u/Harbinger_of_Reason

So, based on recent news we might actually be getting the sequel to Infinite's story Joe Staten had planned for. We don't know yet if this will come in the form of Halo 7, Halo: Infinite 2, or something else entirely. We will most likely see Joy and the Pilot return as allies of Chief, and it will probably be on Zeta Halo again.

Though, there is one thing I'm wondering if it will make a return or not, and that's the open world. It has its supporters who consider it The Silent Cartographer as a whole campaign and its detractors who call it Halo Far Cry. I'm wondering what the general opinion is on it with hindsight. Did you enjoy it, do you want to see it back, is there anything you'd like to see them change if it does come back?

Personally, I liked it. However, I feel like it could have been done a lot better. I would have liked to see more variety in the marine squad saving missions, and taking the FOBs. If even one of two of the squad saves was a trap set by the Banished later in the game once they figured out what you were doing that would have been more interesting. The FOBs also could have had a more creative layout than just all being the same UNSC platform with generic Banished forces either lead by brutes or elites. It would be interesting to see some of them as more of a jury-rigged camp. Or maybe one that was just the console and a bunch of shipping containers placed around as a make-shift barrier wall. Also, would have been nice to see some cots, tents, basic living spaces for the marines. Just to make the place feel more lived in. I remember one that was just a pair of stealth elites cloaked and waiting for you. Just something that simple stood out way more than another brute captain and his squads of grunts and jackals. I also think it might have been interesting to see The Banished counter-attacking your FOBs after major moments in the story. Maybe even more than one forcing you to pick which you save. From that you might lose FOB summons, or maybe a new HVT spawns near it. Making earning back that area a little harder. Maybe even tie some summons to specific FOBs. Like if you want the scorpion you need to have FOB A captured.

Those are just some thoughts. I know Infinite's production was a little troubled, and the devs still gave us something good. Still, I would love to see them do it again. Better this time.

In real life you need a bachelors for an officer's commission and a master's for O-5 or higher. How do you think Colonel Holland got by that requirement for six, Kat, and Carter? I imagine he couldn't have just side stepped it entirely given Jorge, Emile, and Jun are just Warrant Officers. That's fairly easy as you just need service time and a recommendation. Still, the other three must have some kind of college degree on file to get their promotions. If for nothing else to avoid any hard questions by UNSC personnel who aren't aware of the darker parts of the spartan program.

Assuming Holland knows about the Spartan program and how they're "recruited" I guess I won't put a little academic fraud past him. He could just have made up the degrees entirely. Maybe even made sure the degrees were from universities that had been glassed. Don't need any nosy generals checking in. Though, did he then send them to actual officer's training? Carter certainly shows the ability to lead large scale operations. He had to have gotten those from somewhere. Of course, he also could have fast tracked them somehow. Had them earn a four year degree in two somehow? What do you guys think?

Also, if they do have degrees, forged or otherwise, what do you think each character has their degree in?