Why Halo Infinite Is Our 2021 Game of the Year

An arsenal that is reliable and varied will be the foundation of your Halo experience. Halo Infinite has allowed 343 to return time and create a classic Halo experience. At least, for the Assault Rifles. Needlers. Battle rifles. You know what you’re getting with the mainstays, and that’s a massive boon for the overall gameplay. To stay in lockstep with that approach, Infinite allows all weapons – guns, grenades, power weapons, and melee – to feel like valuable tools in combat.

It is the irreplaceable Assault Rifle that can be used to kill foes or get their shields down enough so that they are able to finish off the task with a melee or shot from the sidearm. It’s a stellar baseline for the weaponry offered, and that old-school Halo feel permeates the other Spartan armaments. It allows new or experienced players to jump in, shoot around, and find the fun of Halo’s combat before exploring the flashier wares of the armory.

By infusing utility into the alien weapons, Infinite is able to succeed. With nearly every tool at your disposal being a blast to wield, it’s hard to pick just two to stick with at a time. It’s not a bad problem to have and speaks to the breadth of loadout permutations you can choose to complete an objective or suit a preferred playstyle. Stopping a rampaging Banshee from terrorizing the battlefield by shooting it with an electric weapon like the disruptor or Shock Rifle to disable it midair won’t get old anytime soon. You can’t rely on the old favorites like rolling up against a group of Banished Elites, firing the Pulse Carbine and a Plasma Pistol charged to quickly dispatch their shields. However, there are better ways to win than just running into a skirmish with your gravity hammer, throwing grenades and praying that they will stick to something. You may not make it out alive, but it’s a damn fun way to rack up some kills. 

Every strategy is a unique Halo-like experience, offering a shooting gallery for exploration and experimentation. While this philosophy isn’t new to the series, it feels like a breath of fresh air and stands out against other first-person shooters this year.