With the focus being shifted to this open-world design, 343 Industries gives players a few modes of traversal. While the series’ iconic vehicles feel more responsive than ever, the game’s “Grappleshot” ability is a clear victor when it comes to choosing a fan-favorite method of exploring Halo Infinite’s Zeta Halo. When zipping around the open plains and mountains of the ring, players might just find themselves thinking about a certain comic book wall-crawler.
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Halo Infinite’s Gratifying Grappleshot
Halo Infinite’s campaign makes the smart move of giving the player a Grappleshot straight from the get-go. Over the course of its first few linear missions, Infinite gradually teaches players in an organic way that the Grappleshot can be used to close the distance between enemies, can be used to grab weapons or fusion coils, and can be used to move around the environment purposefully.
By the time players get introduced to the open world of Infinite, they should already be comfortable with how the Grappleshot functions. As a result, experimentation can begin. Zeta Halo is filled with wide open spaces sprinkled with trees, mountains, and the odd Forerunner structure or two. Players will learn that the Grappleshot makes an excellent traversal tool for long distances as well, being able to swing the player between trees and up mountains.
The physics system in place within the game gives swinging and zipping a definitive weight, with the player moving quite slowly upon their initial grapple and then picking up speed as the line is winched in. Similarly, the player moves in an arc when swinging to an object in front and above them, so they can release at the peak of the pendulum swing to gain distance and speed.
When the Grappleshot is upgraded and the ability recharges much faster, this swinging between trees becomes even more natural with the ability refreshing before the player even hits the ground, allowing them to immediately extend another line. Once players have gotten the hang of timing and grapple placement, swinging between trees feels that much more exciting.
A First-Person Spider-Man Could Work With This Formula
It’s only natural that Halo Infinite’s first-person swinging conjures up fantasies of a true first-person Spider-Man game. While this has never been a game that fans have widely expressed interest in, Infinite’s success is sure to get some imaginations going. After all, there was a cancelled first-person Avengers game that looked pretty unique, so applying that to Spider-Man alone might not be too much of a stretch.
The groundwork for a first-person parkour game is already there with Mirror’s Edge and its sequel. Mirror’s Edge does a surprisingly solid job of building a sense of momentum and speed while not making players feel too much motion sickness in its first-person perspective. The sequel even has some minor swinging mechanics, so the basis for a Spider-Man game is there. Combine Infinite’s weighty and responsive swinging with this parkour groundwork and players might have a very fun, engaging, and unique Spider-Man experience to try out.
Halo Infinite is available now on PC, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
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