Highlights

  • Juggernaut and Ninjanaut gametypes return to Halo Infinite with the Tenrai 4 Operation, sparking nostalgia for classic Halo gametypes.
  • Halo's history of innovative gametypes created by Bungie, like Infection and Grifball, influenced new gameplay experiences.
  • Halo Infinite's multiplayer soft reboot focused on core gametypes, but classic gametypes like Assault and Headhunter could potentially return.

With the release of the Tenrai 4 Operation, the classic Juggernaut gametype has returned to Halo Infinite alongside the Tenrai-themed Ninjanaut gametype. First introduced as its own official gametype in Halo 2, Juggernaut is a free-for-all gametype where players must fight for the title of Juggernaut and gain limited boosts until someone else claims the title. Juggernaut has remained absent from Halo Infinite’s official matchmaking till now and should spark a trend of other classic Halo gametypes returning in Infinite.

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Halo Infinite’s Match Composer Explained

With the launch of the Tenrai Four Fracture Operation, 343 Industries has implemented a multiplayer Match Composer into Halo Infinite.

Halo’s History of Innovative Gametypes

Over Halo’s near 23-year-long lifespan, several new gametypes and playlists continued to be introduced during Bungie’s tenure on the franchise. Gametypes such as Infection or Grifball began as fan creations, but their popularity led to developers incorporating the gametypes into official matchmaking playlists. Bungie would create new gametypes of their own to entice players, such as Firefight and the fan-favorite Invasion in Halo: Reach. It wasn’t until 343 Industries took over the franchise that gametypes began disappearing from mainline Halo games, such as Invasion not returning for Halo 4.

Wacky and fun gametypes continued to disappear or became less prominent by the time of Halo 5: Guardians, with 343 putting more of an emphasis on ranked or competitive playlists. That’s not to say 343 wasn’t innovative with new gametypes either, however. Halo 4 introduced the short-lived base defense gametype Dominion and the sports-themed Ricochet. Likewise, Halo 5 introduced the massive, microtransaction-focused PvPvE gametype of Warzone.

Halo Infinite’s Multiplayer Soft Reboot

Following the fan backlash regarding Halo 5, Halo Infinite was designed as a soft reboot both in its campaign and multiplayer. This caused many classic gametypes to be abandoned, with only core popular gametypes returning, such as Slayer and Big Team Battle. While some unique gametypes would return within the Quick Play playlist, most didn’t receive dedicated playlists of their own. Over time, many gametypes returned to matchmaking, including Firefight and Juggernaut, but there are still many classic gametypes waiting for their triumphant return.

Classic Gametypes that Should Return in Halo Infinite

Halo Infinite’s Slipspace Engine limits how much the game can be expanded upon and modified, so complex gametypes such as Halo 4’s Dominion probably won’t be able to return. With that in mind, one gametype and its successors could potentially return in Infinite; that being Assault. In Assault, one team must protect and carry a bomb to blow up the enemy's base while the other team is forced to defend their base and prevent the other from arming the bomb. This gameplay backbone would be modified to create Grifball in Halo 3 and later Ricochet in Halo 4. 343 Industries could potentially modify the Oddball or Fusion Coil objects to bring back the classic, spherical bomb alongside the Assault, Grifball, and Ricochet gametypes.

Headhunter should also make its return. First introduced in Halo: Reach, Headhunter is a free-for-all gametype pitting players against one another as they strive to collect flaming skulls and deposit them in moving zones. Anytime a player slays another, their collected skulls would pop out of them, causing multiple skulls to scatter about the nearby area. 343 could utilize the Oddball to bring back this wacky gametype.

Halo Infinite Razorback Races

With the introduction of the non-firing Razorback vehicle and the ever expansive Forge mode, Halo Infinite is an ideal game to bring back the Race gametype. Race, as the name suggests, has players race to reach several checkpoints alone or on teams. Halo Infinite’s emphasis on varied vehicle skins makes the game the perfect opportunity for Race to return and have players compete in their own custom Razorbacks. 343 Industries could also incorporate fan-made race maps in Halo Infinite matchmaking to keep matches interesting, such as KingNothing2005’s recreation of The Maw Warthog Run or UNBROKENONYX’s recreation of the Halo 3 Warthog Run.

Halo: Reach ’s Invasion gametype would not be unable to truly return in Halo Infinite due to the game’s lack of playable elites.