It seems that 343 Industries has rolled out a stunning unexpected update for Halo Infinite that is mainly focused on the tenth anniversary of Halo 5. The new thing is that Extermination mode has come to Halo Infinite for good, and the players can enjoy some new customization options inspired by the Halo 5 theme to wear.
To revive those who might not be aware, Halo 5: Guardians was launched in 2015, which to some of us is quite a long time ago and now feels like we have become really old. The brand new Extermination playlist comes with two new maps, OPPRESSOR and EYRIE, which are specifically designed for this game mode. Designer ArturBloodshot has noted that these two maps were built from zero-up for Extermination and 2v2, collaborating with artists Starkey213036 and Zama_dan for the visuals. So, that’s incredible; developing the maps for the mode sounds much better than just recycling the art from previous versions.
As is often the case with most updates, community feedback has been lukewarm at best. A small group of users is delighted with the new feature and sending their feedback like Shaga, “Big fan of this update!” and Dysen, “good game mode”. JxshWheeler even asked the ranked version of Extermination pretty soon, which shows that he is pretty serious about the competitive aspect.
On the contrary, the players complain about the new mode being too hard. A certain gamer called BalisticULT2077 has labeled the mode as “ultra sweaty” and suggested that the devs need to come up with casual-friendly modes like Warzone or more PvE modes. Besides that, the whole saga regarding Halo 5 on PC keeps resurfacing as players reply. Some users like HaloSaucisson and Lord_Demploth are even pleading for a full Halo 5 PC port, with one person saying, “Make halo 5 great again on PC please.” However, one more user, imaSamster, commented that 343 has “said multiple times that Halo 5 will never be ported to PC,” indicating that holding on to hope might be forlorn.
The whole issue of customizing has generated a lot of responses that are quite interesting. User starcris22 started a discussion about the missing content and asked if the Technician armor from Halo 5 was the reason why some of the “encripted and never released” weapon models and coatings were excluded from the anniversary update. They have even attached some screenshots that appear to be cut content from Halo 5, which is really fascinating from the viewpoint of video game history preservation. But still, the question is how do players get to know all this? Datamining, I suppose.
There is a little confusion over the map rotations as well, for ScottPerdue asked what happened to the Longshore map and if it is already gone from the Squad Battle mode. Green replied that the map is still part of Squad Battle with Slayer, One Flag, and King of the Hill, so at least this part is sorted out now.
The whole thing surrounding the anniversary has not only sent players back to their nostalgic times but has also reminded them of Halo 5’s mixed legacy. While some voices are calling for a unified re-release of Halo 5 across all platforms with all content restored, others are just happy that somehow a game that usually gets overlooked in the Halo franchise is at least getting some recognition.
What is important to note is that this update is a clear indicator of 343’s strategy of keeping Halo Infinite fresh while recognizing the past of the series. Instead of just having an anniversary celebration, they are bringing the legacy of Halo 5 straight into the current game through new gameplay modes and customization options, and this not only pays homage to the past but also allows the players to be present in the now.
The timing is also perfect as Halo Infinite is still receiving frequent updates and discussions about the next round of updates are still going on within the community. The players are pretty open about sharing their desires, whether it be the return of more classic weapons (the classic shotgun was mentioned in several comments), new modes, or anything.
So, if you happen to decide to re-enter the world of Halo Infinite, the Extermination playlist is already live with the two new maps as well as all the gear for the Halo 5 anniversary. It’s a faint paradox of a game that, albeit being contentious, has been able to garner many loyal gamers after the passage of ten years. It seems the green light is on; nevertheless, we will have to wait until a later date to find out whether this update will have the desired impact on players’ return. At the very least, it is a novel experience while we are in suspense regarding the future of the Halo franchise on Xbox.
