Since its surprise early release in November, Halo Infinite has proven itself to be one of the best multiplayer shooters in the last few years. Its mechanics are tight and fresh, the matches are fun, and it seems like, apart from the issues with its battle pass progression, fans are having a blast with the multiplayer. There have already been plenty of suggestions at what game modes 343 Industries should add next, but the obvious choice is that the game should include a battle royale.
This isn't a new suggestion as Halo Infinite leaks seemed to suggest that a battle royale mode would be a part of the game. However, 343 Industries has since doubled down on the fact that the game won't include one. This was met with a mixed reception by fans, as some praised the choice to stay away from gaming's hottest trend while others were hoping to see what Halo mechanics would be like in an elimination shooter. While the current roster of matchmaking games is great, it seems like Halo Infinite would actually make a really good battle royale as well.
Halo Infinite's Battle Royale Mechanics
It seems pretty straightforward, but the mechanics for a Halo battle royale are already all there in the game's current multiplayer. The popular game mode starts pretty similarly to most Halo Infinite game modes: Players start off with very little and need to explore the map around them to acquire more powerful loot.
In a Halo battle royale, the loot would need to be balanced a little bit better so that players weren't immediately able to find rocket launchers and energy swords, but other than that, most mechanics would make easy transitions from Halo Infinite's current modes to a BR. The game already has a diverse pool of loot for players to find, from grenades, to guns, to other equipment.
The major thing missing from Halo Infinite that's present in most other battle royales is an upgrade system for loot. For example, there's only one scope for the sniper rifle, and shields can't be buffed outside of using an overshield. That said, the simplicity in weaponry is sort of Halo's charm and could still make for interesting gameplay, as it has been since Halo Infinite's multiplayer launch.
The sandbox of Halo Infinite's multiplayer has already proven itself to be one of the best multiplayer experiences in recent years because of the seemingly unlimited gameplay possibilities presented by its mechanics and loot, so a battle royale would fit nicely within that sandbox. The mechanics are proven, the demand is there, hopefully, 343 Industries can see that a battle royale might be worth its time in the long run for the game's life.
Halo Infinite Could Be the Next Big Battle Royale
There is one big thing standing in the way of a Halo Infinite battle royale, however; the competition. Although they're still wildly popular, battle royale games aren't being released with the same frequency that they once were because of how big Fortnite, Call of Duty Warzone, and Apex Legends have become. It seems implausible for any new game to break into that space, however, if one franchise can do it, it's Halo.
What's more, while it would likely use similar rulesets as the biggest games in the genre, a Halo Infinite battle royale would be able to stand out because of its unique mechanics when compared to those of Fortnite, Call of Duty Warzone, and Apex Legends. Plenty of studios are moving away from making battle royales, but 343 Industries has proven that it can handle excellent multiplayer, so adding a battle royale to the mix could be the next big thing for the Halo franchise.
Halo Infinite is available now for PC, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.