Halo 3

By Gregor Wildermann Published 6 August, 2007

Driving on the Tsavo Highway.

The Countdown has begun: In about seven weeks Halo 3 will hit the high streets around the world, and Bungie is moving into PR overdrive in the run-up to its release.

But while details about the multiplayer-maps have been all over the net for months following on from the beta, the single player portion of the game has largely been a closely guarded secret. Only at E3 last month did Bungie finally give us a chance to get a closer look at the first level (called "Sierra 177" ) - but playing it ourselves was strictly off-limits.

That all changed last week at a press-event in Amsterdam. Not only was the 4-player-co-op mode confirmed, but Microsoft finally let us get our first hands-on with its next big title.

Rather than simply give us the same opening level to play that it showed at E3, Microsoft gave us a chance to play a portion of the third level (known as Tsavo Highway - close to the Kenyan coast and on the way to New Mombasa). The level starts in some kind of bunker/garage, and Master Chief and his Marines jump into one of the Warthog Jeeps and drive out into a very typically Halo-esque landscape, with no real opportunity to deviate off a fairly linear path.

Playing tourist to the scenes unfolding before us, it was a clear contrast to the densely wooded environment of Sierra 117, with sparse vegetation, jagged mountains and some patches of grass here and there - all very Halo 2 in look and feel. Just as well you're driving so fast that you don't really have much time to dwell upon it.

Once you get to the actual shooting one thing's for sure: nothing much has changed about the fundamental feel of the combat. If you've played the first two Halo-games, you'll know the drill from the word go. Whether you're switching weapons, throwing grenades, or boarding vehicles, it hasn't changed one bit. That said, there have been a few tweaks which help deepen the gameplay in subtle ways.

For example, you can now access protection shields (and all other special actions) by holding down the X button. Each 'faction' in the game will have a slightly different type of shield, but one you'll know from the beta is the Bubble-Shield, and this was available to us for a short while during the level. Another element that has improved is the number of objects you can interact with - some of which can be used during combat to your tactical advantage.

In terms of the types of enemies you'll face, we came across nimble brutes equipped with jetpacks. These prove a real challenge to get a bead on, thanks to their exceptional agility and ability to fly almost straight upward into the sky and land just a short distance in front of you. These surprise attacks help give the game a much needed degree of novelty - and, more importantly, variety.

'Halo 3' Screenshot 3

I remember when he was just another sci-fi wannabe. Now look at him.

Next up you'll face Wraith Tanks (easily taken out by boarding them and using your stock of grenades), and then get to grips with the new Brute Chopper - a much easier vehicle to handle than, say, the Warthog Jeep, and one that benefits from better frontal protection against enemy fire. Better still, in tight environments, the Brute Chopper handles turning with ease - while steep inclines are also no problem for the galactic equivalent of the Harley Davidson. However, one thing you absolutely don't want to do is engage in a head-on collision with another Brute Chopper, as we found out. At best, you'll end up with a big, smoking pile of junk.

Elsewhere in our all-too-brief playtest, we disembarked the roaring two-wheeler and proceeded on foot, taking down energy shields and enormous barricades with plasma cannon emplacements at the tunnel entrances. Much ducking and diving later, we ended up fighting alongside a group of Marines taking on wave after wave of those huge Dragonfly creatures you might recall from Halo 2. It was intense stuff, and should prove a test for even the most hardened Halo veteran.

'Halo 3' Screenshot 4

Sadly, that brought us to the end of our time with the Tsavo Highway level - portion of the game that left us with mixed feelings about what we saw. On the one hand, the lack of any big surprises left us feeling slightly unsatisfied to some degree, but we're also glad that Bungie hasn't chosen to mess around with the successful gameplay formula to any great extent. Hope remains that they can simply come up with a game loaded with memorable set-pieces and deliver a great game that will keep everyone happy.

Picture of Gregor.

About Gregor Wildermann

Read more articles from Gregor by visiting the Gregor Wildermann archive page.

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Comments (200) Latest comment 4 years ago

Comments threads automatically close after 30 days, but please feel free to continue chatting on the forum!

  • AHiFi #1 5 years ago

    I want to get a decent first for once, so...first!

  • RevanEleven #2 5 years ago

    Well i cant bloody wait! Wasnt really a positive preview tho, pointing out that bad points more than the good ones.

  • AHiFi #3 5 years ago

    Revan - Aye, negative preview. But I think we all know what to expect of the positives now, as he said.

  • space_ace #4 5 years ago

    quite realistic gfx engine in the last shot ;)

  • afghan_jones #5 5 years ago

    'Free love, on the Tsavo Highway'


    Also, 'First Impressions' is something of a misnomer at this point given the flood of info so far on Halo Kitty?

    Personally, nothing ive seen of it has blown me away so far. The Beta was fun but not incredible. I was a Sony boy last gen so never played the other two.

    That said, the four player co-op sounds ace, the film edit thing sounds kinda fun, and I know that everyone else on my friends list will be playing this for a good while so Ill have to get involved as itll be a nightmare trying to get a game together on something else. Bloody peer pressure.

    Also, when I saw the pic of the guy in the suit I didnt realise it was in real life and thought 'hey, those graphics have changes from the beta...'



  • tobsen #6 5 years ago

    Sounds extremely underwhelming.

  • Uncle_Fishboy #7 5 years ago

    No better than Halo then?

  • mkreku #8 5 years ago

    It doesn't really matter if it's not that technologically advanced; it'll still sell like hotcakes and be adored by millions of Halo fans. Fun is the name of the game!

  • WriterUK #9 5 years ago

    Really enjoyed Halo, except for the protracted 'let's play the same maps in reverse' stuff near the end.

    Didn't much like Halo 2, especially the 'play the enemy' stuff, despite really wanting to.

    Technically I hope Halo 3 will surprise us all - the multiplayer camera recording stuff sounds great, for example - but I'm not 100 percent convinced Bungie can actually make a flawless single player experience. On the basis of the last two Halos there were definite issues with each....
    Edited by 1 at 06/08/07 @ 09:30

  • Jontacular #10 5 years ago

    Averting our gaze from the onrushing scenery, one new feature we clocked immediately was the enemy-radar placed on the bottom left corner of the screen. It'll certainly come in useful for orientation, but, on the other hand, could arguably spoil the tension and surprise element of not knowing what's around the corner.

    Is this writer really proclaiming the proximity radar to be a new feature? Please tell me I have it wrong.

    If not, then I don't think I'll let this write-up dent my enthusiasm too much.
    Edited by 1 at 06/08/07 @ 10:33

  • mcmonkeyplc #11 5 years ago

    This is an MCMONKEYplc hype free approved first impression article.

    Good!

  • Darren #12 5 years ago

    Hmmm, I had mixed feelings about the beta, I thought it was predictable and hardly a major step up from Halo 2's, but that didn't bother me too much as I don't play games online much anyway. I want Halo 3 only for the single player/co-op campaign but that playtest hasn't exactly convinced me that it's going to be amazing either, just more of the same. I can only hope the actual campaign isn't as underwhelming as the beta otherwise I am going to be disappointed. With innovative games like BioShock on the way, I find it really hard to get excited about games like Halo 3, it is after all just another sequel at the end of the day.

  • Lutz #13 5 years ago

    Radar has ALWAYS been in Halo FFS!

  • Ywap #14 5 years ago

    How about the framerate?

    Still 30 with drops?

    Edit: Found this at [link url=http://www.gamingexc ellence.com
    ]http://www.gamingexc ellence.com
    [/link]

    The biggest improvements are undoubtedly in the graphics engine, the game shines in high-definition with new high-resolution textures and vastly improved models. Environmental detail is well-captured, watching the grass sway or the water ripple as you walk through the shallow river. Amazingly enough, the games framerate is very respectable and rock solid, even in the most heated battles.
    Edited by 1 at 06/08/07 @ 09:42

  • peteb #15 5 years ago

    It sounds like the graphics will be a bit of a letdown, but lets hope its just so that they could make a more solid game. I'm ok with not mindblowing graphics if it has a great sense of scale and can handle huge battles with no slowdown or anything. Don't like the sound of the linearity though, the best thing about the first Halo was the sense of freedom (at the time).

  • Lutz #16 5 years ago

    OK, RADAR per say was never in Halo 1 or Halo 2, but you did have a motion tracker, which is by and large the same thing in this game.

    So, has the motion sensor been replaced with an actual radar, or is the writer someone who didn't notice the motion tracker in Halo 1 & 2?

  • mcmonkeyplc #17 5 years ago

    If this isn't an actual radar then Gregor Wildermann is about to get lynched by the mob. Halo has always had the motion sensor.

    This will have to be a radar that detects anything even if its not moving to be different.

    You wont lose your status as an approved first impression though...the negative hype is too good. :p

  • waynenot #18 5 years ago

    Can't spell either - 'Kenian' coast?
    Edited by 1 at 06/08/07 @ 09:47

  • Tiel #19 5 years ago

    Heading for 8/10

  • Overlush #20 5 years ago

    I'm getting the distinct feeling that H3 and PGR4 are going to be a bit underwhelming to all but the hardcore.

  • andromeda #21 5 years ago

    Kenia = wrong

    Kenya = right

    i've been to the Tsavo game reserves, east and west parks, a few times in the past.
    Beautiful places although sadly crawling with noisy german tourists now.

  • Hughes. #22 5 years ago

    Peter Moore said Halo was this generation's Star Wars!!

    Does that make this Return of the Jedi?

    I expect Ewoks, and plenty of 'em!

    Failing that, metal bikinis.

    Otherwise, no sale.

    My guess, 7/10

    Yup.

  • Chufty #23 5 years ago

    Why are people saying 8/10? There's nothing so far to suggest it's worth anything more than 7, personally it feels more like a 6 from the vibes I've been getting.

  • the_sas_man #24 5 years ago

    ARGH! Foot & Mouth!

  • krudster #25 5 years ago

    It's the correct spelling if you're German - Gregor wasn't aware of the different English spelling. Now fully localised!

  • SniperWolf #26 5 years ago

    That guy has played very little Halo 1/2. But I've got to hand it to him, that was a very nice stealth troll preview of Halo 3.

    On the one hand, the lack of major technical improvement to the game engine can't help but leave us feeling slightly underwhelmed to some degree,

    Playing tourist to the scenes unfolding before us, it was a clear contrast to the densely wooded environment of Sierra 117, with sparse vegetation, jagged mountains and some patches of grass here and there - all very Halo 2 in look and feel, and not the 'next gen' step up most of us were hoping for, to be frank. Just as well you're driving so fast that you don't really have much time to dwell upon it.

    *slow claps*

  • mkreku #27 5 years ago

    Why do I get the feeling SniperWolf is a die-hard Halo fan? :)

  • lambtron #28 5 years ago

    He has a point about the tone of the article though.

  • the_sas_man #29 5 years ago

    Why this game will still be good, does anyone else think that this could be THE single most underwhelming gam in the history of the Videogames industry?

    Think about it, all the other massive titles, while not living up to the impossible hype have still hit the mark to earn its grade. Whether its Mario 64, MGS2, Sonic 2, Halo2, GT3...all these games had HUGE expectation and still pulled it off.

    Halo 3 to me looks like its going to be geting 8/10 - which while not a bad score by any means, it is still pretty horrific given the circustances of the game!

    Graphics aren't everything - gameplay is, but by god they play a huge part in making a game 'feel' next gen, which unfortunately Halo 3 doesn't. I see this game is gonna cause shockwaves, but for the wrong reasons.

    Biggest dissapointment in the videogames history by far.

    Bring on Mass Effect!

  • peteb #30 5 years ago

    Wow, optimism is out the window today huh guys?

    /Remains hopeful.

    (remembers hope can drive a man insane).

    Crap.

  • andromeda #31 5 years ago

    Kenya??
    das ist falsch!! ;-)

  • Monkey_Puncher #32 5 years ago

    I thought Halo 2 was a load of rubbish so I won't be making the same mistake again, no purchase for me!

  • Cloudane #33 5 years ago

    A reasonably negative preview indeed.

    Let's hope that the final game manages to excite (some of) us like the original did.

  • phAge #34 5 years ago

    Ouch. I smell "well, it is by no means a BAD game, and it does have some pretty great moments, but for a next-gen game of this caliber, Halo 3 simply fails to deliver on its promise" in the final review.

    8/10"

  • Benno #35 5 years ago

    8/10

  • Darren #36 5 years ago

    I thought the first Halo was a near-masterpiece even though some of the level design was terrible (i.e. the awful Library level). The second game had better level design overall but still managed to disappoint a lot of people and if it hadn't been for the online multiplayer, which is the real reason for the sequel's success, then I doubt as many people would have been looking forward to Halo 3. I think many people's expectations of Halo 3 will be so high that ultimately it'll be seen as another letdown, it seems almost inevitable. All I'm hoping for is that Bungie have put as much or more effort into the campaign this time round as the not-for-me multiplayer. If they do then I'll be content. I have my fingers crossed.

  • penhalion #37 5 years ago

    I guess we all knew deep down that it's going to suck big time. The story will most likely leave a sour taste in the mouth.

  • Psychotext #38 5 years ago

    "I guess we all knew deep down that it's going to suck big time. The story will most likely leave a sour taste in the mouth."

    Back in your cage.

  • cyacomini #39 5 years ago

    Halo really needs to change if it wants to remain the top of the pile of FPS's on 360.

    Bioshock - 10/10
    Halo 3 - 7/10
    Orange Box - 9/10

  • afghan_jones #40 5 years ago

    @cyacomini

    Ooooh, while you are looking into the future, could you take a peep at next weeks lottery numbers for me?

    Cheers.

  • Rich72 #41 5 years ago

    didn't bungie say years ago that they were saving their polygons for other stuff? what's the point in pushing the graphical boundaries if the engines can't quite manage it? gears and vegas have tearing issues and are very linear!

  • peteb #42 5 years ago

    @Rich72

    Exactly! Thats why I'm hoping they're going for a more "open ended" game.
    Edited by 1 at 06/08/07 @ 11:12

  • SniperWolf #43 5 years ago

    With all of the features Halo 3 is going to offer, multiplayer settings, armour permutations, saved films, Forge, 4 player co-op, and what's yet to be announced, I'm really looking forward to seeing how Eurogamer will justify their obviously-biased 8/10 score for Halo 3 when it lands.

    I'm sure they'll find a few unimportant things to bring it down to the only score they can stomach for a Halo game, 7/10, 8/10.

  • mcmonkeyplc #44 5 years ago

    Kristian, can you ya know clairfy if Mr Gregor has ya know kind of forgotten that all Halo games have a motion sensor or that is a totally new actual radar?

  • cyacomini #45 5 years ago

    @afghan_jones

    7 - 11 - 19 - 33 - 44 - 48

    Bonus - 14



  • Ace_McCloud #46 5 years ago

    Yeah: radar clarification please!?

  • Xerx3s #47 5 years ago

    Averting our gaze from the onrushing scenery, one new feature we clocked immediately was the enemy-radar placed on the bottom left corner of the screen. It'll certainly come in useful for orientation, but, on the other hand, could arguably spoil the tension and surprise element of not knowing what's around the corner. We'll wait and see what impact it has on the gameplay over time.

    Erm, hasn't knowing what's around the next corner been part of halo since day 1?

    Anyway, I don't understand the people who are moaning about a 'negative' preview. Did they read something different than I did? Just about the only negative thing the writer mentioned was the fact that it had a 'lack of any big surprises'. Which bungie already commented on with the fact that A) they removed every story piece from that preview, B) chose that piece because it learns the player to play the game without revealing too many things and C) bungie commented that they won't show other new elements such as vehicles and gameplay until you play the game.
    In fact, the review sounds pretty positive with words as 'novelty', 'variety' and 'intense'.

    But then again, I must have read another preview than others.

  • DanWhitehead #48 5 years ago

    *Wistfully recalls the days when 8/10 was considered a really good score*

  • SniperWolf #49 5 years ago

    Edge:

    "The scale is immediately evident, and remarkable."

    "Encounters have even a greater fluidity than before, organically ebbing and flowing your actions"

    "Such scenes show off the lighting engine: golden sun catches surfaces with subtle shine and contrasts with delicate pools of shadow"

    "Halo 3 will be a game of depth and scale, of mechanics, of appeal and of ambition. It's meticulously focused, yet radiant with expansive possibility"

    "...it's already one of the most supremely confident games we've ever seen"






    You give shit like F.E.A.R, Splinter cell 9/10, give Halo 3 8/10 and you will be crucified.
    Edited by 1 at 06/08/07 @ 11:26

  • skillian #50 5 years ago

    I'm really looking forward to seeing how Eurogamer will justify their obviously-biased 8/10 score for Halo 3 when it lands.

    Complaints about a non-existent review's bias and scoring! Oh man, EG don't stand a chance when the review actually comes out :p

  • sniglet #51 5 years ago

    I know what you mean Dan - when games didn't cost millions and millions to produce and the financial pressure involved meant getting an 8 rather than a 9 was inconsequential. Also, the internet seems to make scores all the more important, or at least gives the easily swayed and moronic more of a reason to judge games they haven't played.

    Some 'normal' people realise that they can have fun with a 1/10 game if it's what pushes their buttons. I hope Halo3 gets a 6/10 but I enjoy it more than Halo or Halo2. The demo will be key for me, not some mark out of ten. I read reviews for the reviews, I don't skip to the end for a meaningless number.

    /rant over *phew*

  • afghan_jones #52 5 years ago

    At the end of the day, the weight of expectation is probably too much for this game to bear. If it turns out to be anything less than spectacular, people will be disappointed.

    Just being 'good' or okay' isnt going to cut it.

    If you can avoid all the hype, you will most likely end up with a very solid and polished shooter with a decent multiplayer and some film edit stuff that most people wont bother with. Good but not earth shattering. (Which is a relief actually. If games actually got to the point where they could literally shatter the surface of the earth, we could be in trouble. Jack Thompson would have a field day though...)

  • krudster #53 5 years ago

    I gave Halo 2 9/10, but don't let facts get in the way of a good conspriacy theory eh?
    Edited by 1 at 06/08/07 @ 12:30

  • PearOfAnguish #54 5 years ago

    "You give shit like F.E.A.R, Splinter cell 9/10, give Halo 3 8/10 and you will be crucified."

    Because Edge said they liked it? They're not any more or less trustworthy than any other major mag or web site, just more pretentious.
    How about waiting for the review before criticising?

    8/10 would be deserved if the game has barely changed since Halo 1. Everyone has a go at EA and Ubisoft for endlessly rehashing the same formula, why should Bungie get a free pass?

  • Ace_McCloud #55 5 years ago


    "Complaints about a non-existent review's bias and scoring! Oh man, EG don't stand a chance when the review actually comes out :p"

    Yeah, jesus christ, calm down people!!! You're not just embarassing yourselves, you're embarassing the rest of us as well! Complaining about the opinion of a review of a game that has been released is one thing... but this? Really? A mongoloid who didn't realise you could drive a big jeep type thing in Halo? (note: sarcasm) Really?

  • fluff_the_tiger #56 5 years ago

    eurogamer will just find out what edge are rating it at from one of their freelancers then adjusts the score -1 if they don't like it or keep it the same if they do.

  • skillian #57 5 years ago

    No one outside of Bungie has actually seen the game yet. No one can yet debate what score it should or shouldn't get.

    That may sound obvious but I feel it needed to be said...

  • PearOfAnguish #58 5 years ago

    "eurogamer will just find out what edge are rating it at from one of their freelancers then adjusts the score -1 if they don't like it or keep it the same if they do."

    Oh shut up, fuckwit.

    It's a couple of numbers at the end of a review, the content is what matters. And it's an opinion, if you don't agree, no big deal. So long as the factual parts of the review are correct you have no grounds for complaint. Are people really so insecure that they need the opinion of a reviewer to match their own?
    Edited by 1 at 06/08/07 @ 11:38

  • drumbaby #59 5 years ago

    Meh.

  • afghan_jones #60 5 years ago

    @sniperwolf

    Im going to tell you a secret.

    Listen closely.

    This may shock you so make sure you prepare yourself..

    Ready?

    ok

    //whispers// ...not everyone likes halo as much as you....

    That ok?

    Also, how can you rag EG for possibly giving a certain score to a game which neither you nor they have actually played? Its ludicrous.

    Personally I cant wait to see how EG explain their obviously biased score of 7/10 for Halo 4 which it will undoubtedly get sometime in 2010. You bastards! Halo 4 is the best game ever!!

    //weeps bitter, salty tears into Master Chief Duvet cover//


  • mcmonkeyplc #61 5 years ago

    Oi! Krudster! Can we have clarification on the radar please so that we can get over it and talk about your non existant review of a game that's not even out yet.


    Thank you

    Perhaps you guys shouldn't review Halo games in protest to our lets say more imaginative members.

  • UncleLou #62 5 years ago

    You give shit like F.E.A.R, Splinter cell 9/10, give Halo 3 8/10 and you will be crucified.


    Well, in my opinion, FEAR is better than Halo.

    Better AI, too.

    /shrugs

  • menage #63 5 years ago

    I think the GTA comparission someone made was perfect. That didn't really look the part either. Just an upscale from GTA with more detail. It will sell millions though.

    And didn't GTA look pretty crap compared to other games too? A game is a total package which works or doesn't. I still think this is going to be fun. I'll get my next-gen from Bioshock, my online blast a ton from this. Never liked Gears, all the gritty fat-necked marines with bloody chainsaws are not my thing. And that looked incredible. In the end its' all about the feel, not the look.
    Edited by 1 at 06/08/07 @ 11:42

  • PearOfAnguish #64 5 years ago

    "Perhaps you guys shouldn't review Halo games in protest to our lets say more imaginative members. "

    They should, but since everyone is accusing them of bias already it must be given to someone who hates Halo.

  • Dr_Rofl #65 5 years ago

    One day your all posting amazing comments about how Bungie has got 4 player co op online, and after a negitive preview you're all jumping on the Halo hate bandwagon. Do us a favour and find a new hobby, this ones been full since Halo 1. Until you actually get to play the game i'd suggest not scoffing the crap some people say.
    As for the people saying it shouldnt get a high score because it hasnt changed since Halo 1... What do you want? Halo 3: New Stealth Action Adventure! It's gonna be mostly the same because thats what fans want, not someone who wants it to change for the hell of it. Thats how games get ruined. If you still think that, maybe they should make each episode of Half Life 2 different, yano, cos that will give it a good score. Games should stay the same, Half Life 2 is good cos of what it is, dont change it. Halo is good cos of what it is, dont change that. So are a lot of games, the games that go wrong are the games that get too much change.

  • redd #66 5 years ago

    Has the writer actually ever played a game of halo? The radar/motion tracker has always been there since the first halo (heck, since marathon).

    CREDIBILITY -50

  • skillian #67 5 years ago

    EG should do a joke review with a 4/10 score a couple of hours before they publish the real thing. That would be amusing.

  • mcmonkeyplc #68 5 years ago

    PearOfAnguish wrote:
    06-Aug-07 11:43:14 "Perhaps you guys shouldn't review Halo games in protest to our lets say more imaginative members. "

    They should, but since everyone is accusing them of bias already it must be given to someone who hates Halo.

    I vote Bramwell! Compare it to Pro evo too.

  • afghan_jones #69 5 years ago

    "EG should do a joke review with a 4/10 score a couple of hours before they publish the real thing. That would be amusing."

    Yeah cause then the 2/10 it actually gets will be an even bigger shock.

    Also, where are the PS3 fanboys? 360's flagship game just got a somewhat mixed preview and none of the Sony fanboys have so much as 'LOL'd. What gives? Too busy playing with all them loads of wicked new PS3 releases....no, wait, thats not right...

  • Dermoth #70 5 years ago

    Dear EG.

    I think it would be both improving and hilarious if you neglected to give Halo 3 a review score.

    Everyone has made their mind up about Halo 3 already. People who don't like Halo aren't going to like Halo 3. People who like Halo probably are. The only variable left is the quality of the single-player campaign mode, and even that's pretty predictable - it will be better than Halo 2, and probably slightly less good than Halo 1, but with more varied level design.

    So, who needs a score? Not me. I just need someone to tell me how it stacks up relative to the first two games, and I'll have all the information I need. I suspect this will suffice for everyone else, too. So really, the only purpose of a score is to excite idiots in comments threads.

    Go on. Do it. Just for Halo 3. It will make the world a better place, and it will ensure the review's comments thread will be funny, as opposed to incredibly depressing.

  • afghan_jones #71 5 years ago

    @dermoth


    but...but ...if it has no score how will I be able to know if it is 'Better then Halo?'

  • Walshicus #72 5 years ago

    Motion sensor / radar? Clarify?

  • mkreku #73 5 years ago

    I'm intrigued too. Will the poor German guy have to admit that he's written a preview about a game series he has no clue about.. or is there indeed a new type of radar that's different from the old motion sensor?

    Stay tuned for the exciting resolution!

  • Walshicus #74 5 years ago

    @SniperWolf

    Are you also as known NinjaDOF by any chance? Just curious. I also share you sentiments on the Edge preview, both here and... in another forum I think.
    Edited by 1 at 06/08/07 @ 12:11

  • Lutz #75 5 years ago

    Motion sensor / radar? Clarify?

  • Inquisitor #76 5 years ago

    No new radar, confirmed by Luke Smith, or so I hear.

  • Dizzy #77 5 years ago

    Negative preview means EG will give it 10/10 in the actual review. That is the way the world works.
    Edited by 1 at 06/08/07 @ 12:14

  • Entity #78 5 years ago

    Being the proud owner of a bog-standard SDtv, I really am not to fussed by the graphics, as long as they are an improvement, which of course it will be over 1+2.
    I'll buy this game regardless of any reviews I read, since, I liked the first two games a lot. As long as they get the checkpoints right in the way they did with Halo 2, and they make it larger overall, that is fine by me.

  • Lea #79 5 years ago

    Ok, heres the clarification on the enemy-radar-thingi, which came out a bit wrong because of a missunderstanding in the language-barrier :) My mistake, i appologize :)


    The enemy-radar you know from the halo-games before has CHANGED! (bungie also said at the event its "new";).

    Instead of showing you the health-tabs of your dude, its now a pure emeny-radar which also gives you orientation-points - red dots for enemies, yellow dots for orientation.

  • Yossarian #80 5 years ago

    it has been obvious from every piece of media to date that the motion tracker is pretty much the same as it always was in the bottom left. there is a reason that Eurogamer would not usually be the place I turn to for any sort of assessment of Halo: they simply aren't very familiar with the series. which is fine, of course, they're great at assessing most everything else.

  • Xerx3s #81 5 years ago

    I have Halo 2 9/10, but don't let facts get in the way of a good conspiracy theory eh?

    Give them a chance, it is Monday. They need build up that rage. ;)

    Another lol at the people saying this was a negative preview. The entire preview speaks not one negative word and only in the last paragraph does it complain about the fact that bungie didn't show anything important.

    I think there is a pic floating about the intawebby that sums it up pretty nicely.

  • krudster #82 5 years ago

    And there it is.

  • redd #83 5 years ago

    @ Lea

    erm... wasnt that the way it was before?

  • Xerx3s #84 5 years ago

    Instead of showing you the health-tabs of your dude, its now a pure emeny-radar which also gives you orientation-points - red dots for enemies, yellow dots for orientation.

    How is this different from past instalments?

  • Lea #85 5 years ago

    Well it shows you the "way to the next target" now...

  • Ace_McCloud #86 5 years ago

    Uh oh Lea, I hope you brought your flame proof pants...

    /Aims flame thrower at Lea

  • Lutz #87 5 years ago

    It's different becuase:

    1: It never gave you health info.
    2: Yellow dots weren't orientation, they were allies/allied vehicles.

    ?
    Edited by 1 at 06/08/07 @ 12:35

  • Yossarian #88 5 years ago

    there are now yellow dots not just for friendlies but for places you have to go? I guess because the expansive next-gen landscapes are so BEHEMOTH that you need a helping hand navigating. no wait, this is Halo 2 HD. shame.
    Edited by 1 at 06/08/07 @ 12:35

  • Yossarian #89 5 years ago

    It's different becuase:

    1: It never gave you health info.

    well in Halo 2 the health bar was on top of the motion sensor, now it is at the very top of the HUD...

    Eurogamer should let me preview the game, I will be brutally objective, but I know the game.

  • Walshicus #90 5 years ago

    @NinjaDOF @ GAF
    Stalk? It's not like I know what you had for breakfast *every* day... Argh, I've got to finally set up a non-free email account so I can register there.


    Back on topic; isn't that how the motion tracker worked before as far as the placement of enemy combatants and allies is concerned?

  • Lea #91 5 years ago

    @Lutz: From what Gregor says, there was some "bar" (?) above the radar before. This isnt there anymore. Its only a grey cirlce now which shows you the emenies aswell as helps for orientation.

    I am not into Halo myself, so i can only give out the details he tells me on the phone. And according the peeps who presented Halo 3 on the event, the radar itself has changed and is "new"...
    Edited by 1 at 06/08/07 @ 12:41

  • Lutz #92 5 years ago

    Lea: That bar was your own health/shield. In Halo 1 it was in the top right. In Halo 2 it was above the radar. In Halo 3 it's in the top centre (So far).

    So it would seem that the motion tracker hasn't changed, except you can also have waypoints or points of interest on it too.

  • Inquisitor #93 5 years ago

    Just look for a video of halo 2, then you can compare that with what you saw of H3.

  • Yossarian #94 5 years ago

    @Lutz: From what Gregor says, there was some "bar" (?) above the radar before. This isnt there anymore. Its only a grey cirlce now which shows you the emenies aswell as helps for orientation.

    this is what it was before, except the health bar has been detached from the top of the circle and moved to the very top middle of the HUD. I can post comparison screenshots if people want.

    anyway, enough quibbling, Eurogamer are entitled to their opinions, we're all very excited about Halo 3, even if it's only to make fun of it.

  • Ace_McCloud #95 5 years ago

    Well seeing as you're here Lea, lets not pass up the opportunity to ask some more insightful questions!

    My only one really is, how do the Brutes respond to being shot? Does the player feel like they're actually damaging them, or do they just act like 'bullet sponges'? You know, are they fun to kill?

  • UncleLou #96 5 years ago

    Games journalist who probably plays hundreds of games each year in "not remembering every minor detail as well as gamers obsessed with the game who still play it years after the release" shocker. :p

  • afghan_jones #97 5 years ago

    Is this what we've been reduced to?

    post after post on what sounds like a reasonably minor tweak to a reasonably minor feature of the game?

    What we really need to know is, is Master Chief's armour the exact same shade of green as what it used to be? If not I shall have to go home and have an angry wank into my Halo branded cereal bowl then rub my seed all over my xbox and cry myself to sleep.

  • Lea #98 5 years ago

    Ok, lets forget about the silly radar, since - as i said - i have no clue whats new, changed or old about it :) I am not a Halo-Geek.

    What i believe is, that they showed the new "Radar Jammer" and thats what they meant is "new".

  • miiiguel #99 5 years ago

    oh my god! It's Halo 3, I just can't believe we're actually going to be playing this in 50 days.

    Redefining video-games as we know them, is what I think Halo 3 will do.

  • afghan_jones #100 5 years ago

    @miiiguel


    AHAHAHAHA..... oh wait, were you being serious?

  • Azazel #101 5 years ago

    Argh! Trolls all around M'lord! Quickly! To the higher ground!

    /draws Sword of Flame +1, +3 vs regenerating creatures

  • Yossarian #102 5 years ago

    somebody made an interesting point on GAF: the fundamental mechanics and nuances of Halo are so well-established and so vital to so many people, including very competitive, high-stakes gaming leagues/tournaments, that having anyone other than someone who understands them comment on them feels hollow. he made a sports analogy, but here's mine: it's like having your average mum commentate on Premiership matches.

    if the graphics really are hugely underwhelming and very last-gen, then that's a great disappointment (although most every other preview besides the BBC's of this same level was positive on that front). and if Bungie haven't introduced enough variety and 'novelty' and whatever else, then that's a shame. there are many things that could go wrong with this title, not necessarily for the hardcore like me, but for the average player who wants to enjoy them. but for god's sake, quibbling about how the game controls and moves the same as it always did, and that reloading and changing weapons etc. is still the same is like complaining that in football you still just kick it about with your feet. this is the third game in a hugely successful trilogy, one that has a potential sales force that dwarfs any other single title this year, and one that will be played by literally tens of millions of people over its lifespan, including people playing at a very serious level for very serious money, and you are effectively asking why Bungie hasn't let us pick the ball up with our hands in this one.

  • afghan_jones #103 5 years ago

    @azazel

    Run to the higher ground if you must. It will do you no good as I have brought my new(ish) radar/motion sensor thingy and can see you anywhere you go. Possibly. Or maybe not. No one is sure.

    Either way, I may or may not have it. Whatever it is.

  • Lutz #104 5 years ago

    Don't forget this is also going through a language barrier.
    Radar jammer was also previoulsy known about.

    So, shows over WRT to the radar paragraph. Move along, move along.

  • miiiguel #105 5 years ago

    afghan_jones: yes, I'm very serious. I'm sorry I can't joke on Halo, too important.

  • Lea #106 5 years ago

    My only one really is, how do the Brutes respond to being shot? Does the player feel like they're actually damaging them, or do they just act like 'bullet sponges'? You know, are they fun to kill?

    Gregor said he had much fun raping those Brutes, especially since the rocket-rucksack (sp?) were pretty hard to kill. (they move around pretty fast, shoot up straight in the sky and land right in front you). As in the meaning of the KI he couldnt really come to a conclussion, the playtime was way too short. But he said that the waves are more mixed up now and there is no real pattern. (hope that helps...)

    And my appologies for any missunderstandings my (lousy) translation have caused :/

    About the graphics: The graphics itself weren't underwhelming. It was just hmmm that this map wasn't a real "eyecandy". The terraint was pretty much sparse and the same you could have gone through in halo 2. But on the other hand this leads to put your eyes more on the "objects" laying around everywhere. Like betonpipes that got broke into several pieces and which you can use for a safespot to regain health etc.
    Edited by 1 at 06/08/07 @ 12:59

  • SniperWolf #107 5 years ago

    Mistakes were made with this preview, don't let them happen with the review or there will be TROUBLE AHEAD.

    carry on.

  • Yossarian #108 5 years ago

    post after post on what sounds like a reasonably minor tweak to a reasonably minor feature of the game?

    the worry was that if someone wasn't aware that the Halo series has always featured a motion tracker than it might betray the fact that their acquaintance with the series is marginal at best, making them somewhat unqualified to make statements about how this game compares to its predecessors.

    but when I see a Eurogamer article on Halo I generally don't even read it, unless some sort of furore arises, as in this case. I simply have no interest in reading what anyone at EG has to say about this particular game, for reasons it would be churlish to go into at this point in the thread.

  • afghan_jones #109 5 years ago

    @miiiguel

    Yes, I too cannot wait for gaming as we know it to be redefined by the third sequel in the series which looks kinda the same, plays kind the same (from the beta) and by all accounts most previews suggst is kinda the same.

    What a redefinition. Surely the world may even stop spinning on it's axis. People might fall off.

    You cant seriously think it is going to be that innovative.

    It will be a good, fun, solid shooter but not the next step to a brave new world of gaming.

  • afghan_jones #110 5 years ago

    "the worry was that if someone wasn't aware that the Halo series has always featured a motion tracker than it might betray the fact that their acquaintance with the series is marginal at best, making them somewhat unqualified to make statements about how this game compares to its predecessors."

    Surely if someone comes to the game without heavy preconceptions of the other games then they are in a good position to provide a fairly objective opinion?

  • Ace_McCloud #111 5 years ago

    Cheers Lea, if the word 'fun' was used, then that sounds positive - as that couldn't be said for the Brutes of Halo 2...

    ...and a deserved Lol at Afghan_Jones radar/higher ground comment...

  • Lea #112 5 years ago

    @Yossarian: Wrong, Gregor played Halo since its start.

    I will just quote what he told me:

    "In Halo 2 theres a shield-indicator above the radar which blinks when you got hit by a shot. Its not there anymore and the radar-graphic itself looks quiet different. Its light-grey circle now. Theres also a meter-indicator in the radar. Unfortunately its not confirmed yet if wether it shows the radius or the meters towards the next enemy."

    [link url=http://images.eurogamer.net/assets/a rticles//a/7/9/4/2/1/eurogamer_1.jpg.jpg
    ]http://im ages.eurogamer.net/assets/artic...[/link]

    Btw: I think its the radius itself and for me the radar looks blue, not greyish :p



    Edited by 1 at 06/08/07 @ 13:12

  • Lukus #113 5 years ago

    Exactly Yossarian, regarding the controls: If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

  • Yossarian #114 5 years ago

    look, let's make this easy for everyone

    Halo 2 HUD

    Halo 3 HUD
    Edited by 1 at 06/08/07 @ 13:14

  • Yossarian #115 5 years ago

    the only notable changes, besides the slight curvature of Halo 3's HUD, is that 3 includes an icon to show you what your other weapon is below the ammo bars, and also gives you the distance of effect for the motion tracker (because it can be altered in multiplayer custom games to cover smaller or greater distances). also the health bar is moved to the top as mentioned, and there is a third grenade indicator for spike grenades.

  • krudster #116 5 years ago

    Except neither link actually works ;)

  • lambtron #117 5 years ago

    Hmm. Those two screenshots Yossarian posted make it pretty clear that anyone saying there's not much difference between Halo2 and Halo3 graphically are talking out of their behinds...

  • Calgon #118 5 years ago

    Do Video Games make us whiney?

    The Haters somehow think they dont fit in to that group but they sooo do, they are just whining about different things... like the hype and attention the game they dont rate recieves, which makes them look harder for more to whine about to prove their point.

    I think the Fans were a bit harsh on this preview too, a few mistakes were made but it a) It wasnt originally written in English by the sounds of it b) It was a breif playtest and not a lengthy preview ... not a glowing appraising preview but not that much to whine about there.

    Then theres the neutral gamers who are probably thinking "sounds alright, I'll wait and see how this one turns out instead of making my mind up so soon".
    Edited by 2 at 06/08/07 @ 13:25

  • Yossarian #119 5 years ago

    well to be fair one is a 4:3 direct screengrab from H2 multiplayer and the other is a ridiculously high-res singleplayer H3 shot from Bungie PR

  • lambtron #120 5 years ago

    Yes, but still :)

  • Fernando #121 5 years ago

    8/10

  • Orange #122 5 years ago

    Halo only getting 8/10 was fully justified, good game but certainly not the classic it was painted out to be. Still one of my favourite EG reviews of all time, only Mafia was a better one.

    Halo 2 getting 9/10 was just poor reviewing.

    I suppose we'll see what Halo 3 gets, hopefully a better reviewer with a more objective approach than last time.

  • Lutz #123 5 years ago

    Lea: "Btw: I think its the radius itself and for me the radar looks blue, not greyish :p "

    So it's blue, with a metre indicator on it? The same as Halo 1 then... ;)

    Gregor needs to pay attention. :)

  • Lutz #124 5 years ago

    Nice links Yoss, all I'm getting is two adverts. :(

  • Yossarian #125 5 years ago

    Nice links Yoss, all I'm getting is two adverts. :(
    works for me and others :(

    all I did was go into IGN screens for Halo 2/3 and pick out the first shot with a HUD that appeared for both

  • Lea #126 5 years ago

    So it's blue, with a metre indicator on it? The same as Halo 1 then... ;)

    [link url=http://fi les.xboxic.com/xbox/halo/halo1.jpg
    ]http://fi les.xboxic.com/xbox/halo/halo1....[/link]

    Ya, somehow it looks exactly like that one. I wonder what those peeps meant, when they said "its all new".

    In our originaltext (the german) the radar-paragraph says this: (will translate)

    "As a new feature you can use the enemy-radar now for orientation - even though it will ripp out the surprise-moments. Still we have to find out how far it reaches and how much it helps the players in the game. "

    Something i don't really understand - if the meters were already in Halo 1 (ok, 15 meters not 25 like here), whats "new" about the radar then???

    Btw: If you take a look at http://im ages.eurogamer.net/assets/artic... you only see 2 yellow dots on the radar, but it doesnt look as if the dude is just shooting his "friends" in the nice butt..So perhaps its really the radar jammer they wanted to show as a "new feature".
    Edited by 1 at 06/08/07 @ 13:41

  • Lutz #127 5 years ago

    Dunno. That's what we're asking you Lea. :)

  • Calgon #128 5 years ago

    Wait... so the enemies have radar and you can see when you're on their radar? Thats new if thats what was meant and you can jam their radar so you can sneak up on them?
    Edited by 1 at 06/08/07 @ 13:48

  • Lea #129 5 years ago

    Not me please, i am the biggest Halo-Noob you will ever find on the world :p Shooters + Xbox 360 (or PS3) = big no no for me (i only hit the feet, ever). Meet me on the pc and ill frag your ass away :p

    That said: I can only forward what gregor (freelancer for us) wrote in his article and told me on the phone. But i'll keep you updated :)

  • Lea #130 5 years ago

    Wait... so the enemies have radar and you can see when you're on their radar? Thats new if thats what was meant and you can jam their radar so you can sneak up on them?

    Actually they do have a radar and you can use a radar jammer to irritate it.

  • Darren #131 5 years ago

    SniperWolf - "Edge: "The scale is immediately evident, and remarkable."

    "Encounters have even a greater fluidity than before, organically ebbing and flowing your actions"

    "Such scenes show off the lighting engine: golden sun catches surfaces with subtle shine and contrasts with delicate pools of shadow"

    "Halo 3 will be a game of depth and scale, of mechanics, of appeal and of ambition. It's meticulously focused, yet radiant with expansive possibility"

    "...it's already one of the most supremely confident games we've ever seen"

    Wouldn't it be ironic if after all that gushing praise, Edge 'only' gave the game an 8? LOL

  • lennon #132 5 years ago

    Nice screenshot. In fact the first one I can remember looking at for Halo 3. Looks impressive. I was expecting it to be a lot worse than that given all the negative comments.

  • Darren #133 5 years ago

    @lennon - Yeah, it does, not mind-blowing or anything but pleasantly nice. Appears to be using anti-aliasing as well, something the beta certainly didn't have.

  • solidred #134 5 years ago

    Why has the article got some guy in some rubbish gear?
    What has that goto to do with Halo 3?
    Forget the preview but doesn anyone else want to see pics of some knob dressed up as a knob?

  • Lea #135 5 years ago

    @to the poster above: Because unfortunately the usb-memory-stick we were given is full of those shots but none from the level :(

  • Yossarian #136 5 years ago

    Off some of these shot comparasions, anyone who thinks Halo 2 is technically comparable to Halo 3 in anything but design needs new corneas.

    memory deceives us. it's pleasantly ironic that the people most qualified to make graphical comparisons between iterations in the Halo series are also those who still play the older games, and are therefore most likely to be devoted fanboys like moi.

  • solidred #137 5 years ago

    OK but personally I would rather have a preview focus on the game rather than trivial things but then thats me.

  • smartgun #138 5 years ago

    There's a much more positive preview in this month's Edge - it seems thay got a lot more time with the game (and Bungie) than Eurogamer.

    Anyone who played the beta will admit that it plays pretty much like Halo 2, and therefore feels quite 'last generation' in that sense, but it's a harsh comparison. The scale of the battles, and the social aspects (4 player co-op, sharing game films, map/game editing) of H3 seem pretty next gen to me.

    I'm just hoping they've got the atmosphere and storyline sorted. The ARG is pretty interesting so there's definitely hope there. As another poster said, it's feel not graphics that count.

  • Yossarian #139 5 years ago

    Anyone who played the beta will admit that it plays pretty much like Halo 2, and therefore feels quite 'last generation' in that sense, but it's a harsh comparison.

    I would say it plays pretty much like Halo 2 up to a point, and after that there is so much subtle alteration and balance and tweaking of mechanics that it makes it a whole other game that I sorely miss. that people who had never enjoyed 2 got swept up in the beta is anecdotal, but there's evidence of that on these very boards.

    unfortunately the videogame industry and the culture that surrounds it is fledgling and conflicted. I would have screamed foul blue murder if Halo 3 was significantly different in how it played from Halo 2, just as I would if they significantly changed the rules of football. I am happy for evolution and yea-even-unto revolution within the existing framework, but the framework should remain intact, and it is only the insecure posturing of gamers and game journalists hounding for their profession's advancement and promised credibility that insists games be evaluated or scored things in term of evolution/revolution. revolution is not itself a linear progression, and not in itself a quality that should be aspired to in any and every case and a priori.

    I could ramble for thousands of words about the changes witnessed even in the Halo 3 Beta over Halo 2, and that comes from hundreds upon hundreds of hours of acquaintance with the series. I wouldn't expect all of those changes to be immediately apparent to the casual or even average player, because it's one thing noticing that the X button is now bound to equipment, another to know that the battle rifle's hit detection is now more accurate and less open to abuse because it doesn't count the contact of one bullet in a spread shot as a hit for all three, and to know that just by firing it. I don't expect a journalist to know, or even to care, so I don't mind if he says it plays 'like Halo 2'. for his purposes it does; for mine, in a multitude of significant ways, it does not. there's a gulf of interest and attention there, and I don't expect an off the cuff preview to even attempt to bridge it.

  • Ywap #140 5 years ago

    Sorry to repeat myself, but what is the word on Halo 3:s targeted framerate?

  • solidred #141 5 years ago

    Cool, is this month's Edge any good?

  • Yossarian #142 5 years ago

    Sorry to repeat myself, but what is the word on Halo 3:s targeted framerate?

    30fps, but they've never been particularly great on framerate (moreso in 1 than 2), so who knows.

  • afghan_jones #143 5 years ago

    @Yossarian

    You crack me up.

    "I don't expect a journalist to know, or even to care"

    Yeah yeah cause no one understands Halo quite like you. Do you spend your evenings standing in the rain with no trousers or pants on, watching the Bungie Dev team through binoculars?

  • Ywap #144 5 years ago

    @ Yossarian

    Uhh, what a turnoff if that´s the case :(

    What about motion blur?

    I truly hate motion blur, make the games look like a smeary mess. Especially at 30 fps.



  • 3william56 #145 5 years ago

    Er Lea, understand that there's a language issue here, but don't think you want ever to be using the word "raping" in a game related context.

    Hit that edit button now, mate, if you don't want to end up on the front page of the Daily Mirror.

  • Psychotext #146 5 years ago

    @Ywap: 720p 30fps.

  • SniperWolf #147 5 years ago

    Averting our gaze from the onrushing scenery, one new feature we clocked immediately was the enemy-radar placed on the bottom left corner of the screen.

    Then, it was changed

    The enemy-radar you know from the halo-games before has CHANGED! (bungie also said at the event its "new";).

    Instead of showing you the health-tabs of your dude, its now a pure emeny-radar which also gives you orientation-points - red dots for enemies, yellow dots for orientation.


    Then...

    The entire thing is deleted.


    comedy gold.

  • Yossarian #148 5 years ago

    Yeah yeah cause no one understands Halo quite like you. Do you spend your evenings standing in the rain with no trousers or pants on, watching the Bungie Dev team through binoculars?

    no, plenty of people understand Halo like I do, or better. I am a very minor league Halo fanatic, but tiny details of the game are important to me where they are not important to the casual player. this doesn't mean the casual player's impressions are wrong, far from it. but our appreciation of the game comes from two very different places. I'm sorry if this is complicated for you.

  • afghan_jones #149 5 years ago

    Yossarian,

    Yes. You are right, I find it all terribly terribly complicated. Its a wonder I manage to dress and feed myself, given just how enveloped in confusion I am.

    Just to be clear, its an FPS about shooting cartoon aliens with candy pink lasers, not the second (third in this case?) coming.

  • Inquisitor #150 5 years ago

    They were a bit eager to get this off the front page weren't they?

    You'd expect a highly anticipated preview of potentially the biggest selling game of the year (now gta is gone) to stay within easy viewing for longer than a few hours.

  • Psychotext #151 5 years ago

    Gotta love the after publishing editing going on here... did you get someone that actually played Halo to have a look? =D

  • mcmonkeyplc #152 5 years ago

    Best EG article ever. I want the review to be just like this!

  • polymorph #153 5 years ago

    @ everyone,
    Stop your bitching, there's lots more games than halo coming this year, this is a one page preview of one of them, asnd things can often get lost in translation. You already know if your going to buy it or not, so just chill.
    (allthough thats hard in this weather!)

  • solidred #154 5 years ago

    It's not just any preview, probably the most hyped game this year.
    I'm sure a lot of people would have been interested in reading the preview but this sort of thing will undermine EG's reputation.
    It's true a lot of people are fanatical over certain games but with good reason.
    EG has a good reputation for news but it really has let it self down over it's reviews over the last 2yrs, I understand ever site/magazine has it's disputed reviews and no one will agree with anything.
    But I can think of a few games and now articles which is dragging its name down.

  • polymorph #155 5 years ago

    @solidred, are you going to take the reviews as gospel?
    Or just going to wait till you play it?

  • polymorph #156 5 years ago

    @solidred,
    Also i think Bioshock is THE most hyped game this year.
    I will still be buying it of course though.

  • ebase131 #157 5 years ago

    The game is LOCKED at 30fps, which is more than enough. The only problem people see with games normally having 30fps is that when a shitload of stuff is happening the game's framerate will drop and be very noticeable. Being that Halo 3 is locked at 30fps the game will look glorious even in the hugest battles when the shit hits the fan.

    Onto the article, it is rather sad that it has become so popular for ignorant people to bash Halo just for the sake of hating on things that so many people like a lot. Halo 3 will be one of the greatest games ever in many people's minds, and will be my favorite game of all time judging solely on how amazing the BETA was. All you haters, just don't buy the game and leave us fans alone please, no one wants to play with you anyway.

    Halo 3 will do what a great sequel should, keep what is great about the first games and improve on the parts that weren't so great, and end the story in an incredibly epic fashion. The reason Halo 3 might look like Halo 2 to some of you is that Halo 2 was a great looking game and still isn't bad looking even when compared to some of these "next-gen" games. Halo 3 isn't going to redefine the art-style of Halo, it will still be Halo, just much more vibrant and more detail and all around better textures. Besides those improvements I really don't see what more you could expect? Should they take away all the colors but grey and make it like all these new dark "next-gen" shooters? No, that isn't Halo, that is Gears of War.

    I'll be happy with my 10+ mile draw distance, 4 person online campaign coop, massive customization in multiplayer, saved films, FORGE, new equipment/weapons/vehicles/graphics, and finishing this fight.

  • solidred #158 5 years ago

    polymorph, I will ofcourse buy it but are you telling me that reviews don't matter?
    Some people will not sure about a game so they will wait for the review before buying it. For me, something like BioShock is something I need to a review to find out more from since I haven't played the game. Judging from the early reviews it should be good.

    Halo interms hype is the most hyped game, obviously this doesn't make it a great game.

  • Lea #159 5 years ago

    Ok, just to clarify some facts:

    1) That the preview doesn't sound as wellwritten as the previews you are used to from Tom, Kristan etc. is because it was originally a german one. We tried to translate all details from the german preview (2 pages full of text) into english, but due to the language-barrier and my "incompetence" when it comes to halo, there happened some mistakes (actually there was only one!!!) here and there. Ive tried to sort it out today with krudster, thats why some changes were made in the text... Ie: Blame me.

    2) Halo 3 doesn't look like Halo 2 (at least not as negative as you make it sound), but this level here gave you a pretty familiar feeling because of its terraint, shape etc. It could have been a map from Halo 2 - that is the conclussion. And yes, the graphics of this level weren't as stunning as the ones from the level shown on the E3 - which also came with the sparse landscape. Nothing really spectaculary, but not bad or something.

    3) "Preview with negative sound" - actually it wasn't a negative preview at all. Yes, there was a lack of "big surprises", but on the other hand they didn't mess with the stuff that was great about the game before.

  • ralphwolfenstein #160 5 years ago

    Y'know, I don't think The Guardian's code of ethics lets you edit published articles on the fly without at least acknowledging the 'corrections'

  • Ace_McCloud #161 5 years ago

    Thanks for your patience Lea and for taking the time to try and satisfy the lot of us... its fair to say we're a fickle lot, and I doth my cap to you for trying...

    Back to complaining: how about the animations? I would like to express my concerns about those, who's with me!?!?

  • Ywap #162 5 years ago

    @ ebase131

    Locked doesn´t mean it can´t go below 30. And i totally disagree when you say that 30 is more than enough. 30 feels jerky and ruins the experience of a game for me personally.
    Edited by 1 at 06/08/07 @ 18:38

  • Psychotext #163 5 years ago

    Ywap: Locked at 30 should mean that it can't go below 30 as the engine will be geared to start taking out some background detail etc to ease the strain under load. Depends on the engine though obviously.

    As for 30fps... depends on the type of game but with modern use of motion blur a game that's slow like Halo would be fine. If it was UT then obviously 30fps would suck, same for racing games too.

  • ebase131 #164 5 years ago

    @ Ywap

    lol.......ummm, locked actually does mean that. Locked at 30fps means it can not go below that, and it will not be twitchy at all. Have you played the BETA?

  • Ywap #165 5 years ago

    @ Psychotext

    Not to be an ass, but i have yet to see a game that´s "locked" at 30 that never dips. I agree that it SHOULD work like you wrote:

    "Locked at 30 should mean that it can't go below 30 as the engine will be geared to start taking out some background detail etc to ease the strain under load."

    As for motion blur, trying to hide those low framerates with motion blur looks like crap if you ask me. A smeary mess :(

    Again, not trying to be an a-hole here. Just speaking my mind :)

  • Ywap #166 5 years ago

    @ ebase131

    Nope, not interested in multi player :)
    Edited by 1 at 06/08/07 @ 19:01

  • ebase131 #167 5 years ago

    @Ywap

    Well Halo is pretty well known for its amazing multiplayer experience. I played the BETA, and it was "locked at 30fps" and I never ever experienced a drop in framerate. I'm pretty sure when they (Bungie) say "locked at 30fps" they mean locked at 30fps. We shall see in the retail version, but I would imagine they have planned out even the worse case scenarios and have made sure they don't become choppy framerates.

  • Ywap #168 5 years ago

    @ ebase131

    It´s probably locked then. When developers say 30 or 60, most of the time they´re capped, not locked.

    Anyway, i´m still not satisfied with 30 locked, i can´t help it :)

    Gears of War was a horrible mess @ 30 with drops and motion blur.




  • ebase131 #169 5 years ago

    @ Ywap

    Well, Gears was a mess as far as a few things, otherwise it was a pretty good game and pretty despite the SHORT draw distances and low enemies on screen and such.

    Halo 3 will be much much better I believe.

  • Ywap #170 5 years ago

    Yeah, i also believe that Halo 3 will be a much better game. Heck, both 1 and 2 were better games than Gears. To be honest, i think Gears sucked with boring cover system gameplay and clumsy controls. I prefer Halo style with jumping and ducking myself.

    Combat evolved :)

  • captainrentboy #171 5 years ago

    Bloody hell, this preview slid down the page rather rapidly. I only caught it by chance :/ You'd think they'd keep it up the top for a while, being as important a title as this is.
    Anyway the preview seemed fair enough, although I think the game itself should be reviewed by an EG staff member who is an actual Halo fan, rather than someone who doesn't really 'get' it, and is neither here nor there on the franchise.
    Edge were really laying on the love for the game in this month's edition, which is strange, as usually they're kind of hard to please. Infact their feature on it was faaar more in depth, and just an overall better read, than OXM's was.
    Anyway, unless there are some pretty big game wrecking problems with the title when it's finally released, I can't see this getting much less than a 7 from any review source.
    Will EG be giving two separate scores, as I think I recall them doing with G.O.W? As Halo's multi-player is usually as, if not more, important to most folk than its Campaign is.
    And it's a definite purchase for me, no matter what.

  • Xerx3s #172 5 years ago

    Do Video Games make us whiney?

    Yes.

    Halo 2 getting 9/10 was just poor reviewing.

    I don't know. A game that is still played today by enormous amounts of people must have done something right.

  • Xerx3s #173 5 years ago

    Well, Gears was a mess as far as a few things, otherwise it was a pretty good game and pretty despite the SHORT draw distances and low enemies on screen and such.

    Played the mines part? Nothing short about that I would say.

  • FooAtari #174 5 years ago

    "I prefer Halo style with jumping and ducking myself.

    Combat evolved :)"

    Yeah, cause no FPS did that before...

  • ebase131 #175 5 years ago

    @ Xerx3s

    Compared to miles and miles of draw distance? Yeah, that is really short draw distance.

  • Yossarian #176 5 years ago

    Anyway the preview seemed fair enough, although I think the game itself should be reviewed by an EG staff member who is an actual Halo fan, rather than someone who doesn't really 'get' it, and is neither here nor there on the franchise.

    well good luck finding one!

  • Yossarian #177 5 years ago

    although to be fair to them they seem to be aware of the problem themselves, hence most of their Halo 3 preview material being freelance or farmed-out, in the good sense.

  • Lea #178 5 years ago

    an EG staff member who is an actual Halo fan,

    As i said many times before Gregor actually IS a halo-fan and if you "could" read the german version of the preview you would see it in every line. (he even speaks about the absolutely bombastic gameplay and all this) Hence he believed the guys at the presentation telling him "oh, and we got this new feature here with the radar"... No matter how long you work in the job, sometimes you "forget" about lil details here and there or believe in what peeps are telling you - happens to everyone, everywhere.

    And btw: Being a freelancer doesn't mean one is a bad writer, in germany most online-writers are freelancers anyway :)

    Edit: Ups, i wrong code used :)
    Edited by 1 at 06/08/07 @ 21:13

  • FooAtari #179 5 years ago

    are you being serious Yossarian?

    A very gushing Halo 2 review was written by a current staff writer. Anyway, does "not being a fan" mean you can't judge weather the game is good or not? Surely getting a "fan" of the series to reivew might mean we end up with a biased review or an inflated score?

    Of course there is always the chance that whatever score the review gets, it's acutally genuine and based on reviewing the game as a stand alone title, as it should be. Story aside, the quality (weather good or bad) of Halo 1 and 2 should not come into things.

    If there is one thing I hate about games forums it's fanboys and their conspirancy theories.....
    Edited by 1 at 06/08/07 @ 21:16

  • fluff_the_tiger #180 5 years ago

    "eurogamer will just find out what edge are rating it at from one of their freelancers then adjusts the score -1 if they don't like it or keep it the same if they do."

    Oh shut up, fuckwit.

    It's a couple of numbers at the end of a review, the content is what matters. And it's an opinion, if you don't agree, no big deal. So long as the factual parts of the review are correct you have no grounds for complaint. Are people really so insecure that they need the opinion of a reviewer to match their own?


    What has this got to do with what I think sometimes does occur here especially with the anticipated titles?

  • Lea #181 5 years ago

    @FooAtari: You absolutely speak my mind.

    We once had that problem on eg.de with Final Fantasy XII. Me being an huge fan of the series i was really pissed about all the changes the game went through. Knowing i couldnt give a fair rating i handed the game down to someone who wasnt as biased as me.... In the case of Halo 3: Best would be to have one who knows Halo in every detail and pixel vs. one who knows the game and played it a bit but isn't marked down with fanboy-branding.

  • ebase131 #182 5 years ago

    Yeah Halo 3 will be an amazing game, one of the best of all time indeed.

  • Ywap #183 5 years ago

    @ FooAtari

    That was more of a joke :)

    I´m a pc gamer myself, spoiled with solid framerates and precise controls. It´s expensive, but quality costs. Console gaming is a great low cost alternative though.

  • krudster #184 5 years ago

    Man, you've got to love the conspiracy theories - especially the one about wating to see what scores games get. I can guarantee that we almost never hear what a game has scored elsewhere before it goes live here, so that's never going to influence our thinking. Indeed, for most of the really big games, we publish our reviews at the exact same time as everyone else.



    Edited by 1 at 06/08/07 @ 23:11

  • Yossarian #185 5 years ago

    to be clear, I am not theorising conspiratorially u guyz. I don't think EG has any kind of agenda with their scores, I just think it's clear from a lot of comments, previews, news articles -- and yes, reviews -- over the years that they're not big Halo fans. that's not a conspiracy, it's a preference, and I respect it.

  • FooAtari #186 5 years ago

    @ Yawp. Fair enough :)

    PC is my favoured platform too. I'm a huge sim racing fan, and nothing on a console can come close to Grand Prix Legends, rFactor, Live for Speed etc. Also love my FPS', with games like Half-Life 2 and a keybaord and mouse, Halo doesnt stand a chance ;-)

    @Lea, it's a hard balance to get I guess. I suppose ideally you want someone who likes FPS games but isn't a huge fan of Halo in particular, I guess then it would get a pretty fair and balanced review, maybe... Truth is though, with a game like this, you can't win. The comments thread is going to explode with fanboys frothing at the mouth and breaking keyboards no matter what you give it.

    Know what you should do, drop the scores. I've been waiting for someone to do it for so long, then people actually have to read the content of the review and cust just jump into the forum and claim that

    "EG ARE TEH HALO HATERS!!! 8(or 7 or whatever)/10 IS A CRAP SCORE, 9/10 EASILY!!!!111!!1!!!"

    or the opposite if you score it highly when you will then become Halo/360 biased fan boys/girls

    But on the positive side it usually makes for highly amusing reading

  • Lea #187 5 years ago

    Truth is though, with a game like this, you can't win. The comments thread is going to explode with fanboys frothing at the mouth and breaking keyboards no matter what you give it.

    Yup :) Always been like this, always will be :)

    About dropping the score: I would love to do it. But i doubt that our readers would like that step - and they are the bosses :)

    @Yossarian: In case you haven't noticed. Gregor doesn't belong to eurogamer.net, he belongs to my gang :)

  • anamenos #188 5 years ago

    I am looking forward for FIFA08 and HALO3 :p

  • Batman2100 #189 5 years ago

    I didn't even read the preview. I didn't look for comments on radar. I didn't go searching for info on framerates. I just came straight in here to read the comments, coz they're the best entertainment I can get in my office.

    @afghan_jones: dude, seriously, standup comedy is your calling.

    Right, now i'll go read the damn thing.

  • afghan_jones #190 5 years ago

    @batman2100

    Cheers mate, but I doubt theres a huge market for nerdy videogame injokes.

    Shouting jokes about Master Chief and Console wars to the average room of punters is likely to end in a bottling.

  • Lutz #191 5 years ago

    Oh I dunno. You could be the evenings entertainment for LAN parties. :)

  • afghan_jones #192 5 years ago

    "Oh I dunno. You could be the evenings entertainment for LAN parties. :)"


    Stripping in front of a bunch of nerds isnt really my thing. Although the money was good last time I did it...

  • Lutz #193 5 years ago

    With a Lara Croft thong on and some Sonic boxers? You'd be minted mate.

  • Batman2100 #194 5 years ago

    Did you steal my sonic boxers???

  • bushwod #195 5 years ago

    I though the Brute Chopper was a helicopter, not a m030r8ik3

    :-(

  • Xerx3s #196 5 years ago

    Man, you've got to love the conspiracy theories - especially the one about wating to see what scores games get. I can guarantee that we almost never hear what a game has scored elsewhere before it goes live here, so that's never going to influence our thinking. Indeed, for most of the really big games, we publish our reviews at the exact same time as everyone else.

    I think you should let shinji do the review. Would be funny to read the comments sections on that alone. ;)

  • Xerx3s #197 5 years ago

    In fact, the best way to silence all is to have one review by a halo fan and another by a hater. Add those sentiments and divide them by 2. Should be pretty much spoton.

  • krudster #198 5 years ago

    The paranoia in Halo terms is such that *unless* you think it's a 10/10 you're a 'hater' (god I loathe that term). How about 'I like it, it's really good, but it doesn't blow me away because of XYZ'. There's a serious need to chill the hell out when it comes to Halo.

  • Carrybagma #199 5 years ago

    @krudster: Is that guy who gave a game 'Awesome!/10' still on your books? Please let him do it.

  • Ywap #200 4 years ago

    Well....

    So much for the "locked" at 30 fps.

    The usual story, capped at 30 with drops and motion blur. Anyone surprised?