Xbox has invested heavily intoXbox Game Passsince the subscription service was launched in 2017. The company’s dedication to the service has included monthly additions, day one launches of some of the biggest releases, and the promise that all future first-party Xbox titles will launch on the service for both Xbox and PC. So far this has included titles likeOri and the Will of the WispsandPsychonauts 2, with titles likeForza Horizon 5andHalo Infinitecoming toXbox Game Passin the near future.
Halo Infinitein particular has received a lot of attention and hype ahead of its release, with fans excited to return to one of the most influential console series.Halo Infinitehas promised to deliver a sprawling new singleplayer campaign, a new take on the iconicHalomultiplayer, and a bevy of new innovations only possible on the newest gaming hardware. Lucky fans have gotten early access toHalo Infinite’s test flights and have gotten to check out the new multiplayer, which has only added to theexcitement forHalo Infinite’s release. Luckily, fans with an Xbox Game Pass subscription will get everything the game has to offer included in their subscription.
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Halo Infinite’s Singleplayer Campaign
Halo Infinitewill continue the story of Master Chief and will see him returning to one ofHalo’s iconic titular rings. Fans have seen very little of the campaign since the game’s reveal, but the developers at 343 Industries have been very willing to share details here and there leading up to the game’s release. Thus far, it has been revealed that the game’s ring will feature a more open-world design that will allow players to travel across it with a variety of means to travel to mission objectives and explore. This includes many of the vehicles that series veterans have come to expect, whileHalo Infinitewill also introduce some new vehiclesas well.
As forHalo Infinite’s actual story, players have only gotten some hints at what to expect.Halo Infinite’s trailer shown at Gamescom seemed to confirm that Master Chief will be without Cortana again, and could even still be trying to track her down or stop her after the events ofHalo 5. Fans also know that Master Chief will be facing off against a new clan of Brutes known as the Banished, who is led by a new character named Escharum. This has left some dedicatedHaloloremasters questioningwhat happened toHalo Wars' Atriox, but hopefully,Halo Infinitewill answer that and other questions when it releases.
Halo Infinite’s Multiplayer
So far,Halo Infinite’s marketing and press ahead of release have been mostly focused on its multiplayer mode. This makes sense, as it is where most of the gameplay time of anyHalotitle is spent, andHalo Infiniteseems to be going big to help spearhead thetriple threat for Xbox Game Pass this Fall. A large part of this is that the multiplayer mode forHaloInfinitewill actually be free-to-play, a first for the series.
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The free-to-play nature of the multiplayer has also led to it featuring alternative monetization methods in the way of seasonal battle passes. Battle passes have become extremely popular in recent years as a way for live service games to continuously raise revenue, while also delivering new themed events and cosmetic content for players to earn.Halo Infinite, however, is taking a bit of a unique approach in a way that many gamers across the industry have come out largely in favor of.
This is becauseHalo Infinite’s battle passes, will not only be able to be purchased after the season has ended, but will also be able to be leveled up to unlock its content after the season has ended. This has been praised across the industry for eschewing the FOMO elements that many players feel with battle passes, and has led to communities of games likeApex Legendscalling for a similar change to their games.
Halo Infinite’s Release
Halo Infinitewill be released on June 04, 2025, for PC, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S. The game will be available for purchase for the standard $60 or will be available on all platforms on day-one through Xbox Game Pass.Halo Infinite’s multiplayer mode will be completely free-to-play, but there are some notablefeatures thatHalo Infinitewill be missing when it releases.
The biggest of these is the delayed campaign co-op. Early inHalo Infinite’s development, 343 Industries voiced its commitment to co-op in the game as well as local split-screen. However, it was announced that while the feature is expected to release within a few months ofHalo Infinite’s launch, it will not be available immediately.
Another large omission that will be present at launch is the iconicHaloforge mode. Forge mode allows players to put together custom maps and game modes usingHalo’s base assets and has become a very big part of the franchise over the years. The announcement led to the competing multiplayer shooterSplitgateconfirming its own Forge modethat would arrive beforeHalo Infinite’s, but the team at 343 Industries has yet to provide any details on what Forge mode will look like when it eventually comes.
A smaller feature that will be missing at launch is multiplayer assassinations, which are flashy kills that players perform by meleeing enemies from behind. The delay was a disappointment for fans as assassinations have been an exciting staple inHalomultiplayer for some time now, but they are little more than cosmetic. Hopefully,Halo Infinite’s missing features will not keep fans waiting for long after it launches this Holiday season.
Halo Infinitereleases on December 8 for PC, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
