Halo 3

When a sequel offers little in the way of innovation or stops short of a major revamp, I'd normally deduct a couple of stars in the name of tardiness. But this is a Halo game, and what makes it console dynamite isn't so much what's new, what's different, or even what happens as you play - instead, it's all about how it makes you feel.

Within an hour of starting the game you'll be leaping onto futuristic motorbikes and ripping the alien driver from his seat, then flipping the bike around and mowing the monster down with his own ride. In tight spots you'll be snapping stationary gun turrets from their mountings, then wading into the chaos of battle as your chunky cannon shreds legions of shrieking invaders. As you go ever-deeper behind enemy lines your allies will dive for cover when firefights turn to stalemate, compelling you to steam into impossible situations and sort them out with not much more than a pea-shooter. And when it finally comes to switching off your console and going to bed at night, finding the will to sleep will be impossible as you'll still feel ten-feet tall and able to punch holes in solid concrete.

Thrilling action aside, Halo 3 is also one of the best-looking games on the shelves and surpasses all expectations; from the slick, Hollywood-quality movies that flesh out the story and introduce cannon-fodder characters you can't help growing attached to, to dense forests where you can spot enemies fleeing through the undergrowth as trails of saplings get pushed aside, Halo 3 boasts an epic sense of scale and keen eye for detail, its stunning art direction helping to create breathtaking worlds that are a joy to explore and the perfect stage for tense and imaginative shootouts. The new battle gadgets and retooled Covenant enemies - each of which look more terrifying than before, especially when you're standing toe-to-toe with a Brute Chieftain intent on caving your skull in - also make this instalment absurdly exciting, and the fact you can stick with Master Chief throughout rather than being forced to control a crappy alien like in Halo 2 will be enough to tempt back players who were disillusioned by the last game.

But while the single-player adventure doesn't disappoint, Halo 3's biggest draw is its multiplayer carnage. As well as the traditional deathmatch clashes where players can tear their buddies limb from limb, Halo 3 boasts a selection of Xbox Live cooperative challenges, allowing players to hook-up, choose from a quartet of unique characters, then work through the entire single-player quest as a team. The sprawling online mode also features clever 'matchmaking' options where you're paired with other players of similar skill across the world, avoiding the frustration of becoming the whipping boy for a gang of experienced nutjobs.

While a tangible sense of déjà vu pervades the whole adventure, Halo 3 does what it does extremely well, and what it loses in originality it more than makes up for in stellar production values and delirious, balls-out blasting. And while players looking for a solo shooter may find BioShock's bleak atmosphere more intriguing, Halo 3's blistering blend of anarchic battles and team-based challenges make it worthy of the 'game of the year' tag so often thrust upon it.

Not quite the epic ending do an amazing trilogy. I'm not gonna lie and say it was amazing and the best yet just because I was waiting for it for so long and a lot of other people like it.

Let me first start out by saying I am a long-time Halo fan. I really love these games. I believe that Halo, Combat Evolved had the best storyline and Halo 2 had best online/ multi-player. When I heard Halo 3 was coming out, I was so excited. I bought it that weekend it came out and went home and beat it in a day.

A day. For those of you who don't know me, I am an extremely slow gamer. I found out very quickly that this is the shortest halo game. I thought the last should be the longest! It's a pretty quick single player experience.

Alright, actually playing the game. This game is, as I am happy to say, still fun to play. I love the jungle as the first few levels, and that ship that crashed that was infected with flood, I liked it. But, I think there's something missing with memorable levels or battles in levels. Like Halo 2 had some pretty memorable battle sequences. For instance, in the second level where you have a little siege on that building. First the elites/grunts, then the flying bugs and jackals, then BOOM! two hunters bust through the door! I liked that. But Halo 3's levels I though felt a bit rushed for me. My least favorite level is Cortana. Which basically has you running, the entire level not trying to kill the flood, but not let it kill you because they just keep coming. I just felt like something was missing in the single player experience.

The ending just felt a bit rushed too. I won't give anything away, but I think they definitely should have spent more time developing the end.

Lastly, multi-player. Multiplayer is fun and awesome. But there are a few things I don't like. They got rid of the old maps like blood gulch and sidewinder. I loved those old maps! And quite a few other maps from halo 2 aren't on there either! There are a lot of new maps too though, but it just doesn't feel the same for me. But it's not that bad I guess. I absolutely love the fact there's theater and you can go back and watch a lot of your latest online battles.

So here you have it: In a nutshell, Halo 3 I think felt a bit rushed, and not exactly what I had hoped it to be. It's still a good game but it's not the amazing ending I thought it would be. But that doesn't mean you shouldn't buy it.

I'm sure a lot of you die-hard halo fans might badger me for writing this review, but hey, this is how I feel about it. You feel different? Message me, I want to see what you think. Thanks for reading this.

7.5/10

This game is absolutely amazing. I remember looking back last year at the first main trailer shown with master chiefs bubble shield and the hype since then has just been building and building. Last night 26.9.07 at midnight i queued along with nearly 100-150 people to purchase halo 3 luckily for me and my friend we were around about the 5/6 people to purchase it :D The game as a whole is just amazing as i said. Visually its like perfection not a single thing wrong with the graphics. The game-play many have said is similar that of which it is however i found that controlling master chief has been improved slightly. it maybe is just me but i think that moving master chief and controlling his actions has been improved brilliantly. new vehicles and weapons and newly formed enemies halo 3 is "the" game to buy The hype over here in england has been incredible i have friends asking about the game all the time because they really want to get it but either cant afford or the place is sold out I would have to say i finished halo 2 and as soon as the ending was shown i wanted halo 3 now 4 years on it has been the biggest wait but it is really worth it :)

My goodness.... Well, this game is simply amazing. It has everything; sleek, refined graphics, generally improved game play, a multitude of awesome weapons, an incredible storyline, excellent voice acting,......... Truly, the list just goes on and on. This finale to the triumvirate cements both Halo and Bungie's place among the all time greats in the video game world. Whether you're a tried and true hardcore Halo fan, or a newbie just getting into the craze, you must get this game. It is truly an incredible experience, not only to behold, but to be the most integral part of. Plus, there is online Co-op play, so you can go through the story mode with an online friend, or more than one!

Of particular note are the voice performances of Keith David (the Arbiter) and Robert Davi (the Ship Master Elite, a very cool returning minor character from Halo 2).

The only downside, I suppose, is that Michael Wincott, who voiced the Prophet of Truth in Halo 2, does not return in the role for Halo 3. While his replacement is by no means poor, the new voice simply does not have that metallic, sinister quality that Wincott's does.

That being said, long live the Arbiter and Master Chief!!!! Halo 3 is everything it was built up to be, and more.

Halo 3 is amazing, a fantastic ending to the greatest trilogy ever made.

The main gripe I have is the often janky looking in-game and cutscene character models, such as Miranda Keyes, Lord Hood, Truth, Johnson, and others.

Halo 2 greatly benefited from updated graphics in its Anniversary edition. Halo 3 needs and deserves one as well. Please give it one!