Halo 3 - a solid game, but not as solid as its two predecessors.
The most obvious change to the game is the graphics. Players who were the true Halo fans i.e. the ones who played the first Halo, will notice an immediate change in the graphics – Halo 3 boasts far superior graphics to that of Halo 1 and Halo 2. The reason for this, however, is plainly obvious – it is being played on the X-box 360. Everything is far more detailed than that of Halo 1 and 2 in terms of graphics.
Updates include the removal of the Spectre from Halo 2, and the addition of new vehicles, the Brute Chopper, Mongoose and, of course, the Hornet. The Brute Chopper can be likened to a superior Ghost, the Mongoose is similar to a real-life motorbike in terms of speed, and the Hornet is basically a flying unit just like the Banshee, except with more space – i.e. you have two passenger spaces.
Updates also include several new weapons, and the removal of the Brute Plasma Rifle from the game.
Halo 3 offers Campaign, Multiplayer, X-box Live Multiplayer and X-box Live Campaign.
Campaign mode in Halo 3, allows the player to take the role of Spartan John 117, or Master Chief, just like in the previous Halo series, in a first-person mode. As Master Chief, you must fight your way through the alien Grunts, Jackals, Drones, Brutes, Hunters and the hated and annoying Flood, and fight your way alongside your allies, the alien Elites in order to destroy the Covenant and restore Earth. Pretty good storyline hey? But one thing I must criticise is the shortness of the game.
One thing that cut me, however, is the fact that one cannot play as the Arbiter anymore. With a game that had so much hype surrounding its release, and it's price upon release, and even now, in February 2011, one would certainly expect more than approximately ten medium length campaign levels. I finished the Normal campaign in a simple 2 and a half hour sitting.
Audio in this game is quality, everything can be heard clearly. From the shooting of your Beam Rifle, or the yelling of your fellow Marines, absolutely everything can be heard perfectly.
A new addition to the campaign mode of the game is single-player or multiplayer "campaign scoring" – which adds to the competitiveness of co-operative campaign. You get points for killing enemies, whilst losing points for killing allies. More points are awarded through 'special kills' i.e. you kill someone through sticky grenade, or if you kill someone on a vehicle.
Another addition to campaign mode is the ability to play through Xbox Live or System Link with up to three additional players. This is a positive for players who struggle to finish campaign.
Multiplayer on Halo 3 is great – there are hundreds of players out there on Xbox Live playing it. Unfortunately, some of the maps aren't that good, and the "Blood Gulch" or "Coagulation" variant has been removed. Personally, I prefer the original Halo: Combat Evolved maps.
Value for money – well, I would purchase this if you were a hardcore Halo fan, but if you're not, I'd say skip Halo 3, it's certainly not the best in the series. I would recommend purchasing Halo: Reach, or even the damn good old classics, Halo's 1 and 2. As of February 2011, I've seen this game cost around $55 AUD brand new, and around $25 to $45 AUD in second hand, varying on condition of the CD and gaming case. I would say, purchase it, if you ran into a copy which costs less than $35. But if not, or if you can't afford it, again, get Halo: Reach or play Halo 1 or 2.
Overall, this game is.... meh.... it's a good game, by all means, but, personally I believe it did not match up to the predecessors, Halo's 1 and 2. It's the shortest game in the series by far, and, well, I found campaign boring after finishing it on Legendary once, whereas in the previous two games, I could play the campaign section of the game forever and ever – it took me an age to get over it.
Again – I say, get it if you're a hardcore Halo fan, but if not, get Halo: Reach or Halo 1 or 2.