Halo 3 unveiled

By Tom Bramwell Published 30 October, 2006

Weapons, maps, vehicles, more.

Concrete details about Halo 3 have started to appear on the Internet after Bungie invited a few magazine people round for tea and Blood Gulch, with subscriber issues of Swedish magazine LEVEL revealing weapon, vehicle, level, control and collector's edition details. The latter sounds particularly eye-catching - or should we say 'head-catching', since it apparently includes a replica Spartan helmet.

Halo 3 will see the introduction of several new weapons, Bungie told LEVEL, including a Spartan Laser - a tricky-to-use tool that has the power to disable vehicles in one shot - and Brute spike grenades and spikers. The former will stick to walls and shoot out nails when they explode, which is nice. Apparently secondary weapons like the spiker - reportedly a melee weapon - will be visible strapped to the player model's back, too.

Vehicles-wise, Halo 3 sees the introduction of the Mongoose, a quad bike that can carry two people but lacks weapons, and was originally slated for inclusion in Halo 2.

The preview also introduces three new levels - Valhalla, High Ground and Snowbound, which are likened to Blood Gulch, Zanzibar and Frost Bite respectively - while multiplayer modes will also benefit from something playfully dubbed the Man Cannon (it sounds a bit like an aimable bounce-pad), and the X button will be given new, unspecified multiplayer functionality. Some speculation suggests you'll use it to grab an enemy's gun, although there's no confirmation of that. Meanwhile, the reload function will shift to the left and right bumper buttons (LB and RB) so that you can reload left and right weapons individually.

Finally, there's news on the contents of the Halo 3 "Legendary Edition", which will consist of four DVDs' worth of content and, amusingly, a replica Spartan helmet. So what's on those four discs? Well, the game, obviously, and then documentaries and developer commentaries, bonus material like Red vs. Blue episodes, and cut-scenes from Halo 1 to 3 in high-definition. There will also be some sort of Halo film trailer located in the package.

Bungie hasn't posted any of this information on its website, but it has confirmed that magazine previews will be hitting around now and ordered its fans not to post scanned images on its forum. So don't, eh?

Picture of Tom.

About Tom Bramwell

Tom is Operations director of Eurogamer Network and Editor-at-Large of Eurogamer.net. He joined the company in February 2000. Follow him on Twitter.

Read more articles from Tom by visiting the Tom Bramwell archive page.

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Comments (57) Latest comment 6 years ago

Comments for this article are now closed, but please feel free to continue chatting on the forum!

  • GrandpaUlrira #1 6 years ago

    OOooo... This is exciting.

  • Bitkari #2 6 years ago

    "So what's on those four discs?"

    Pure profit, baby.

  • thinktank #3 6 years ago

    WTF do i do with a spartan helmet??

    No innuendos please, its too early.

  • Steroyd #4 6 years ago

    I thought the screens were artwork....

    that spike grenade sounds familiar though... i wonder where i've heard a similar grenade...

    /ponders.

  • jack_klugman #5 6 years ago

    Man cannon.

    /titter

  • thinktank #6 6 years ago

    I can't stand all the "meh" comments, its like interupting someones conversation to annouce that you have no opinion!??

    save both your and my time and f*ck off please.

  • Xerx3s #7 6 years ago

    4 discs = 1 game disc + 3 bonus discs.

    I wonder what kind of all new MP things are going to be in the game. It seems that the only MP game that can top H2 will be H3...

  • #8 6 years ago

    "meeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeehhhhhhhhhhhhh"

    The irony in this post does not go undetected.

    Halo 3 will have to impress the shit out of me, as I feel Halo 2 let me down in many ways.

  • Blerk #9 6 years ago

    Finally, there's news on the contents of the Halo 3 "Legendary Edition", which will consist of four DVDs' worth of content

    Man, they should've put a Blu-Ray drive in there or someth... aargh!

    /thud

  • ProtoformX #10 6 years ago

    A helmet? How big is the box gonna be?! I hope there's a smaller game box in there so that it'll sit on my DVD shelves. I don't think it's such a goiod idea - sitting there in shorts, t-shirt and Spartan helmet would look VERY silly.
    I'm not sure what to make of these developer comments and suchlike we're getting now. I don't mind a little half-hour show or something with some interviews, but I pray the game industry doesn't go the way of DVDs and start having extras that are about five times the length of the game itself.
    One thing I did like about the Halo 2 special edition was the way the manual was written from a Covenant perspective whereas the regular edition was written in a humna perspective. I think seeing images of this set will clinch it for me whether I go for regular or special edition.

  • SeesThroughAll #11 6 years ago

    Finally, there's news on the contents of the Halo 3 "Legendary Edition", which will consist of four DVDs' worth of content

    Sure, then by next Christmas, it will be re-released in HD-DVD. ;)

  • AcidSnake #12 6 years ago

    /Thinks about the spartan helmet

    /Suddenly knows how to dress up for halloween

  • brooza #13 6 years ago

    If you don't want the helmet etc, just buy the normal edition, not the Legendary edition

  • crazyhorse174 #14 6 years ago

    Err...if you think the idea of a Spartan Helmet and an over-sized box is a bit silly, then heres some advice...

    ...DONT BUY THE BLOODY LIMITED EDITION VERSION THEN!!!

    Just buy the normal version. Jeez...no-ones forcing you to buy it.

  • Xerx3s #15 6 years ago

    Btw, afaik, there are going to be three editions: A normal one, a LE (like the H2 tin case version) and a Legendary version (helmet). The second is imo the most appealing.

  • McBradders #16 6 years ago

    Nooo, I want the Helmet. I especially want to be able to -wear- the helmet while playing. That would be... special.

  • Carpathian #17 6 years ago

    "....includes a replica Spartan helmet...."

    What, as opposed to a *real* one ? Sorry to break it to you but...........


    I feel like I've just told you Father Christmas doesn't exist - sorry ;o)

  • Nithron #18 6 years ago

    Somehow I doubt the helmet will actually be full size.
    Uh.. that's just the impression I get. I don't work at Bungie or anything.

  • haowan #19 6 years ago

    If you don't want the Spartan helmet, there's probably something wrong with your brains.

  • PearOfAnguish #20 6 years ago

    New maps? That means Bungie needs new keyboards, because they've worn out the ctrl, c and v keys.

  • Rambaldi #21 6 years ago

    THE REAL NEXT GEN BEGINS WHEN MASTER CHIEF SAYS SO!

    /wishes he'll also stick a plasma grenade up Phil Harrisons butt ;)

  • linkster #22 6 years ago

    where's the frickin online co-op?

  • Xerx3s #23 6 years ago

    I think that that will be one of the new MP functions. Surely it's a must now if they want to retain their title of King of online console games...

  • peterfll #24 6 years ago

    I'm only interested in the single player or co-op modes.

    \Sometimes thinks I am alone in the world.

  • Baz_Dude #25 6 years ago

    The scanned images are running on Halo 2 texture and graphics so take them with a grain of salt. The real screens are going to be similar to the Trailer because the trailer was actually running on the game engine

  • GrandpaUlrira #26 6 years ago

    I only played through Halo in Co-op. Single-player or other multiplayer has no appeal to me. Working through the game with someone was a lot more fun.

  • Jo0j #27 6 years ago

    co-op...co-op...co-op...co-op...

  • onyxbox #28 6 years ago

    Halo 2's single player was very dissapointing compared to the first Halo game.

    I hope they get it righth this time.

  • MasterGrief #29 6 years ago

    Watch the 360 gimps..sorry fans wet their pants over a mediocre FPS which they have to pay for to play online. Everone else can sit back and laugh safe in the knowledge that they can play better FPS's on the PC right now for free and later on the PS3 and Wii as well

  • dk_rare #30 6 years ago

    Both Halo 1 and 2 were fun. Co-op ftw though, I probably wouldn't have bought either without that

  • Negotiator #31 6 years ago

    Come on you know the song sing along, (Rocky tune) Halo 3 Halo 3 da da daaaaa Halo 3, Halo 3 3 3 3eeeeeee, Halo 3 yeah!!!!!!!!!

  • Baz_Dude #32 6 years ago

    MasterGrief: Halo is in fact one of the Best FPS games and your just gonna have to live with that :D

    I'm happy to pay for online play because i ain't a tight ass and the service is good value. Also, PC games are so bland, no one talks very often and its a rather silent game area (my experience) Live is much funner and it has Halo 3 :D

  • Xerx3s #33 6 years ago

    Another option for H3 MP should be that matchmaking can be specified to age, country and mental capacity. It would make life just that much better.

  • JediMasterMalik #34 6 years ago

    Mental Capacity... LMAO.

    I'm shocked by how people creamed themselves over this new, Halo is hardly the greatest gaming experience ever now is it? It's fun, ad it's a greqat game, but jesus christ it's overhyped.

    I hope to god those mag scans wern't what the final game'll look like, it looks like Halo 2, I barely see any difference. Though it could just be the art design.

  • Mashum #35 6 years ago

    Will the helmet have a mike in it for multiplayer?!

  • alexg #36 6 years ago

    "multiplayer modes will also benefit from something playfully dubbed the Man Cannon"

    Man Cannon lol

  • matrim83 #37 6 years ago

    Helmet! Haha what a totally fucking stupid idea.

    /Secretly starts putting money away to get a whole suit made to use with the helmet.

  • NthSimulachum #38 6 years ago

    How exactly will you be able to see through the gold reflected coated visor?

    Come to think of it, how did a certain naval petty officer?

    We should be told.

  • JediMasterMalik #39 6 years ago

    Anyone wearing this alone will look like a complete tard, why not rerlease a full plastic suit for an extra 30, 40 bucks?

  • DrDamn #40 6 years ago

    Erm, and a person in a full outfit won't look like a tard?

  • Xerx3s #41 6 years ago

    Sure, it's a bold statement, but with all the erections over completely overrated online play I can see Bungie completely shunning offline multiplayer fans, and instead focusing on an aspect of the market a lot of people don't care for.

    So what did those reporters see then? -_-

  • kangarootoo #42 6 years ago

    "its like interupting someones conversation to annouce that you have no opinion!?? "

    Seconded. A post of "meh" just making no cocking sense at all.


    "I only played through Halo in Co-op. Single-player or other multiplayer has no appeal to me. Working through the game with someone was a lot more fun."

    So so true. I can't even remember when I last played either of the Halo games in single player mode. And the first time I ever laid hands on Halo 1 was in co-op game.

  • JediMasterMalik #43 6 years ago

    Erm, and a person in a full outfit won't look like a tard?

    Note, I said complete.

    Having a full suit would at least make you look like a partial tard...

    ...that's ironic. ;)
    Edited by JediMasterMalik at 30/10/06 @ 14:21

  • kangarootoo #44 6 years ago

    "Anyone wearing this alone will look like a complete tard, why not release a full plastic suit for an extra 30, 40 bucks?"

    LOL, God thats funny.

  • stoopidgreg #45 6 years ago

    is this the start of multiple disc games for the 360?

  • Xerx3s #46 6 years ago

    is this the start of multiple disc games for the 360?

    Is this the end of reading articles and thinking before posting? What part of extra content such as episodes, trailers, making of stuff, etc. don't you understand?

    Having a full suit would at least make you look like a partial tard...

    But he will look like a tard in a FULL POWERED BODY ARMOUR SUIT, BLASTING EVERYTHING AWAY WHILE LOOKING COOL!

    AMERICA! FUCK YEAH! COMING AGAIN TO SAVE THE MOTHERFUCKING DAY YEAH!

    Sorry, for some reason that image just keeps popping into my head whenever I hear about halo after that Halo wars trailer. :D
    Edited by Xerx3s at 30/10/06 @ 15:46

  • captainrentboy #47 6 years ago

    Ahhh if the 360 had Blu-Ray it wouldn't need three bonus discs,it would all go on one mega fantastic disc,and that my friends is what next-gen is about.... :)
    I was one of those saps who was initially dissapointed by the Halo 3 scans,then I stopped being an ignoramus and actually read that they were infact using mainly Halo 2 textures as placeholders or some shit for that muliti-player bash.
    I want a bloody Spartan helmet too,although I can't see it fitting over my inhuman noggin.

  • The-Bodybuilder #48 6 years ago

    >"New maps? That means Bungie needs new keyboards, because they've worn out the ctrl, c and v keys."

    What a nerdy joke.
    Hang your head in shame. ;-)

  • The-Bodybuilder #49 6 years ago

    >"all the erections..."

    hehe

    >"Sorry, for some reason that image just keeps popping into my head whenever I hear about halo after that Halo wars trailer. :D"

    TEAM AMERICAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA.

  • JediMasterMalik #50 6 years ago

    I AM THE MASTERCHEIF...

    ...I'LL BE BACK...

    ...WITH MANY FANS DRESSED LIKE TARDSS!!

    (all in an arnie voice)

  • Jesus: Action Figure #51 6 years ago

    I don't think you'll be able to actually wear the Spartan Helmet.

    Think of it like the multi-disc version of the Alien Quadrilogy on DVD that was housed within an Alien Head as a case.

    Methinks that's the more likely option...

  • CHAZBIGPOTATO #52 6 years ago

    "I hope to god those mag scans wern't what the final game'll look like, it looks like Halo 2, I barely see any difference."

    I agree and I wonder what new things this version is going to bring, because it looks really samey. Even the vehicles and master cheif character models look like Halo 2, in fact are they sure this isn't screenshots of a PC version of Halo 2? Did anyone bother to translate the Swedish text? ;-)

  • brooza #53 6 years ago

    Did anyone bother to translate the Swedish text? ;-) Did anyone bother to read the article? They're using the Halo 2 textures etc. The article says that.

  • GitSomE_UK #54 6 years ago

    I guess many fans can't wait to polish the Master Chiefs helmet.

  • Muddtallica #55 6 years ago

    Hmm...I really that it would have been better to wait for E3 or something and done a huge unveiling, instead of letting bits trickle out, because details like "new weapons" or "a new vehicle" make it just sound like any old two-bit "now with new hat!" sequel. Which I hope it won't be.

    That said, I'm definitely getting me one of those limited edition boxes. I don't have a 360 yet or anything, but I want that Spartan helmet, so I can show up for lectures/job interviews wearing it.

  • CHAZBIGPOTATO #56 6 years ago

    Did anyone bother to read the article? They're using the Halo 2 textures etc. The article says that.


    Still can't see it...must be going blind

  • Lockjaw #57 6 years ago

    How about the REAL issue here, it's not fooking unveiled wtf is this breeze, show me a real image or summik ya know.

    TINY amount of info released would of been more accurate.