Battlefield Earth

Game: Halo 3
System: Xbox 360
Release date: September 25, 2007
Developed by: Bungie
Published by: Microsoft

When Halo: Combat Evolved arrived on the scene in 2001, it changed an entire genre. Three years later, Microsoft released Halo 2 and forever altered multiplayer expectations. Halo 3, which rounds out the trilogy, is an excellent game, but never reaches the high levels established by its two predecessors. If this review seems unfairly critical of Halo 3, it's only because of the extraordinary qualities of Halo and Halo 2.

Warning: The following summary may contain spoilers for those who have played neither Halo nor Halo 2.

Set shortly after the cliffhanger ending of Halo 2, Halo 3 follows the genetically-enhanced supersoldier Master Chief in his campaign to reclaim Earth from the Covenant, a confederation of hostile alien species, stop a parasitic lifeform from ravaging the galaxy and prevent an array of "Halos" from annihilating every living thing in the universe. Aiding him are several allies from the first and second Halo games, including Sgt. Major Johnson, Miranda Keyes, the Arbiter, and Cortana, the artificial intelligence missing in action since the end of Halo 2.


The one-player campaign in Halo 3 is typically exciting, engaging and mysterious. Because it's essentially similar to the earlier Halo campaigns, Bungie introduced some new enemies, weapons and vehicles to prevent any sense of stagnation. Halo 3 also, for the first time, allows players to use special items, including deployable cover, flares and "bubble shields."

The centerpiece of Halo 3, however, is its multiplayer modes, which continue the tradition of excellence established in Halo 2. Players can join online multiplayer matches, create custom games across a system link or play split-screen games with friends at home. Halo 3 features all the standard multiplayer modes, including deathmatches, king of the hill, etc. As players get kills and earn wins, their overall ranking increases, leading to ranked matches against tougher opponents.

Although Halo and Halo 2 dominated the Xbox for its lifespan, the franchise has lost some ground to its competition on the Xbox 360. Halo 3 is neither the best shooter (BioShock) nor the game with the best graphics (Gears of War). It is only one of several great games for Microsoft's latest console, and no longer the trendsetter.

Score: 96/100