Halo Infinite Is the Best Halo Game in History
Last month, I wrote about how Halo was the franchise that made me fall in love with games. I dived deep into my memories and tried capturing my sentiments about playing the game when I was younger. After posting the piece, it felt surprising, heartwarming, and almost surreal to know that many people felt the same way about Halo too. Today, I continue that story, but instead of reminiscing, I look to the franchise's current state through Halo Infinite.
Halo Infinite was a game I’d always wished I could play. Growing up, I never had the chance to play any other game beyond Halo 3, so it felt like time stopped when I got the game and an Xbox Series S a few weeks ago. Without second thought after getting home, I unpacked the box encasing the console, plugged the cables into the TV, and turned everything on. Despite genuinely having no idea what had become of the story, I felt eager to explore Halo Infinite.
As soon as I launched the game, I was met with the classic, almost ethereal background music and hopped right into Halo Infinite’s campaign mode. To no surprise, I was back in space. Well, not willingly, to say the least; I’d assume since I was floating around space after being completely smacked around by some alien warlord called Atriox, who also launched an attack on other human forces and UNSC spaceships around me.
While floating through space, I met an anxious, frustrated pilot, who just wanted to go home instead of flying through dangerous alien territory. After the pilot helped get me on a highly-advanced technological weapon, which sort of functions like a planet called the Halo Ring, the real adventure started.
The first thing in Halo Infinite that took my breath away was the visuals and beauty of the opening fight scene against Atriox. I’ve always been awestruck by Halo’s visuals, but 343 Industries did an amazing job with Halo Infinite. I was entranced by the game’s environment and the initial moment upon floating through space and seeing the almost infinite amount of stars that lit the endless void, engulfing the wrecked spaceships because of Atriox’s attack. In some surreal way, this also reminded me of the opening scene in Halo 3.
Once I landed on the Halo Ring, I was met with an open world, and alien-owned territories riddled throughout it. I needed to secure and capture these territories for the good of humankind, but mostly to help the marooned UNSC troops from the multiple wrecked spaceships survive being tortured by aliens.
This was the first time that I experienced anything from the franchise that gave me the freedom to explore the game beyond the classic mission after mission formula Halo’s become accustomed to. There were occasions when some areas had missions that were necessary to complete, but afterward, I always had the opportunity to explore whatever I wanted, and it felt exhilarating.
Combat went hand in hand with this sense of freedom. Like other Halo games, the ability to mix weapons has always been a major reason I’ve loved the franchise. From shooting rockets to jumping in with an assault rifle, combat has always felt dynamic and refreshing in Halo.
Halo Infinite felt even more invigorating than most games in the franchise and didn’t fail to meet this standard. There were a lot of weapons to choose from and options to upgrade special features on your suit, like a shield I could deploy to block incoming fire if I found the materials to do so. Did I mention that there’s a grappling hook now, too? There was generally so much to discover and play with that there was never a dull moment battling aliens.
Fighting aliens wasn’t all that I enjoyed, though. Halo Infinite had intricate and immersive stories that had me tearing up, feeling brave or afraid. Excellent storylines were something the franchise always excelled at providing (except Halo 5: Guardians), and Halo Infinite didn’t disappoint.
Beyond the main goal of defeating the aliens, there were always short stories or tidbits of dialogue to discover about the characters within Halo Infinite. Whether it was about the main character’s storyline or the multiple humans or aliens around me, I was always captivated and immersed in Halo Infinite’s many narratives along my journey.
In the end, I'm over the moon to know the magic that once charmed and made me fall in love with the franchise, and gaming, in general, continues through the form of Halo Infinite. Out of the handful of Halo games I've played, Halo Infinite is, by far, the best one I've played.
💬 Have you ever played Halo Infinite? If so, what are your thoughts on Cortana being portrayed as a villain throughout most of the game?
CHECK OUT THESE OTHER GREAT ESSAYS ON TAPTAP AS WELL:
Have No Fear, Call of Duty Season Is Here - Call of Duty Upcoming Releases
The Return to Monkey Island Is a Satisfying Homecoming Indeed
Outbreak Day is Here - HBO Drops The Last of Us Official Trailer
Mentioned games