Game Informer’s Top 10 Games Of 2021

For over a decade, 343 Industries has been the shepherd of the Halo universe, taking the reins from original developer, Bungie, and continuing to chart a new course for the series. Halo 4 and Halo 5: Guardians found success in their own rights, but longtime fans noted that gameplay and storytelling veered from previous form. In the final weeks of this year, 343 managed a remarkable feat with its release of Halo Infinite – zeroing in on a framework for both campaign and multiplayer that felt unmistakably “Halo” while simultaneously exploring fresh ideas that help launch the series into the future.

That meeting point between old and new is apparent from the first hours of Infinite’s campaign. Individual story beats seem at times to directly echo moments from the original Halo: Combat Evolved. Enemy combatants feel fierce, familiar, and challenging. The ringworld setting itself recalls the Pacific northwest locale that initially inspired the series. And many multiplayer modes aptly reflect the tense exchanges the franchise first employed.

Look closer, and Infinite reveals that it is far more than a fresh coat of paint on an old formula. New equipment, especially the grappleshot, changes the way players confront a battle. Major missions, open-world exploration, and upgrades lend increased replay value and a sense of discovery. Specific encounters, particularly at large bases, support player freedom and creative problem-solving. And in multiplayer, expanded Big Team Battle rosters, a more significant role for equipment, and a free-to-play model that invites all players to the table, regardless of platform, are just some of the notable shifts.

No game is perfect, and Halo Infinite’s launch release has space for improvement. Multiplayer progression, the number of maps, and limited customization all need addressing. And in the campaign, the absence of cooperative play is a gut punch. But a game doesn’t need to be perfect to stand out. Infinite offers immaculate shooting, one of the best original musical scores in years, and a heartfelt storyline rooted in themes of hope and resilience – much-needed topics for many players in 2021. It’s a return to form for a much-beloved franchise and a standout marquee release for Microsoft’s new generation of releases. Halo Infinite is a game we can’t put down and one we’re likely to continue pouring hours into as we head into 2022. | Our Review