Halo Infinite is on the cusp of officially releasing, after a year of delay. Xbox's flagship franchise is finally back, and it looks to bring Halo into the open-world genre with the next chapter in Master Chief's saga. Reviews are already looking positive, and the beta release of the free multiplayer has brought the Halo community together. With what will be at launch, and what has been confirmed and is suspected to come later, it looks like Halo Infinite will be the best Halo yet from 343 Industries. Combined with a day-one release on Xbox Game Pass, now is the best time to get into Halo.
However, there have been some growing pains, especially with issues plaguing the multiplayer. The progression and monetization systems have been found wanting, and they are affecting how players interact with the game's Battle Pass. There have been some efforts to fix this, but more will have to be done before that problem is truly righted. Furthermore, fans are a little disappointed with the mode selection process that Halo Infinite uses, and would like it if a new playlist could be added specifically for the Slayer mode.
The Current Problems With Halo Infinite’s Multiplayer
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As it stands, the way Halo Infinite multiplayer works is restrictive. Players can select from several playlists, or create a custom lobby. These playlists have a certain number of modes and stages attached to them, and the player is assigned a random match within these modes. While the core game may be good, different players have different tastes regarding the modes they want to play, so getting thrown into a lot of Capture The Flag or Oddball matches when Slayer is the preferred option feels demotivating. It's hard to keep playing when the game feels set on refusing to be what the player wants.
That's not all, either. The pre-release issues affecting the multiplayer run deep. The daily challenges that players are encouraged to complete for experience are also random and can be game-altering. Players who want to participate in or win three matches in a given mode may not be able to do so for extended periods. Alternatively, a player who only wants to complete their daily challenges and is allowed to do so may take that chance over fulfilling match objectives. A Slayer-only playlist would resolve some of these problems by removing Slayer from the pool of modes and giving players a more open space to complete challenges.
A Slayer Playlist Would Do Halo Infinite A Lot of Good
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Ultimately, the fanbase would just like to be able to play Slayer more often. The mode is Halo's take on the typical FPS deathmatch and has been an iconic part of the series. Whether it's a free-for-all to claim kills, or it's a Team Slayer match where two sides need to employ cooperation to circumvent each other, this mode is the purest expression of Halo multiplayer. The fact that there is no easy way to play it with random people reflects poorly on Halo Infinite, especially as Slayer matches don't rely on cooperation as much as other modes. Slayer can be easily loaded into and enjoyed in custom matches, and it would be nice to have that ease of access back.
Perhaps the most damning thing Halo Infinite has done thus far is proving that it could have a Slayer-only playlist via its Fiesta mode, attached to the Fracture: Tenrai seasonal event. Fiesta is just Slayer with random weapons and spawn points, and has proven to be a hit with the fanbase. Not only is it a silly casual mode, but it's also a dedicated Slayer playlist. Halo Infinite could lose frustrated players once this mode goes away for good, and there will continue to be frequent cries for something else like it.
This could be remedied fairly quickly by condensing Slayer into Quick Match and Ranked playlists. Fortunately for players, recent statements have made it sound like 343 Industries intends to expand the idea of a Slayer playlist into something standalone. Hopefully, it and other specialized playlists can be finalized soon, and Halo Infinite can shine ever brighter.
Halo Infinite will launch on December 8 for PC, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.