HALO INFINITE

I’m the target audience for Halo Infinite, released 20 years after the franchise’s debut normalised hauling a television and Xbox into a friend’s basement for night-devouring battles.

Halo Infinite’s multiplayer maps are exquisitely designed, with intertwined pathways and sight lines that reward teamwork. The starting weapon arsenal is potent, and success requires co-ordinating to acquire (or evade) the rocket launcher, gravity hammer or overshield.

But thrilling gameplay is not enough for some. Halo Infinite generates revenue by selling cosmetic upgrades, and a vocal contingent has complained about the pace of progression to unlock a new helmet.

I’m old, and I don’t care what my avatar looks like. You won’t see it anyway: I’m sneaking in with active camo, then filling an unsuspecting enemy with pink needles before grabbing the flag. — JASON M. BAILEY, senior staff editor, National desk