The multiplayer of Halo is contingent on solid map design in addition to its movement and gunplay, so it is reasonable for fans to be anxious over what playgrounds 343 Industries has been developing. It was almost a year ago that 343 Industries first revealed Halo Infinite’s multiplayer, with screenshots showing Spartans fighting on what would eventually become known as Recharge. Then, just a few months later, fans would finally get to try Halo Infinite with the series of multiplayer flight tests throughout the summer months, with Recharge, and multiple other maps being in rotation. In September, three more maps leaked as the last Halo Infinite test flight drew to a close, sparking rumors of when they would be officially announced, and just how would they play.
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343 Industries has revealed Halo Infinite’s latest multiplayer map, Streets, in an in-depth walkthrough video with IGN. Executive editor Ryan McCaffrey sat down with Cayle George, the Lead Multiplayer Level Designer on Halo Infinite, to give the preview of Streets, alternating between slower walkthrough segments and multiplayer gameplay. Streets is an assymetrical, small-to-medium-sized map, that according to George, is playing very well with the Strongholds and Oddball game modes. Like Halo Infinite’s Bazaar map, Streets is set in a developed portion of New Mombasa, confirming one of the leak’s maps and returning players to the main setting of Halo 3: ODST.
With a rocket launcher spawning in the center of the map, other weapons and items dropping around the map, and objectives popping in, players are quickly forced to make decisions. George explains, “Teams are weighing the risk and reward of going after and locking down objectives and taking those, or going for the different item economy around the map,” a thought process that is a staple of the Halo multiplayer experience. The attention to detail in Streets’ design extends to its environment itself, as it is gorgeously rendered, and filled with many unique objects and scenery. Some of the best details include a Halo Infinite arcade machine, and the variety of restaurants scattered throughout the map.
From what was shown here, Streets looks like another solid map coming to Halo Infinite’s library. Halo has a rich and varied map history, and it seems like 343 Industries has finally figured out what made some of the classic maps so great. Streets’ apparent combination of unique encounters and item placement, as well as its sheer detail and aesthetic, seem to tap into the inspired Halo maps of old. It is simply great to revisit such an iconic Halo location as New Mombasa.
Halo Infinite releases December 8 on PC, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
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