Looking at the Halo Infinite campaign and maps, is looking back in time to the year 2000. The technology isn’t 2560. The vehicles shouldn’t be powered by 2000 technology. The communication equipment shouldn’t look 2000s technology. The displays in the maps shouldn’t look 2000s technology. The marines and Spartans in Halo Infinite shouldn’t need to build fires or eat ready to eat foods or etc. In 2560, technology would have changed all this for the better. Chief’s technology is more advance than other UNSC equipment in Halo universe.
Is the UNSC is good or bad for the universe? If technology doesn’t advance for everyone than it’s the same as today.
Its always been an aesthetic choice, originally by bungie, to keep things relatable.
You’re super soldier amongst mostly modernish human fighting aliens. The covenant wouldn’t feel advanced if we had transporters and programmable matter.
The vehicles in Halo, even the UNSC ones are not using 2000s technology.
Spartans don’t need to eat as much as Marines.
Marines are still human. They need to stay warm and they need to eat. That was true 100,000 years ago, it’s true today, It will be true In 500 years. Halo isn’t completely fantasy Sci-fi at least for the Humans and covenant to an extent. Forerunner technology is practically space magic though. Some things don’t need to change for it to be futuristic.