Some in-depth testing confirms that Halo Infinite's various weapons each have different melee attack speeds. The next installment in the iconic sci-fi shooter series has experienced repeated delays, with the game set to finally launch on December 8. However, Halo Infinite's multiplayer mode released for free on November 15 as an open beta in celebration of the franchise's 20-year anniversary.
Since its first installment launched in 2001, the Halo series has become well-known for both its epic sci-fi storyline and engaging online multiplayer. Halo Infinite promises to carry on this legacy, though numerous delays have spread doubt amongst even the most devoted fans of Master Chief and his adventures. The upcoming title's single-player campaign mode is set to be quite ambitious, with open-world elements allowing players to explore the massive Zeta Halo at their leisure and enter battle from any direction. Side missions like confronting mini-bosses and rescuing captured allies will be a first for the series and will no doubt add even more depth to the experience. Unfortunately, Halo Infinite's co-op and Forge modes were delayed yet again, meaning players will have to wait until 2022 to experience these beloved series features.
A test video created by Reddit user S3xyTrap reveals that Halo Infinite's multiplayer modes feature different melee attack speeds for each weapon. Many players of the newly-released multiplayer mode felt the game's melee attacks were inconsistent, but this deliberate variety in melee speeds likely explains the phenomenon. The game's Sidekick, as well as many other small sidearm weapons, require just one second to kill an enemy with two blows. Meanwhile, the large Banished weapon The Skewer requires 1.10 seconds to deliver two melee attacks. Many medium-sized weapons like the Battle Rifle deliver two blows in 1.15 seconds, while the Shock Rifle is the slowest melee weapon with a 1.25 second kill time.
With Halo Infinite set to fully release on December 8, the early launch of the game's multiplayer mode for free was a huge surprise for Xbox fans. The title's unique new weapons and tools have already led to some remarkable matches, and research like S3xyTrap's melee time test will help players better understand the title moving forward. However, some fans have been critical of Halo Infinite's battle pass progression, with many players scoffing at the incredibly slow progress being made in the exceptionally long pass. Currently the battle pass only grants experience for completing challenges, rather than also rewarding players just for completing matches. Developer 343 Industries is looking into the feature, however, so future adjustments may help players to earn rewards much faster.
The Halo franchise is among the most beloved first-person shooter series in the gaming world, with the first title revolutionizing the genre back in 2001. While Halo Infinite has had a rocky development, the sudden release of multiplayer for free has seemingly earned the trust of many gamers. The game seems to have some hidden depth as well, with S3xyTrap's test video unveiling behind-the-scenes differences in melee speed, so time will tell how fans respond to Halo Infinite's single-player campaign upon release.
Halo Infinite will release on December 8, 2021 for Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S and PC.
Source: S3xyTrap/Reddit