343 Industries has not only shared more details on Catalyst and Breaker – Halo Infinite‘s newest maps arriving in Season 2 “Lone Wolves” – but it has also provided fans with a video flythrough of each one.
The info and flythrough were both shared on Halo Waypoint, and the map previews you can see below show more about “the ancient and weathered ruins of Catalyst and the expansive, sand-blasted scrapyard site of Breaker.”
Halo Infinite’s multiplayer level designer Tyler Ensrude also stopped by to talk about the process of creating these new maps and tease some of what Spartans can expect when Catalyst and Breaker launch alongside Season 2 “Lone Wolves” on May 3, 2022.
To begin, Ensrude revealed a bit about how the team builds a foundation for a map and begins turning an idea into reality.
“We like to start with an idea that just gets us excited first and go from there,” Ensrude said. “That idea could range from a location in the Halo universe, to an art palette, game mode, or encounter. Every time we start something new though, it is important to consider what will make it stand out from the current selection of maps we already have.
“The context of experiences that players have already had in the game is definitely something we keep in mind when we look to deliver something exciting and new, and that extends across all of those factors—aesthetics, layout and design, and gameplay.”
Catalyst and Breaker, according to Ensrude, fit this mold, and he continued to explain what fans can expect from them.
“Catalyst is a symmetrical arena map nested high up inside of an expansive, tunnel-like Forerunner structure,” Ensrude said. “You’ll find waterfalls pouring down around suspended catwalks, overgrown cathedral walls, and a light bridge connecting the sides of the map together.
“Breaker is a pseudo symmetric BTB map set in a Banished scrapyard where each team’s base is a huge chunk of ship debris, divided by the plasma cutting beam structure in the middle. And yes, that beam is absolutely a dynamic element of the map that presents both opportunities and challenges in gameplay.”
While these maps will be brand-new experiences, they will also contain much of that special Halo “DNA” from previous maps. Catalyst, for example, draws influences from “several legacy Forerunner locations” and takes a lot from Halo 3’s Epitaph map.
Breaker, on the other hand, was built with the goal to become “one of the most ambitious BTB maps ever.” It is also one that will reward those who can control a map at strategic points.
“We designed this map to embrace base versus base combat where territorial ownership is key to success,” Ensrude said. “We love mixing environmental hazards with the Halo sandbox and Breaker offers an exciting variety of ways to melt your enemies. We’re also big fans of sniper battles, and Breaker’s sightlines and center lane offer risk and reward over key objectives.”
Spartans will also need to look out for the giant laser that moves across the map and will hurt friend and for alike.
Season 2 “Lone Wolves” will also bring with it a new Battle Pass, modes in King of the Hill, Land Grab, and Last Spartan Standing, and much more. Next week, 343 will dive deeper into these modes.
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Adam Bankhurst is a news writer for IGN. You can follow him on Twitter @AdamBankhurst and on Twitch.