Much of the discourse over the past several months around Halo Infinite has been deeply focused on the state of the F2P Multiplayer suite - whether that has been the new content pipeline, the monetization mechanisms inherent to the battle pass model, the armor core system, and other such items. I think there are a lot of really good ideas floating that 343 Industries and the community have discussed that would remedy many of the games ongoing troubles. So I wanted to make a post focusing on something else:
Enhancements and features that 343 could bring to the Campaign experience (outside of Co-Op and Mission Select)
Now, we already know that several huge features are coming to the Campaign - notably, the ability to replay missions and cooperative play (split-screen and online with friends.) Not to mention that it is clear that we will be getting additional campaigns within the Halo Infinite launcher over the coming years. But I think there are some other items that I think would really enhance the Infinite campaign sandbox, both in the present and over the course of the lifetime of Halo Infinite - and I say that as a person who adored the Halo Infinite campaign!
- A Resettable Map:
- As I was thinking about improvements to the Halo Infinite campaign experience, I decided to dive into my post-campaign save state. I still have skulls to find, but I lamented the fact that there was really no way for me to re-approach the many Banished keeps and map activities again with all of the spartan abilities and gear that I had accumulated. The opportunity to "prestige" the map, going to a relatively clean slate, fresh with Banished bases to take down and marines to rescue would be great. While many found issue with the singular biome of the main story, it was rare to find anyone who didn't enjoy the raw minute-to-minute gameplay found within the open world and this would be an opportunity to have those experiences again with the gear you have already earned.
- I think this could be paired with an overall higher level of enemy difficulty, distinct from the traditional options in the main menu - wherein enemies are better equipped, there are more deadly vehicles, etc.
- As I was thinking about improvements to the Halo Infinite campaign experience, I decided to dive into my post-campaign save state. I still have skulls to find, but I lamented the fact that there was really no way for me to re-approach the many Banished keeps and map activities again with all of the spartan abilities and gear that I had accumulated. The opportunity to "prestige" the map, going to a relatively clean slate, fresh with Banished bases to take down and marines to rescue would be great. While many found issue with the singular biome of the main story, it was rare to find anyone who didn't enjoy the raw minute-to-minute gameplay found within the open world and this would be an opportunity to have those experiences again with the gear you have already earned.
- Monthly or Seasonal High Priority Targets:
- When I first heard the news that the Zeta Halo map would be dotted with High Priority Targets, I was excited at the prospect of boss-type enemies coming to Halo. And I rather enjoyed the various encountered they featured in during my initial campaign play through. After beating the game, imagined that these could monthly or seasonal bosses that we could log back on to our save to take down (alone or with our friends.) Unfortunately, that hasn't really played out - and I think that is an incredible missed opportunity for new, ongoing content to flesh out this part of the game.
- I think a useful comparison would be how the modern Hitman games have handled the elusive targets - so perhaps they could be time sensitive.
- They could bring additional weapon variants into the sandbox, and/or other unique unlockables for the MP suite.
- Not to mention these could be enemies and encounters that flesh out the ongoing seasonal narratives that 343 is pushing in Multiplayer!
- When I first heard the news that the Zeta Halo map would be dotted with High Priority Targets, I was excited at the prospect of boss-type enemies coming to Halo. And I rather enjoyed the various encountered they featured in during my initial campaign play through. After beating the game, imagined that these could monthly or seasonal bosses that we could log back on to our save to take down (alone or with our friends.) Unfortunately, that hasn't really played out - and I think that is an incredible missed opportunity for new, ongoing content to flesh out this part of the game.
- Theater/Photo Mode Integration:
- The Halo Infinite campaign has some truly magnificent vistas/areas and moments that are begging for high quality captures that can be shared with the community - unfortunately, Theater Mode as it currently stands is incompatible with Campaign. I think such a mode would be an excellent addition to Campaign, especially as Co-Op is added into the experience!
- The Halo Infinite campaign has some truly magnificent vistas/areas and moments that are begging for high quality captures that can be shared with the community - unfortunately, Theater Mode as it currently stands is incompatible with Campaign. I think such a mode would be an excellent addition to Campaign, especially as Co-Op is added into the experience!
- Firefight Mode:
- Now, hear me out here: I am not huge fan of Firefight (was never really a huge fan of Horde-type multiplayer modes generally) but there is a section of the Halo Infinite campaign that is perfectly suited for a wave-based battle experience, and I think it would be a tremendous feature to bring into Halo Infinite's campaign (for singleplayer or Co-Op)
- Now, hear me out here: I am not huge fan of Firefight (was never really a huge fan of Horde-type multiplayer modes generally) but there is a section of the Halo Infinite campaign that is perfectly suited for a wave-based battle experience, and I think it would be a tremendous feature to bring into Halo Infinite's campaign (for singleplayer or Co-Op)
- Miscellaneous Ideas:
- Killable Ally NPCs
- Randomized Marine Rescue Missions and Banished Propaganda Towers that reset at some regular cadence (daily, weekly, monthly, etc.)
- Time Trials around the map that incentivize creative/speedy movement with vehicles or the grappleshot
- More miscellaneous battles that take place across Zeta Halo
- Monthly/seasonal Audio logs to find that flesh out the post Infinite narrative and/or the ongoing season arcs
- Killable Ally NPCs
Obviously, these range from minor changes to some rather resource intense deliverables, so I am not trying to indicate that 343 MUST implement these or want it to seem like I am shaming them for not having them in the game, but I think these would be worthwhile additions to an enhanced and growing Halo Infinite Campaign sandbox - especially as new open worlds and missions are released!
What do you all think? Anything you would love to see included in the Halo Infinite Campaign(s) going forward?
