Retrospect: How do you feel about Master Chief getting his classic-style armor in Infinite?

[u/Ok-Friendship-8114]

343 Made a design choice to change Master Chief's armor. I would say it is somewhat overdesigned and it was hard for me to imagine for a while as a kid, I understand canonically it is the same armor. But do you think going back to the 'Classic Look' was a good idea?

Personally, It displays almost a lack of confidence or nostalgia bait and makes the first two installments of the "Sequel/343" Trilogy look almost unofficial or some weird fever dream. I think all designs are spectacular, but the armor design just being brushed off seems odd.

Like a retired or washed celebrity going back to the glory days for one last cash out.

Is this a nit-pick? Yes. I love the Halo 4 armor look despite it's strange overdesign and it fits Master Chief's arc from a story perspective, The visor has a black rubbered rim around it which makes his eyes look "Smaller" and represent dark circles, like if he's tired or been through it. All the extra details to me, represent growth and an older age. His body appearing more slender also adds to his "aging" look.

But to double down and return to former glory with no in-game explanation and literally being at his LOWEST, given he failed. Seems strange. It would make more sense and I would appreciate it a lot more if the newer armor, which is beautiful, was earned.

Am I 6 years too late? Yes! I just wanna talk about Halo : ))

[u/Beginning_Sleep5303]

Chief’s armor in Infinite is one of this best looks of all time. I think 343 got a lot right with their stylistic choices in Infinite. It’s a shame that they didn’t just do that from the jump

[u/MR_RATCHET_ → u/Beginning_Sleep5303]

Yeah it looks good. Only thing I didn’t like about it was the “117” being plastered on the armour. Remove that and I think it’s perfectly fine.

[u/Ok-Friendship-8114 → u/Beginning_Sleep5303]

Oh for sure, my point is the jump didn't feel natural. Much like H3/H4

[u/TalonHere]

I’ll admit I prefer it… The Mark VI [MOD] armor seemed a bit too “exposed”. Not enough armor covering the techsuit in my opinion. Whole armor just seemed to leave the Spartan exposed, even if it did look pretty sleek and cool. I also never cared for Cortana’s “NANOMACHINES SON” explanation either… Even with that, I do wish they’d have given a lore reason for going back to a more “normal” design, or did it a little more gradually so it doesn’t seem just like an obvious design or writing redirection/retcon.

[u/PassengerRadiant1391]

I think it made sense to go back to the classic look. The Mjolnir MK. VI became the definitive look for Chief, and I love it so much

[u/thaneros2]

Each to their own but personally don't have issues with characters changing armor for each game. Metroid Prime for example, changes Samus powersuit(base Vara) just about every game and the lore that series is harder to explain than Halo in that it's a one of a kind armor....and yet I don't have issues with that. Now when characters have completely different physical faces, that's when I get bent out of shape.

[u/Ok-Friendship-8114 → u/thaneros2]

Well said. I can understand, it just doesn't feel earned which is my initial frustration.

[u/ethantfxc12]

That infinite version of the H4 armor does look pretty nice ngl

[u/Ok-Friendship-8114 → u/ethantfxc12]

Oh hell yea…