Halo Infinite: A Polarizing Reception
After three days of Halo Infinite beta gameplay, the Halo community is expressing a mixture of reactions to the FPS game's multiplayer, ranging from enthusiastic praise to harsh criticism. Overall, the reception to Halo Infinite is a far cry from the outpouring of praise at the end of the Halo Infinite reveal trailer, but it remains to be seen how the game will develop as we get closer to its release date.
In one of the biggest Halo Infinite news threads on the subreddit, a user expresses their disappointment in the Halo Infinite beta, criticizing the game for its lack of content and failure to cater to the franchise's established fanbase.
"This is the first Halo game I have not preordered in years," the user says. "I feel like 343 just wants to turn Halo into a generic CoD-like game to attract a younger audience." They go on to criticize Halo Infinite's open world campaign, weapon mechanics, missing game modes, and unappealing vehicle gameplay.
While this is an extreme opinion, it's not completely unwarranted. Since the departure of Bungie, 343 Industries has been steering the Halo ship in a direction that is more appealing to casual players. Unfortunately, this has come at the cost of alienating longtime fans of the series.
Some defend Halo Infinite, praising its multiplayer experience. "This is a fantastic game so far," says one user. "Considering the amount of time it takes to get used to the controls and mechanics, the gameplay is smooth." Others attribute their struggles to the learning curve, criticizing the game's controls and gameplay.
One particular sore point for many players is the lack of campaign co-op matchmaking. While this is hardly a priority for most FPS games, it is an important feature for Halo, which has always been known for its robust campaign experience. Without it, many players feel like the game is incomplete.
"As a full package, Halo 5's co-op campaign is what I'm most looking forward to," says one user. "The fact that they won't have it is such a bummer," another replies. Several other users mention Splitgate, a competitive shooter that captures the essence of Halo while providing a more enjoyable experience.
Many users express dissatisfaction with the direction of the Halo series after Bungie's departure. "I don't think Bungie is the problem," says one user. "These games would be at least as successful as they were under Bungie."
Other complaints include the limited number of maps, the monetization model, aim assist on controllers in PC matches, the introduction of keyboard and mouse support, and cross-play. There are also various complaints about specific weapons and vehicles, such as the Mongoose and the Forerunner Light Rifle.
In the replies, the potential impact of the upcoming Halo TV show on the game's popularity is discussed, as are the involvement of 343 Industries in the development of Halo, and the impact of the Halo Pro League.
The Halo Infinite beta is set to end on Sunday, June 2, at 5 p.m. PT / 8 p.m. ET / 12 a.m. BST the following day. It will then be followed by the Halo Infinite launch date and Nightfall, the first free DLC for the multiplayer game.
