One of the things the Halo franchise has become well known for is its multiplayer. Halo revolutionized multiplayer and turned it into something that has become just as important as the single-player story.

The Halo franchise proved that online gaming isn’t just for hardcore PC gamers; by offering a multitude of fun online modes made solely for entertainment, these games showed the world that online gaming could be just as fun for casual gamers.  Halo 4 continues this streak with several classic game elements as well as a few innovative features to enjoy; all these are collectively called “Infinity Multiplayer.”

First, there are the War Games.  This mode includes all the classic online modes in which players from around the world are randomly put together into matches to fight one another.  There are many different types of these War Games; some are simple deathmatches (eliminate players on the opposing team to win), while others throw more complicated objectives into the mix, including Capture the Flag and Domination (players on the same team must work together to capture/fortify command posts and defend them from the opposing team).  The War Games are the competitive online modes that gamers have enjoyed playing for the past decade.

The other major game mode is the innovative Spartan Ops, which is basically an interactive TV show.  Spartan Ops is a series of weekly episodes that continue the story of Halo 4 after the single-player campaign ends. Each episode consists of a cinematic prelude, followed by five “chapters,” or levels,  which can be played cooperatively online with up to four friends.  The cinematic episodes are amazing, with gorgeous CG graphics and a nice story, and the actual gameplay is quite fun; while the levels are very challenging, playing with friends makes it enjoyable and entertaining.  Season 1 is included free with the purchase of Halo 4; if there are more seasons in the future (nothing has been announced yet), they will likely have to be purchased and downloaded from Xbox Live.

Overall, the multiplayer of Halo 4 is absolutely awesome.  Once again, 343 Industries deserves a metaphorical clap on the back for the great work they’ve done and continue to do.  Everything from the complexity of Halo 4 to the filming of the first live-action Halo movie has earned 343 my everlasting respect.

Ah, yes- the first Halo movie.  My review of Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn is forthcoming.