Halo Infinite Game Cover
Halo Infinite on the Xbox Series X is classic Halo fun that has received a true next-gen makeover that really upgrades our favourite Spartan, the Master Chief himself!

"Halo Infinite's campaign allows you to step into the Master Chief's armor for an epic open-world adventure on the Halo ring, with network co-op and mission replay. The free-to-play multiplayer features over 70 matchmaking maps, extensive customization options, and access to community-made Forge content. Explore, fight, and strategize in this expansive sci-fi shooter experience"

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Reviews

69%
Audience ScoreBased on 26,200 reviews
story1,357 positive mentions
monetization363 negative mentions
  • story5,617 mentions

    The story of Halo Infinite has received mixed reviews, with many players finding it a step up from the narratives of Halo 4 and 5, yet still lacking the depth and engagement of earlier titles in the franchise. While some appreciate the emotional moments and character development, particularly between Master Chief and the new AI, "The Weapon," others criticize the plot for being disjointed, overly reliant on audio logs for exposition, and failing to provide a satisfying conclusion. The open-world design has been both praised for its exploration potential and criticized for repetitive missions and a lack of variety in environments, leading to a sense of monotony in the gameplay experience. Overall, while the campaign is enjoyable for some, it is often seen as incomplete and lacking the compelling storytelling that defined the series in its earlier iterations.

    • “The story is engaging, with a compelling narrative that will keep you hooked from start to finish.”
    • “The campaign is a thrilling ride from start to finish, with engaging gameplay, an immersive story, and beautiful visuals and sound design.”
    • “The story does a commendable job fixing the issues created by the last 2 games and it's easily the best 343 has developed.”
    • “The story was pretty bad; I really didn't like [spoiler] Cortana [/spoiler] whispering into my ear for half the story missions.”
    • “The story is a complete hot mess.”
    • “The story is pretty much non-existent.”
  • gameplay3,704 mentions

    The gameplay of Halo Infinite has received a mix of praise and criticism, with many players highlighting its solid mechanics, smooth gunplay, and the introduction of new features like the grappling hook, which enhance the overall experience. However, concerns about repetitive gameplay, a lack of content, and a monetization system that prioritizes cosmetics over gameplay progression have dampened enthusiasm. Overall, while the core gameplay is considered one of the best in the series, many players feel it is overshadowed by issues related to customization and content availability.

    • “The gameplay is by far the best thing about this game and is the reason why I even stuck around when there was very little content to begin with.”
    • “Gameplay is solid and the sandbox is super fun and allows for creative player expression.”
    • “The gameplay is fantastic, the sandbox has never been more present in the series than in infinite’s campaign and yet there are many areas where the game fails.”
    • “These poor mechanics take away from the classic Halo feel and reduce the skill level of the multiplayer experience.”
    • “The game lacks anything exciting; gameplay is monotonous and has predatory microtransactions.”
    • “The gameplay feels good, but the story is kind of forced and it didn't quite live up to the expectations, but the gameplay feels nice.”
  • graphics1,276 mentions

    The graphics of "Halo Infinite" have received mixed reviews, with many praising the return to a classic art style reminiscent of earlier titles in the franchise, resulting in vibrant and detailed visuals. However, players have reported significant performance issues, including frame rate drops and graphical glitches, particularly on lower-end systems, which detracts from the overall experience. While some users find the graphics stunning and a step in the right direction, others criticize the optimization and consistency, leading to a frustrating gameplay experience.

    • “The graphics are beautiful, especially in campaign on high/ultra settings.”
    • “The graphics are stunning and the grapple shot makes the combat twice the fun!”
    • “The visuals are impressive, showcasing detailed graphics and vibrant settings that make the Halo universe feel more alive than ever.”
    • “The graphics are honestly dreadful for a 2021 game.”
    • “The campaign is riddled with graphical glitches that make it impossible to see anything directly in front of you.”
    • “It is extremely demanding on your PC despite not really having the graphics to justify it, it's host to a number of issues such as screen tearing during cutscenes, crashing, etc.”
  • monetization1,033 mentions

    The monetization in "Halo Infinite" has been widely criticized for being excessively aggressive and predatory, with many players feeling that it prioritizes profit over player experience. The introduction of microtransactions for cosmetics, which were previously earnable through gameplay, has left fans feeling exploited, as prices for items can reach up to $20 for single armor sets. While some acknowledge the game's solid gameplay, the overwhelming focus on monetization and the lack of meaningful content updates have led to a perception of the game as a cash grab, detracting from its overall enjoyment.

    • “The monetization system was perfect because it was all cosmetic and you could earn everything through just playing the game, or pay for faster unlocks if you wanted.”
    • “The free model has some drawbacks in the form of cosmetic monetization - but the game looks gorgeous, plays like a dream, and 343 is finally kicking itself back into gear.”
    • “Despite the hiccups with multiplayer modes and microtransactions, the gameplay is fun, mechanics feel great, and the story so far has been pretty entertaining.”
    • “This game's lost all soul, nothing but a cash grab.”
    • “The monetization and customization options are absolute trash.”
    • “The monetization ruined the joy for me.”
  • optimization778 mentions

    The optimization of the game has been widely criticized, with many players reporting significant performance issues, including stuttering, crashes, and low frame rates even on high-end systems. Despite some improvements over time, the game remains poorly optimized, particularly for PC, leading to frustrating gameplay experiences. Players have expressed disappointment that performance does not influence progression, as XP is primarily earned through challenges rather than in-game achievements.

    • “Halo MCC runs 100+ frames per second on every single title (albeit, that game is incredibly well-optimized).”
    • “This compatibility and performance are commendable, demonstrating that the developers care about the PC release greatly.”
    • “It has been out for several years now and still has optimization issues.”
    • “The game's performance on low power platforms is also noteworthy.”
    • “Despite these specifications, the game's optimization falls short, resulting in frustrating experiences.”
  • stability468 mentions

    The stability of Halo Infinite has been widely criticized, with players reporting numerous bugs, glitches, and crashes that persist even years after its release. Common issues include game freezes, inconsistent checkpoint systems, and graphical artifacts, which detract from the overall experience. While some players find enjoyment in the gameplay despite these problems, the overwhelming sentiment is that the game remains a "buggy mess," leading to frustration and disappointment among the community.

    • “Don't worry though, everything in the shop is bug free and works as intended.”
    • “No glitches/bugs during my first playthrough + performance was stable (5120x2160, very high settings) 80-100 fps (capped at 100).”
    • “It seems like an incredibly smooth and bug free experience which is a novelty nowadays.”
    • “From glitches like the items not switching anymore, to checkpoints in major missions restarting you 2-3 checkpoints prior to where you were, making us stuck behind a locked door and forcing us to restart the entire mission.”
    • “Game still a buggy mess 3 years after release, can't even complete the campaign in co-op as you get soft-locked.”
    • “The amount of glitches, crashes, features inconsistently working are baffling.”
  • music420 mentions

    The music in the game has received a mixed reception, with many praising its nostalgic elements and the incorporation of classic Halo themes, while others feel it lacks the memorable impact of previous soundtracks. Some players appreciate the new compositions and their emotional resonance, while others criticize the soundtrack for being forgettable or derivative. Overall, the music is generally regarded as a strong aspect of the game, enhancing the atmosphere and gameplay experience, though it may not fully capture the iconic status of earlier entries in the franchise.

    • “The music has earned its place in the franchise next to Marty O'Donnell's legendary work in the Bungie games, and Steve Downes and Jen Taylor deliver a fantastic performance as always!”
    • “The soundtrack perfectly captures the magic of the classic soundtracks.”
    • “The music is amazing and the gameplay and graphics are equally as amazing.”
    • “The music in this game is just one big nothing burger; no tracks stood out or enhanced my experience and are just a much weaker derivative of the original series score.”
    • “To see 343 going so safe with the soundtrack was really disappointing and left it feeling unmemorable.”
    • “The soundtrack for the campaign is not up to par with previous entries; I can't tell you one track that I remember besides the 20 different renditions of the main Halo theme spread across the game.”
  • grinding315 mentions

    The grinding aspect of the game has received overwhelmingly negative feedback, with many players finding the battle pass system excessively tedious and slow, often requiring a significant time investment for minimal rewards. While some improvements have been noted, such as reduced grindiness in the battle pass, the overall sentiment is that the progression system feels more like a chore than an enjoyable experience, leading to frustration and a lack of motivation to continue playing. Many players express nostalgia for previous Halo titles where grinding felt more rewarding and less reliant on microtransactions.

    • “I felt like the story pacing was appropriate even with the open-world because exploration was not tedious and bogged down with nonsense.”
    • “Go back and look at 343's promises of every item in the store is unlockable, every customization is possible, no grinding to avoid burnout in players.”
    • “After multiple years and 4 more seasons of updates (and me getting an upgrade for my computer) I have to say I am really finally enjoying the game. I wish it wasn't as grindy to get through the battle pass, but I'm extremely thankful for the fact that the battle pass lasts forever after purchase; I wish all games would follow this!”
    • “The battle pass leveling is boring and tedious with not much to offer in the pass itself.”
    • “Progression is extremely slow and grindy, so it is never easy to unlock the cosmetics that I want, and with the constantly changing progression rewards, there is no guarantee that I can get what I want while it is available.”
    • “The challenge system in this game is straight up horrible, grindy and half based on RNG.”
  • humor238 mentions

    The humor in the game is a mixed bag, with many players enjoying the comedic elements brought by the grunts and various character dialogues, which often lead to hilarious moments during gameplay. While some find the humor juvenile or forced, particularly in the writing of AI companions, others appreciate the lighthearted banter and situational comedy that arises from gameplay mechanics, such as the grappling hook and unexpected glitches. Overall, the game's humor is seen as a highlight, especially when played with friends, despite some criticisms regarding its execution and consistency.

    • “The open world is fun, random dialogue is hilarious, and it's so much fun to just drive a Warthog or Mongoose around the terrain!”
    • “The grunts are the funniest they've been in this game and the unique dialogue is hilarious.”
    • “The enemies' combat chatter is hilarious, especially the grunts.”
    • “Chief talks too much and is a jerk most of the time; the weapon is an unfunny child and a poor new Cortana, and the pilot is annoying as hell. I wish he would have died.”
    • “The AI companions are unfunny and annoying.”
    • “Insignificant or contains humorous glitches.”
  • emotional203 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game has received mixed feedback, with many players highlighting its ability to evoke strong feelings through character development and poignant moments, particularly in the relationship between Master Chief and the new AI. While some found the emotional depth refreshing and nostalgic, others criticized it for feeling forced or lacking the impact of earlier titles in the franchise. Overall, the campaign is noted for its heartfelt storytelling, though opinions vary on its execution and emotional resonance.

    • “Seeing the marine that was stuck in space and seeing his kid and wife, and then seeing him after time has gone by was kind of emotional.”
    • “The story, centered on Master Chief and his connection with the new AI, is emotionally resonant and full of surprises, keeping me hooked from start to finish.”
    • “I cried like a baby three times while playing the campaign; the nostalgia and feelings of joy I experienced while playing this game brought me to tears.”
    • “Halo Infinite is an empty shell of a game with lackluster gameplay, a boring story, and no direction.”
    • “Chiefly among them the painfully dull story, boring story missions, and the fact that they stripped out half the classic Halo weapons we've come to know and love.”
    • “Lots of cheap scripting, a boring story arc that I don't feel invested in.”
  • replayability150 mentions

    The reviews indicate a mixed reception regarding replayability in the game. While the multiplayer mode is praised for its high replay value and engaging gameplay, the campaign suffers from a lack of mission replayability and limited content, leading many players to feel that it offers little incentive for multiple playthroughs. Overall, the multiplayer experience is seen as the primary draw for replayability, overshadowing the campaign's shortcomings.

    • “Lots of hours of single player fun and pretty much unlimited replay value with multiplayer.”
    • “The open world allows for a lot of replayability and allows you to go at objectives in several different ways.”
    • “The grappling hook, dash, and drop wall make for some wild enemy encounters, and the wide weapon variety and the addition of special variations make the game insanely replayable.”
    • “Absolutely no replay value.”
    • “The campaign has 0 replay value.”
    • “The campaign is lackluster and offers very little replayability; it's not horrible, but it's not amazing.”
  • character development42 mentions

    Character development in Halo Infinite has received mixed reviews, with many praising the depth added to Master Chief and his interactions, particularly with the new character, The Weapon. While some players appreciated the emotional growth and exploration of Halo lore, others criticized the fragmented narrative and lack of meaningful development for supporting characters, leading to a perception of inconsistency and missed opportunities in storytelling. Overall, the campaign is seen as a step forward in character depth compared to previous installments, but it still falls short of the rich narrative expectations set by earlier Halo games.

    • “The character development and the exploration of the wider Halo lore contribute to the overall richness of the game's narrative.”
    • “Great character development between Cortana and the pilot; this is the first time we've seen Chief have this much emotion.”
    • “The character development was really good here; I actually cared about Echo-216, I cared about the Weapon, and I felt some grief for the fallen Spartans.”
    • “The campaign is mediocre with parts that completely undermine previous games' plot points and character development.”
    • “Character development for the Master Chief has devolved into 'OMG I have feelings and don't know what to do with them,' and the rest of the cast might as well be non-existent.”
    • “What's more, all of the characters save for the Chief and the big bad are so boring, and all of the character development feels so half-hearted and flimsy, like one of those 'dead fish' handshakes people give you but stuffed into a game.”
  • atmosphere40 mentions

    The atmosphere in the game receives mixed reviews, with some praising its nostalgic elements, beautiful visuals, and engaging music that evoke the classic Halo experience. However, many players criticize it for being thin, repetitive, and lacking the depth and variety found in earlier titles, leading to a sense of disappointment in the overall immersion and storytelling. While some appreciate the fun gameplay and mechanics, the consensus suggests that the atmosphere fails to live up to the rich legacy of the Halo franchise.

    • “The vibrance of the visuals is matched only by the orchestral notes that strum alive nostalgia with every chorus and atmospheric audio that will draw you deeper into the world with every passing second.”
    • “Infinite itself is visually stunning, both graphically speaking as well as the in-game atmosphere; coupled with excellent gunplay and abilities that actually feel natural, makes Infinite an absolute win in my opinion.”
    • “Amazing atmosphere, driving story, action-packed, violent and explosive, nostalgic yet innovative and fresh.”
    • “The art style is dry and indecisive, the atmosphere is thin, the audio is light, and in general, everything about this game has been done better before.”
    • “Much of the atmosphere and nuance that goes into the world of Halo, swelling into an epic story spanning the galaxy, is as absent as ever in 343's latest installment.”
    • “The story is borderline non-existent for a majority of the game, so it fails at being the open world filled with atmosphere and variety from the initial E3 reveal, and also fails at being a solid narrative like Halo 2 or Reach.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

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Play time

40hMedian play time
113hAverage play time
11hMain story
27hCompletionist
8-150hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 109 analyzed playthroughs

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