The "Summer 2025 Update" for Halo Infinite, now live and running until June 10, introduces a plethora of new content and enhancements to the game. Players can dive into new playlists, wield the new Mutilator power weapon, and explore sandbox updates. The update also includes new Forge tools, an expanded Weapon Bench with more weapons, and for those opting for the Premium Operation Pass, 50 additional tiers, four armor sets, bonus XP, and an extra challenge slot.
While some fans feel that these additions might be too little too late, considering the tumultuous journey Halo Infinite has had since its launch, others believe the game has never been better. The developer, previously known as 343 Industries and now rebranded to Halo Studios, faced significant challenges, including a sharp decline in player numbers due to dissatisfaction with content, progression systems, monetization, and the cancellation of a highly anticipated battle royale mode.
On Reddit, a thread titled "Halo Infinite REALLY should do a 'relaunch' ad campaign. It's just not the same game as at launch. Not even close" sparked discussions about the game's evolution. One user wrote: "I can't imagine anyone who likes Halo but hasn't given this game a chance, or haven't played since launch, would be disappointed coming back. And I can't imagine they or especially the general gaming public, realize how much has been added and changed. I didn't play for months. I came back to three new guns, a bazillion new maps, multiple new firefight modes, mountains and mountains of things to grind for and unlock. And that's just from my few-month break. I really think this game would get a huge boost from a good trailer showing off all the additions and changes since launch. It would do wonders for their reputation as well."
The same user continued: "I see so many people who attack this game, saying things about it that haven't been true in years. Three new pieces of equipment, five new guns, like a hundred new maps or more, like 10 new game modes, hundreds of new armor pieces, a much much better free credit shop, quadruple the ranked playlist to grind for (finally, that's what I've been wanting), career rank to grind for. All the old battle passes resulting in what, a thousand tiers almost? One of them is even completely free with some great reach armor. An incredible, incredible Forge, awesome custom games, a custom games browser which only Halo 5 had before, firefight, enemy and friendly AI in Forge."
Others echoed this sentiment. One agreed: "I wholeheartedly agree, the game is easily the best game since [Halo 3] and the best 343 has produced. Just took a while to get here, but I never left, so it’s been fun to watch play out." Another user replied: "I share this feeling. I have a buddy who wrote it off pretty early and hasn’t come back. He’s already trashing the game, and I try telling him it’s solid now, but he doesn’t want to hear it." A third fan added: "Multiplayer-wise, it's the best Halo ever made."
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In another thread, where the iconic image of Master Chief from Halo Infinite's marketing was shared, one user responded: "I really love Infinite. Been playing since about halfway through Season 1. Revitalized my love for a series I stopped playing during Halo 4’s lifespan. Has the best Spartan customization and I also really like that different modes are constantly in rotation, custom games is fun, campaign is fun; unique but fun; music is a banger."
Another user approaching their first Onyx rank shared: "Approaching my first Onyx rank and am on track to be the first Halo game I hit max career rank. The gameplay is very fluid and feels super organic blending the feel of the classic games with some modern upgrades (and sprint feels so so good in this game). As much as I love the classic games and go back to them from time to time, Infinite has my favorite gameplay overall. The game has outgrown the shell of its release and has only gotten better with time. I’m optimistic about what’s on the way and I really think Infinite is one of my favorites in the series!"
A different perspective came from a fan who said: "This image represents the last little bit of hope I had. I genuinely think Halo’s time is over, the people who understood how to make the magic happen are all scattered and gone."
Xbox Games Series Tier List
IGN's review of Halo Infinite's single-player campaign in 2021 praised it, awarding it a 9/10: "Halo Infinite's single-player campaign is exactly what this series needed. It brings out the best in Master Chief's unique and satisfying combat style while leveraging old ideas to create memorable new moments. Its story falls short for both new and veteran players, but it was worth the six-year wait."
With Microsoft's multiplatform strategy now in full swing, there's speculation about whether Halo might follow titles like Forza Horizon 5 and Gears of War to PlayStation. Microsoft’s gaming chief, Phil Spencer, has indicated that there are no "red lines" in its first-party lineup, suggesting a potential future for Halo on other platforms.
