Halo Infinite is the most important game in the franchise since the first title. That's because, despite a strong original trilogy and a well-received fourth entry, the franchise hasn't had the best of times in recent years.
Between Halo 5's nonsensical campaign and the Master Chief Collection's rocky launch (and subsequent rebirth), fans have been more desperate than ever for a new Halo.
The good news is that you can play Halo Infinite right now, so if you somehow didn't know that, head onto Xbox or PC and give it a go. Here's absolutely everything you need to know about Halo Infinite, from interactive maps to tier lists.
Halo Infinite Campaign Guides
Here's a handy hub of all the campaign guides we've put together for Halo Infinite.
Skulls
If you're playing the Halo Infinite campaign, you'll want to check out our guide on how to get all the Halo Infinite skulls. It's hugely important for those of you desperate to complete everything, and you should be looking at it from the very start of the campaign, lest you miss some out.
Maps, Maps, and More Maps
We've got a bunch of map guides for the Halo Infinite campaign available to look at, offering you a look through all the game's possible collectable items and helping you get them all.
If there's one map you take away from this, have a look at our Halo Infinite all collectables map. It has every piece of kit you could ever want to grab in the game.
After something a bit more specific? Not to worry. Have a look down this list for the item you're looking for!
There are a few specific bits and pieces to look out for too. We struggled to find all the collectables at The Tower in Halo Infinite, so check out our guide on how to grab them too!
Campaign Guns
Which weapon should you use to take down hordes of Banished? Well, our best Halo Infinite campaign guns page should help you out with that nicely.
Halo Infinite Multiplayer Guides
We have a big ol' bunch of Halo Infinite multiplayer guides right here. From the best controller settings and PC key binds to the meaning of 'Steaktacular' and Halo Infinite's SBMM, we have you covered.
Weapon Guides
If you're confused about the vast number of guns in Halo Infinite, look no further. Look at our best Halo Infinite guns tier list for everything you need to know. If you want to know even more, look at one of the specific gun guides below!
- Mangler
- M41 SPNKR
- BR75 Battle Rifle
- MA40 Assault Rifle
- Plasma Pistol
- Pulse Carbine
- S7 Sniper
- Ravager
- Disruptor
- Cindershot
- CQS48 Bulldog
- Hydra
- Needler
- Gravity Hammer
- Sentinel Beam
- Stalker Rifle
- Heatwave
- VK78 Commando
- Shock Rifle
- Energy Sword
- Mk50 Sidekick
Halo Infinite Multiplayer Maps
There are a whole lot of multiplayer maps to sink your teeth into in Halo Infinite too. Why not help yourself out with our full list of Halo Infinite interactive multiplayer map callouts?
If you want some tips on each individual map, check out our guides for them here:
Halo Infinite Vehicles
Here's our handy list of all the Halo Infinite vehicles, as well as advice on how to get them in the multiplayer and campaign.
Cosmetics, Events, and Battle Pass
The Halo Infinite item shop changes daily, and we're always on top of it! If you want more unlockables, no worries at all!
Check out our page on the Halo Infinite Battle Pass, or take a look at how to unlock everything in the Fracture: Tenrai event pass.
Why not look at Josh's opinion on whether the Halo Infinite Battle Pass is even worth the money, too?
We even have advice on how to rank up the Halo Infinite battle pass fast.
Leaks and Rumours
Want to learn more about a potential Halo Infinite Battle Royale? How about all the info about the upcoming Forge mode? Well, you're in the right place.
Halo Infinite Price
The full version of the game including the campaign retails at £54.99, pretty standard for a AAA title. Still, it'll likely go on sale at some point soon. Grab it right away if you can't wait though.
Those that have bought Halo Infinite on Xbox One are able to upgrade for free on the Xbox Series X.
With the game being a first-party Microsoft title, it's also available on Xbox Game Pass, while multiplayer is be free-to-play for all on both console and PC.
Read More: How To Get Halo Infinite For Free On Xbox Series X
New Halo Infinite Features And Changes
Thanks to an "Ask 343" stream, we have a boatload of new info on Halo Infinite. Here's our pick of the updates:
- The game will have a weather system, including wind, with more apparently coming in the future.
- Enemy variety differs from day to night.
- There is non-hostile wildlife to be found in the world.
- No dual-wielding.
- No playable Elites.
- Equipment can be upgraded, but in multiplayer it's single-use.
- The game is not open world but does offer tactical flexibility.
- Different biomes were confirmed, including swamps, caves, and Forerunner architecture.
- Players can go exploring, despite the structured story.
- Audio logs can be found.
Halo Infinite Campaign, Explained
Halo Infinite's story mode is set years after the events of Halo 5.
At the conclusion of Halo 5's ending, we are given a teaser of what seems to be a new Halo ring installation. Cortana took an evil turn towards the back half of Halo 5.
The new game will take place on Zeta Halo, as confirmed by 343. Zeta Halo was the subject of a trilogy of novels about the Forerunners, longtime players in the Halo franchise.
Humans were actually living on Zeta, as well as other wildlife (such as those seen in the original trailer), and Forerunner leader, Master Builder Faber, experimented on those poor souls in order to find a way to combat the Flood - the parasitic alien race that tends to get everywhere.
The gives ample opportunity to discover wildlife, hidden remains of humanity, and potentially quite spooky areas of the open world to uncover.
In a bizarre twist, the Banished (from Halo War 2) have arrived to create chaos. The Harbinger and Banished are working together to 'honor the will of Atriox'.
The Banished Return
The game will feature some open-world elements, allowing players to explore areas as much as they want and allowing them to tackle tasks at their own pace.
But, it's important to note that the worlds do have boundaries and limits. While it's not a linear experience, it's not open-ended.
According to associate creative director Paul Crocker, the game will have areas that can be revisited.
“The simple answer is that it takes place in a huge world that is open and expansive," he explains. “We have a storyline that pulls you through it, which is effectively unlocking certain areas. But, as you progress through it, you have the ability to backtrack and explore to your heart’s content. There is a lot to find out in the world.”
Head of Design on Halo Infinite Jerry Hook has revealed brutes will throw grunts at players in Halo Infinite.
Hook also revealed that players should expect the AI to interact with the sandbox more than ever before.
Players can see their TACMAP, giving them an overview of the world and selecting their missions and strategy.
It also shows different mission types, perhaps allowing for side missions and quests other than those included in the main story.
Halo Infinite Multiplayer, Explained
Free-To-Play
343 have confirmed that multiplayer in Halo Infinite is free-to-play on Xbox Series X.
Updated Visuals
Players will be able to enjoy up to 120 FPS and greatly reduced load times, alongside greatly updated visuals after what was deemed a disappointing showcase in June 2020.
Battle Pass
Halo Infinite offers a battle pass, and it'll only offer cosmetic unlocks. These passes also won't expire, meaning players can take their time.
Halo Infinite's Progression System: How does it work?
We went through and got to grips with the Halo Infinite progression system. It might look pretty complicated with all those challenges and other such nonsense, but you'll understand it pretty quickly - especially with our handy guide.
Read More: Halo Infinite: Multiplayer Maps That Should Return In Halo's New Release
Microtransactions, Customisation And Progression
According to Ryan Paradis, Design Director for the Live Team, the team wants to avoid Infinite being a "grind-machine".
"We’re not trying to build a grind-machine that burns everyone out in an attempt to get more game time from them. Halo Infinite needs to be a place where we all look forward to spending time," he explains.
The team is also promising "no loot boxes, no randomness in rewards", while also confirming that all rewards will be cosmetic only and won't affect the gameplay.
343 Industries have spoken about the new coating system on a new blog post.
“Coloration, along with materials and patterns, will now be baked into the coating, taking the place of the primary/secondary armor color options found in prior games," the blog reads.
Scorpion Punch Armor Coating
Watchdog Armor Coating
Splinter Desert Armor Coating
Nobile Offender Armor Coating
Chris Blohm, the Lead Progression designer, confirms that there will still be in-game rewards earned through playing.
With Halo Infinite going free-to-play, it does mean that there will be some premium cosmetics, but players will still obtain tons of customization content through things like the campaign, challenges, skill, special events, legacy rewards (such as the Halo 5 SR 152 reward), the progression system, and more," he notes.
Halo Infinite Bots
343 Industries wants the Halo Infinite multiplayer to feel less daunting, and so is adding in customisable bots for players to practice with as part of the game's 'Academy'.
As per a blog post:
Under the mentorship of Spartan Commander Laurette, the Academy offers players the opportunity to hone their skills and get better acclimated with the armaments and environments of Halo Infinite. Recruits will be able to dial-in their marksmanship skills at the target range or jump right into customizable training skirmishes and square off against AI-controlled bots. Training Mode lets you configure specific loadouts, deploy opponent bots of various skill levels, and practice on your own terms. Bots can also be configured in Custom Games to tailor the experience and even in fill-in roster spots for MIA fireteam members.
Halo Infinite Cross-Platform Play
Xbox One, Xbox Series X and PC players will all be able to play with each other.
Read More: Halo Infinite: Cross-Platform Play With PlayStation 5 And Project Scarlett?
Halo Infinite Split-Screen
343 have confirmed that Halo Infinite will offer Split-Screen Co-Op.
Halo Infinite's Head of Design Jerry Hook took to Twitter to confirm the support of co-op and split-screen in Halo Infinite.
Hook has confirmed players will be able to play the campaign in two-player split-screen or four-player online co-op mode.
Halo Infinite Soundtrack
Gareth Coker, perhaps best known for his work on the Ori franchise, has a long history of working in videogames, including Minecraft content, ARK, and Darksiders Genesis.
You can check out "Set a Fire in Your Heart" below.
Halo Infinite Budget
According to German website Xbox Dynasty, the budget for Halo Infinite is rumoured to be a staggering $500 million.
Read More: Halo Infinite: Budget Rumoured To Be The Most Expensive Video Game Ever