Format: Xbox Series X
Genre: First-Person Shooter
Developer: 343 Industries
Publisher: Xbox Game Studios

The only chink in the mighty Series X armor so far has been the lack of a jaw-dropping showcase, and Halo Infinite's brand new engine only pries that crack a bit more. It looks as sharp as an Elite's claws, but there is something about the almost full-bright lighting which sends this Warthog off the road somewhat. The pseudo-open over world looks like the original Halo, as do the shiny blue metallic indoor levels-- just with many times the texture resolution. In multiplayer the clean look makes the environments very easy to read.

A three-headed hydra of composers created the music for this latest entry, and it's not bad by modern-day video game standards. The original Halo theme song has been recycled more times than a dead Spartan's armor by now, but the tinkling piano original work uses lots of experimental percussion, like bongo drums. The game's gun shots and iconic shield noises are as communicative as ever. Grunts engage in hilarious dialogue before the player has been spotted. The subtle weapon hit and kill sound effects are functional genius.

Halo Infinite uses a mission structure. Some of them involve long periods of the player visiting map icons, like a lite version of an Ubisoft title, while others play more like the linear indoor levels from the original game. The open world areas don't overstay their welcome. This game introduces a grappling hook, and its addition is revelatory. It can be used to climb walls; to rope in and melee enemies; to grab explosive containers or weapons from afar; or to knock down the shields of Jackals.

Like the Zeta Halo ring imagined in the game, this title had troubled development: it was all busted up, yet the company rallied and managed to piece-meal things into a functioning product-- and it's not bad! The multiplayer is the highlight, with visuals as clean and smooth as a freshly waxed Scorpion. The campaign feels like a Lego set built without all of the pieces: its solid pacing, incredible grappling hook mechanic, and interesting story barely carry it through. The next game in this series might be sensational now that 343 has the core components in place.