Halo Infinite, preview of the news on E3 2021 multiplayer
Halo Infinite
With an in-depth study also published in the frame of E3 2021, the guys of 343 Industries showed some other excerpt of the multiplayer of Halo Infinite, also revealing some new information compared to what was said during the E3 2021 conference of Xbox and Bethesda.The video editing did not reveal anything about the new modes, but it did give some unedited details on the gameplay, confirmed the beta for the end of the summer and offered a good dose of reassurance on the fidelity of the title to the formula of the series, still unique in the shooter landscape. Halo Infinite indeed mixes huge maps and physics-driven vehicles with an important "weight" of the characters, also relevant in hand-to-hand combat, fundamental for the match economy.
Let's find out in this preview from E3 2021 Halo Infinite multiplayer.
Free-to-play multiplayer, no loot boxes or battle pass deadlines
Halo Infinite multiplayer details The definitive version of Halo Infinite's multiplayer is coming during the year-end holiday period, like the campaign, and will be available on Xbox One, Xbox Series X / S, PC and Xbox Game Pass. Before, however, the multiplayer will be anticipated by unspecified "technical previews" which, set for the end of summer, could also coincide with open or closed beta sessions. Communication in this sense was not the best, but we expect 343 Industries to let as many people try multiplayer in advance, so as to test the solidity of the infrastructure, but also to start spreading the "word".On the other hand, this time the multiplayer component is a separate entity, free-to-play, and could be a valid trailblazer for the awaited campaign. Among other things, there is talk of a multiplayer completely devoid of loot boxes or the like, even if there will be an obvious form of monetization.
The in-depth study dedicated to Halo Infinite multiplayer has in fact revealed the existence of a Battle Pass that will allow you to obtain specific unlockables. But this time it will be structured in such a way as to allow you to earn all the loot of the various seasons at any time. It will also be possible to buy previously released Battle Passes, which will never expire, and it will therefore be possible to recover all past unlockable loot. No rush, therefore, no random element that could create addiction, for a service that, like the Game Pass, wants to get as close as possible to the hearts of the players. But the precedence seems to go to the fans anyway.
Halo Infinite, the multiplayer The gameplay of Halo Infinite, we said it, seems in all respects faithful to that of the most successful chapters of the series, starting from ' basic equipment, similar for all. Fair departure is just one of the ingredients of the recipe. In fact, this chapter also includes the classic special weapons, or power weapons, as evidenced by the almost constant presence of the Gravitational Hammer in the videos shown for E3 2021. We have not seen, it must be said, maps dedicated to hand-to-hand combat, but all inside the arenas we have glimpsed towers and structures undoubtedly suitable for enhancing both the Gravitational Hammer and the Energy Blade, an iconic weapon which, not surprisingly, was chosen for the final scene of the study.
The graphics are also very faithful to the imagery of the series, including the styles of the customizable armor and the graphic effects. Factors such as level of detail, global lighting, textures, reflections, shadows and armor have undoubtedly improved, but the glance, considering what we have seen with other new generation titles, is certainly not jaw-breaking. However, it must be said that the Halo graphics engine takes into account details such as the effect of shock waves on missiles, the pushed physics of various means and the fluidity that must be high on four platforms. In the case of Xbox Series X we are talking about 4K at 120 frames per second, but we expect a fluid experience not only on PC but also on Xbox Series S, albeit with the limit at 1440p, and on Xbox One X and Xbox One, albeit with a further drop in resolution and in this case, in all probability, in graphic quality.
Gameplay, some new features
A scene from Halo Infinite Before closing there was a way to discover some news, in addition to the aerial deployment of the vehicles evoked on the battlefield and the orbital supply capsules, starting with the return of the equipment that can be collected and used at will. We will therefore be able to use the various devices found in the maps, including special armor charges and so on, only when we deem it necessary or more useful. But this also means that unused objects will fall to the ground when we are killed and will therefore be available to anyone who picks them up after us.The news that emerged from the in-depth study also includes a rear compartment on the Warthog, which can be used for keep a special weapon to carry around in the larger maps, and a shooting range, to practice and test the equipment, which goes hand in hand with the BOTs, very useful for training to know the maps. The hope is that they have sufficient artificial intelligence to represent stimulating allies and adversaries, which is within the technical possibilities of Microsoft and in the DNA of the enemies of Halo, but regardless of hopes and fears it is still an interesting addition.
The style of Halo Infinite is immediately recognizable Another highlight on the grapple, designed both to increase vertical and horizontal mobility, important in a title that will probably have something similar to Warzone, perhaps reinterpreted in key battle royale or similar, but which still offers large maps even in classic modes such as Big Team Battle and the spectacular Capture the Flag, which has always been among the most suitable for enhancing Halo gameplay. On these occasions the new way of moving will undoubtedly have great relevance.
Unfortunately we have not had details on the competition and on the organization of matchmaking, perhaps based on the control system or platform, but it is likely that not everything has yet been definitively decided. Among other things, we expect new insights that include the Forge editor, mentioned together with the Theater mode by Joseph Staten of 343 Industries.
On the other hand, the customization seems to be already complete, or almost complete, which foresees, as usual, a lots of details and this time it will also allow us to add prosthetics and change details of the armor, the body type, the voice and even the vehicles. Everything will be accessible directly from the site or application, thanks to the Halo Waypoint platform, and can be saved in profiles that among other things are loaded by our character in Artificial Intelligence style during one of the various sequences designed to give a scenographic outline to Halo Infinite multiplayer. .
Multiplayer is one of the certainties of Halo, but it is also one of the most delicate components to balance, as it must combine old-school modes, huge battlefields and melee with novelties that can alter a gameplay that needs a painstaking balance to work. The introductions that we have seen seem to integrate perfectly into a multiplayer sector which among other things will be separate, free and characterized by Battle Passes designed not to penalize anyone.
