One of the best things about the Halo franchise is its proclivity for introducing iconic new weapons in each entry. With things like the Energy Sword, Spartan Laser, and Battle Rifle creating one of the most iconic video game arsenals out there, the franchise has always provided some spice for its encounters. It appears that won't be stopping in Halo Infinite, as a new weapon has just been revealed.

In a recent Halo Infinite developer update detailing some of the major audio advancements coming to the game, the team revealed a new weapon called the Skewer. The weapon is specifically crafted for the Banished, the primary antagonist faction seen in the game's marketing material so far. The weapon has a gnarly look, almost resembling the iconic Lancer from the Gears of War franchise.

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The update details some of the design philosophy behind the Banished weapons featured in the game, with a central aspect being how synonymous the Banished are with Halo's Brute enemies. The Skewer fires a large spear at its target, and the sound profile is designed to convey the devastating impact that the weapon has. With each of the audio layers working together, fans can hear how much punch the weapon really has, perhaps even exceeding the Shotgun from past games. As the developers describe it, the Skewer is meant to sound "animalistic and visceral."

Skewer Halo Infinite

Halo games have traditionally done an excellent job of using weapon designs to establish a clear identity for each faction. The futuristic, plasma-powered weapons of the Covenant fit well with the rest of the faction. Meanwhile, the UNSCs arsenal gives off a traditional sci-fi space marine vibe. With this being the Banished's first appearance in a mainline Halo game, having also appeared in Halo Wars 2, this is a great opportunity for 343 Industries to further establish what the faction represents. Plus, for many, this will be their first exposure to the Banished.

The Skewer isn't the first new weapon fans are getting, either. Following last year's gameplay reveal, 343 Industries detailed several new Halo Infinite weapons coming to the game when it launches later this year. Weapons like the CQS48 Bulldog and the Ravager will help round out the list of weapons, among others. Of course, there will likely be some additional surprises when the game launches.

In the meantime, fans have to wait for the first Halo Infinite beta flight before they get a solid sense of how the game will play. The game seems to be evolving quite a bit with the extra time afforded by the delay, and that's ultimately a good.

Halo Infinite is in development for PC, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X.

MORE: Halo Infinite Developer Update Details Audio Design

Source: 343 Industries