Summary
- Halo Infinite is finally shaping up to be the game it should have been, but fans still want more from the franchise.
- Bringing back a dual-narrative to Halo could add depth and excitement, as seen in the beloved Halo 2 feature.
- Halo 5's attempt at a dual-narrative fell short, but 343 Industries shouldn't give up on the concept just yet.
The Halo franchise is in a strange spot at the minute. Though Halo Infinite's release was met with great praise from both fans and critics alike, public perception of the game soon turned sour, with developer 343 Industries failing to meet expectations when it came to the game's post-launch updates, or lack thereof. But flash forward a few years later and Halo Infinite is finally starting to look like the game it always should have been, though that hasn't stopped fans from wanting more from the franchise.
Still one of the biggest Sci-Fi franchises in gaming, Halo should be much more prevalent than it currently is, and it's time for Microsoft to start using the franchise a little more. With Halo Infinite and The Master Chief Collection being the best possible options for Halo multiplayer, the next project Halo should prioritize is another full-length campaign mode, and while there are countless different directions to go in, it could benefit from borrowing a core Halo 2 feature to start with.
The Next Halo Should Bring Back a Dual-Narrative
Halo 2's Arbiter Was Controversial But Necessary
When Halo 2 first launched in 2004, it quickly became one of the most controversial video games of all time, and it was all due to the game's second playable protagonist, The Arbiter. Just like Metal Gear Solid 2 a few years earlier, Halo fans felt as though they had been lied to, with all of Halo 2's pre-release marketing focusing solely on the Master Chief's fight for humanity on Earth, and no mention at all of a second playable character.
Naturally, many fans' knee-jerk reaction was to hate this new character, especially with him taking up half of the game's entire runtime. But over the years, this bold dual-narrative has actually become one of Halo 2's most beloved features. Not only is The Arbiter a well-written character with an excellent voice performance behind him, but his journey is also pivotal in fleshing out the wider Halo universe, with The Covenant not getting too much behind-the-scenes action in the original Halo. On top of that world-building and excellent writing, Halo 2's dual-narrative is also a compelling way to tell such a complex story, showing the galactic conflict from two wildly different perspectives and interweaving them fairly seamlessly throughout.
Halo 5 Tried But Failed to Capture the Same Magic
With Halo 2's dual-narrative approach being so controversial, Bungie stayed clear of it for its remaining tenure with the franchise, choosing to keep Halo 3 and Halo Reach focused on just one central playable protagonist. But when it came time to make its second game after Bungie's departure, 343 Industries decided to return to this dual-narrative concept, though it unfortunately didn't end too well.
Halo 5: Guardians' pre-release marketing promised a big showdown between the Master Chief and new character Agent Locke, another Spartan sent to hunt down the supposedly rogue war hero. In an ironic twist of fate, Halo 5 suffered the opposite problem of Halo 2, not delivering a dual-narrative to the same extent that fans had been expecting based on the game's marketing, with missions and important story moments divided very unequally between protagonists.
343 Industries Could Still Make a Great Dual-Narrative Halo Game
But all hope for another good dual-narrative Halo game is not lost. While Halo 5 has likely put off 343 from attempting another dual-narrative, it really shouldn't. While Halo 5 failed to live up to expectations, its general premise was exciting, and the idea of a dual-narrative Halo game split evenly among two compelling characters is something that would probably be received very well following Halo Infinite's campaign that played things a little too safe.
Halo Infinite
- Released
- December 8, 2021
WHERE TO PLAY
When all hope is lost and humanity’s fate hangs in the balance, the Master Chief is ready to confront the most ruthless foe he’s ever faced. Step inside the armor of humanity’s greatest hero to experience an epic open-world adventure and explore the massive scale of the Halo ring.
With Network Campaign Co-Op and Mission Replay, you can relive your favorite moments, rediscover collectibles and explore the wonders of Zeta Halo on your own or with up to three other fireteam members.
Experience Halo’s celebrated multiplayer reimagined and free-to-play! With over 70 maps in matchmaking, billions of customization configurations, and countless community Forge creations to experience, Halo Infinite is the franchise’s most expansive multiplayer offering to date.
Enjoy an unprecedented variety of gameplay experiences, ranging from fast-paced intense ranked modes to whimsical mayhem in Custom Games, or even co-operative coordination in the wave-based survival mode Firefight: King of the Hill. Assemble your Fireteam and conquer every mode – Halo offers endless opportunities for teamwork, strategy, and unforgettable victories.
- ESRB
- T for Teen: Blood, Mild Language, Violence
- Developer(s)
- 343 Industries
- Publisher(s)
- Xbox Game Studios
- Engine
- Slipspace
- Multiplayer
- Online Multiplayer
- Franchise
- Halo
- Platform(s)
- PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S
- Genre(s)
- First-Person Shooter
- How Long To Beat
- 12 Hours
- File Size Xbox Series
- 90 GB (November 2023)
- Metascore
- 87
- Platforms That Support Crossplay
- PC, Xbox One & Xbox Series X|S
