620°
9.0

Halo Infinite Single-Player Review - IGN

Halo Infinite’s single-player campaign, like a new generation of Master Chief’s MJOLNIR armor, powers up a 20-year-old series, by both returning to its roots and blazing new trails to build off of. By shifting to an open-world map while retaining the classic gameplay both on foot and in its iconic vehicles, it offers a level of freedom in combat not seen in any prior Halo game. There’s a lot to do in this expansive playground, and completing its never-dull-or-overwhelming list of activities earns more combat options and, ultimately, more fun. It doesn’t quite recapture the environmental variety or memorable story of the original trilogy, but it’s still a thrilling return to form for one of gaming’s most beloved series, and for Master Chief himself.

Orchard884d ago

The reviews are looking great - looks like 343 finally cracked the Halo formula for both MP and SP. Excited to try this out on Wednesday.

Lightning77884d ago

I also want to point out the last 2 or 3 years key members have been leaving the project, having everyone worried this past few years. Even had a underwhelming showcase last year. The fact that they came together to deliver a very solid Halo experience is impressive.

4Sh0w884d ago

Hell yeah, sounds like its great. Maaan the MP has been taking all my free time, now seeing that the campaign is very good & about 25hrs on legendary I couldn’t be happier right now. 343 did a great job handling all the criticism and delivered BIGTIME. I cant wait to check it out for myself.

gamer7804884d ago

Shouldn’t have been rated this high when it’s not feature complete. I love halo but it should be finished when released. That said I can’t wait til may next year when the game will be finished and polished.

TornRaptor884d ago

Halo always's delivers more game features than a typical Sony or Nintendo 1st party game, and that's not a knock on them, as they both make great games. I just wanted to point out that what they are delivering is more than most games ship with. Personally, I only want to play the campaign by myself, so I am happy, for others waiting on coop and forge they know it's on the way.

thesoftware730884d ago

How do you know it's not "Polished "..where did you read that ?

gamer7804884d ago

@tornraptor that may be true but I just hold halo to halo standards and not other games.

@thesoftware730 I’m not speaking to halo specifically but every game released now a days has patches the first few months to fix things or make them better.

gravedigger884d ago

Oh boy....

Double standard, Orchard. You said that you won't play GT7 because it requires online, but look at this :

John Linneman
@dark1x
My biggest complaint regarding Halo Infinite really is that the disc doesn't contain a playable game. This'll be the first Halo game you can't really own as a standalone copy. This is not a good trend and I hope MS reconsiders things like this.

https://twitter.com/dark1x/...

Internet connection an absolute requirement for getting Halo Infinite. But i guess, it doesn't bothers you for....Xbox game

BehindTheRows884d ago

That’s why you can’t get worked up when he says stuff. Just know the hypocrisy exists and move on.

OT: Gonna check it out when I have time. Still on Vanguard and the new Sherlock.

Orchard884d ago (Edited 884d ago )

@gravedigger That’s not always online.

It’s common for games to required extra content via download when purchasing the disk nowadays, this has been the norm for a while on most consoles (minus Switch). A lot of games also out strip the disk size now - smart delivery also contributes to that problem.

If I get a disk and install it - can I play offline? Yes - so not always on.

Also I will be playing this on PC not Xbox, so it’s not an “Xbox game” as you put it. PS5 is my primary console, and my only next gen console.

Plus you selectively left out the part of my comment where I said “because racing games are skippable for me”. I don’t consider good FPS games skippable.

Also, Still stalking and obsessed with me I see. Now that I blocked you from sending me your many PMs per day, I guess you now follow me on the comments section instead 🤡

@BehindTheRows sounds like more of a you problem than a me problem 🤷

gravedigger884d ago (Edited 884d ago )

Quote :

"That’s not always online.

It’s common for games to required extra content via download when purchasing the disk nowadays, this has been the norm for a while on most consoles (minus Switch). A lot of games also out strip the disk size now - smart delivery also contributes to that problem.

If I get a disk and install it - can I play offline? Yes - so not always on."

Looks like you didn’t read John's tweet correctly. You CAN'T play game offline at all. Disc is useless. For trash actually. Net connection is an absolute requirement. Many games like Returnal for example, CAN be played OFFLINE. Halo Infinite SINGLEPLAYER campaign you CAN'T. As John pointed it out this'll be the first Halo game you can't really own as a standalone copy. This is not a good trend and he hopes MS reconsiders things like this.

As John said in tweet : Yeah, from what I've seen, if you install it while offline, it says it's incomplete. If you go online and let it try to start, it'll tell you to wait until December 8th

https://mobile.twitter.com/...

Quote

"Also I will be playing this on PC not Xbox, so it’s not an “Xbox game” as you put it. PS5 is my primary console, and my only next gen console."

It is an Xbox game, from XGS. You know :
PC Gaming is better with Xbox on Xbox.com

So, Xbox game everywhere

Orchard884d ago

I think you're having difficulty reading what he has said. You need to be online to install it, afterwards, you can play offline. You just need internet for that initial download. Not sure what's hard to understand about that.

That's also very common nowadays when games struggle to fit on disks, and Smart Delivery has made that worse since multiple versions of the game need to be on one disk to be truly offline.

If you consider that an Xbox game, then that is down to you. I consider it an Xbox Studios game. An Xbox game to me is a game that plays on the console only.

Either way, I play any game that is good and enjoyable. I'm not tied to a single platform/company because I like to experience a wide array of games. I primarily game on PS5 and PC, have a PC Game Pass subscription, but I also play on Switch too.

gravedigger884d ago

Quote :

"I think you're having difficulty reading what he has said. You need to be online to install it, afterwards, you can play offline.
.....

I don't. John wanted to play IMMEDIATELY offline a damn singleplayer campaign. He couldn't. No need to defend a no ownershipnl of physical disc like John Linemann stated.

Orchard884d ago

So you agree that it isn't always online, since you can play offline after an initial setup phase.

Okay, great, we are in alignment - no need for further discussion :)

gravedigger883d ago

Quote :
So you agree that it isn't always online, since you can play offline after an initial setup phase.

Okay, great, we are in alignment - no need for further discussion :)

.....

So, you are cheering for no ownership of physical disc. :/

Nveretheless, for a 1st party game it is a dick move for any user whose game was made for a specific platform. Basically you don't own a game/physical copy. For a 3rd party game wouldn't say a word.

Orchard883d ago (Edited 883d ago )

Im not cheeeing for anything. I’m saying that’s the reality. If you go buy a game that is > the disk size, which is semi common nowadays, you own a license to the game and can download the rest of it, that’s it.

My copy of DS for PS5 needed an update to play - does that make it always online? Of course not.

This happens on both PS and Xbox regularly. Switch less so.

gravedigger882d ago (Edited 882d ago )

Quote :

Im not cheeeing for anything. I’m saying that’s the reality. If you go buy a game that is > the disk size, which is semi common nowadays, you own a license to the game and can download the rest of it, that’s it.

My copy of DS for PS5 needed an update to play - does that make it always online? Of course not.

This happens on both PS and Xbox regularly. Switch less so.

........

You're wrong regarding Demon's Souls and also don't put Halo Infinite and Demon's Souls in same basket. Demon's Souls can be played OFFLINE. You can IMMEDIATELY play Demons when around 30 GB of data from disc are installed on console. Also, when you try to enter Boletaria for the first time, if enough data are not installed on console from the disc, it will ask you to download a little more data from the disc . Also, you can finish Demon's without any update OFFLINE.

So, you own a Demon's, but you don't own a Halo Infinite. Period!

Orchard882d ago (Edited 882d ago )

I was referring to Death Stranding, not Demon Souls.

And there are plenty of other examples of both PS4/5 and XB1/SX games where the disk is not playable at all or not fully playable without internet/a download.

This is nothing new nor is it always online.

gravedigger882d ago

Quote :

I was referring to Death Stranding, not Demon Souls.

And there are plenty of other examples of both PS4/5 and XB1/SX games where the disk is not playable at all or not fully playable without internet/a download.

This is nothing new nor is it always online.

.....

You're wrong about Death Stranding too. You can play it OFFLINE without a sweat. Around 30 GB of data is needed to be copied from disc to start playing. Game is fully playable OFFLINE. But of course, you can't use online features if you don't download a latest patch. Halo Infinite and Death Stranding are not the same.

Orchard882d ago (Edited 882d ago )

"You're wrong about Death Stranding too. You can play it OFFLINE without a sweat."

You can indeed play it offline, just like you can play Halo Infinite offline.

I literally just re-installed Death Stranding DC a few days ago, it required me to take a sizable download to start playing... Dude do you even have a PS5 lol - not that this means DS is 'always online' anyway, it isn't.

Again though, always online means a persistent internet connection is required to play the game - Halo Infinite does not require a persistent internet connection - you can pull your network cable and keep playing just fine.

Not sure what's so hard to understand about that concept... but if you don't understand it now, you never will so I won't even try to educate you any further.

gravedigger881d ago (Edited 881d ago )

Quote :

"You're wrong about Death Stranding too. You can play it OFFLINE without a sweat."

You can indeed play it offline, just like you can play Halo Infinite offline.

I literally just re-installed Death Stranding DC a few days ago, it required me to take a sizable download to start playing... Dude do you even have a PS5 lol - not that this means DS is 'always online' anyway, it isn't.

Again though, always online means a persistent internet connection is required to play the game - Halo Infinite does not require a persistent internet connection - you can pull your network cable and keep playing just fine.

Not sure what's so hard to understand about that concept... but if you don't understand it now, you never will so I won't even try to educate you any further.

.....

Yes, i have PS5 and you can play Death Stranding OFFLINE without a problem with no patches needed. Unless if you want to use online features. Also, if you upgraded the PS4 disc version to PS5, then yes, you need to download PS5 upgrade. Unless if you have PS5 disc version then you don't need to download anything. It can be played OFFLINE immediately when you start the game for the first time.
Halo disc is trash at first, it is not usable just like John stated. Death Stranding IS when you start it for the first time. Don't put Death Stranding and Halo Infinite in same basket because it is not. Like i've said, for a 1st party game it is a dick move for any user whose game was made for a specific platform. Basically you don't own a game/physical copy.

+ Show (9) more repliesLast reply 881d ago
Shuckylad884d ago

Looking forward to the campaign, it’s been a while since I got my teeth into a story fps.

NeoGamer232884d ago (Edited 884d ago )

Ya, I hear you.

Far Cry - Just more the same Far Cry
CoD - Well, it seems every campaign fall another notch
Battlefield - They've just abandoned campaigns

Nice to see a decent FPS story again. And I loved when I heard there is 25 hours of gameplay (Heroic difficulty).

86 on Metacritic, when was the last time a FPS got that kind of metacritic rating?

theindiearmy884d ago

"86 on Metacritic, when was the last time a FPS got that kind of metacritic rating?"

Well, Deathloop came out just a couple months ago and has an 88. So we didn't have to go back very far.

NeoGamer232883d ago

@theindiearmy
Fair enough, but I don't think too many FPS are scoring 85 or higher the last few years. 85+ is reserved for the best of the best shooters.

(Personally, I don't know why shooters can't score higher. Certain genres just get lambasted. FPS, Simulators, RTS, and most arcade racers. Meanwhile action adventures and RPGs get the glory)

Plagasx884d ago

LET'S GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

BenRC01884d ago

I feel a shift coming. Happened every gen since ps2.
w
With this, forza and ps5 not really doing anything atm (and if stock allowed) having the premier fps and driving game, not to mention how ridiculously good gamepass is, xbox could once again overtake ps5.
Don't care BTW, have both, just find it interesting.

CS7884d ago

I don’t think they would overtake PS5 sales wise.

But I do find myself feeling Xbox envy from time to time when I boot up my PS5 and there are only the 4-5 games I’ve bought for it.

First time in my life I’m looking to pickup an Xbox.

But PS exclusives are too good to ignore.

Owning all three consoles is the really tempting now. Glad to see they’re all doing well.

nitroxhotshot884d ago

Gona be honest I’ve had a ps5 since launch and I’ve played mainly PS4 games on it. Bit underwhelmed so far. Debating picking up a Xbox series s but kinda feel I’d not get the full potential of halo on that, but reluctant to spend all that money for the x 😵‍💫

sammarshall102884d ago

I don't see it. Horizon Forbidden West and God of War Ragnarok will be all the talk next year

TheDoomedGuy884d ago

Um...this is when Xbox finally get something big....PlayStation has had several really big hits already this year....with more bigger hits coming next year while Xbox hasn't got much and whatever it will get, most will be thanks to Bethesda and other recently bought studios for IP that used to be multiplatform.

Atticus_finch884d ago

Over 5 million units behind and that with the cheapest next gen console. So not happening this gen. Special with Horizon and GT7 just a few weeks away.

anast884d ago

Halo is an average game stuffed with MTs and progression issues. Forza is the only top tier experience so far. I don't see a shift, I see more of the same.

+ Show (3) more repliesLast reply 884d ago
TGGJustin884d ago

Ah yes Ryan who also gave Halo 5's campaign a way higher score than it deserved. I stopped trusting him. I'm more inclined to believe this is probably more around an 8

starsi360884d ago (Edited 884d ago )

How can you be inclined to give it an 8 when you haven’t even played it. Honestly, the internet really brings out the stupid in some people.

884d ago
884d ago
r2oB884d ago

That’s only a point difference, hardly a disparity.

Tedakin884d ago

Okay then explain Gamespot's 9, and Game Informer's 9.3? Ryan do those too?

Orchard884d ago

This review score appears in line with what other media outlets are coming up with.

EmperorDalek884d ago

Did he review the campaign by itself? I know IGN gave Halo 5 a 9, which I would probably agree with as the multiplayer was fantastic.

gamer7804884d ago

He’ll be factually correct but he’s a huge Xbox fan.I’d rather see someone else review it. This was rated too high for a game unfinished.

FPS_D3TH884d ago

Man 1 point is not only semantics so why post about it but how can you review a game you haven’t played. Lol great post 👍

thesoftware730884d ago

That's a good score 2 man..I would play a 8 game..means its it's good!

+ Show (7) more repliesLast reply 884d ago
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70°

The Best Multiplayer Xbox Game Pass Games to Play With Friends

Xbox Game Pass has some great single-player experiences, but nowadays, it's all about getting together with friends and family. Thankfully, there's a surprisingly extensive library of multiplayer titles on Game Pass to bring everyone together.

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wealthofgeeks.com
380°

Desperate Xbox players turn to Halo Forge for their Helldivers 2 fix

PS5-exclusive Helldivers 2 is so popular that Xbox players want a taste of democracy, and now Halo Forge will be the battleground for a Helldivers 2 remake.

Read Full Story >>
theloadout.com
XiNatsuDragnel75d ago

That's wild but hey if forge satisfies than that's good

GamerRN74d ago

Also.... Desperate Xbox players? I mean Helldivers2 looks ok, but I wouldn't call it anything to get desperate over..

God of War and the other exclusive are more worth desperation. I don't think I'm gonna even try Helldivers2, in still trying to beat Forbidden West, and I still of Ghosts, Ragnarok and TLOU2 to play

Old McGroin74d ago

Helldivers 2 is a phenomenally good game. You should definitely check it out if you get the chance. Looks like the devs have the server capacity issue pretty much sewn up now so it's a good time to jump in.

WolfSeed74d ago

You clearly haven't tried it. It's pure crack.

MrNinosan74d ago

I thought exactly like you, until I tried Helldivers 2... and then I was hooked.
The only thing that will stop me from playing it going forward is Final Fantasy VII Rebirth next week.

1Victor74d ago

@gamer: “Also.... Desperate Xbox players? I mean Helldivers2 looks ok”

Lest be honest for a minute even Phil want it on Xbox and if it wasn’t desperation the forge player wouldn’t be trying to copy it 🤷🏿

Barlos74d ago

Nobody is desperate over a game. Its pure clickbait.

TwoPicklesGood74d ago

I enjoy Helldivers 2 but it isn’t phenomenal or anything, its just a good game. Sure us ps5 players don’t have many multiplayer games so maybe that skews perspective. What we should be worrying about Is all the bugs and issues that STILL plague the game. It shouldn’t have been released in this state.

+ Show (4) more repliesLast reply 74d ago
Hereandthere74d ago

Helldivers 2 graphically makes halo on series x look 2 gen behind.

Rdeal73d ago

Are you saying Helldivers 2 graphics are better than Halo's? if so you need glasses , graphics has to be the worst part of Helldivers 2, I have seen better on the PS4

Hypertension14073d ago (Edited 73d ago )

@Rdeal

It's not the best looking game around
but the graphics definitely look better than halo infinite. The destruction on display while also maintaining a steady performance is also very impressive.

I've also seen better on PS4, but I say the same for almost every Xbox Series X game this generation.

73d ago
Kiryu199274d ago

Why desperate Xbox fans? Why are we so split as a gaming community? So gamers wanting to play awesome games are not labeled desperate?

DarXyde74d ago

I don't think it's really unusual.

LittleBigPlanet allowed for that.

+ Show (1) more replyLast reply 73d ago
Jin_Sakai75d ago (Edited 75d ago )

Just get a PS5 and be done with it. Four Xbox exclusives are making their way over with more to follow down the road.

343_Guilty_Spark74d ago (Edited 74d ago )

When is Halo Infinite coming?

Hellblade 2 coming?

Jin_Sakai74d ago

Soon enough.

Phil Spencer: “The biggest games will be more than just one platform“

https://x.com/xbox/status/1...

VincentVanBro74d ago

Neither of those are worth an entire console so who cares?

DazaMc74d ago

Anytime now, who knows.

MrNinosan74d ago

Probably within a year, but don't worry. They will still be available on the box of your choice, except if Switch is your choice.

+ Show (1) more replyLast reply 74d ago
74d ago Replies(2)
babadivad74d ago

Or just play it on your PC...

InUrFoxHole73d ago

Why get either console? All are coming to pc anyway

Shane Kim73d ago

If it wasn't for the initial cost, then I would never get a console.

InUrFoxHole73d ago

Honestly pc is great but I love the convenience of a console

OptimusDK73d ago

You couldn’t help yourself right Jin

Jin_Sakai73d ago

I just couldn’t help but tell the reality of the situation.

goldwyncq73d ago

Or just get a PC because all Xbox and PS games are coming to it sooner or later. Nintendo's the only company practicing true exclusivity nowadays.

Tedakin73d ago

Sony's present said first party games will be on pc and other platforms too. So what? And before you say he just meant "pc and playstation" that was debunked. Day 1 pc is definitely coming from Sony, ending your precious exclusives.

+ Show (4) more repliesLast reply 73d ago
Neonridr75d ago

I remember the good old days of Halo 3 and the Forge. Some wild game games came from it.

RaidenBlack75d ago

Just let Coalition develop or at least assist in developing the next Halo ... 343 alone is not enough

Jin_Sakai74d ago

They already assisted with development.

“Gears of War studio The Coalition helped out with Halo Infinite”

https://www.vg247.com/gears...

RaidenBlack74d ago

Then lead the next Halo development with 343 assisting instead ... as well as leverage some of the other new acquired studios if possible

neomahi73d ago

That would be smart, but makes too much sense. BUT, The Coalition is pretty much dead, without Rod Ferguson, there's nothing there. That was the point of that team was that he was heading it up but even Rod Ferguson turned down being the boss and head of his own studio making Microsoft money to go to Blizzard, and isn't it ironic, look where's he's at now. Cliff Blezinski offered to go back to work on Gears and Xbox (one of their biggest IPs) shut him down and told him no. Gears put Xbox on the map, and they told him no. Sony wouldn't tell David Jaffe no if he asked to return to God of War or Twisted Metal, Jaffe is just to lazy, but Xbox shut down Blezinski, completely shocked me.

So, you're right, kinda, but that blood isn't there anymore, the soul of that team is gone so I don't think you'd get the quality you think that you would

Jin_Sakai73d ago

“Then lead the next Halo development with 343 assisting instead ... as well as leverage some of the other new acquired studios if possible“

Certain Affinity would be good but who knows what’s happening there. And I’d suggest keeping CoD studios away from the franchise unless you want Halo of Duty.

+ Show (1) more replyLast reply 73d ago
PhillyDonJawn74d ago (Edited 74d ago )

Halo Infinite forge is a million times better. maps don't even look like forge made but look like actual dev created maps now

Neonridr74d ago

oh I bet, I just have fond memories of all the different things people came up with. I can only imagine what it's like now.

PhillyDonJawn74d ago

Hell yeah I remember the forge map toilet 😂 good times. Poo and paper everywhere

Blad3runner0075d ago

Don't get this mentality. Nothing is stopping these people from buying a PS5

I don't get fanboyism and refusing to purchase a competitors console.

purple10175d ago

I didn't used to get it, when is was Sega vs Nintendo, but now companies charging for online play, I dont wan to pay 2 separate subs, so you make a choice. also if you were to say invest in extra controllers for mates or whatever, I suppose it all adds up

anast74d ago

So, PS5 is the choice, right?

PhillyDonJawn74d ago (Edited 74d ago )

You're thinking too much into it. Forge creators make anything and everything. This is nothing new. Call of duty and other games have been made in halo forge as well. I was just playing Nuketown and hot potato 2 weeks ago lol (hot potato fun asf btw)

PaleMoonDeath74d ago

Not everyone can afford it mate, some have kids, families etc to support. Very close minded statement, adults don't necessarily care which machine, but money's tight nowadays, bring them Helldivers so we can get the damn Halo & Gears armour on PS5 lol

EvertonFC74d ago

I wanna see helgeist, scorpions, crimera, flying sting rays even some knack enemies etc

PaleMoonDeath74d ago

@Everton, DUDE! KILLZONE 2 HELGHAST SKINS! COULD YOU IMAGINE

Charlieboy33374d ago

They hate Playstation to the point of insanity....yet want a Playstation game on Xbox so bad. These people don't even make sense in their OWN minds...

74d ago
EvertonFC73d ago (Edited 73d ago )

Agreed fella, same can be said for the playstation lot too though lol. We would all be over a gears collection, halo collection, Forza and ori

DivineHand12574d ago

I hope all the persons who agreed with you have an Xbox. Being a multi-console owner is the best thing for a gamer. When Palworld came out I could boot up the Xbox and play it there. I also just started playing Helldivers 2 yesterday and I am having a great time with it.

The gunplay is good so persons who are on the fence for this reason, don't be. The gunplay in this can go up against Halo, Destiny, The Division 2 etc. The gameplay loop is also good with a reasonable progression system. It doesn't have any RPG mechanics so don't expect to see numbers popping up when you shoot an enemy. Progression in this game allows you to unlock cosmetics, weapons and air drops from orbit to aid you on your mission.

74d ago
+ Show (4) more repliesLast reply 73d ago
anast74d ago

HA! All the while Xbox games are popping up in PS stores. To be honest, on day exclusivity will probably be gone and each will just provide a streaming service bundle, but why not have fun while we can.

crazyCoconuts74d ago

And to get you to pick one streaming service over another they would have....

anast74d ago (Edited 74d ago )

You do know how to ask direct questions, right? This is a serious question.

They would have different app features, different UI's, timed exclusivity, and different video game series (live action and animation). Also the streaming services would be tied to mobile phones of choice (Sony vs MS; maybe even Nintendo will get in on this, phone thing.) which have their own reasons for purchasing.

Of course this is in the distant future. They don't call me the Oracle for no reason.

crazyCoconuts74d ago

Exclusives... The answer was exclusives.
But, you being the Oracle you already knew that, didn't you?

anast74d ago

"one day exclusivity will probably be gone"

Yes. I am the Oracle. When this happens you can say I am right.

Show all comments (96)
80°

Grab these awesome Halo Infinite Silver Team helmets before they go

Celebrate season two of the TV series by earning the awesome and exclusive Halo Infinite Silver Team helmets before they’re gone for good on Xbox.

Read Full Story >>
theloadout.com
Gaming4Life198197d ago

Nice just doing the weekly challenges will get these.

1UP-Words97d ago

Yeah it's certainly a relief that they're not too hard to earn because they look good! With Seasons now done, we're getting less free armor than usual so it's something