Microsoft’s 343 Industries has provided an update on the late Halo Infinite, describing it as a “spiritual reboot” of the popular video game series. Most importantly, he shared some new screenshots and game art in development, and they are a marked improvement over the last disappointing public view.
“We focus on two main themes, ‘Legacy’ and ‘Simplicity’, when it comes to the visual experience we are building,” said Justin Dinges, art leader for the Halo Infinite campaign. “We want players to feel that they are experiencing a game that they fondly remember (Halo: Combat Evolved), but with modernized graphics, of course. [And] we wanted to avoid overly noisy designs and details, which is an important lesson for the team coming from Halo 5. With Halo Infinite, we wanted to take this new adventure back to its roots and create a visually pleasing experience that does not overwhelm with unnecessary complexity where legibility and clear artistic composition prevail. “
That sounds wonderful, of course, but the handful of new screenshots that Microsoft has provided really shows what 343 is trying to evoke with this new game.
As for the “spiritual reboot” part, 343 says the new game will feature “iconic images from Halo” and will spark the same admiration and admiration that the original title caused 20 years ago.
“We specifically chose to start Chief’s journey in Halo Infinite within the Pacific Northwest forest biome in a new Halo ring, a deliberate ode to the past,” says Dinges. “We have [also] brought the visual design of the Jackals and Grunts closer to their appearance in Halo 3 and previous titles. We want players to feel nostalgic familiarity with these designs, like meeting an old friend, while experiencing all that Halo Infinite has to offer. “
343 is also adding new elements to the game, of course. The new Grappleshot is a good example and, while exclusive to Halo Infinite, it will be familiar to longtime Halo fans and will work as expected. And a new time-of-day dynamic lighting feature can really change the appearance of environments based on when you’re visiting.
Finally, Halo Infinite will offer what 343 says is “some of the most open gaming experience in Halo history”. It’s still a sandbox title with clear goals, but how you get it depends on the player (or, in co-op, the players). “There is no right way to use a specific item or feature,” says Halo Infinite gameplay director Troy Mashburn. “I can’t wait to see cooperative players doing crazy things and combos that we don’t even think about.”
Halo Infinite is still on its way to launch in the fall of 2021, after being postponed far beyond its original November 2020 lineup, Microsoft says.
Tagged with Halo, Halo Infinite