Since its inception in 2001, the Halo franchise has provided over two decades of gaming entertainment to a wide audience. As one of the initial prominent exclusives for Xbox, Halo captivated gamers with its engrossing narrative revolving around the enigmatic protagonist, Master Chief, and his AI companion, Cortana. Engaged in a relentless war against various extraterrestrial species, the franchise has consistently prioritized intense shooting mechanics in combat.
Nevertheless, as the future of potential new Halo games beckons, it may be advantageous to revamp the focus of combat to invigorate the longstanding franchise. Following the tumultuous release of the most recent installment, Halo Infinite, there is immense pressure on the upcoming game to deliver. Infusing future combat mechanics with a fighting style reminiscent of Doom could be precisely what the franchise requires to ascend to greater heights.
What the Next Halo Game Can Learn From Doom
The Halo games have always featured incredibly unique and meticulously crafted weapons that play a significant role in the Halo universe. Whether it's a modern-inspired weapon such as an assault rifle or a completely otherworldly and alien weapon like the piercing Type-33 Needler used by the Covenant, each weapon in Halo seamlessly integrates into the game's combat, regardless of its alien appearance. However, to further advance the Halo franchise, giving equal importance to melee combat as well as weaponry could introduce a thrilling new chapter filled with action.
In terms of sci-fi action games that expertly blend melee and weapon combat, Doom and its sequel Doom Eternal, released in 2016, are considered the epitome. While there is a long list of Doom games that excel in combat, it was Doom and Doom Eternal that took it to the next level by emphasizing Glory Kills. These specialized finishing moves allow players to brutally and shockingly dispatch enemies in jaw-dropping ways, amping up the entertainment factor. Placing Master Chief in a similar position, where he can gruesomely bash the heads of enemies, would be an exciting and unexpected addition to Halo's combat mechanics.
Weapons remain a crucial aspect of the Halo gaming experience, so it's important not to overlook them. However, introducing a fresh element could truly invigorate the gameplay. In order to rectify the shortcomings of Halo Infinite, revamping the combat mechanics would be a fantastic starting point. While preserving the core essence and foundation of the game's fighting mechanics, incorporating a feature inspired by Doom's Glory Kills would elevate the intensity of battles, making players feel virtually unstoppable. This infusion of excitement and fast-paced energy would undoubtedly engage and delight players in any confrontations they encounter.
Despite Halo Infinite being viewed as a stumble for the franchise, both Halo and Doom are renowned as outstanding first-person shooters in gaming history. While both games share the FPS sci-fi genre, recent Doom iterations took a risk by augmenting the combat through the introduction of Glory Kills, which has been immensely enjoyable for countless gamers. Halo has endured years of evolving gameplay and trends, and it would be a disservice for its combat mechanics to stagnate. As one of the most iconic gaming franchises, Halo deserves a remarkable resurgence, and one of the most effective approaches to achieve this is by elevating the renowned combat mechanics to unprecedented levels.
Halo Infinite is available now for PC, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X|S.