The early, limited release of early chapters in Halo Infinite’s campaign indicates 343 Industries’ move to bring the franchise’s focus back to Master Chief’s storyline. Given what is available so far, fans can look forward to imbibing on the nostalgia and mythical qualities surrounding Master Chief’s status as the central hero of the Halo universe. There are several moments in the game’s early cutscenes and gameplay that offer players a chance to dive back into Master Chief’s heroic, legendary mystique.
The campaign of Halo Infinite opens to an unidentified UNSC pilot stranded on a derelict, Pelican ship. Suddenly, the pilot is alerted by the ship’s AI that a friendly signal has been detected, and the pilot quickly attempts to raise the signal’s source on comms. He wipes the frosted condensation away from a window, revealing a motionless Master Chief floating out in space as his signature score announces his somber entrance into the game.
Unlike Halo 5, which portrayed storylines diverging from Master Chief as the central hero of the Halo franchise Halo Infinite brings Master Chief back to center stage. The combination of returning its focus to Master Chief’s story and a lighter supporting cast signals 343 Industries’ intention to revitalize Master Chief’s mythical and heroic mystique. In doing so, the developer indicates its acknowledgment of Master Chief’s importance and status among the Halo franchise’s fans.
Small moments of dialogue and gameplay take on key roles in bringing Master Chief’s heroism and mythical qualities to the forefront. When The Banished show up and threaten the Pelican ship, Master Chief declares, “I need a weapon.” The pilot hands him a pistol and tells him, “This is all I’ve got.” “It’s enough,” Master Chief replies. This is the Master Chief Halo fans have come to know and love. A single pistol with only one round is no problem. His sense of duty and heroic resolve carries him forward on his mission to save humanity.
The outlook of humanity’s future at the beginning of Halo Infinite’s campaign appears bleak. Atriox has killed everyone on Infinity. Only a few clusters of UNSC forces survive on Halo Zeta, which is now damaged and inoperable. The Banished have regrouped, as has humanity’s many other longtime enemies. While the pilot is eager to accept defeat and return home, Master Chief stands undaunted. His stoic nature pitted against the nervousness of the stranded pilot brings Master’s Chief’s heroic character front-and-center.
Perhaps the most poignant representation of Master Chief’s mythic qualities occurs when Master Chief hears “echoes” of Dr. Halsey as he attempts to investigate a mystery concerning his newly acquired AI. Halsey’s voice lends insight into the origins of John-117. “Seventy-five healthy subjects. Hand-picked by me. [. . .] They will not all survive.” This alludes to Master Chief’s life before his transformation into a super-soldier via the Spartan-II Project. She remarks “He is perfectly suited for what is coming.” This “the-hero-that-was-foretold” tone gives weight to the mythical aura surrounding Master Chief’s origins and marks a further indication of 343’s pivot back to this storyline as the franchise’s driving force.
If Halo 5 left fans found wanting in terms of continuing Master Chief’s story, then it appears, so far, 343 Industries took note in developing Halo Infinite. Early indications from the limited release of the campaign’s first chapters reveal an intention for Halo to go back to its roots. On December 8, the full campaign will be available, allowing followers of the Halo saga and Master Chief’s story to determine if 343 Industries has indeed breathed new life into the franchise.
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