Chris Barnes: It's been quite some time since I've caught myself raising an eyebrow of intrigue at a Halo trailer. Whereas others were panicking at the name, unclear on whether this was the direct Halo 6 sequel they were all hoping for, I was happy to see Halo: Infinite splash on the screen. The name implies that 343 Industries is trying something new or different with Halo this time. Perhaps they're finally far enough removed from the shadow of Bungie where they feel like this is their project and they can do whatever they want with it. Whether it's an open-world game or a multiplayer-focused campaign, way I'm excited to see what 343 has in mind.

Adam Pavlacka: Halo launched with the original Xbox, so it's only fitting that Halo Infinite launch as one of the first Xbox Series X-enhanced titles. Plot details are thin, but this is a game that I'm willing to put faith in, especially given the effort that 343 is currently putting behind the console update and PC release of The Master Chief Collection. Given that this is likely to be the first game that Xbox Series X players play (if they don't buy it, they'll try it via GamePass), there is extra pressure on 343 to get it right. Not only are they making a solid game, but they're also expected to make a game that justifies an Xbox Series X purchase. Oh, and it also has to look good on today's hardware to boot. That's no small feat.

David Silbert: It's not exactly controversial to say Halo 5: Guardians disappointed a good chunk of people. For most, it was the convoluted single-player. For some (myself included), it was a multiplayer suite that, despite its best intentions, felt decidedly "un-Halo-like."

Halo Infinite looks to be a fresh start for the franchise. As implied by the lack of a "6" in the title, 343 is taking the series by the reins and making some bold new choices. At the same time, Infinite looks to be embracing its Combat Evolved roots — something I welcome with open arms. Will it deliver? We'll see later this year.

Thomas Wilde: I'm not as much in love with Halo as I was during the Bungie days, but between the new generation of hardware, the setups from the last game, and 343's increasing willingness to do strange things with the story and gameplay, I get the feeling Infinite will shape the first-person shooter going forward into the 2020s.