About the Game

Halo 3 is the third game in the main Halo series. Like the rest of the series, it is a sci-fi/military-themed first-person shooter with an emphasis on vehicles and an extensive multiplayer mode in addition to the single-player campaign. As before, the series' signature shield system is used where, rather than health, you have a force field of sorts which loses power as you are attacked.

Story & Setting

The campaign mode contains a number of new features as well.

Gameplay & Core Systems

If you can avoid being attacked, the shield will recharge on its own. These are human and alien transport which can be driven or ridden in with another player or AI doing the driving. Halo 3 adds numerous new types of vehicles, notably a massive mobile command center called the Elephant and a human VTOL aircraft called the Hornet. Also as before, you are limited to one weapon in hand (or one in each hand for some of the smaller guns) and one on back-up with both human and alien weapons available. Weapons can be fired or used to club someone for a melee hit.

Standout Features

• As before, the series' signature shield system is used where, rather than health, you have a force field of sorts which loses power as you are attacked.
• If you can avoid being attacked, the shield will recharge on its own.
• These are human and alien transport which can be driven or ridden in with another player or AI doing the driving.
• Halo 3 adds numerous new types of vehicles, notably a massive mobile command center called the Elephant and a human VTOL aircraft called the Hornet.
• Enemies with good timing can board a vehicle, kicking out the occupant.
• Also as before, you are limited to one weapon in hand (or one in each hand for some of the smaller guns) and one on back-up with both human and alien weapons available.
• Weapons can be fired or used to club someone for a melee hit.
• There are several new weapons, including the gravity hammer, which is a massive hammer for one-hit kills in close combat.

Modes & Ways to Play

All the multiplayer game types from Halo 2 are back. The map editor is actually a playable game mode with some players becoming the monitor and placing objects for use by their teammates. The campaign mode contains a number of new features as well. The players now control distinct characters in co-op rather than the Chief just having an identical twin, players limit has been expanded to four and it is now playable online.

Player support includes Co-Op, Free-for-all / One-on-one (VS), Team, and 2-4 Players.

Presentation & Atmosphere

Other new features include a theater where you can re-watch games you or others played from the viewpoint of any player-character or in third-person or with a free camera.

Display support includes Progressive Scan (480p), HDTV 720p, HDTV 1080i, HDTV 1080p, Widescreen (16 x 9), and PAL 60Hz. Audio support includes Dolby Digital.