Where Halo Infinite truly shines is in the open spaces of Zeta Halo. Halo Infinite's snappy gunplay, dynamic enemy AI, and refined sandbox are arguably some of the best in the franchise's history, ensuring that every encounter offers the beloved "30 seconds of fun" that Halo is known for. There are no arbitrary restrictions that force you to engage with the open world, and the main campaign missions are linear experiences that take place across a variety of well-designed indoor and outdoor locations. If you would prefer to play Halo Infinite like a traditional Halo game, you can. The open spaces of Zeta Halo are where Halo Infinite shines brightest. The developers solved this issue in Halo Infinite by combining the sandbox with the series' traditionally linear gameplay systems and expertly adapting them to an open world-style design. While many players did want something new after the Halo 3 and Halo: Reach era, most felt that Halo 4 and 5's emphasis on a redundant sandbox and advanced mobility abilities was disappointing. With that said, every other aspect of the narrative was exemplary, and I can't wait to see where the developers take the story moving forward. The only character that didn't completely win me over was The Harbinger, who I felt should have been explored more thoroughly. Many of the bosses you encounter throughout the experience have their own distinct personalities and motivations as well, adding additional flavor to the journey. In many ways, Escharum's dialogue sounds theatrical, reminding me of Halo 2's "space opera" narrative structure. Excited by the prospect of defeating humanity's best in his final years, he challenges Chief, eager to prove that the hope the Spartan inspires in others is misplaced. Much like Chief himself, Escharum is a legendary warrior worn down by age and years of brutal fighting. In fact, some of Halo Infinite's best moments involve Escharum, the leader of the Banished forces on Zeta Halo. Notably, the protagonists aren't the only highlights. Halo Infinite's narrative had me enthralled from beginning to end. The Pilot's resilient spirit and desire to return to the family he loves represent the humanity that Chief is fighting to protect, and while I don't want to go into much detail about The Weapon's role in the story, I will say that her dialogue is every bit as nuanced and layered as Chief's is. He's still a man of few words, but his body language and the words he does speak are rich with depth and complexity.Īt Master Chief's side are The Pilot and The Weapon, both of which are just as well-written as Chief himself. There's quite a big heart underneath that battered titanium armor, and throughout Halo Infinite, Chief doesn't hesitate to show it when his allies look to him for guidance, reassurance, or understanding. But something that elevates Chief's character to even greater heights in Halo Infinite are the moments where he abandons his typical stoicism and shows how thoughtful he is. His heroic stoicism and resolve to do what's right is as alluring as it's always been. Master Chief is, unsurprisingly, the star of the game's cast.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |