Gamernode: Reviews

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Halo 3
Xbox 360
Bungie Studios
Microsoft Games
September 25th, 2007

While the new online community-based features are awesome, it's still all the little things Halo 3 does and how it's done that makes it great. The gameplay isn't far superior to other FPS games, the story isn't as epic as we like to think it is, and the multiplayer modes really aren't unique if you ignore the "for a console" moniker. Like I've said before when talking about the Halo franchise, it's how Bungie fits it all together that makes it such a special experience. While Halo 3 doesn't do a lot innovatively, it does everything right. They've had years to perfect their Halo craft, and they did it damn well this time around. The engine is better than ever, the new weapons such as the Spartan Laser and the hammer are an absolute blast to use both off- and online, and it's a game that will have a lot of online support and community-driven content thanks to the Forge mode and file share for years to come.

The coolest of the new vehicles.

If you're one of the three people with an Xbox 360 who hasn't preordered Halo 3 yet, then take my advice and buy it when you can find a copy. If you don't have an Xbox 360 and were on the fence at all, this is the game you were waiting for to help you decide. I just can't explain what makes Halo 3 such a fun game, and I'm sure anyone who loves Halo can (for the most part) understand that. It's just fun to play with people, and you really don't understand why it's so awesome until you try it yourself. (Which, thanks to the Guest capabilities, you can!) BioShock may be the Game of the Year at this point from a design, story and gameplay perspective, but in terms of value, fun and entertainment, no game in the current gen of consoles tops Halo 3, and it will be hard for any console game to do so in the next few years.

The coolest of the old vehicles.

You'll be playing this for ages, everyone else will be playing it for ages, and when it's all said and done Master Chief's trilogy-ending blockbuster will top the charts as the highest opening "entertainment release" of all time, and he'll easily become the most recognizable video game character in non-gaming circles outside of Mario, Sonic and Pikachu. Halo 3 takes every positive aspect from the first two Halo games, perfects them, puts them in a shinier and better looking package, tosses in wonderful community-driven content for a console game, establishes some awesome environments, and does it so damn well it's impossible to not have fun while playing -- unless you keep losing to some random 12-year-old on Xbox Live, that is.

For those of you picking the game up at midnight, Wednesday, Thursday, next Sunday, or even Christmas, don't worry. I never thought I'd say this, but Halo 3 deserves everything that was said about it, and then some. It really is the game we were all hoping it would be, but never expected it to become.

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Posted by Brendon on 09/23/2007 at 02:19PM

I have to admit, I came closer to giving this a 10 instead of a 9.5 than any game I've ever reviewed. Only my belief that only the PERFECT games should get a 10 kept me from doing so, and Halo 3 has enough tiny things (not-so-great graphics, stupid ally AI, short campaign) to keep me from doing so.

Posted by grega t on 09/23/2007 at 02:32PM

One thing bad about this is that it means less people will be playing team fortress 2 for the 360....i really don't know whether to buy this or not....I hated the second game and i haven't played the first game....so perhaps i don't have the best viewpoint.

Posted by rtanger on 09/23/2007 at 02:36PM

Excellent review Brendon =]You've made me even more excited for this game.
"all the little things Halo 3 does and how it's done that makes it great. The gameplay isn't far superior to other FPS games, the story isn't as epic as we like to think it is, and the multiplayer modes really aren't unique if you ignore the "for a console" moniker. Like I've said before when talking about the Halo franchise, it's how Bungie fits it all together that makes it such a special experience. While Halo 3 doesn't do a lot innovatively, it does everything right. They've had years to perfect their Halo craft, and they did it damn well this time around."
Why did I quote that?Because it needed to be QFT

Posted by Dr.Aaron on 09/23/2007 at 02:45PM

This game will be played well past year 9999, so that kid who got banned may have a chance if he freezes himself.

Posted by StarborneRanger on 09/23/2007 at 03:29PM

Thank you so much for this great review. I was growing increasingly fed-up with other reviewers' inability to show their genuine excitement. It's like they don't even enjoy playing video games anymore. Gamernode just became the top gaming site in my bookmarks.

Posted by jedipoodoo547 on 09/23/2007 at 04:53PM

I really thought it would get a 10, it is good to see an honest, not over bloated review that i am sure the other sites and magazines will surely give next week. As i said before, i am not a multi-player kind of player, but 4 player co-op sure sounds fun on Live. Almost makes me want to renew my Live account.

Posted by grega t on 09/23/2007 at 04:56PM

But this IS an excellent review...well done :D

Posted by Brendon on 09/23/2007 at 05:02PM

jedi, if you have a friend who has a Live account you don't need one. You can have two people on one console playing online co-op, so only one of you needs a Gold account.

Posted by Atomic Waffle on 09/23/2007 at 05:18PM

Wow. I'm suprised. I did actually expect this to suck, but it looks like it delivers.

Posted by BahamutBBob on 09/23/2007 at 05:19PM

Just so you know, Microsoft didn't develop it, and Bungie didn't publish it :P

Posted by Brendon on 09/23/2007 at 05:25PM

That's weird, Bob. I have no idea why they got switched like that. Everything's fine behind the scenes.

Posted by Brendon on 09/23/2007 at 05:32PM

It seems to be happening on every review. I'll have people look into it. Thanks for the heads up.

Posted by jambo on 09/23/2007 at 06:23PM

I had a feeling that Halo 3 would be insanely good and look what happens =] Have fun with this one all you 360 players.

Posted by Bigspfan on 09/23/2007 at 09:21PM

Well, I sadly saw that 9.5. Silly Brendon, don't you know that until they get a perfect ten from almost EVERY reviewer then the halo franchise will continue to be made into different games. First they make an RTS then a movie. IT WILL NEVER STOP!!!!!! Soon we will all be up to our necks in Halo RPG's and musical based guitar games.

Posted by Bigspfan on 09/23/2007 at 09:22PM

Posted by FLIPINOMAD on 09/23/2007 at 09:57PM

Halo 3 deserves a strong standing score, can't wait to pick up my copy.

Posted by silkmonkey on 09/24/2007 at 03:17AM

Brendon, was my 12 minute drive the reason you feel the need to rip on sandtrap's infection value? :-P

Posted by Altontowers on 09/24/2007 at 04:25AM

Great review. I'm really on the fence about getting it now...

Posted by 7ty714 on 09/24/2007 at 04:26AM

I want a 360...

Posted by jedipoodoo547 on 09/24/2007 at 09:53AM

Brendon, thank you for the information, i did not know that, saves me money.

Posted by bull 53 on 09/24/2007 at 12:44PM

Now that the launch is inching closer and closer ... who is looking at this and wondering how Halo Wars will fair? Alos, what other Halo universe games will be spawning up? This formula is GREAT but is the universe deep enough to nurture different types of games. I would hate to see Master Chief in a Subzero type game.

Posted by jedipoodoo547 on 09/25/2007 at 09:41AM

Personally, i can't wait for Halo Wars. The dev vids looked promising. I hope it doesn't get swept under the rug. I will be playing that alot more then Halo 3 when that finally comes out.
Speaking of different Halo genre's, i think the only way to go from here is a mmorpg in the style of maybe Tribes? I can see that happening with pvp and clan vs clan, but not so twitchy in your face, button mashing game-play like current Halo multi-play. I am thinking along the lines of adding more RPG type of elements.
Additionally, Bungie can always release a totally separate multi-player only game like Shadowrun if people want a more fast paced style of game-play.

Posted by Archem on 09/27/2007 at 07:56PM

Personally, I'm hoping for a tactical shooter where you play as Marines, or perhaps even a Battlefield clone. Halo 3 is seriously delivering so far, and I'm only on the third level. Multiplayer is a blast, and I haven't been disappointed with a single aspect of the title so far.

GamePlay: For the most part, it's the same Halo gameplay we've seen time and time again. A few new additions vehicle and weapon wise spice things up, but mostly, Halo 3 is about Bungie perfecting their craft.
Graphics: If I had to pick one area Halo 3 was weak in, this would be it. The visuals look nice, but not as good as other recent titles. Still, they aren't bad -– just not fantastic.
Sound: There's a very good reason that the Halo OST is so popular. Sure, the music hasn't changed too much -- but does it matter? It rocks.
Replay Value: There is absolutely no reason this game shouldn't last well past the 360's life cycle. There will be people playing this as long as there's the ability to do so, and user-created content adds a lot of unknown replay value.
9.5	Final Word: You probably already put your money towards the game. Don't worry, because it's worth every penny. Halo 3 is an incredible game which goes above and beyond the insane hype machine preceding it.

Gamernode: Reviews - Halo 3