Halo Infinites Headhunter Gametype Should Set a Precedent

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Halo Infinites Headhunter Gametype Should Set a Precedent

Key Takeaways

  • Headhunter returns in Halo Infinite multiplayer playlists, offering a familiar yet updated experience.
  • Infinite’s Headhunter gametype remains similar to its version from Reach, challenging players to collect and deliver skulls.
  • 343 Industries should invest in the return of classic gametypes like Grifball and Ricochet to keep Infinite’s multiplayer fresh.

As a seasoned Halo gamer with over two decades of Spartan combat under my belt, I can wholeheartedly say that the return of Headhunter in Halo Infinite has brought back memories of countless hours spent in virtual battlefields. The familiar yet updated experience is a testament to 343 Industries’ commitment to keeping the game fresh and engaging for old-school fans like myself.

Another classic Halo gametype has finally returned in Halo Infinite with the debut of Headhunter in multiplayer playlists. Ever since Infinite was released in 2021, 343 Industries have slowly added new and old gametypes to the game’s multiplayer, including Firefight, Infection, and Survive the Undead, among others. Most of these have remained in Infinite’s multiplayer playlists or could be played in custom games or through the content browser. While the return of Headhunter and other classic Halo gametypes are a welcome sight in Halo Infinite, there are still more gametypes 343 Industries should strive to add before Halo 7’s eventual release.

Halo’s Headhunter Gametype Explained

During the time Bungie was behind Halo, several game modes were experimented with in earlier games, only to be officially released in later titles. One such example is Headhunter, initially tested for multiplayer in both Halo 2 and Halo 3, but not playable until the Beta of Halo: Reach in 2010. Notably, Headhunter was among the fresh game modes demonstrated in the multiplayer trailer of Halo: Reach alongside Invasion and Arena. In Halo: Reach, players could engage in Headhunter either in Free-For-All or teams of four. Regrettably, Headhunter did not reappear in Halo 4 or Halo 5: Guardians, but it was revived once Halo: Reach was incorporated into Halo: The Master Chief Collection in 2019.

In the game mode called Headhunter within Halo Infinite, there aren’t any team matches available. However, both versions of this gametype share many similarities. The goal in Headhunter is to eliminate any hostile Spartan soldiers and seize flaming skulls that emerge from their heads upon being killed. Each player starts with one skull and can collect a total of 10 skulls from defeated enemies. To score points, these collected skulls must be deposited into rotating zones scattered across the game maps within the timeframe of the gametype. The player who manages to deposit 25 skulls or the most skulls before the game’s time limit elapses is declared the winner. Skulls have a tendency to vanish if not collected promptly, so players need to grab them as quickly as possible.

In Halo: Reach, the Headhunter skulls share a resemblance with the orange-flamed collectible skull from Halo 3. Conversely, in Halo Infinite, the Headhunter skulls are identical to the black-marked, blue-flamed skulls encountered within its campaign.

Classic Gametypes’ Potential in Halo Infinite

In the initial release of Halo Infinite, only a limited number of game modes were available, predominantly including popular ones like Big Team Battle, Slayer, and Capture the Flag that are familiar in the Halo series. Over the past nearly three years, some new and old game modes have been reintroduced, such as Fiesta, Attrition, Last Spartan Standing, Extraction, Ninjanaut, Sentry Defense, among others. These additions, along with player-created modes including Battle Royale, Survive the Undead, and an upcoming one called Helljumpers by The Forge Falcons, have kept the gameplay of Infinite feeling fresh and varied. However, there’s still potential for 343 Industries to introduce more classic game modes.

As a die-hard Halo fan, I’ve been eagerly anticipating the rumors that Grifball could be making its triumphant return to the gameplay rotation of Halo Infinite. This side-splitting mode has been a cherished part of Halo multiplayer since it was introduced in Halo 3, although it’s only briefly resurfaced in Guardians and hasn’t been officially included in any new Halo multiplayer since then.

More Classic Gametypes that Need to Return in Halo Infinite

If Grifball were to make a return in Infinite, 343 Industries could tweak that gametype’s structure to bring back another classic gametype: Ricochet. Ricochet was introduced in Halo 4 as a more sports-themed gametype which allowed players to throw balls into goals similar to football and rugby while still permitting players to use firearms. 343 Industries could use Ricochet’s return to bring back the football gear-inspired Ricochet armor in Halo Infinite’s shop or the Exchange. Another gametype that should return is Race, which saw individuals or teams race in warthogs around maps to reach checkpoints. With the vast number of coatings available for players to customize their warthog, players should be able to show off their racing skills in their hogs in competitive races.

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2024-08-27 13:33