Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Gaming
  3. News

Halo: Infinite isn’t a stunner, but it’s exactly what the Xbox Series X needs

By

Microsoft finally showed the first real Halo: Infinite gameplay during its Xbox Series X Games Showcase on July 23, and the memes soon followed. Gamers eager to dish out the salt were quick to jump on the title for its shift in art direction and lack of obvious visual wow-factor.

There are good reasons for the shift, however, and the decision not to prioritize visuals over gameplay will prove to be in Halo: Infinite’s favor. This looks like true old-school Halo delivered on modern hardware.

Performance wins over realism

The memes digging on Halo: Infinite immediately targeted game’s undeniable shift in art. Until now, Halo has pursued a hyper-realistic look filled with gritty soldiers, shiny aliens, and detailed scenery. Infinite is a bit different. The intentionally blocky, flat look of some distant terrain led to sarcastic comparisons to Minecraft.

Related

Halo Infinite campaign be like pic.twitter.com/lcVgqHeOlm

— ayy lmao (@ayylmaotv) July 23, 2020

Like most jokes, this one has a hint of truth. Halo: Infinite certainly looks leagues better than Minecraft, but its new art style reminds you that you’re playing a game. The latest Halo, unlike its predecessors, doesn’t try to look realistic. It won’t even launch with raytracing support, though 343 Industries says that will be added in a later patch.

This might seem an odd decision for a new console’s headline title, but it places emphasis one another aspect of next-generation consoles; performance. 343 Industries promises 4K/60 fps gameplay in Halo: Infinite, and if that is delivered, it will be a stunning new benchmark.

Take Call of Duty: Modern Warfare for comparison. It attempts to hit 4K/60 fps on the Xbox One X and PlayStation 4 Pro but is often forced to reduce resolution in the name of performance. Despite that, the game’s framerate can dip into the mid-40s. Other current-generation stunners, like Assassin’s Creed Odyssey and Red Dead Redemption 2, make no attempt to target 60 fps gameplay on console.

Halo: Infinite is making a next-gen promise. It’s just not the one we’re used to. Instead of dialing up the detail to unbelievable levels, the game more smoothly delivers the very best of what’s possible on current-gen hardware. As I’ve said in the past, next-gen games won’t often blow you away with their visuals. But that doesn’t mean the next-gen experience isn’t better.

Delivering the Halo you remember

While Microsoft is strategically using Halo: Infinite to showcase the importance of smooth, high-resolution gameplay, there’s another reason for the game’s shift. 343 Industries wants to go back to Halo’s roots and deliver the old-school experience fans remember.

That’s not easy, because nostalgia is a hell of a thing. The original Halo trilogy is great. Play it today, however — which you can easily do, thanks to Halo: The Master Chief Collection — and you’ll realize the games are smaller, shorter, and more linear than they felt at the time.

343 Industries has a predictable but effective solution. Turn the scale up to 11. Halo: Infinite wants to give players the epic alien vistas they’re used to and, unlike earlier Halo games, actually let players explore them.

Huge levels combined with classic Halo gameplay is precisely on point.

This isn’t revolutionary, and I’m guessing some critics will sigh heavily as they note how Halo is merely following a template for open-world game design that’s beginning to feel tired. For fans, however, huge levels combined with classic Halo gameplay is precisely on point. This is how Halo felt back in 2001.

It may even feel unique today. Shooter fans crave a big, open-world game with the variety and epic scope they love. Far Cry’s template has grown stale. Destiny never delivered the epic scale it promised. And other recent stabs at the idea, like Rage 2, have fallen short on gameplay. Halo: Infinite could serve up an experience that shooter fans have desired for well over a decade.

The Halo we need?

Despite mixed reactions to its graphics, fan opinion about Halo: Infinite seems cautiously optimistic. There’s a reason for that. Infinite’s single-player gameplay appears to capture the ideas that made old-school Halo great in a more modern format. It also lacks the superhero-film distractions that made Halo 5: Guardians such a groaner.

It’s strange for a headline next-gen title to root itself so firmly in the past. Still, if Infinite can deliver the experience fans remember — and deliver it at 4K and 60 frames per second — it will be the launch day success Microsoft’s Xbox Series X needs.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics
Matthew S. Smith
Matthew S. Smith
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Matthew S. Smith is the former Lead Editor, Reviews at Digital Trends. He previously guided the Products Team, which dives…
Our most anticipated Xbox Series X games of 2023
Spaceship on planet in Starfield.

Next year is shaping up to be the most important for Xbox ever. A number of significant titles that could finally give Microsoft a foothold during this console generation are scheduled to release in 2023. We'll also likely learn whether or not Microsoft's acquisition of Activision Blizzard will go through. As such, there's a lot for Xbox fans to look forward to in 2023.
Xbox's 2023 console-exclusive slate is shaping up to be fairly diverse, featuring everything from cinematic platformers to RPGs to real-time strategy games. It's a far cry from the indie-dominated exclusive lineup of 2022. We've rounded up eight games set to define Xbox Series X's 2023 that fans should keep an eye on going into next year. We're only counting games with announced release windows, so titles like Senua's Saga: Hellblade II and Avowed won't show up on this list. Still, there are plenty of 2023 games for Xbox fans to get excited about. 
Planet of Lana -- spring 2023
Planet of Lana Xbox Game Pass Trailer
There are several 2D platformers coming exclusively to Xbox systems next year, like Replaced and The Last Case of Benedict Fox. The cinematic platformer that has stood out the most to us, though, has been Planet of Lana. Developed by Wishfully and published by Thunderful, this atmospheric, cinematic 2D platformer is of note because it's a gorgeous sci-fi adventure about a boy and a cute alien creature trying to survive an invasion. Planet of Lana's beautiful visuals remind me of Ori and the Will of the Wisps, and its gameplay harks back to Inside, so I'll eagerly be awaiting its release in spring 2023. 
Minecraft Legends -- spring 2023 
Minecraft Legends – Announce Trailer
Minecraft Dungeons was an enjoyable Diablo-like spinoff of the Minecraft formula, and now Mojang and Blackbird Interactive are taking a page out of Pikmin's book with Minecraft Legends. Set to release in spring 2023, Minecraft Legends is a real-time action strategy game where players defend the Minecraft Overworld from Piglins by commanding hordes of recognizable Minecraft creatures. Minecraft Legends looks like it will scratch that real-time action strategy itch as we wait for Pikmin 4, and will likely introduce a lot of new players to the genre. It is a multiplatform release, like all Minecraft titles, but its inclusion on Xbox Game Pass will make it a must-play Xbox Series X and S title in 2023. 
Forza Motorsport -- spring 2023
Forza Motorsport - Official Trailer - Xbox & Bethesda Games Showcase 2022
Nearly three years after being announced in July 2020, we'll finally get our hands on the next mainline Forza game soon. It'll be interesting to see how Turn 10 Studios has evolved the formula in the wake of notable racing titles like Gran Turismo 7 and spinoff Forza Horizon 5. The new Forza Motorsport seems to be going all-out with its visuals, focusing on real-time ray tracing, dynamic time of day and weather, and high frame rates during races. Forza Motorsport will certainly be one of the prettiest games to ever release on Xbox Series X and S, so we definitely have our eye on it heading into its release next spring.
Redfall -- first half of 2023
Redfall - Official Into the Night Trailer
Originally slated to release in summer 2022, Redfall's delay really hurt Xbox's first-party prospects this year. That's one reason why we're interested to see how this vampiric cooperative shooter from Dishonored and Deathloop developer Arkane turns out when it releases in the first half of 2023. Arkane's switch from immersive sims to an open-world co-op shooter here is intriguing, so we're curious to see how they'll pull it off while still achieving satisfying horror undertones. Being the first brand-new Bethesda game to be an Xbox exclusive post-acquisition, Redfall is set to be a very meaningful release for Xbox Series X and S,
Starfield -- first half of 2023
Starfield: Official Gameplay Reveal
Starfield needs little introduction. Announced in 2018, players have been hyped for this brand-new sci-fi IP from Bethesda Game Studios for years and want it more than ever after its release date of 2022 was delayed. The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim is one of the most influential RPGs of all time, and Fallout 4 isn't too shabby either, so it's no surprise that we're excited to see what that team can do with a sci-fi experience that has taken eight years to create. Starfield is set to be a massive game with thousands of explorable planets, a grandiose story, shipbuilding, base building, and lots of RPG systems and combat. It will be one of the biggest AAA releases of 2023 period, let alone the biggest on Xbox. Even if no other Xbox Series X and S games are on your radar heading into 2023, keep an eye on Starfield when it releases in the first half of the year. 
Hollow Knight: Silksong -- first half of 2023
Hollow Knight: Silksong - Xbox Game Pass Reveal Trailer - Xbox & Bethesda Games Showcase 2022
Hollow Knight is one of the best Metroidvania games ever made, so it's understandable why we're quite excited for a sequel that follows the character of Hornet in a whole new kingdom. While this game will also be available on Nintendo Switch, PS4, and PS5, its day one availability on Xbox Game Pass will make Xbox the premier console on which to play Hollow Knight: Sillksong. It appeared during the Xbox & Bethesda Games Showcase this year, suggesting it will release sometime in the first half of 2023 despite developer Team Cherry's relative secrecy surrounding it. Regardless, anyone who loves of a good Metroidvania will want to check out Hollow Knight: Silksong whenever it launches in 2023. 
Ravenlok -- first half of 2023
Ravenlok - Official Announce Trailer - Xbox & Bethesda Games Showcase 2022
Although we haven't heard much about the game, Ravenlok's unique style has us eagerly awaiting its release on Xbox Series X in 2023. Ravenlok is an action RPG with an Alice in Wonderland-like story where a girl is whisked away to a magical kingdom ruled by a cruel queen. Although its gameplay doesn't look like anything too out of the ordinary, the game features beautiful voxel visuals that get a shocking amount of detail out of what are normally crude geometric shapes. Ravenlok's beautiful visuals certainly will keep it on our radar when it launches day one on Xbox Game Pass. 
S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 -- December 2023
S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chernobyl — Gameplay Trailer
The postapocalyptic shooter S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 has been a long time coming and will hopefully finally be released in 2022. It's a survival-horror shooter set in the Chornobyl Exclusion Zone, following players as they navigate through the radiation and horrific enemies there in search of riches. The looks we've gotten at the game so far are thick with atmosphere and appear really promising. S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 has unfortunately suffered some massive delays due to Russia's invasion of Ukraine, which has severely impacted the development team at GSC Game World. Still, the studio is adamant about releasing it on Xbox Series X and S in December 2023, and we can't wait to see the results of what this team has been working on. 

Read more
Microsoft’s price hike on Xbox games will apply to PC, Steam
Redfall Cover

Microsoft confirmed to Digital Trends that the impending price increase on its first-party games will apply to its PC releases as well. The change will happen in 2023 and affect upcoming titles like Starfield, Redfall, and Forza Motorsport.

This morning, IGN reported that Microsoft will be raising the prices of Xbox Series X|S games from $60 to $70. Digital Trends asked Microsoft if this would also apply to the PC versions of its games. A Microsoft spokesperson said, "Yes, starting in 2023, our new, full-priced games will be $69.99 across console and PC storefronts. This price reflects the content, scale, and complexity of these titles, regardless of platform. These games will also be available on day one with Game Pass.”

Read more
Xbox Series S $250 Black Friday price changed my tune on the console
Xbox Series S placed on a white table with the controller just in front of it

This year’s best Black Friday gaming deal caught me off guard. The Xbox Series S is $250 this weekend, making it one of the cheapest gaming systems on the market. It's half the price of its big brother, the Xbox Series X, and is even cheaper than a Nintendo Switch. That $50 discount has me entirely changing my tune on a console that I was quick to write off when it launched two years ago. At that low price point, it becomes viable as a “travel console” just in time for holiday vacation season.

That’s a notable attitude shift for me, a noted skeptic of the device. When the Xbox Series S first launched in 2020, I couldn’t help but feel like it was a trap. Its $300 price point seemed appealing next to the $500 Xbox Series X, but I knew it would come with some pricey hidden fees due to its weak paltry internal storage. It just didn’t seem wise to pick one up in the long-term, so I largely ignored it.

Read more