Halo Infinite’s Season 5 Maps Are Superior

Halo Infinite’s fifth season, “Reckoning,” arrives on October 17, 2023. With two new maps, a returning multiplayer mode from Halo 4, a brand new variant of the Bandit rifle, and extra, it’s shaping as much as be a wonderful season for 343’s shooter.

Halo Infinite’s new Enviornment maps: Forbidden and Prism

Whereas Halo multiplayer is able to delivering many alternative experiences, the core 4v4 expertise of “Enviornment” is crucial. Halo Infinite shipped with stable maps on launch, and has seen some fantastic new additions, however I’d recommend that these new maps are a step above what we’ve seen added to the sport earlier than.

Forbidden

“Forbidden” is a symmetrical map that 343 Industries multiplayer degree designer Cliff Schuldt stated was designed “particularly for Seize the Flag.” It encompasses a well-known Forerunner ruins artwork type that’s very harking back to Halo 2’s “Sanctuary” and has a touch of “Warlock” as nicely.

As a symmetrical map, it’s a pure match for aggressive play, and I discovered it to be fairly enjoyable in recreation modes apart from CTF as nicely. However it’s the visible design that I particularly recognize. With assorted quantities of overgrown vegetation protecting its constructions and a looming Halo ring seen from the very middle,it has that distinct Halo vibe that different aggressive maps within the recreation like Aquarius or Streets are considerably missing.

There are plenty of neat alternatives for some fancy motion throughout Forbidden. Specifically, I cherished the “rat holes,” as Halo Infinite’s multiplayer degree designer Cliff Schuldt known as them. These are chutes on both aspect of the map that you would be able to slide into to drop right down to the decrease degree, making for excellent flag getaways or fast repositioning.

The various ranges, tight corridors, ramps, and alternatives to snipe down some splendidly positioned sight strains provides me some very critical “Lockout” vibes, a basic map from Halo 2 on which I used to utterly terrorize my mates.

Prism

“Prism” provides a really totally different taste from Forbidden and encompasses a welcome injection of Covenant purple that feels prefer it’s been lacking from Halo for a lot, far too lengthy. Whereas structurally it’s very totally different from one thing like “Midship” (it jogged my memory fairly a little bit of Halo 4’s “Abandon”), the presence of monumental glowing purple crystals (from which Needler ammo is mined in accordance with the lore) actually sells that old-school Covenant vibe. It options assorted ranges of elevation which have a natural-feeling topography versus the extra angular “Forbidden.” In my time with “Prism,” I discovered that the map naturally lends itself to tight pockets of motion, notably within the new recreation mode: Extraction.

“Prism” additionally options some environmental hazards within the type of crystal clusters that, when shot, launch harmful shards that may injury you or your opponent. It provides the map a little bit of interactivity, and well-placed pictures and grenades round these crystals must make for some fascinating performs. I didn’t discover them overly punishing, however they offered sufficient injury to both be used strategically or, probably, to catch you abruptly for those who’re not ready.

“Prism” additionally options the Pinpoint Needler as an influence weapon. Should you’ve performed Infinite’s marketing campaign, you’ll keep in mind it because the reward for taking out one of many Excessive Worth Targets. It’s a much more deadly variant of the Needler, feels completely at house on a Needler-themed map, and helps shake issues up a bit from the standard “go get the rockets/sniper” sample of most maps and energy weapons.

Talking of weapons, Season 5 additionally features a new addition to the arsenal by means of the Bandit Evo, which manages to keep away from stepping on the Battle Rifle’s place within the recreation whereas nonetheless providing some wonderful vary.

The Bandit Evo is perhaps higher than the DMR ever was

The semi-automatic DMR rifle made its debut in Halo: Attain and was arguably the ultimate evolution of the one-shot-at-a-time precision of the overpowered M6D in Halo: Fight Advanced. It labored nicely sufficient in Attain, however when it joined the Battle Rifle in Halo 4 (together with the now-retired Mild Rifle), it type of felt like there have been three weapons competing to do the identical factor.

Enter the Bandit Evo with season 5 of Halo Infinite. On paper it’s slightly easy: It’s a Bandit (a semi-automatic medium-range DMR) with a reflex scope versus the ACOG-style featured in Attain, 4, and 5.

With only a reflex scope, the Bandit will get the vary it deserves, whereas not stepping on the Battle Rifle’s area. In my expertise it finds a pleasant center place between the Sidekick and the Battle Rifle. I predict this weapon will work out very nicely in Massive Workforce Battle, however its shorter vary signifies that it presents some nice utility for traditional 4v4 motion. To me it looks like a extra applicable model of Halo CE’s pistol.

The return of Halo 4’s Extraction, match XP in customized video games, cross-core customization, and sure, AI in Forge

Historical past doesn’t all the time look too kindly on Halo 4, which is a little bit of a disgrace because it had some nice concepts. Extraction, a multiplayer mode the place gamers must deploy and defend extraction gadgets in key areas, is one such instance. When you plant an extraction gadget, the countdown towards scoring a degree begins. Fail to defend the world, and the opposing workforce can take it from you. It’s an easy mode, however one that may result in plenty of fascinating outcomes as either side battle for management of the world.

Season 5 may even embrace another much-needed additions reminiscent of cross-core armor coatings and helmets (these have been beforehand locked to particular armor units), and match XP from customized video games, so you can also make progress within the battle move by enjoying in video games apart from what’s discovered within the matchmaking playlists. That is notably fascinating as season 5 additionally sees the long-awaited inclusion of marketing campaign AI in Forge, opening the door to all types of fascinating PvE and PvPvE experiences on Halo Infinite’s maps.

Forge AI, nevertheless, is a subject for an additional day. We’ll dive into {that a} bit extra nearer to launch.

Halo Infinite Season 5: Reckoning can be obtainable on Xbox Collection X/S, Xbox One, and Home windows on October 17, 2023.