The legendary Halo franchise holds a special place in gaming history, defining the FPS genre on consoles for decades since its debut in 2001. With the launch of Halo Infinite in late 2021, Master Chief makes a triumphant return – this time opening Halo‘s multiplayer arena to everyone by going completely free-to-play on PC. This fundamental shift removes any barrier to entry, inviting the masses to enjoy Halo‘s signature competitive multiplayer mode for the first time at no cost. But how exactly does the free offering compare to the paid campaign? Let‘s explore what you can expect from Halo Infinite on PC based on whether you dive into the free multiplayer or premium single player content.
The Evolution of Halo – Foundational FPS Franchise
To properly understand the magnitude of Infinite‘s free multiplayer, it helps to examine Halo‘s origins and journey over the past 20 years.
Halo: Combat Evolved first landed on Xbox in 2001 as a launch exclusive title, though originally conceptualized for Mac/PC. The game was developed by Bungie and published by Microsoft as a first party title.
Halo proved a revelation in 2001 – bringing responsive dual-analog controls, open vehicle warfare, and compelling sci-fi worldbuilding to the console first person shooter genre. It established staples like regenerating shields alongside an arsenal of distinctive alien and human weapons.
Core to the experience was local splitscreen multiplayer, allowing friends to battle in the living room. This social experience propelled Halo‘s popularity and cemented the franchise as a leader on Xbox over multiple console generations.
Bungie continued growing the Halo universe with titles like Halo 2, Halo 3, and Reach into the late 2000s. These advanced the technical capabilities and eSports potential while retaining the signature Halo combat feel.
After Bungie moved on from Halo in 2010, Microsoft created 343 Industries as custodian of the property. 343 released Halo 4 and 5 on Xbox, pushing narrative and visuals – but some felt losing aspects of what defined early game design.
Which brings us to Halo Infinite in 2021 – aiming to recapture classic Halo multiplayer appeal while modernizing via free access and live service elements.
Gameplay and Progression Evolved from Classic Formula
Analyzing Infinite‘s core systems shows how 343 Industries evolved from previous Halo entries while retaining spiritual DNA.
The core arena-style 4v4 battle flows true to early Halos, with tightly crafted map design and weapon placement. Pace of movement, jumping, health, and shield recharge strike an ideal balance – retaining the "heroic" feeling of being a powerful Spartan. This contrasts the quicker, more fragil play of titles like CoD or Apex Legends.
New mobility options like sliding and the grappling hook fit organically into map traversal, complementing rather than overwhelming the Halo dance of shooting, strafing, and positioning.
The arsenal offers a mix of human and alien armaments like the classic Assault Rifle, Battle Rifle, Needler, and Energy Sword which feel great to wield. Newcomers like the Skewer spear and Pulse Carbine energize the sandbox.
Vehicular warfare on maps like Behemoth captures the epic scale when flanking with a Warthog or running opponents down with the deadly Ghost.
These fundamentals stay true to what made early Halo combat so compelling yet refined. However, progression systems modernize with seasonal Battle Passes, extensive customization, and free events – avoiding any pay-to-win advantages. The familiar Halo DNA now comes in a more accessible and rewarding live service wrapper.
Praise from Veteran Players and Reviewers
In reinvigorating that classic Halo feel, 343 Industries delivered an experience earning praise from diehard fans and gaming press alike at launch:
"It feels like coming home again. A return to form of everything that has made the competitive multiplayer component of Halo great." – Paul Tassi, Forbes
"A Masterclass In Arena Shooter Design." – Jake Baldino, GGGManLives
"Its exceptional gunplay retains the spirit of the old while clearing space for the new." – Phil Hornshaw, GameSpot
"This feels like Halo – Old Halo and New Halo all at once." – Ryan McCaffrey, IGN
Critics praised aspects from map design offering strategic flexibility to the "gun-ballet" feel when swapping between fresh yet familiar weapons in the heat of combat. Halo veterans relished the return to tenants that made early series multiplayer special now coupled with new freedom of movement.
Free Multiplayer vs Paid Campaign – What‘s Included
Given Infinite‘s seismic shift to free multiplayer, what exactly does the package include compared to the paid single player campaign?
Free Multiplayer
Arena – 4v4 competitive mode with ranked skill tiers
Big Team Battle – 12v12 mayhem with vehicles
Multiple rotating playlists – SWAT, Fiesta, Infection and event variants
Academy – Practice modes and weapon drills
Custom Games Browser – Community created & hosted matches
Battle Pass – Free and premium cosmetic season tracks
Full weapon and vehicle arsenal – All gear unlocked through play
Paid Campaign
10+ hour storyline continuing Master Chief‘s journey
Open world elements to explore on Zeta Halo
Story missions focused on Chief and Weapon AI
In-engine cutscenes expanding the narrative
Wide variety of environments and setpieces
Exclusive weapons and equipment not in multiplayer
Upgrades and unlocks only usable in campaign
So in summary, the free portion provides a huge amount of competitive, social, and training content that should keep players engaged for hundreds of hours. The premium campaign offers a more crafted solo experience to dive into the Halo universe‘s rich lore. Both together make up the complete Halo package.
Core Gameplay And Progression Free For All
Importantly, Halo Infinite‘s free multiplayer includes all the core gameplay systems, modes, and maps free for all players. New arenas, modes, gear, and events are added with each seasonal update as well.
The only aspects reserved for paying users are cosmetic – the premium Battle Pass tracks that offer armor coatings, weapon skins, armor effects and other visual flair. None of these provide any gameplay advantage – just means to show off.
This ensures a fair and even playing field open to everyone. Every Spartan begins each match on equal terms regardless of cosmetic unlocks. Like previous Halos, skill and teamwork rule the day.
Master Chief Leads The Next FPS Generation
Halo Infinite‘s campaign continues the epic sci-fi story of Master Chief and Cortana that has spanned decades. This central narrative arc provides important context for why players fight across Zeta Halo‘s ancient structures in multiplayer and the history behind weapons like the iconic MA40 Assault Rifle.
The storypickup after the events of Halo 5 with Chief awakening to confront a new enemy faction called The Banished who have swept in after Cortana‘s death. Together with the Pilot and new AI companion Weapon, Chief must discover what happened in his absence.
Fans praise the campaign‘s return to Halo‘s roots with large open environments, a sense of mystery, and more focused storytelling pairing Chief and Weapon. It recaptures the classic tone through his eyes once again.
While multiplayer goes free-to-play, Chief‘s journey remains a premium experience allowing players to deepen their knowledge of the Halo universe.
Comparison To Other Leading FPS Franchises
Despite stiff competition, Halo Infinite slots in nicely alongside other heavyweights across the FPS genre while bringing its unique flavor.
Call of Duty – Flashier, more frantic pace of play compared to Halo‘s drawn out battles. Lower time-to-kill incentivizes faster reactions.
Battlefield – Larger scale combat across land/air/sea. Halo action stays more contained and arena-focused.
Destiny – Shared social hub and PvE elements make Destiny feel more oriented as an RPG hybrid.
Overwatch – Distinct set of unique hero characters, abilities, and playstyles. Halo has more standardized starts.
DOOM – Pure high-octane demon-slaying violence contrasts Halo‘s strategic positioning and teamwork.
Apex Legends – Faster movement, hero pick mechanics, and pinging communication system provide a more modern teamwork experience.
Splatoon – Bright, fun aesthetic and paint-based mechanics aim at a younger audience vs Halo‘s grittier military sci-fi violence.
Infinite certainly borrows lessons from these peers while retaining its unique Halo feel that can‘t be replicated. The shift to free access helps expand its audience within the hyper-competitive FPS scene on consoles and PC.
Halo ESports Scene Primed To Grow
Competitive multiplayer has always been at the heart of Halo. Infinite‘s revamped formula aims to rejuvenate the franchise as an eSport after several down years.
The Halo Championship Series (HCS) represents the official competitive circuit with tournaments sponsored by 343 Industries and Microsoft. Over its lifetime Halo eSports events have awarded millions in prize money.
Top pro players like Royal2, Frosty, and Spartan continue to compete and have provided feedback throughout Infinite‘s development. The game‘s renewed focus on well-balanced arena combat has restored confidence.
And Microsoft isn‘t skimping on investment with a $1 million tournament prize pool pledged for the first season alone. With free access and the return to classic roots, Halo Infinite is poised to thrive on the eSports stage once again.
Optimizing For Performance On PC Hardware
Given Infinite‘s demanding graphics, what are some tips for achieving great performance on a variety of PC hardware?
Update Drivers – Have the latest GPU, chipset, and Windows drivers installed. Do not use betas.
Close Background Apps – Limit programs running in the background to devote more resources.
Lower Settings – Shadow quality, effects, and resolution are performance heavy.
60 FPS Cap – Target smooth 60 FPS gameplay over max FPS by capping rate.
AMD FSR – Leverage AMD upscaling tech even on Nvidia cards.
hardware-accelerated GPU scheduling – Helps process graphics commands more efficiently.
Meet Recommended Specs – Having at least a 4 core CPU, 16GB RAM, and RTX 2070 or RX 5700 class GPU.
Taking time to optimize these areas results in a smoother experience even on mid-range systems. Patience tweaking settings pays off.
Gameplay Showcase and Visuals
For those yet to experience Halo Infinite, here is a brief video sampling of the fast-paced multiplayer action:
[Gameplay Video]The fluid animations, crunchy headshots, strategic grenade volleys, and vehicle takedowns shine through even at lower settings. Each match tells an emergent story that only Halo multiplayer can deliver.
On capable PCs, details like indirect shadows, environment draw distances, weather effects, and volumetric lighting help immerse players on Zeta Halo. Performance scaling allows most rigs to enjoy smooth 60+ FPS gameplay.
Content Roadmap – What‘s Ahead?
343 Industries has an active development roadmap planned for Infinite spanning into 2023 and beyond.
The team continues releasing new maps, modes, events, cosmetics, and custom game options on a seasonal cadence. Major upcoming milestones include:
- Campaign Co-Op (August 2022)
- Forge Level Editor (September 2022)
- Network Campaign Co-Op (November 2022)
Forge in particular promises a creative sandbox allowing players to build and share custom maps and game variants.
This ongoing flow of content will keep the community engaged and returning to see what‘s new across both free multiplayer and premium campaign sides of the package.
The Complete Halo Experience Together At Last
Halo Infinite‘s multiplayer going free-to-play opens the arena to countless new Spartans on PC and Xbox while retaining everything that makes Halo…Halo. Slower paced, strategic shootouts on intricately designed maps with a varied sandbox of weapons and vehicles.
The free portion provides endless competitive, social, and custom modes with progression that feels meaningful yet optional. Pair this with the epic single player campaign bringing closure to Master Chief‘s story.
For longtime fans, try the multiplayer to reconnect with gameplay you remember through rose-tinted lenses. And for those new to the franchise, no better time to suit up for your first baby steps into the Halo universe. Download now on Steam or the Microsoft Store to get started.
