The Halo Infinite launch trailer has released ahead of the Xbox console exclusive's release on December 8, teasing Master Chief's battle against the Banished and their vicious leader, Escharum. Past Halo Infinite trailers have provided a closer look at the Brute threatening the galaxy in the newest installment of the long-running and groundbreaking Xbox sci-fi shooter franchise, with Escharum boasting about his imminent victory against Master Chief in multiple videos.
Escharum is far from the only new foe Master Chief will battle against in Halo Infinite, as 343 Industries has shown off several threatening Banished forces like flying Skimmers and the "Spartan killer" Elite Jega ‘Rdomnai amid Halo's traditional assortment of Grunts, Brutes, and Jackals. Additionally, Chief will encounter a mysterious Didact-like enemy named the Harbinger of Truth during Halo Infinite's single-player campaign, and it's been hinted that his former AI companion Cortana may appear as a Halo Infinite villain after her supposed death in Halo 4 and surprise return in Halo 5: Guardians. For now, though, it seems the Banished will be the primary threat in Halo Infinite - and Master Chief will most likely battle Escharum in direct combat before the final credits.
On Wednesday, the Halo Infinite campaign launch trailer was posted to the Xbox YouTube channel, providing a closer look at the game's upcoming story. Master Chief is shown to be haunted by Cortaana's disappearance as Banished leader Escharum declares humanity will soon be nothing more than a memory. This prompts Chief to take to the battlefield once more in a montage of previously seen Halo Infinite gameplay ending with the legendary supersoldier going face-to-face against Escharum himself.
Halo Infinite's multiplayer launch broke Xbox records for the most concurrent users on Steam mere hours after it was made available under a free-to-play model a few weeks ago, a surprise move made to commemorate the Halo franchise's 20th anniversary. The response to the multiplayer's new features and refined gameplay was positive, but the title's Battle Pass progression has proven more controversial. Meanwhile, retail stores are already receiving physical Xbox copies of Halo Infinite, prompting fans to be wary of online spoilers in the days leading up to the release of the game's single-player content.
Halo Infinite’s campaign has been highly anticipated for several years now, especially so after 343 delayed the game from its planned launch alongside the Xbox Series X/S last year to address negative feedback about campaign's initial gameplay reveal. That wait comes to an end in a week's time, as players will finally step back onto a Halo ring and take on the galaxy’s newest threat as Master Chief.
Halo Infinite multiplayer is available for Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, and PC, and it will fully release on December 8, 2021.
Source: Xbox/YouTube