Halo Infinite – The Master Chief’s Open-World Redemption

Halo Infinite recovers from a rocky launch to deliver the best sandbox combat in the series, rated 8.5/10 for its stellar gunplay and Forge tools.

Game Info

Developer
Halo Studios
Publisher
Xbox Game Studios
Release Date
December 8, 2021
Genre
Action, FPS
Platforms
PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series X

Verdict

8.5 /10

Halo Infinite has evolved into a premier shooter with the best Forge mode in history, though its campaign remains a one-off experience.

Pros

  • Best-in-class gunplay mechanics
  • Battle Passes never expire
  • Forge mode allows infinite user content
  • Firefight KOTH is addictive PvE
  • Cross-platform progression works seamlessly

Cons

  • Campaign lacks biome diversity
  • Menu UI can still be sluggish
  • No playable Elites in multiplayer

Performance Notes

Series X runs flawlessly at 120Hz in performance mode. PC performance has improved significantly since launch but VRAM usage remains high on Ultra textures.

Halo Infinite stands in 2025 as a robust, feature-rich shooter that has finally grown into its potential. While launch content was sparse, the shift to Operations and the addition of the Match Composer has revitalized the experience. It remains the only arena shooter on the market that successfully blends old-school power weapon control with modern movement mechanics like sliding and grappling.

How to Play Halo Infinite

Halo Infinite returns to the “Golden Triangle” of shooting, grenades, and melee, enhanced by equipment pickups.

  1. Controls – Standard FPS layout; learning to use equipment (Grappleshot, Repulsor) mid-combat is key to mastery.
  2. Progression – Battle Passes never expire; players can switch between active Operations to unlock cosmetics at their own pace.
  3. Combat/Mechanics – Shields do not recharge while sprinting; headshots only matter once shields are popped.
  4. Tips – Control power items (Rockets, Overshield) to dominate; stick with teammates to team-shot enemies.

Who Should Play Halo Infinite

This is the definitive arena shooter for players tired of battle royales and loadout-based chaos.

  • Player 1 – Competitive players who value equal starts and map control over RNG loot.
  • Player 2 – Creative types who want to build entire games inside the industry-leading Forge mode.
  • Player 3 – Co-op fans looking for the PvE “Firefight: King of the Hill” experience.
  • Skip if – You prefer realistic military sims or twitch-shooters with low time-to-kill (TTK).

Halo Infinite Platform Performance

Infinite runs on the proprietary Slipspace Engine, prioritizing frame rate for competitive integrity across Xbox consoles.

Platform Resolution FPS Notes
PC (High) 4K Native 120+ Requires DLSS/FSR for high frames on mid-range cards
PS5 N/A N/A Xbox/PC Exclusive
Xbox Series X 4K Dynamic 60/120 120Hz mode drops resolution to ~1440p but is butter smooth
Switch N/A N/A Not available

Halo Infinite System Requirements

The game is CPU-intensive due to its physics engine but scales decently on older hardware.

Component Minimum Recommended
OS Windows 10 RS5 Windows 10 19H2
CPU Ryzen 5 1600 / i5-4440 Ryzen 7 3700X / i7-9700k
GPU RX 570 / GTX 1050 Ti RX 5700 XT / RTX 2070
RAM 8 GB 16 GB
Storage 50 GB SSD Required for texture streaming

Similar Games to Halo Infinite

If you enjoy the “arena shooter” feel or sci-fi aesthetic, these alternatives offer comparable thrills.

  • Destiny 2 – Shares Bungie’s gunplay DNA but focuses on loot grinding and abilities.
  • Splitgate 2 – Similar arena combat but adds portals for a higher skill ceiling.
  • Doom Eternal – Faster PvE combat; Halo is more tactical and slower-paced.
  • Apex Legends – Higher TTK like Halo, but strictly a Battle Royale format.

Halo Infinite vs Competitors

Halo remains unique for offering a full campaign, multiplayer, and forge suite in one package.

Feature Halo Infinite Call of Duty: BO6 Destiny 2
Price Free (MP) / $60 (Camp) $70 Free-to-Start
Playtime Infinite Infinite Infinite
Multiplayer 4v4 / 12v12 BTB 6v6 / Warzone 3v3 / 6v6
Metacritic 87 83 85

Halo Infinite Story & World

Set on Zeta Halo, the campaign functions as a “spiritual reboot.” Master Chief fights the Banished, a brute-led faction, in a semi-open world. The narrative is personal, focusing on Chief’s relationship with The Weapon (a new AI) and the pilot Fernando Esparza. It trades linear cinematic set-pieces for player agency, allowing you to tackle Forward Operating Bases (FOBs) and assassination targets in any order you choose.

Halo Infinite Multiplayer & Online

The multiplayer suite is now feature-complete, offering a massive variety of playlists via the Match Composer.

  • Arena (4v4) – Ranked and social modes focusing on tight map control.
  • Big Team Battle (12v12) – Chaos with vehicles like Warthogs, Scorpions, and Wasps.
  • Firefight: KOTH – PvE wave defense where players hold hills against Banished AI.
  • Cross-Play – Full cross-play between Xbox and PC with input-based matchmaking options.

Halo Infinite DLC & Expansions

343 Industries pivoted away from paid campaign DLC to focus on free multiplayer updates.

  • Operations – Free 4-6 week mini-events replacing 6-month seasons.
  • Winter Update – Added Match XP and huge Forge improvements.
  • Season Pass – Previous passes (Heroes of Reach, etc.) are still purchasable and valid.
  • Free Updates – New maps, equipment (like the Bandit Evo), and modes arrive regularly.

Halo Infinite Community & Support

The community is anchored by Forge, where players create maps that rival developer quality.

  • Official Forums – Halo Waypoint is the hub for news and service records.
  • Reddit/Discord – r/halo is active; the Discord is best for finding ranked groups.
  • Mod Support – Forge is essentially an in-game dev engine; highly advanced scripting allowed.
  • Updates – Monthly patches for balance tuning and playlist rotation.