Bits and Bytes: Halo 3 a short but perfect game
Halo 3 for the Xbox 360
This has taken me a little longer to write than I would have liked for three reasons: I have a day job, I wanted to stretch out the campaign for as long as possible and I needed a lot of time with the multiplayer. Now that I can actually put the controller down long enough to be able to write about the game, I'm happy to say that I'm quite happy with the third, but probably not last, installment of the Halo series.
If you haven't beaten, or for some reason haven't played, the game yet, make sure that you don't press anything after you beat the game. Finishing it on Legendary gives you the most fulfilling ending, but if you can't wait, just go on Youtube because people have posted all that goodness already. I have to say, after playing that level where you're against the flood near the end of the game, I'm not even sure I want to go back there on Legendary.
The single player campaign is satisfying. The levels are good, the story ties up loose ends and actually makes you realize that you've actually gotten attached to some of the key players in the Halo universe.
The problem with the game is that it's SHORT. Although the majority of this article was written about a month ago, I dragged on the campaign as long as I could. One or two missions per day were all I would play and then I'd get back online.
Speaking of online, the matchmaking, ranking and maps are fun. I've heard and read many grumblings complaining that the majority of these maps aren't as fun as Halo 2's maps, but come on...do you know how long and how often we played those?
It's going to take a longer time for these ones to settle in. I know the “professional” gamers have had to learn them inside and out already and are most accustomed to them, but the casual fans are still probably just getting used to where all the pristine spots are.
The one big gripe I have with Halo 3 is with the sniping. It is back to feeling like Halo 1 and perhaps not even that good. I used to own the sniper so bad in Halo 2 and now it seems like I can't get a shot off for the life of me. It got me so discouraged that I still haven't really picked up the sniper too often.
I give Halo 3 a 10 because no matter what gripes I have, the replay-ability online alone makes the game worth owning and learning. Do you want even more proof than a hardcore gamers testimony (and the reviews that came in months ago from all the gaming sites and magazines)?
Here are some interesting stats courtesy of www.bungie.net's website. I guess many people still have a ton of stuff to accomplish.
- Campaign Complete: Normal — Completed the Campaign on Normal Difficulty: 43.28 per cent.
- Campaign Complete: Legendary — Completed the Campaign on Legendary Difficulty: 15.14 per cent.
- Graduate: Graduated from basic training. Stick with it to earn your Spartan insignia: 66.92 per cent.
- UNSC Spartan: Promoted to Sergeant. Proven in combat, you are a Spartan: 52.07 per cent.
- The most found metagame skull? Black Eye skull with 34.26 per cent.
- The least found metagame skull? Tilt at 22.98 per cent (Go find it, jerks! It's one of the best skulls in the game!)
- At 6.21 per cent, Steppin' Razor is the hardest multiplayer Achievement to earn, with Two for One right behind it at 6.77 per cent and Overkill nipping at its heels (6.75 per cent)
- 8.68 per cent of players have unlocked the Marathon Man Achievement.
- 1000/1000 Gamerscore: 2.07 per cent.
This has taken me a little longer to write than I would have liked for three reasons: I have a day job, I wanted to stretch out the campaign for as long as possible and I needed a lot of time with the multiplayer. Now that I can actually put the controller down long enough to be able to write about the game, I'm happy to say that I'm quite happy with the third, but probably not last, installment of the Halo series.
If you haven't beaten, or for some reason haven't played, the game yet, make sure that you don't press anything after you beat the game. Finishing it on Legendary gives you the most fulfilling ending, but if you can't wait, just go on Youtube because people have posted all that goodness already. I have to say, after playing that level where you're against the flood near the end of the game, I'm not even sure I want to go back there on Legendary.
The single player campaign is satisfying. The levels are good, the story ties up loose ends and actually makes you realize that you've actually gotten attached to some of the key players in the Halo universe.
The problem with the game is that it's SHORT. Although the majority of this article was written about a month ago, I dragged on the campaign as long as I could. One or two missions per day were all I would play and then I'd get back online.
Speaking of online, the matchmaking, ranking and maps are fun. I've heard and read many grumblings complaining that the majority of these maps aren't as fun as Halo 2's maps, but come on...do you know how long and how often we played those?
It's going to take a longer time for these ones to settle in. I know the “professional” gamers have had to learn them inside and out already and are most accustomed to them, but the casual fans are still probably just getting used to where all the pristine spots are.
The one big gripe I have with Halo 3 is with the sniping. It is back to feeling like Halo 1 and perhaps not even that good. I used to own the sniper so bad in Halo 2 and now it seems like I can't get a shot off for the life of me. It got me so discouraged that I still haven't really picked up the sniper too often.
I give Halo 3 a 10 because no matter what gripes I have, the replay-ability online alone makes the game worth owning and learning. Do you want even more proof than a hardcore gamers testimony (and the reviews that came in months ago from all the gaming sites and magazines)?
Here are some interesting stats courtesy of www.bungie.net's website. I guess many people still have a ton of stuff to accomplish.
- Campaign Complete: Normal — Completed the Campaign on Normal Difficulty: 43.28 per cent.
- Campaign Complete: Legendary — Completed the Campaign on Legendary Difficulty: 15.14 per cent.
- Graduate: Graduated from basic training. Stick with it to earn your Spartan insignia: 66.92 per cent.
- UNSC Spartan: Promoted to Sergeant. Proven in combat, you are a Spartan: 52.07 per cent.
- The most found metagame skull? Black Eye skull with 34.26 per cent.
- The least found metagame skull? Tilt at 22.98 per cent (Go find it, jerks! It's one of the best skulls in the game!)
- At 6.21 per cent, Steppin' Razor is the hardest multiplayer Achievement to earn, with Two for One right behind it at 6.77 per cent and Overkill nipping at its heels (6.75 per cent)
- 8.68 per cent of players have unlocked the Marathon Man Achievement.
- 1000/1000 Gamerscore: 2.07 per cent.
