Halo Infinite's Halo 3 Maps Are Pure Nostalgia Fuel

Summary

Halo Infinite has seen improvements over the past few months, with the addition of campaign co-op, a Forge mode, and more game modes and maps, showing that 343 Industries has listened to fan feedback.
The latest update brings a heavy dose of nostalgia by adding eight remade Halo 3 maps to the game, which look and feel exactly how fans remember them from the original game.
These remade Halo 3 maps are currently playable as part of an in-game event, and while it's unclear if they will stay in the game's rotation after the event ends, they should definitely be considered due to their impressive quality.

Halo Infinite has been on a rocky road since well before its release, with 343 Industries not having the best track record already, and Halo Infinite's first gameplay reveal being the source of some pretty heavy criticism. But then Halo Infinite came out, and many fans found themselves pleasantly surprised with the game's actual mechanics, feeling like a return to form at least in terms of gameplay. But as is the case with most live-service multiplayer games, 343 Industries just couldn't deliver more maps and game modes on time, and it didn't take long before fans started to drop off.

Over the last few months, however, 343 Industries has done a solid job of turning things back around. Though it may have taken two years to get to this point, Halo Infinite now has campaign co-op, a dedicated Forge mode, a ton of game modes and maps, and some enticing customization options. It seems as though 343 has really listened to fan feedback, and while Halo Infinite is still definitely on that same rocky road, its latest update does pave over some of the more bumpy patches with a heavy dose of nostalgia, bringing a slew of Halo 3 maps to the game.

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Halo Infinite's Halo 3 Maps Are The Perfect Hit of Nostalgia

Every Halo 3 Map Currently in Halo Infinite

Sylvanus (Guardian)
The Pit
Cliffside (Blackout)
Domicile (Construct)
Banished Narrows (Narrows)
High Ground
Isolation
Critical Dewpoint (Foundry)

As part of Halo Infinite's Fifth Season, a handful of classic Halo 3 maps have been added to the multiplayer game. A total of eight Halo 3 maps are currently playable in Halo Infinite, all of which have been remade from the ground up in the game's surprisingly impressive Forge mode. All eight remade Halo 3 maps are wonderfully nostalgic, collecting some of the 2007 game's best and most loved arenas such as Guardian, The Pit, High Ground, Isolation, and Foundry. Playing these Halo 3 maps in Halo Infinite looks and feels exactly how fans remember it from back in the day.

These Halo 3 maps have been added to Halo Infinite as part of the latest Combined Arms Operation in-game event, which runs up until December 19. To access these Halo 3 maps, players simply need to head to the Halo 3 Refueled playlist in Halo Infinite's multiplayer search menu, and they'll be dropped into a match in no time. It's not currently clear if these remade Halo 3 maps will stay in Halo Infinite's usual rotation after the in-game event reaches its end in a few weeks, though they definitely should.

Halo Infinite's Halo 3 Maps Should Only Be a Sign of Things to Come

These Halo 3 Refueled maps just go to show how truly impressive Halo Infinite's Forge mode can be when placed in talented hands, and it should really only be a sign of things to come for Halo Infinite in the near future. While the Halo: Master Chief Collection is meant to be the hub of all things classic Halo, there's nothing stopping Halo Infinite from being a hub all its own. Halo Infinite doesn't need to bring over every original Halo map, but just a handful of some of the best would be amazing to see in Halo Infinite, especially if they have as much care and love put into them as Halo 3's Refueled arenas.

If 343 Industries really wanted to go above and beyond, then it could even start to remake some of the least-liked Halo multiplayer maps in an attempt to give them a second chance, changing up some level design, weapon layouts, spawn points, and vehicle drops to make the map better than it was previously. Halo Infinite's Forge mode is clearly a powerful tool when used in the right hands, and Halo 3's Refueled playlist should just be the beginning of its integration into the wider Halo multiplayer scene.

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First-Person Shooter

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OpenCritic Reviews: Top Critic Avg: 87 /100 Critics Rec: 94%

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Released: December 8, 2021
ESRB: T for Teen: Blood, Mild Language, Violence
Developer(s): 343 Industries
Publisher(s): Xbox Game Studios
Engine: Slipspace
Multiplayer: Online Multiplayer
Cross-Platform Play: PC, Xbox One & Xbox Series X|S

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When all hope is lost and humanity’s fate hangs in the balance, the Master Chief is ready to confront the most ruthless foe he’s ever faced. Step inside the armor of humanity’s greatest hero to experience an epic open-world adventure and explore the massive scale of the Halo ring.

With Network Campaign Co-Op and Mission Replay, you can relive your favorite moments, rediscover collectibles and explore the wonders of Zeta Halo on your own or with up to three other fireteam members.

Experience Halo’s celebrated multiplayer reimagined and free-to-play! With over 70 maps in matchmaking, billions of customization configurations, and countless community Forge creations to experience, Halo Infinite is the franchise’s most expansive multiplayer offering to date.

Enjoy an unprecedented variety of gameplay experiences, ranging from fast-paced intense ranked modes to whimsical mayhem in Custom Games, or even co-operative coordination in the wave-based survival mode Firefight: King of the Hill. Assemble your Fireteam and conquer every mode – Halo offers endless opportunities for teamwork, strategy, and unforgettable victories.

Franchise: Halo
Platform(s): PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S
Genre(s): First-Person Shooter
How Long To Beat: 12 Hours
File Size Xbox Series: 90 GB (November 2023)
Metascore: 87
Platforms That Support Crossplay: PC, Xbox One & Xbox Series X|S