A direct sequel to Halo Infinite is here, but it isn't a new game — new story beats unfold in a medium you probably wouldn't expect

Halo Infinite’s story didn’t end with the campaign, but its continuation arrived somewhere most players were not expecting or actively looking for.

For those unaware, Halo Infinite wrapped with a fairly open-ended conclusion, leaving the door wide open for a direct continuation. That could have taken the form of a sequel, or more realistically, campaign DLC. Since the game’s release, we have learned that campaign DLC was indeed planned but later cancelled, based on reports from Rebs Gaming that outlined the project’s early direction and eventual shelving.

It is no secret that Halo Infinite was originally positioned as a 10-year live service platform, intended to grow and evolve over time. What ultimately shipped fell well short of that ambition.

While it took roughly four years for Halo Infinite to reach feature and content parity with Halo: Reach, it is now generally accepted as a solid entry in the series. Some even regard it as 343 Industries’ strongest contribution to the franchise to date, and that contribution just got its sequel, but it isn’t what you think.