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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
Verdict
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.
- Controls – Standard FPS layout; learning to use equipment (Grappleshot, Repulsor) mid-combat is key to mastery.
- Progression – Battle Passes never expire; players can switch between active Operations to unlock cosmetics at their own pace.
- Combat/Mechanics – Shields do not recharge while sprinting; headshots only matter once shields are popped.
- 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.