baddies, the Covenant. However, it grows into something with an element of emotional complexity, with Master Chief tracking down an AI ominously called "The Weapon" with connections to his lost companion Cortana, before getting swept back up in the battle to defeat the Banished and their war-chief Escharum.
One big shift is that Infinite is far less linear than its predecessors. While Zeta Halo isn't a true open world – sections are locked off until story events allow access – being able to go off and do side missions does provide more freedom than any Halo game has offered before. These optional extras are rarely pivotal – usually of the "liberate this, save that, kill them" variety – they do offer some much needed variety beyond barrelling through endless corridors of the campaign.
Ultimately, everything in Halo Infinite’s campaign is in service of improving combat, and 343 undeniably delivers on that front. Whether it's core set pieces or fluffy-but-fun side quests, Master Chief's suite of abilities and weapons makes every encounter, every skirmish, and every set piece memorable. Given the game's notable delays, there were understandable concerns from players that Infinite may have been in trouble, but thankfully those fears have been squashed – this is the best Halo has been in years.