This past weekend was Halo Infinite's first official technical test, and we here at Game Informer couldn't wait to dive in. This game's early access testing period was my only objective over the last several days outside of basic hygiene, and to say that I can't wait for more would be a massive understatement. That being said, can we talk about the bots in this game because holy heck, are they nothing like I was expecting. In fact, they are straight up just serial killers with a mean sadistic streak... 

When you hear bots, you think EZ win, right? Well, in Halo Infinite, they are mastermind slaughter experts. When we first jumped into a match on Friday with our GI community over on Twitch, myself, Alex Stadnik, and John Carson were blown away by the vehement aggression from the AI enemies. This aggression is actually pretty cool. We want a challenge, challenge us, bots! With that in mind, none of us were prepared for the level of venom these programmed little jerks had to offer. 

The number of times I was one-shot by a bot is more than I'd like to admit. They herded me into corners, they dropped down to knock me into next week, and they rushed me from my 12 to smack me to death. There were so many detailed instances of complex battle mechanics in play here that we even joked on the stream that we thought 343 only told us they were bots, when actually they were devs themselves in disguise. I'm not thoroughly convinced we were wrong, either, but I've got no proof. I do, however, have plenty of embarrassment about all of the ways these bots humbled me. I'm not ashamed; I'm not proud. 

Oh, and in case you think I'm exaggerating? I literally had a bot teabag me (like full-on "dip-dip, potato chip"), and I'm not the only one: 

Did the bot just...? pic.twitter.com/PYkaANHD3l

— whisper (formerly snipe.) (@reqsihw) July 31, 2021

Despite getting wrecked by the Halo Infinite bots, I can't stop thinking about my time in-game. Though the technical test was limited to only one map, I thoroughly enjoyed my time with 343's newest shooter adventure. The graphics were incredibly detailed, something I note numerous times in our New Gameplay Live segment seen at the top of the article. The grout detailing of the walls, the subtle reflection of some of the concrete to show environmental impact, the movement of our Spartans across the battlefield? It all pulled together to create a memorable online experience. 

The gameplay itself felt like an enjoyable blend of Halo 4 and Halo Reach, with smooth combat mechanics such as sliding and the ease of reloading. I'm also happy to report that the Halo Needler still very much slaps, and I can't wait to ruin friendships once more with this delightful weapon. 

To learn more about the Halo Infinite tech test, and more about the game itself, check out our game hub here to see everything going on in Master Chief's latest journey. 

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Venom's comic book identity changes as quickly as the seasons. He started as a bad guy who ate plenty of brains and battled Spider-Man, transformed into a vigilante who did some good (and some bad), and then went full-on hero to save the universe, an act that led to him gaining god-like powers and aging well beyond his years. The movies featuring this beloved character appear to be keeping things simple. Venom and his his host, Eddie Brock (played by Tom Hardy), just want to be left alone – and eat a few brains when possible. Other symbiotic characters complicate these efforts and they have to fight to the death. The latest foe to want a piece of Venom is Carnage, who is bonded to Cletus Kasady (brought to life by Woody Harrelson).

The second trailer for Venom: Let There Be Carnage shows the conflict between these two cosmic beings, often holding a shot to show just how cool they both look. This is one of those trailers that keeps going and gets to the point that it feels like we're seeing a good chunk of the movie. This look establishes Carnage's origin, the conflict at hand, and shows off a number of set pieces and battles. The one thing we don't see – and all hope happens eventually – is an appearance by Spider-Man.

Venom: Let There Be Carnage is slated to release in theaters on September 24. The posters and trailer both say that this movie will be exclusive to theaters, but given the ever-changing state of the pandemic, there's a chance this could change at any point. Comic fans have plenty of movies to look forward to between now and the end of the year, including Spider-Man: No Way Home on December 17, a film that could open the door for Venom and Spidey being together on the silver screen.

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