As time rolls on, video game franchises change and adapt mechanics to match games around them, streamlining game loops to make the best possible experiences with each subsequent entry. That sort of evolution is usually most easily seen in long-running franchises that have plenty of titles, most of which can be dissected and analyzed for fans to point out popular mechanics at the time of each title's release, and how they fit into the broad strokes of video game making through the years. When looking back on the past five years or so, one mechanic stands out as one that completely revolutionizes whatever franchise it's added to for the better: the grappling hook.
Grappling hooks have been in video games for quite some time, but the piece of climbing gear has been steadily added to more series recently and each time it happens, it's usually highlighted by critics and fans as one of the best parts of the game. Halo Infinite is the most recent example of this mechanical addition, but it isn't the only one. Because of its high-profile nature, however, it might mean that grappling hooks could be taking off in a major way over the next few years as studios begin playing around with the possibilities of the mechanic.
How Grappling Hooks Have Changed Gaming
While games with grappling hooks have been around since the early days of console gaming, with titles like Bionic Commando standing out as one of the first examples of what makes the mechanic fun, it seems like The Legend of Zelda series showcased a lot of its potential with the hookshot. Although the series didn't introduce swinging until later in the series, the idea of an item that can pull the player anywhere seemed like a great idea tucked away inside the mechanics of the fantasy adventure games.
As 3D gaming progressed, titles were adding grappling mechanics at a relatively steady rate, but everything came to a head with the release of Just Cause 2 in 2010, which made the open-world game's grappling hook a central part of its design showcasing the open-ended fun of the tool. From there, grappling hooks were featured in more and more titles until becoming the staple of gaming that it is today.
Games like Uncharted 4, Persona 5 Royal, and Titanfall 2 have upped the ante from previous games, while titles like Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice and Ghost of Tsushima built a lot of their design around allowing the player to think of combat encounters vertically. Gameplay would open up for a seemingly infinite amount of ways that players could engage with the world.
Where Grappling Hooks Can Take Gaming
It seems like just a matter of time until a major AAA title is made entirely based around grappling hooks as a mechanic. Halo Infinite's masterful use of the equipment feels like it's going to inspire plenty of studios to think about the way they handle grappling hooks from now on. Both Spider-Man and Spider-Man: Miles Morales include extremely satisfying swinging mechanics, but don't lean into other elements of the equipment, like using it to grab items or to maneuver through enclosed spaces. Hopefully, the upcoming Spider-Man 2 is able to expand the game's mechanics in an even more meaningful way.
At the end of the day, it feels like every time a studio shows off gameplay of an upcoming title that features a grappling hook of any kind, it's well-received. From Horizon Forbidden West's pullcaster to Dying Light 2's improved grappling hook, it doesn't really matter what type of game it's being used for because of one simple fact: Grappling hooks are just fun to use and more studios should consider adding them to their action titles.
Halo Infinite is available now for PC, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.