Halo Infinite gives fans the next installment in the two-decade-long series. The sixth major title in the series features free-to-play multiplayer, a more open-world campaign, and a blend of new and classic art design. However, rather than simply leading on from 2015’s Halo 5: Guardians, Infinite shares many more visible connections with Halo Wars 2, the RTS game released in 2017.
Creative Assembly’s sequel to the 2009 Xbox 360 game explores the fate of the crew of the UNSC Spirit of Fire. The ship had been left adrift in space for nearly thirty years, only to wake up to face a greater threat than ever before. If you played Halo Wars 2, you'll find quite a number of similarities and references in Halo Infinite. Let's dive into the many connections between Halo Wars 2 and Halo Infinite.
Updated January 19, 2022, by Avery Lawrence Feyrer: Since the posting of this article, Halo Infinite has launched and there are a few more connections we discovered that link back to Halo Wars 2. We've also added more information to the existing entries after experiencing Halo Infinite.
11 The Return Of The Banished
Our new foes in Halo Infinite, the Banished, are not new foes to the series as they made their initial appearance in Halo Wars 2. A renegade faction, they split from the Covenant during the final days of the Human-Covenant War. Their actions make them a violent and aggressive force led by the Brutes.
Between the end of Halo 3 and the events of Halo Wars 2, this force was led by the aggressive and expansionary Jiralhanae (or Brutes). They had overtaken the Ark, and now seem to have taken over Installation 07. The Banished are led specifically by Atriox, one of the deadliest adversaries Master Chief has ever faced. This new enemy is combative, ever-advancing, and seemingly here to stay as our new main enemy faction.
10 Atriox’s Will Is Enforced Throughout The Galaxy
As the Banished were introduced in Halo Wars 2, so was their leader. The strategic mastermind, Atriox, formed the Banished after surviving his own execution at the hands of the Covenant. Many influential names serve under his banner, including the war chiefs Decimus and Pavium, who enforce Atriox’s will across the Ark. At the reveal of Halo Infinite, the fate of Atriox seemed to be up in the air.
It is revealed in the novel Halo: Shadows of Reach that Atriox survived all conflicts upon the Ark, and has returned to the galaxy for unknown purposes. His will on Installation 07, the setting of Halo Infinite, is enforced by Escharum, the second-in-command of the Banished, and the primary antagonist of Halo Infinite.
9 A Classic Forerunner Art Style Returns
One of the most positively received elements of Halo Wars 2 was a stylistic blend of old and newer designs including enemies, vehicles, and architecture. More so than ever before, Halo Wars 2 returned to a more classic style befitting the mysterious Forerunners, while keeping certain elements from Halo 4 and 5.
It seems that this blend returns in Halo Infinite, leaning even further towards the classic Forerunner designs seen on the rings we know and love to destroy. Every part from the superstructure of the Halo ring to the small installations shooting beams of blue light into the skylines above us is seeing the return they very much deserve.
8 Elites Serve The Brutes
Unlike within the Covenant, Elites do not make up the leadership of the Banished and instead act as mercenaries. Though Elite Shipmaster Let ‘Volir commanded the Banished flagship, he served unquestioningly under Atriox. This was frowned upon greatly in Elite culture, which was still reeling from their slaughter at the hands of the Brutes.
Across Installation 07, Elites still serve alongside the Banished. While many still adopt the blue, lower-ranking armor seen under the Covenant, more powerful Elites can be seen wearing the black and red colors of the Banished, including the blade master Jega ‘Rdomnai, who serves as Escharum's second-in-command in Halo Infinite.
7 Humanity Is On The Back Foot Once More
Throughout their conflict with the Banished, the crew of the Spirit of Fire struggles against their technologically superior foe. During the Human-Covenant War, the Covenant was always ten steps ahead with plasma weaponry and advanced shielding that made the war a hard slog. This has worsened as the Banished had three decades to advance while the Spirit of Fire drifted in space.
The opening scene of Halo Infinite shows the Banished easily dismantling the UNSC's powerful Infinity. Not only that, but Atriox easily got the better of Master Chief in combat, throwing the Spartan into the coldness of space. Once again, humanity faces a foe that it cannot defeat through sheer force as it did with Spartan-IVs and advanced ships like the Infinity.
6 The Banished Are Adept At Using Forerunner Technology
Early in the plot of Halo Wars 2, it’s revealed that this new enemy has access to the Forerunner portal system, letting them travel across the Ark and all of its facilities. The Banished were able to do this in a very short period of time. It’s clear that they have inherited the Covenant’s aptitude for using Forerunner technology.
It’s no surprise, then that, prior to the events of Halo Infinite, they have quite easily spread across the Halo. After destroying the Infinity, the Banished quickly set up various camps and bases on the ring and seek to unleash the Endless. Unlike previous Halo games, the Banished use virtually every weapon available, so Master Chief will have to remain vigilant and alert when engaging them on the battlefield.
5 Spartan-IIs Are Our Main Focus
Throughout the campaign of Halo Wars 2, the actions of Red Team turn the tide against the Banished. Jerome (similar to Chief), Douglas, and Alice are Spartan-II soldiers who, despite being washouts from the Spartan program, still perform incredible deeds. Jerome single-handedly boards the Banished flagship, the Enduring Conviction, while his team defends the Spirit of Fire and takes the fight to the forces of Atriox at every turn.
Rather than the stories of Spartan-IV soldiers such as Fireteam Osiris, Majestic, or Crimson, Halo Infinite focuses entirely on the Master Chief, John-117. While exploring Zeta Halo, Master Chief will stumble across audio logs that reveal other Spartans had survived the assault on the Infinity and are stationed somewhere on the ring. He also discovers other Spartans that had fallen in battle to the deadly Jega 'Rdomnai. In a return to the classics that started with Halo Wars 2, players will once again relive moments where individual soldiers face insurmountable threats, all while their human elements become more prevalent.
4 A New Halo Ring
The final arc of Halo Wars’ main campaign revolves around disarming a new Halo ring before it travels through Slipspace to replace Installation 04, the superweapon destroyed by Master Chief at the end of Halo: Combat Evolved. It is disarmed, thankfully, only to be captured by one of the Guardians, the constructs used by Cortana to gain control of the galaxy after the events of Halo 5 Guardians.
This means that again, there is a full array of seven Halo rings across the galaxy, with the events of Halo Infinite playing on Installation 07, the largest of the Halo array; and the Forerunners are known for making pretty large things, so that's saying something. This new ring that Master Chief explores in Halo Infinite is otherwise known as Zeta Halo. But instead of trying to stop the release of the Flood, Master Chief is trying to stop the Harbinger and Escharum from unleashing a mysterious enemy known simply as the Endless.
3 There Are Bigger, Chunkier Cousins of Classic Vehicles
As an RTS, Halo Wars 2’s tech trees let players upgrade their infantry and vehicles, including the classic Scorpion tank. Whack some heavier armor on it along with another tank gun, and you get the Grizzly: a monstrously large vehicle capable of shredding infantry and other vehicles with ease.
While the Grizzly isn't featured in Halo Infinite, the trend of bulking out well-loved vehicles has carried over in the form of the Razorback. This heavily-armored truck bears more than a slight resemblance to the lovable Warthog, with a bulkier frame, heavier tires, and a mean-looking grill. Enjoy getting splattered by that thing.
2 Capturing FOBs Returns
One of the main objectives in Halo Wars 2 was spreading your forces across the map and capturing forward operating bases, otherwise known as FOBs. Capturing and taking control of these bases help bolster your overall army and turn the tides of the war. These bases make a return in Halo Infinite, as Master Chief must eliminate Banished forces and rebuild the UNSC on Zeta Halo.
With the open-world aspect, the FOBs also act as fast travel points for Master Chief to quickly get around Zeta Halo. On top of that, these bases can be used as supply points for the Spartan to restock his arsenal or request a vehicle to ride in style.
1 Halo Wars 2 And Halo Infinite Are One Year Apart
When Halo Wars 2 launched in 2017, players knew the events of the game took place after Cortana went crazy with her rampancy and the events of Halo 5. But what many might not know is the events of Halo Infinite occur just one year after Halo Wars 2. Typically, Halo games pick up immediately after its predecessor leaves off, but Halo Infinite has a time gap of roughly two years from Halo 5.
Players might've been disappointed that the whole conflict with Cortana was essentially resolved offscreen, but the details of what happened are explained throughout Halo Infinite. Playing Halo Wars 2 before Halo Infinite would get you familiar with the Banished and Atriox before jumping into Halo Infinite.