E3 2021: Halo Infinite Multiplayer Gameplay Revealed

Halo Infinite returned to the Microsoft stage during their E3 showcase today, and it came with a brief new look at the campaign, as well as our first look at the game’s multiplayer.

The campaign footage was very intimate and personal. It first showed Master Chief floating through debris while voiceovers from the Pilot and Cortana played in the background. We then were introduced to a brand new AI that looks like Cortana who is now Chief’s new companion. From there the presentation transitioned into the game’s multiplayer, which looks to be melding that classic Halo arena multiplayer gameplay with modern upgrades to make it more exciting.

The grappling hook that everyone has was shown to be able to pull dropped weapons right into your hands, in addition to being able to pull you right onto enemy vehicles. Other pieces of equipment were shown in the footage as well such as the Threat Sensor which pulsates and highlights enemies within its radius, and the Repulsor which deflects projectiles away from you. Also revealed in a blog post on Halo Waypoint is the news that Halo Infinite will feature a training mode with access to bots and a practice range for players to work on their skills.

When it comes to game modes, it’s been confirmed that Big Team Battle will be returning in Halo Infinite with support for 24 players. Ranked and Social matchmaking playlists will also be available, and there will be limited time seasonal events that offer rewards too. Console and PC players can play together thanks to cross-play support, and the game will offer cross-progression as well for those who like to play on both platforms. Those on Xbox Series X will be able to play in up to 120FPS while PC players will have a number of different settings at their disposal to play around with. And if you like to play on the couch with a friend, the game will support split screen play on console.

Character customization returns too and the studio assures fans that it all armor items are purely cosmetic. It’s a concern that some players may have had since Halo Infinite is going free-to-play for its multiplayer, and free-to-play games typically have a litany of items that you can buy with real world money. Knowing that you won’t be able to buy anything that gives an in-game advantage is certainly a relief.

Halo Infinite has had a bit of a bumpy road up until now. It was delayed last year after a negative reception to its first gameplay debut. Since then, the team at 343 Studios has been working hard to improve the game and make it as good as possible. Earlier this year we got our first confirmation that the game would be releasing later this Fall, though we still don’t have a solid release date for the game. Today’s footage was a great step forward for the game and has certainly gotten me excited for Master Chief’s next adventure.

Aside from Halo Infinite, Microsoft also revealed the first look at Bethesda’s new IP Starfield, gave us an extended look at S.T.A.L.K.E.R 2, and helped announced A Plague Tale: Requiem.