Halo Infinite Survive the Undead mode delivers a thrilling, wave-based zombie survival experience, expertly blending Halo and CoD Zombies.
Hey there, fellow Spartans and zombie slayers! I just jumped into Halo Infinite's latest surprise, and let me tell you, the 'Survive the Undead' mode is a wild ride. As someone who's spent countless hours in both the Halo and Call of Duty universes, I couldn't wait to see how 343 Industries and the brilliant Forge Falcons team blended these iconic experiences. It's a limited-time offering, so the clock is ticking until it potentially vanishes on June 3rd, 2026. But what exactly are we dealing with here? Is it just a simple copy-paste, or does it bring something uniquely Halo to the classic wave-based survival formula? Let's break it down.
🧟 The Foundation: What Is 'Survive the Undead'?
First things first, this isn't Firefight with a new coat of paint. Forget vehicles and limited respawns. 'Survive the Undead' is a pure, four-player cooperative survival experience built entirely within Halo Infinite's Forge toolset by the community wizards known as The Forge Falcons. They drew heavy inspiration from the Call of Duty: Black Ops era of Zombies, but streamlined it. Don't go looking for complex main quest Easter eggs here—this mode is all about the core loop: survive the waves, earn points, and upgrade your arsenal. You'll spawn with a trusty Assault Rifle and Sidekick pistol (a step up from CoD's lonely starting pistol!) and face hordes of melee-wielding Banished enemies pouring from unbreakable red barriers. It's familiar, yet immediately different.
🗺️ The Battlefields: Where Will You Fight?
When you load in, the game decides your fate. You'll be randomly dropped into one of two maps:
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Night of the Undead: A direct homage to CoD's classic Nacht der Untoten, perfect for that nostalgic, claustrophobic feel.
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Installation of the Undead: An original, snowy map crafted by the Falcons.
Isn't it interesting that you don't get to choose? It adds a layer of unpredictability. And get this—the Falcons have more in the vault! Maps like Station Of The Lost and Countdown Of The Dead (based on Halo: Reach's Countdown) are ready to go, waiting for 343's green light. Another map, Duality Of The Dead, is in the works. The potential for this mode is huge!
💰 The Economy: Points, Perks, and Power-Ups
This is where the differences from CoD Zombies become really clear. The point system is simplified: every kill nets you 50 points, whether it's a headshot or a melee takedown. You use these points to buy gear from various stations:
| Purchase | Cost (Points) | Effect |
|---|---|---|
| Perk (Attack, Rush, Juggernaut) | 600 each | Boosts damage, speed/reload, or health. Can be bought 4x per life! |
| Player Buy Back | 650 | Instantly revives a teammate with a 30-second health boost. |
| Ammo Crate | 350 | Fully refills ammo for ALL your weapons—no more hunting wall buys! |
| Point Sharing Wall | 2000 | Splits the cost evenly among your squad. Teamwork makes the dream work! |
| Random Weapon Generator (Mystery Box) | 600 | Replaces your weapon with a random standard one. |
| Weapon Mixer (Pack-a-Punch) | 1000 | Creates a crazy hybrid weapon (e.g., a Bulldog that shoots Shock Rifle rounds!). |
Notice anything? The prices are much friendlier than in CoD! The Mystery Box is 600 vs. 950, and the Pack-a-Punch equivalent is a mere 1,000 points compared to CoD's hefty 5,000. This speeds up the power progression dramatically. And those power-ups dropping from enemies? They're direct analogs:
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Death to the Enemy (Purple) = Nuke
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Power Kill (Grunt Doll) = Insta-Kill
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Power Points (Green Backpack) = Double Points
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Round Generator (Ammo Container) = Max Ammo
⚔️ The Enemy Threat: It's Not Just Zombies!
This might be the coolest twist. You're not just fighting re-skinned Flood. The "undead" are actually various members of the Banished faction, and the enemy variety ramps up with the rounds. Your journey will go from fighting Elites with Energy Swords to facing:
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Grunts wielding Needlers
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Brute Chieftains charging with Gravity Hammers
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And yes, even campaign bosses like War Chief Escharum can show up!
This diversity forces you to adapt your tactics constantly. And here's a crucial survival tip: the Player Buy Back machine is your best friend. Once you're down in 'Survive the Undead,' there's no last-stand revival or crawling to a teammate. You need a buddy to spend those 650 points to bring you back. It makes teamwork and point management absolutely essential.
🎯 Why You Should Play Now & The Future
So, why am I telling you all this? Because this experiment ends soon! By Monday, June 3rd, the mode will be pulled from official matchmaking. 343 Industries is watching our feedback closely to decide if it becomes a permanent fixture. Isn't that exciting? Our gameplay directly shapes Halo Infinite's future. And the best part? Even after it leaves matchmaking, you can still download all the maps and modes from the Community File Share and play them whenever you want with friends. Plus, playing now still counts towards your weekly challenges and Battle Pass progression!
In the end, 'Survive the Undead' is a fantastic love letter from Halo fans to CoD Zombies, filtered through the lens of Halo's sandbox. It takes the familiar framework and injects it with Spartan flavor—simplified economy, wild hybrid weapons, and a rogues' gallery of Banished enemies. It's a blast, and a testament to what this community can create. So squad up, Spartan. The horde is waiting, and we've got until June 3rd to prove this mode deserves to stay. See you on the Installation! 🛡️🔫
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