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By: Sarju Shah

Halo 3 Evolved
Halo 3 Evolved
See how the graphics have evolved through the Halo series.

Sometimes it can be easy to forget that the original Halo and its sequel Halo 2 both came out on the same console, the original Xbox. The Bungie development team was able to use its experience with the platform to make Halo 2's graphics superior to the original even though both games were designed for the same console. The graphics leap from Halo to Halo 2 was impressive, but it also raised our expectations for Halo 3. If Bungie could make Halo 2 look that good on the Xbox, just imagine what Halo is going to look like on the Xbox 360!

We're relieved to say that Halo 3 has certainly lived up to the hype. The new Xbox 360 hardware and a larger development team gave Bungie the horsepower to bring Master Chief into the "HD Era." The game's overall resolution has increased to 720p. Game environments and character models look sharper. They also look more detailed, thanks to larger textures and excellent art direction. The Xbox 360's graphics capabilities allowed Bungie to add in complex lighting, shadowing, longer shaders, high dynamic range lighting, and spectacular-looking water effects.

Environments

The original Halo map designs made for confusing gameplay because many of the levels had rooms that looked, for all practical purposes, identical. Halo 2 helped alleviate the endless corridor problem by adding more room variation. But Halo 3 has solved the problem altogether by making every room, hallway, and outdoor area unique. You'll rarely get confused as to which way you're supposed to go. Indoor areas have better lighting and textures, while outdoor environments have much more foliage. Water, whether in a river or an ocean, looks vastly better.

Mouse over the game titles in the captions to change the images.


Halo 1     Halo 2     Halo 3     


Halo 1     Halo 2     Halo 3     


Halo 1     Halo 2     Halo 3     


Halo 1     Halo 2     Halo 3     


Halo 1     Halo 2     Halo 3     

1302 Comments

  • feared4power

    Posted Dec 14, 2009 10:57 pm GMT

    flood was here

  • freeweed

    Posted Oct 11, 2009 1:53 am GMT

    Halo 3 > Halo C.E. > Halo 2

  • TruthRevealed

    Posted Jan 11, 2008 9:47 pm GMT

    still looks like ass without AA...

  • yoh-a-sakura

    Posted Dec 13, 2007 3:26 pm GMT

    wow there is a pretty big difference in water, changes in vehicles and land AWESOME!!!.

  • smghottie

    Posted Nov 23, 2007 10:46 pm GMT

    honestly im not seeing a whole ton of difference. I think they could have make the engine for 3 stronger.

  • fixdeluxe1

    Posted Nov 23, 2007 5:04 pm GMT

    Halo 3 is the best game ever along with halo 1 & 2 and wars.No game can or could ever beat halo.

  • drumingmaster

    Posted Nov 21, 2007 6:33 pm GMT

    awesome!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  • Tomdogg

    Posted Nov 18, 2007 12:18 pm GMT

    To CraigJK Actually, Halo 2 did fit on widescreen, but I can understand your observation. Halo 3 fits on widescreen a whole lot better. Good observation.

  • 12sharmar

    Posted Nov 10, 2007 10:08 am GMT

    halo 3 rocks!

  • True_Blu3

    Posted Oct 30, 2007 8:03 pm GMT

    I don't know about you guys, but the cutscenes in Halo3 look better then the actual gameplay. I mean, did you notice all the dynamic shadows from all of the tress in the first cutscene? how come we didn't have that in gameplay?

    Game looks great though. I would have looked a lot better if the game had more development time,

  • vegan_cannibal

    Posted Oct 26, 2007 3:36 pm GMT

    Smart observation CraigJK

  • CraigJK

    Posted Oct 14, 2007 6:16 pm GMT

    It'd be nice of they didn't stretch the image of halo 1 and 2 like they are on a widescreen, it makes them look a lot worse, Kind of exaggerates how much better 3 is, since it does fit the widescreen right.

  • ---n00b_kid---

    Posted Oct 14, 2007 1:46 pm GMT

    Its amazing how the graphics of Halo 1 (which came out in 2001) is still acceptable and playable by today's very high standards.
    Also Halo 3 has the BEST lighting effects seen on the 360 to date.

  • madmaxx101

    Posted Oct 11, 2007 10:03 am GMT

    Didnt like Halo 1 or 2 but I loved 3

  • vbdevpro

    Posted Oct 10, 2007 8:17 pm GMT

    The pictures don't really show it, but the frame rate and ESPECIALLY the lighting are outstanding. The lighting in this game is some of the most realistic I've ever seen in any game, period. Great job, Bungie. Enjoy your game of the year awards when they come.

  • peter_144

    Posted Oct 9, 2007 5:31 am GMT

    i thought halo 2 was the best graphics in all the halos... until i saw this! all of a sudden halo 2 just look somehow, squared. And halo 1 just look.........really squary. its nice to see how much it evolved. definitely getting halo3! I can still see that the ghose is roughly the same. but look at the plasma pistol! its now a nice shade of pink! and the rifle just rock!

  • termadoyle

    Posted Oct 9, 2007 2:17 am GMT

    this shall prove to all fanboys and naysayers how much this game has evolved since the first one. Awesome feature Gamespot! simply awesome.

  • Craft2299

    Posted Oct 6, 2007 8:05 am GMT

    from halo 1 to halo 3 was just awesome. halo 3 makes u feel like halo 1 again -( almost )
    and i never remembered the battle rifle was being held that high up in halo 2.
    but still it has loads of difrence, the gameplay are kinda like the same but it those have alot of cool diffrences, like the -x button^^

  • PrinceLechuga

    Posted Oct 5, 2007 11:25 pm GMT

    Well, I'm impress how Halo series has evolved. The people who say that it doesn't look a big difference between Halo 2 and Halo 3 are wrong. You just have to watch these pics to see the details, textures, etc. Halo 3 is a great game.

  • psp56

    Posted Oct 5, 2007 5:19 pm GMT

    hey Razor3000 are you that retarded? if you pick graphics over gameplay please go seek help. I don't care if the game looks photo realistic or like a PS2 game if it's good I'll play it. Unlike you, us, people with an IQ over 40 know what makes a good game good. I really don't think you deserve to own a console or any thing else really if you base it on little things like this.

  • petervenkman

    Posted Oct 5, 2007 3:59 pm GMT

    It is absolutely amazing how the Halo series has evolved of what it was to what it is today. Bungie has sure made a landmark masterpiece in the video game universe. Can't wait for Halo Wars. Thank You Bungie. PLAY ON FELLOW GAMERS!!

  • Razor3000 posted Oct 5, 2007 7:00 am GMT (does not meet display criteria. sign in to show)

    Razor3000

    Posted Oct 5, 2007 7:00 am GMT (hide)

    Already taken my copy back. Halo 3 is a huge disappointment. The graphics are absolutely terrible and with today's technology, i won't play anything with bad graphics, especially in HD. The character models and terrain look like they are from the beginnings of a non-HD xbox. The only reason this game sold so many copies is because of the hype and because of multiplayer on the old halo's. Absolutely terrible. 1 out of 10. Gears of War and bioshock completely owns halo 3.

  • Alterac_Barry

    Posted Oct 4, 2007 10:54 am GMT

    Oh and Wizard (Halo 1) > Warlock (Halo 2)

  • Alterac_Barry

    Posted Oct 4, 2007 10:53 am GMT

    Never noticed the Assault Rifle on Halo 1 and the SMG on Halo 2 had the same reticules. I love the new Halo 3 graphics, it really sets the mood. Miss Halo 1 Sidewinder level and (original) Blood Gulch (not Coagulation)

  • uchitha posted Oct 4, 2007 8:50 am GMT (does not meet display criteria. sign in to show)

    uchitha

    Posted Oct 4, 2007 8:50 am GMT (hide)

    I don't think Microsoft has put enough effort to improve graphics of such anticipated game... specially comparin to modern games... thats pretty disappointing

  • xxx17000

    Posted Oct 3, 2007 5:41 pm GMT

    wow...very good...i appreciate all the work put into halo 3

  • GANGSTA287

    Posted Oct 3, 2007 3:48 pm GMT

    wow... I didn't realize how this game looked compared to Halo 1 and 2 till i went back and played them, and at least on my TV, this game looks alot better at 1080p than on a normal analog TV.

  • tonymatt225

    Posted Oct 3, 2007 2:47 pm GMT

    ( blood_b45 )
    actually the beta was not even up to par in graphics so obviously the finished game is way better. nobody even plays beta so you cant compare unless you have screenshots which are not in the slides above. so get you a HD tv then complain. haha.

  • slayerking131

    Posted Oct 3, 2007 12:13 pm GMT

    Ummm.....ya, sorry but i dont see any difference between them. The graphics just arent up to spec. plus, they cant even get it to full 1080i. wtf!

  • blood_b45

    Posted Oct 2, 2007 10:08 pm GMT

    MC from the beta looked way better. his visor looked so clear.you can also notice how the ghost in halo3 beta looks more clean and way better looking.

  • arczero01

    Posted Oct 2, 2007 2:11 pm GMT

    I really can't wait to Halo 3 up. But I think my 360 might have the red ring of death too but I'm not sure I've been playing Halo 1&2 on my original to refresh myself with the series

  • domppa

    Posted Oct 2, 2007 11:20 am GMT

    Played for two hours with my pro, got the ring of death, bought elite and played some more..

  • shani_boy101

    Posted Oct 2, 2007 2:26 am GMT

    The 2nd, 3rd and 5th ones have the best Comparison between Halo and Halo 3. The graphics look amazing! Unfortunately i have a PS2 and im getting a PS3 so i wont be able to play it unless i go to my friends house. The Outdoor screenshots are the best and look the most real i think

  • The_Eggert

    Posted Oct 1, 2007 11:25 pm GMT

    I ALMOST beat it...but then i got the ring of death, and have to wait 20 days to get my Xbox back...

  • littlestreakier

    Posted Oct 1, 2007 4:01 pm GMT

    i think bungie did a great job with halo 3 i haven't beaten it yet but from what i have seen of it it's a great looking game. and bungie did a great job staying true to the "halo roots" with halo 3 and didn't try to make halo 3 a completely new game with the halo title on it

  • Mindchamber posted Oct 1, 2007 2:27 pm GMT (does not meet display criteria. sign in to show)

    Mindchamber

    Posted Oct 1, 2007 2:27 pm GMT (hide)

    Its halo 2graphics with the 360 gimmicks turned on.. not that I'm complaining, but lets call it on what it is.

  • n3ck

    Posted Oct 1, 2007 1:51 pm GMT

    I love this game so much, Halo3 is the best. Graphics are amazing! theres so much action with no slow down and the lighting is simply stunning. Sure its not as beautiful as GOW, but it has a huge play field and offers far more in terms of content. I'll be playing this game for YEARS!

  • pete_merlin posted Oct 1, 2007 12:47 pm GMT (does not meet display criteria. sign in to show)

    pete_merlin

    Posted Oct 1, 2007 12:47 pm GMT (hide)

    the graphics suck

  • SgtScar posted Oct 1, 2007 5:48 am GMT (does not meet display criteria. sign in to show)

    SgtScar

    Posted Oct 1, 2007 5:48 am GMT (hide)

    As a few people have already touched on is of course the graphics have gotten better, the consumer would not accept it if they had not have, its the same deal with consumer product design which is what I do for a living...

    ...what you need to do is not compare it to its older siblings but to compare it to modern day benchmarks, I have the game, palyed it to death and nearly 100% it and I have to say even though not being a big fan of the 'halo' universe it is a good game, the story does let it down a bit towards the end as you need to have read the books to fully understand whats going on, however I digress from my point...

    ...for those of you that say 'crysis' (yes I will use this as an example) is not bringing anything to the gaming world you are dead wrong, first of all the 'cryengine' team have always pushed the boundaries striving for nothing but the best in graphics, and always achieve this, the gameplay and story are yet to be tested, now I am pretty sure halo 3 could of looked a hell of a lot better with more time, but being such a hyped game and demand for release from microsofts side they might of not had the luxury of time that crysis does, and the fact pc gamers seem to have built a tolerance for late games ^^ and it does also have DX10 on its side, never the less, the fact of the matter is when people see crysis they say..."wow! Is that for real?" and that is what this graphics comparison is all about, its not about the story or the depth of the gameplay, its about pure graphics comparison, so if you want to post omg pwn3r graphics, think, does it really look 'that' good!?

  • 2pacbroda23

    Posted Oct 1, 2007 4:14 am GMT

    Its amazing how bungie manages to improve the graphics dramatically for halo 2 from halo 1 and halo 3 from halo 2

  • fredperry100

    Posted Oct 1, 2007 3:45 am GMT

    Massive Defrence

  • 43n1m4

    Posted Oct 1, 2007 1:14 am GMT

    IMO the best thing about the graphics in Halo 3 is the lighting effects, HDR lighting and explosions. The player models are ok, but not really impressive, nor as giant a leap as I had expected. But generally Halo 3 is a good looking game, if not impressive IMhO.

  • mc_snap

    Posted Sep 30, 2007 10:36 pm GMT

    I think ppl need to asked themselves if they are true gamers. If they are they need to asked themselves what good are they doing posting negative content about a game. If you truly enjoy video games and money was not an issue would you not own every cosole and play the best games on each? Of course you would. A great game is a great game no matter what console it's on and ppl should support the great games on the consoles they don't own b/c it is good for the business in which they enjoy. Prices on hardware and the bar to push graphics and gameplay to the best are the results of the multiple consoles on the market. So as gamers ask yourselves what is your real purpose by choosing one console or one game over another?

    Support your hobby ... not your inibility to see past the console that you purchased.

  • wakko19991

    Posted Sep 30, 2007 10:19 pm GMT

    wow..i havent bought it yet cuz everybody was saying its just more of the same, but i forgot that,while i played halo, i probabyly havent fanatically played like the people saying its the same old same old...wasnt expecting the graphics bump i see here..cool

  • tictac_123

    Posted Sep 30, 2007 7:06 pm GMT

    i freakin love this game =) im thinking of buying a 360

  • JQuizzle757

    Posted Sep 30, 2007 4:34 pm GMT

    WOW the 360 looks good!!!!!!!!1

  • Agermemnon

    Posted Sep 30, 2007 3:37 pm GMT

    It's a nice evolution between 1 to 3 they improved the visual quality in 2 and 3 yet it didn't lose it's identity , must have been a tough call but they pulled it off , well done Bungie .

  • Kid8Ace

    Posted Sep 30, 2007 3:14 pm GMT

    I see the big difference, Halo improve every time

  • smarb001

    Posted Sep 30, 2007 12:10 pm GMT

    halo 3 blows the other 2 games out of the water, easily. in every single way.

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