When loyal Halo fans envision their ultimate Halo game, they expect certain aspects to be present. The ideal Halo game would feature a lengthy and immersive campaign, offering a wealth of open-ended areas to explore, a plethora of weapons and vehicles, and diverse enemy variations. Additionally, it would boast a compelling story and the reintroduction of beloved characters. In terms of multiplayer, it should harken back to the franchise's glory days while incorporating refined and modern mechanics. Furthermore, the perfect Halo game would provide ample content for long-term enjoyment, ensuring its replayability. For a fleeting moment, Halo Infinite embodied these qualities.
However, despite its promising start, Halo Infinite encountered numerous obstacles that led to a decrease in its player base and left fans feeling dissatisfied. Initially designed as a live-service game, it fell short of fulfilling this promise by offering just a limited number of modes and maps over the span of nearly two years. Nonetheless, it is not too late, and a glimmer of hope remains for Halo Infinite to redeem itself.
How Halo Infinite Can Redeem Itself
Released in November 2021, Halo Infinite initially showed promise but quickly lost momentum. However, with a strategic plan, Halo Infinite has the potential to regain its fan base and compete with industry giants like Call of Duty: Warzone, Apex Legends, and Fortnite. Yet, certain significant changes must be implemented for this to occur.
The foremost and crucial change Halo Infinite must undertake is the frequency of its seasonal updates. Over the past year and eight months, the game has only had four Seasons, which is disappointing. In comparison, Fortnite has had twice as many Seasons during the same timeframe, while Apex Legends has had six. Adding to the disappointment, Halo Infinite's four Seasons have offered limited content, mainly featuring maps and game modes that have long been part of the franchise and should have been included from the start.
For Halo Infinite to succeed, 343 Industries must establish a regular and consistent schedule for its seasonal updates. Unlike games like Fortnite and Apex Legends, which have varying season lengths, Halo Infinite should aim for a consistent timeframe that fans can anticipate. The content within each season should also meet fan expectations, with predictable additions such as map changes, a Battle Pass, and new weapons. Additionally, improving communication with players is crucial for 343 Industries to maintain transparency regarding future updates.
While addressing these key factors is essential for redeeming Halo Infinite, there are other measures that can expedite the process. Introducing more campaign content to the game can entice fans to return, as the campaign serves as a solid foundation for the next phase of the Halo formula, blending open-world RPG elements with classic gameplay. Expanding the number of campaign missions or including side activities would go a long way in redeeming Halo Infinite, particularly with the recent addition of campaign co-op.
Halo Infinite is available now for PC, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X|S.