Halo has always had a special focus on the multiplayer aspect of the series and has dabbled in many different game modes and types since the days of the original Xbox. Halo Infinite has continued this trend and has implemented many of the most popular game modes but one is missing. Firefight was a mode that was originally introduced in Halo ODST and then continued into Halo Reach but has not made a return in any of 343s Halo games. However the most recent multiplayer season of Halo Infinite could change that.
Lone Wolves is the name given to the second season of Halo Infinite and adds several game modes as well as an additional plot for the characters introduced in the opening cinematic. The plot follows the return of two Spartans Eklund and Dinh who are referred to as wolves back from the hunt. In truth they were on a scouting mission into alien territory and found something that could aid the war. This plot and setting are perfect for a Firefight game mode for several reasons.
Two Spartans stand near each other in Halo Infinites multiplayer
Firefight is a simple enough mode to understand -- it is essentially a horde mode where players must survive several rounds against waves of foes. This game mode at first appears to be quite simple but there are levels of complexity that can be added and Halo Infinites design is perfect for this. One aspect of horde modes is the slow addition of weapons to the players as they advance something which the Infinite campaign already does not to mention the addition of special weapon types.
Another feature that Halo Infinite added to the series was the implementation of boss fights. These Banished leaders have their backstories as well as special weapons and abilities. A Firefight mode would allow for these commanders to attack the players at the end of each round or wave and would add an extra challenge to each game. This would also allow for the game to link itself to the main campaign as well as the overall plot of the new series.
Halo Infinite Banished Brute
The plot of the new title harkens back to some older Halo lore especially as it relates to headhunters. These teams were made of two Spartan threes who were sent into enemy territory on a variety of missions. These headhunter teams would be equipped for stealth but it was fully expected for them to die in the line of duty and as such they were better equipped than the other Spartan three teams. The missions were very similar in concept to the one described in the opening of Lone Wolves.
These kinds of missions would be the perfect design choice for a horde-type mode set in the Halo Infinite timeline. For instance players could make their way to a target and set an explosive. Once this was done it would be up to players to hold that position from waves of Banished soldiers and their commanders. This style of the mission would not only fit Halo Infinites design but it also makes sense in the franchises universe. There would be a reason why the player team was outnumbered and had no support against waves of opponents and their success would give more chances for the Banished AI to be unlocked.
Speaking of AI one of the biggest improvements to Halo Infinite was the way in which the AI functions. Halo has always had very good enemy AI with the alien forces of the Covenant making use of their terrain to get the best positions to combat the player. Infinite continues this tradition with the Banished making use of their environment and numbers to surround the player and overwhelm them. A Firefight mode would be able to bring this to the forefront as well as include larger-scale battles than were nt there in the Infinite campaign. The Banished forces could make use of vehicles and aircraft to attack the players as the waves increase.
Halo Infinites multiplayer added several positive changes to the system that was in place in Halo 5. The newest addition of a plot simply adds to the already strong system in place. However there are more opportunities for 343 to make use of the property by adding a Firefight mode. Not only would this addition bring back a mode many fans are missing but it would also allow them to add to their lore to the Banished war and the Lone Wolves story that they want to tell.
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