343 studio lead Chris Lee has confirmed Halo Infinite will take place on Zeta Halo, which solidifies several fan theories about the game's setting. Fans have been wondering for years where 343 would be taking Master Chief in the new game, and after the recent 8-minute demo players got a much better look at the new location. Looking reminiscent of settings from the original trilogy, more than ever fans determined the game would recall some nostalgia for the series' earlier days.
After the demo was shown among the lineup of other game announcements for the Xbox Series X, viewers immediately started examining and picking apart every detail - if not always for the better. While the graphics and apparent feel of the combat didn't do much to excite people, viewers took note of the larger mapping system and hints of an open-world concept that would let you take Master Chief around this mysterious new location for various missions. On top of that, viewers quickly noticed how the Pelican Echo-216 was landing a familiar-looking ring.
Indeed, Lee confirmed in an interview with GamesRadar that the game will be set on Zeta Halo, which is "also known as Installation 07." According to Lee players will be able to explore the world of Zeta Halo like no other game in the series has offered, with a TACMAP system allowing for exploration and objective hunting. "We want to create something that's familiar, but different," Lee said. "The TACMAP gives you an idea of the size and scale, and some of the objectives that you will find in Halo Infinite."
Passionate Halo fans have speculated that the new game would take them to Zeta Halo after first seeing the ring make an appearance in the 2018 teaser trailer, which showed off the graphics in the Slipspace Engine. In that trailer were plenty of clips of vast wildlife and green terrain that recalls the environment of the first game, and it's a place Lee says players will have tons of room to explore. "While players will experience the core storyline in a certain order, they’ll have the freedom to explore the Halo Infinite world to uncover secrets and incorporate their own playstyle along the way," he said.
While Halo Infinite's demo may not have been the most impressive feat given how much players have come to expect from next-gen capabilities, there's no denying 343 is trying to do something new for the franchise while recalling the energy (and villainous alien baddies) of the earlier games. Only time will tell if it's able to hit those same highs - or even live up to current expectations - but in the next few months, many eyes are going to be on Halo Infinite and everything Zeta Halo has to offer nonetheless.
Halo Infinite will be available for Xbox Series X, Xbox One, and PC in Holiday 2020.
Source: GamesRadar