Halo Infinite gets a ton of Halo 2 content ahead of anniversary E3 demo launch

Halo 2 fans are feasting. The game’s 20th anniversary week is filled to the brim with nostalgic goodness, starting with a massive update that drops fan-favorite Halo 2 maps, armor, and more into Halo Infinite — which just got a third-person mode.

There’s really too much to include in such a short opening paragraph, so let’s expand on things. Not only will Halo 2 fans be able to play on maps influenced by classics such as Lockout, but they’ll at last experience the famed E3 2003 demo for themselves. The former comes as part of the Halo Infinite 2024 Winter Update, which adds Halo 2-inspired maps, a playlist, and armor options for the store.

The Halo 2 celebrations and more begin with the 2024 Winter Update

The 2024 Winter Update marks the newest Operation for Halo Infinite, appropriately named Operation: Great Journey. A 20-tier Operation Pass, Great Journey lets you strap yourself in the time-appropriate amor including one mimicking an Elite. I guess that’s a decent compromise over the option to choose an Elite body for multiplayer, which you could do back in the ’04 game. It also introduces a sniper rifle inspired by the near-perfect Halo 2 design and the MA5K Avenger rifle held by the Spartan-IIIs who adorned the cover of the novel Halo: Ghosts of Onyx. My early 20s self is feeling all giddy, and a bit old. And tired.

The new Halo 2-inspired playlist is Delta Arena, which takes you back to the past faster than Samurai Jack. Delta Arena is what you want to play if you’re aching for those classic maps. But be warned: You will notice some major gameplay changes. For one, sprint is disabled along with the clamber ability. The floaty jump returns and all players start with the MA5K Avenger. Yes, you’ll notice how much slower the game feels, but that’s how we liked it back then, dagnabbit.

The playlist features the seven maps Halo 2 fans will surely gush about. These seven Forge-made maps are modern takes on all-time classics such as Ascension and Beaver Creek. Some of the maps in Halo 2 were so good, that three of the ones you can play today in Halo Infinite made our list of 10 best Halo multiplayer maps ever.

Here are the maps and their original names:

• Ascension – Ascension
• Beaver Canyon – Beaver Creek
• Boulevard – Turf
• Canopy – Lockout
• Inquisitor – Midship
• Serenity – Sanctuary
• Conjurer – Warlock

The modes available for the playlist include:

• Legacy Slayer
• Legacy Capture the Flag
• Legacy King of the Hill
• Legacy Oddball

There are also shop bundles you can grab if you’re feeling inclined. The Rocket Reclaimer bundle gives you the Mjolnir Mark VI armor worn by the Master Chief in Halo 2, a classic SPNKr weapon model, and coatings. The Arbitration bundle lets you cosplay as an Elite with Sangheili armor pieces and coatings. There’s more, including armor based on those loveable Marines.

The third-person camera arrives at Halo

Halo Infinite gets a third-person mode with the 2024 Winter Update. The mode celebrates Halo before Halo: Combat Evolved, back when it was conceived as a third-person game. You can experience it in Firefight: King of the Hill, but the option is available in Custom Games options and for Forge creators.

All in all, Halo 2 fans will have a lot to enjoy this week. It’s a big update, so be sure to check out the blog post for more. Remember that the Halo 2 E3 demo is also coming this week. You can play it as a Steam Workshop mod for Halo: The Master Chief Collection on November 9, 2024.