The gameplay is finally in a place that can live up to Bungie-era Halo, while still feeling a bit fresh. I was absolutely thrilled to see Halo return to its original art style, and have a soundtrack that actually sounds like Halo.
However, while Halo Infinite is the best 343 release, it's still plagued with issues. The campaign feels rushed and clumsy. It feels limited in its environments and its scope. I'm happy that Infinite retcons Halo 5's story, but it all feels messy nonetheless. The Banished are led by a cringe-worthy cartoon villain, though Master Chief thankfully returns to his signature stoic style which is contrasted well against the pilot character. However the pilot character isn't as developed as I would like, and the 'Weapon' feels - again - like a clumsy solution to a problem that should have been avoided in the first place. The entire campaign feeling like its stuck in the second level from Halo: CE (but not as good) is to Infinite's detriment. The ability to select any weapon you want from outposts makes weapon management redundent, and the open world adds absolutley nothing to Halo - besides tedious and barebones side-quests.
The mulitplayer support has largely been an absolute mess to say the least, and it's emblematic of Microsoft's bizarre mismanagement of its once biggest and best franchise. 343 finally has a good thing here with some great core gameplay, but they've wasted all that potential with a bloated, messy and - at times - uninspired campaign, and a mostly neglected multiplayer that makes a mockery of when Halo was at its height in 2007.
However, while Halo Infinite is the best 343 release, it's still plagued with issues. The campaign feels rushed and clumsy. It feels limited in its environments and its scope. I'm happy that Infinite retcons Halo 5's story, but it all feels messy nonetheless. The Banished are led by a cringe-worthy cartoon villain, though Master Chief thankfully returns to his signature stoic style which is contrasted well against the pilot character. However the pilot character isn't as developed as I would like, and the 'Weapon' feels - again - like a clumsy solution to a problem that should have been avoided in the first place. The entire campaign feeling like its stuck in the second level from Halo: CE (but not as good) is to Infinite's detriment. The ability to select any weapon you want from outposts makes weapon management redundent, and the open world adds absolutley nothing to Halo - besides tedious and barebones side-quests.
The mulitplayer support has largely been an absolute mess to say the least, and it's emblematic of Microsoft's bizarre mismanagement of its once biggest and best franchise. 343 finally has a good thing here with some great core gameplay, but they've wasted all that potential with a bloated, messy and - at times - uninspired campaign, and a mostly neglected multiplayer that makes a mockery of when Halo was at its height in 2007.