A comprehensive list of community feedback for 343 on the Halo Infinite campaign reveal.
thanks to U/GingerOrio on reddit for writing this all so succinctly.
-Obvious graphical issues present throughout various parts of the reveal that need polish before the game’s launch, if you’d like a full breakdown on what is believed to be going on graphically in the trailer, please check out Digital Foundry’s video. (Halo Infinite Gameplay Trailer Analysis: Are The Graphics Really 'Flat'...? - YouTube) A further note is the depth of field effect at the end on War Chief Escharum’s face during the final cinematic being too strong, blurring the detailed texture work of his features.
-Audio design. Many have said that sounds in the reveal lack the unique flair and depth previous Halos had in the gameplay audio department. Examples of this lie in the assault rifle firing sound and warthog engine. Bungie’s earlier Halo games and even 343’s Halo 4 made a lot of UNSC things sound futuristic while being grounded in reality, while most of Infinite’s human sound design seems to pull a lot from indistinct military sounds that sort of blend across present shooters without much of that futuristic Halo consideration.
-HUD. Weapon positioning is in the bottom right instead of the traditional top right, solid yellow hexagons appear and obstruct player view when taking damage as a shield indicator, and weapon pickups lack icons in exchange for full descriptions. (Icons are a key accessibility feature Halo 5 lacked in my opinion and I think they help the visually impaired distinguish weapons, especially if they can’t read that text prompt.) Preferably aspects of the HUD are able to be customized to some degree, so the player has the choice on where things go and 343 doesn’t have to compromise.
-Design of the MK50 Sidekick, Commando, and Bulldog. Feedback on these new UNSC weapons compare them to weapons straight out of something like Call Of Duty Modern Warfare or Destiny, and once again is said to shift earlier Halo games distinct human design to something more modern military and not distinctly recognizable as Halo.
-Banished artistic design choices. From the blockiness of the Banished Phantom to the LEGO like pads on the brightly colored Banished armor, many weren’t expecting this vibrant shift. We were expecting some kind of an evolution to Blur Studio’s Halo Wars 2 Banished design, taking the darker reds and scratchy grittiness that seemed to evoke the Banished to them. Whether or not this is something to be changed is up to the developer.
-Lack of transparency and direct communication. I’ve seen so much confusion, misinformation, and half truths being spread and it’s up to 343 to give us the answers here.
Please tell me if I missed anything and I can add it to the list, I really want 343 to to see this and understand where we’re coming from. We all want this to be the best Halo game it can be so let’s let them know what we realistically want!