In many ways, Halo Infinite really does look like a back-to-basics return to roots for the popular Microsoft FPS. Last night's Xbox Series X gameplay showcase gave an extended first-look at the game's campaign in action. We got a tease of some open world elements, Warthog driving, the grappling hook, and lots of Grunt-busting carnage.
But what of the game's multiplayer? That is, after all, what really elevated the first three Halo games to such legendary heights long after we'd rolled credits on their single-player campaigns. The good news is that we'll be learning a lot more about what Halo Infinite multiplayer has in store for us in the near future.
For now, though, developed 343 Industries is happy to confirm at least one crucial piece of multiplayer information. The upcoming game will absolutely have local split-screen and co-op when it launches later this year.
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This exciting news came via a roundtable interview with 343 after the Xbox Series X event. Studio head Chris Lee made it pretty clear: "We will have split-screen and we will have co-op when we launch Halo Infinite."
Couch-based multiplayer was such a standard of the Halo franchise for years, of course. I have nothing but fond memories of staying up till 2am sat in front of the TV in my mates living room as he absolutely ruined me at Blood Gulch. I wasn't very good at the game, see. I didn't mind though, because just playing alongside friends was such a blast.
And then it all changed. Halo 5: Guardians made the baffling decision to completely do away with local multiplayer, and it felt a piece of the series' soul had been removed. Halo Infinite will likely be making some changes to the formula that long-time fans will dislike at first - possibly forever. But as long as I can play the game with friends when they come to visit, I'm happy. It's just not the same if you can't scream right in their faces.
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During the roundtable, we also learned that Halo Infinite will boast a campaign that's "several times larger than last two game put together", and that there'll be all kinds of secrets to discover when you're out there exploring the Ring. It sounds super ambitious, and I can't wait to dive in.
Halo Infinite is launching on Xbox One, Xbox Series X, and PC during the holiday period later this year.
Featured Image Credit: MicrosoftTopics: Xbox, Xbox Series X, Halo Infinite