The "Summer 2025 Update" for Halo Infinite is now live and will continue until June 10. This update brings a host of new features to the game, including new playlists, the introduction of the Mutilator power weapon, sandbox updates, new tools for Forge, and an expanded selection of weapons available at the Weapon Bench. Players can also enjoy 50 additional tiers, four new armor sets, bonus XP, and an extra challenge slot for those who opt for the Premium Operation Pass.
Despite these enhancements, opinions on the update are mixed. Some players feel that the changes are insufficient and too late, especially given the tumultuous journey Halo Infinite has had since its launch. The developer, previously known as 343 Industries, has rebranded to Halo Studios amid a significant drop in player numbers. Fans have voiced their frustrations over the lack of content, the game's progression systems, its monetization model, and the cancellation of a highly anticipated battle royale mode.
On the other hand, a segment of the community believes that Halo Infinite has never been better. A thread on Reddit titled "Halo Infinite REALLY should do a 'relaunch' ad campaign. It's just not the same game as at launch. Not even close" highlights the positive changes. One enthusiast shared: "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.
"I see so many people who attack this game, saying things about it that haven't been true in years," they continued. "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."
Another fan expressed their agreement, stating, "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," while another added, "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 chimed in, "Multiplayer-wise, it's the best Halo ever made."
Halo Games in Chronological Order
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In another thread, sparked by the iconic marketing image of Master Chief holding his helmet, a user asked how players feel about the image in light of Halo Infinite's development. One response was glowing: "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 player shared their progress and enthusiasm: "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 third player praised the game's multiplayer, stating, "It's the best arena shooter on Xbox right now. Halo Infinite scratches that itch that I wish COD did."
However, not all feedback was positive. One less enthused fan remarked, "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
Xbox Games Series Tier List
IGN's review of Halo Infinite's single-player campaign in 2021 awarded it a 9/10, stating, "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 in full effect, some Xbox fans are curious if Halo will follow titles like Forza Horizon 5 and Gears of War to PlayStation. Phil Spencer, Microsoft's gaming chief, mentioned in November that there are no "red lines" in their first-party lineup, hinting at potential future expansions.
