The fourth mission in theHalo: Combat Evolvedcampaign is often remembered by fans as one of the best moments throughout the entirety of the first game. It’s an iconic mission inCombat Evolved, and arguably the entireHaloseries altogether. Storming the beach to find the map room on the sandbox-style island, all while the iconicHalomelody starts playing in the background, was a moment that contributed to solidfyingHaloas a formative shooter franchise. Sure, nowadays it may not be nearly as impressive a setpiece as it was back in 2001, but this mission continues inspireHaloto this day, includingHalo Infinite’s upcoming campaign.It’s been a long while since 343 Industries took over for Bungie on theHalofranchise, but even the first game in the series continues to have a tangible impact on modern entries. Many were quick to compare the original reveal ofHalo Infiniteto some of the early moments ofHalo: Combat Evolved’s campaign, which was likely an intentional decision made by 343 to harken back to the title that started it all. Now, over a year after the controversial first gameplay trailer forHalo Infinite, this week’s new reveal trailer for the campaign emphasizes that The Silent Cartographer’s influence has informed the open-world/open-ended design of the next entry’s ambitious campaign.RELATED:Halo Infinite Trailer Has Banished Leader Escharum Threatening Master Chief
Halo: The Silent Cartographer Is Combat Evolved’s Best Mission
The Silent Cartographer stands outin the firstHalogame’s campaign, mostly because it emphasizes what madeHalocampaigns so iconic. Players are often presented with a sandbox firefight inHalowhere there are multiple ways for players to clear an area and progress. The Silent Cartographer, at the time, essentially did that better than any otherCombat Evolvedmission in the singleplayer campaign. Even if there is an optimal route, no single playthrough of this mission plays out the same, and the objectives can be tackled in a non-linear fashion. It’s not quite as open-ended as more modern shooters like aFar Cryoutpost, but it made the mission one of the best.
On a more analytical level, everything that makes a goodHalosandbox is present (to a certain extent) in The Silent Cartographer mission. Environments are diversified, ranging from wide-open beaches and hills, to cramped Forerunner corridors packed with multiple Covenant enemies. Players spend their time methodically clearing the beach with an assault rifle and pistol, but eventually they some extra firepower with a rocket launcher, and later on with a Warthog as well. Compared to a mission inHalo 3, The Silent Cartographer might seem like a simpler design, but the best aspects ofeveryHalogame do somewhat stem fromCombat Evolved’s fourth mission.
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Halo Infinite’s Open-World Is The Silent Cartographer Turned Up to 11
Some of the best missions from subsequentHalogames have improved upon The Silent Cartographer’s design in unique ways.Halo 2missions like Metropolis and The Arbiter feature the same degree of gameplay variety throughout, following a specific pace that ramps up in intensity as players progress.Missions likeHalo 3’s The Covenant, orHalo: Reach’s New Alexandria, follow a similar pace while adding a touch of non-linear progression. Even some of theHalogames developed by 343 Industries followed a similar formula despite being greater departures from the classic Bungie design, likeHalo 4’s Requiem orHalo 5’s Enemy Lines missions.
Now, withHalo Infiniteincreasing the degree of non-linearity in its singleplayer campaign, the open-world design is taking The Silent Cartographer’s foundation and cranking it up to 11. Going open world inHalo Infinite’s campaign isn’t necessarilya huge departure for theHalofranchise as a whole, but becoming entirely non-linear is definitely a new way to experienceHalo. Exploring a larger map progressively, discovering new missions or tasks along the way, is definitely still in the spirit of gameplay diversity that made pastHalocampaigns so unique in execution. Going fully open world is just an extension of that same design, just to a greater extent.
This is without even taking into account the other more obvious aspects ofHalo Infinitethat are garnering comparisons to the originalHalogame. The Zeta-Halo inInfiniteisuncharted territory for Master Chief, especially given the fact that humanity is once again on the backfoot. While the Banished are the main aggressors this time around, the Brute-led opposition is very reminiscient of the Covenant chasing the Pillar of Autumn inHalo: Combat Evolved. Exploring the Halo for the first time inCombat Evolvedevoked a similar sense of curiousity, somethingHalo Infinite’s open-world design will likely attempt to recreate.
Halo Infinitereleases on May 25, 2025, for PC, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
