High expectations and skepticism have followed Halo Infinite since its reveal at E3 2018. The latest entry in the long-running series looks to be a spiritual successor to Halo: Combat Evolved in many ways, and while that alone is enough to garner unprecedented expectations, the recent beta is all the more indication that Halo Infinite deserves all the hype that it's getting.
343 continues to put Halo Infinite multiplayer in the spotlight, and for all the right reasons, as the latest beta felt polished and captured the essence of classic Halo games while feeling modern at the same time. What hasn't received the spotlight it deserves is the Halo Infinite campaign. While some fans may be willing to overlook the long-awaited return of Master Chief and his continued quest to save humanity over Halo Infinite's various multiplayer offerings, the truth is that Halo Infinite's singleplayer mode is a different entity altogether, with its own primary audience waiting with bated breath for an epic and satisfactory addition to Chief's saga.
Halo Infinite Campaign Needs to Fire On All Cylinders
Halo Infinite's campaign has a lot to prove, and it has to deliver on various fronts. Previous Halo games have all been visual showcases, pushing the Xbox consoles to their limits. Thus far, there has been a sense of serenity lying in wait for players as they traverse one of many forerunners structures in the Halo games. On top of that, the Halo series has always captivated fans with its unique art style, epic orchestral score, and this incredible sense of power and responsibility that comes from being the Master Chief. These attributes, although present in multiplayer, are most profoundly experienced in the campaign of Halo games.
In the case of Halo Infinite's campaign, things do not seem too bright at the moment. Last year's campaign reveal was not received well by fans, with many disappointed with the game's visuals and the lack of overall polish one expects from a first-party game. The infamous Craig the Brute, who made an appearance in last year's reveal, became quite a sensation for all the wrong reasons.
The underwhelming Halo Infinite campaign reveal was partly responsible for the game's year-long delay, and 343 Industries seems to have taken the criticism well, with frequent updates on Halo Infinite's development throughout 2021. However, fans have yet to get another look at Halo Infinite's campaign despite seeing and playing game's multiplayer component several times. The only other time 343 has shown bits of the Halo Infinite campaign is through a cinematic trailer and several landscape screenshots of the Zeta Halo.
The lack of showcases for Halo Infinite's campaign when it's less than two months away from launch is downright concerning. There is a possibility of 343 showing off some fresh Halo Infinite campaign gameplay at the newly announced Xbox 20th Anniversary Broadcast on November 15, though the company has yet to confirm its plan for the event.
In addition to the lack of a substantial reveal, the fact that Halo Infinite won't feature co-op at launch is another red flag that is hard to ignore. This is truly a shame, as Halo Infinite's premise is brimming with possibilities. Ever since 343 started working on the Halo franchise, it has struggled to strike a balance between retaining parts of classic Halo games and introducing fresh elements that do not feel alienating to long-term fans. Halo Infinite seems to be the closest 343 has gotten to making a Halo game that acknowledges the legacy of past entries while also feeling like the evolution the series needs. Unfortunately, fans have not yet been given a reason to be as excited for the campaign as they are for multiplayer.
Still, the Halo Infinite campaign has quite the potential. It could conclude Cortona's story arc, and it might be the next step in depicting a more human Halo storyline with the introduction of the pilot that tags along with Chief in Zeta Halo. It could provide the ultimate sandbox that compels players to explore different parts of Zeta Halo amidst a day and night cycle. The Halo Infinite campaign could even be the next-gen evolution of Halo: Combat Evolved, giving series veterans a game that feels like a better version of what they played 20 years ago. The Halo franchise and 343 need to deliver on that front as well as the game's multiplayer to make Halo Infinite the success that so many want it to be.
Halo Infinite launches December 8, 2021, for PC, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.