Halo 3's history with me didn't have as much history as the two previous games had. Sure I was hyped about it. I mean, this was supposed to resolve the series, finish the story, and be the best game overall. Who wouldn't be in my position?
In May 2007, I graduated high school, and was gifted around eight hundred dollars in graduation gifts. Some of that went to clothes, some of went to books, but the large bulk of it went to an Xbox 360 and Halo 3. I pre-ordered the game at my local GameStop, as I knew they'd be open that night, and purchased my 360 Elite, which has yet to Red Ring on me...*runs to hit wood*.
September 24th, in a throng of teenage and twenty-something males, I alone was the only female waiting for this game. You find this out pretty quick if you're in that position. Thus far, it's been the only game I've ever waited and will only wait in line for, not because it's Halo, but because that was stupid of me. Especially since I had a chem exam the next morning, but off topic.
How many girls do you see?
The first time I put the game in, I had a feeling of awe very few games have ever caused in me (Mass Effect, The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker and Twilight Princess, and Prince of Persia: The Two Thrones being the only others). I expected so much from this game, and I got a lot of it.
The story was the only way the last part of the series could have played out. It had interesting twists, and it was very sad to see some characters go. The final scene is one of the few that has stirred me to grieve a character (my dog in Fable 2 and Galuf in FFV). Without ruining too much, the game takes place mostly on Earth and the Forerunner Arc, as John and the Arbiter rush to take down the Prophet of Truth and the Gravemind once and for all.
This one is narrated in large part by Cortana. Why is never explained really, but it's nice as it bookends the levels fairly well. While in level, John also has flashes of her, which don't really make sense save in two levels. This is supposed to make up for her absence in this game, however, it doesn't really feel like it.
Why did they waste so much time on this awesome character model when she was barely in it...*tear*
All the main characters and villains were back. John, The Arbiter (and yes, I know his name is Dervish, but unlike John, no one calls him that), Cortana, Sergeant Johnson, Miranda Keyes, Lord Admiral Hood, The Prophet of Truth, 343 Guilty Spark, and Gravemind. Fleetmaster "Split Jaw" is back, too, but he's pretty unimportant throughout. When all is said and done, the fatalities amongst this list are pretty high.
Gameplay had changed from the prequel, though not much. Now there were auxilary weapons, like turrets, that could be carried around as a third, much more powerful weapon. Also, their were aid items introduced, like the Bubble Shield, which changed the scenery of the may in you favor (if used correctly) for a short time. The final addition that changed things up were two new grenade types limited the amount of grenades you could carry of each type. Still, throwing flaming napalm at someone makes me giggle.
If I hit you with one of these, you're gonna die.
Getting in and out of vehicles and picking up weapons button has been hanged to account for the aid items, but you can adjust quickly. Just be careful when going back and forth between the previous games and this one, as it is a tad jarring.
The game looks amazing, end of story. It's not the best game on the system, nor the best out there right now, but for what it is...wow. The character models are awesome (hair is still an issue, but oh well). The attention to detail in design of settings and objects is just plain astounding. There's only been two FPS as pretty, it's sequel and Bioshock, to me.
Just check out the opening cutsene...
...it's pretty.
Sound quality also took a major jump. Even more big name voice actors and actual actors started working on the series. Half the cast of Firefly, one of my favorite series, was featured in Halo 3...they were even carried over to ODST in which they played most of the main characters, something I found very awesome.
Music got even better, too. So much so, that it's safe to say that the best music in the series comes from this one game. One Final Effort is just...it's so appropriate, and remixes the series previous theme in full orchestral splendor. However, Martin O'Donnell outdid himself with The Storm/This is the Hour.
My favorite though, is Never Forget. I don't know why...it just encompasses the lament at the end of the game for those lost, the hope for what was gained, and the freedom they have for the future. Silent, though forever soldiering on.
So...this has been pretty much a love letter thus far...but I said Halo 3, too...hmmm. Oh right, the multiplayer.
I hate the multiplayer for one major reason. I hate Xbox Live. Now, don't get me wrong, it's an amazing system, and it does what it's supposed to do by allowing gamers play with others around the world, but...the other gamers...Penny Arcade's "Greater Internet Fuckwad Theory" covers it best.
Between rage quits, bad teamwork, wannabe Tourettes patients, and annoying, little douche bags who think they're awesome because they're playing an adult game, it's just unbearable. Maybe one day, we'll grow up as a community, but right now, I'm not seeing it, so if you see me in a game, and you start acting an ass, I will mute you, and if you start betraying, I'm gone if you're not. Plain and simple and I tell them in my Live Profile, because I try to be as nice as possible about it.
However, I keep going back, because the multiplayer is FUN! Something I didn't actually get from Modern Warfare when I played it.
So, let me know what you think. I still need ideas for Part V, so get them to me soon.
-Sara
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