Halo 3

 Xbox 360
User Score
8.2

Generally favorable reviews- based on 5503 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 4,271 out of 5503
  2. Mixed: 542 out of 5503
  3. Negative: 690 out of 5503
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  1. PatrickPickett
    Dec 3, 2008
    9
    Halo 3 succeeds in online play, however the campaign was absolutely not on par with the online. The campaign felt rushed, and incomplete, which is strange for a game that is supposedly the end of an epic trilogy. The online experience saves this game from me giving an 8, or possibly even a 7.
  2. RussleD.
    Dec 9, 2008
    10
    A great game, the gameplay was flawless, the graphics were fine, but for a next gen game, i would have expected more. Graphics are not everything as this game proofed it by the great gameplay and many features. I can't wait for the expansion, even tho the game has excellent replay value.
  3. AdamM.
    Jan 4, 2008
    10
    Fantastic, better than all the other FPS games as a whole, has so many extra multiplayer parts, longetivity elements, and fun, that it will keep you playing for years to come.
  4. DylanL.
    Feb 1, 2008
    10
    Just a few tweaks from perfection, but those tweaks are minor ones so its still prime.
  5. Juggernaut
    Feb 15, 2008
    6
    Now don't get me wrong, this is a good game, but it is really just the same old thing that Bungie has been coming out with for the last few years. Even though the single player campaign really isn't that great this time around. The only thing that makes the game worth while is the multiplayer. It is a fairly small multiplayer game though considering it can only support 16 Now don't get me wrong, this is a good game, but it is really just the same old thing that Bungie has been coming out with for the last few years. Even though the single player campaign really isn't that great this time around. The only thing that makes the game worth while is the multiplayer. It is a fairly small multiplayer game though considering it can only support 16 players in one server, it is still fun though. I am glad to see that Bungie still supports split screen multiplayer. My personal favorite thing to do is play Halo 3 with some friends. Also, I have to admit the enhanced physics and graphics do make the game cooler. The bodies actually move whe you T-bag them!… Expand
  6. PhilA.
    Feb 2, 2008
    10
    Unbelievable game, just stunning! Don't listen to anyone in the comments stating, "OMG Call of Duty 4 owns dis sucky Halo!!!" We call them "fanboys," most of them decided to predetermine Halo 3 as a bad game simply because Halo 2 was the best AND NOWHERE NEAR UNDERDOG STATUS. Call of Duty 4 is it's closest competitor, so most of them decided to support it. Halo 3 earned Unbelievable game, just stunning! Don't listen to anyone in the comments stating, "OMG Call of Duty 4 owns dis sucky Halo!!!" We call them "fanboys," most of them decided to predetermine Halo 3 as a bad game simply because Halo 2 was the best AND NOWHERE NEAR UNDERDOG STATUS. Call of Duty 4 is it's closest competitor, so most of them decided to support it. Halo 3 earned it's spot at the top again, just like the last two iterations BY FAR. Get this amazing game, and ignore the Call of Duty fanboys' useless moaning.… Expand
  7. EricF.
    Feb 5, 2008
    10
    Halo 3 is one of the best games on the 360 I can play. I still don't put it down after hours of enjoyment. I give it a 10 out 10 because it made me leave CoD4 in the dust!
  8. AnonymousMC
    Apr 10, 2008
    6
    I think there is something a lot of people her need to try and understand. Yahtzee surmised it perfectly when he said "a perfect game shouldn't need anything to excuse itself. QED".
    The amount of 10s being thrown around here and then the comments saying "this particular aspect wasn't very good but the mulitplayer PWNS LOL" is ridiculous and these people need to learn how the    I think there is something a lot of people her need to try and understand. Yahtzee surmised it perfectly when he said "a perfect game shouldn't need anything to excuse itself. QED".
    The amount of 10s being thrown around here and then the comments saying "this particular aspect wasn't very good but the mulitplayer PWNS LOL" is ridiculous and these people need to learn how the "out of 10" rating system works. A 10 means perfect, untouchable, no possible faults, hence why only a few games in history deserve this particular title (Super Mario World for instance). Halo 3 is not one of them.
    Don't get me wrong, yes multiplayer is fun, (I particularly enjoy jugurnaught vs cars) but that does not excuse the weak storyline, serious lack of graphical inovation and general average-ness of the game.
    It's not bad... It's just not amazing    … Expand
  9. BenH.
    May 13, 2008
    3
    This game is ok. But It's the same thing everytime I play a new Halo game. Half-Life is so much better. The storyline is so much deeper and more fun. Every game in Half-life leaves me hanging for the next game Halo has never done that. Halo does the some thing and some guns are not that fun to use. And it seems like you'er useing the guns each game they make. Thats why I will This game is ok. But It's the same thing everytime I play a new Halo game. Half-Life is so much better. The storyline is so much deeper and more fun. Every game in Half-life leaves me hanging for the next game Halo has never done that. Halo does the some thing and some guns are not that fun to use. And it seems like you'er useing the guns each game they make. Thats why I will own this game.… Expand
  10. JohnChu
    May 25, 2008
    6
    This game is without a doubt the MOST OVER Hyped game in the history of console. Nothing suggests that it is in anyway remarkable over its predecessor Halo 2 beyond slight graphical improvements. Playthroughs involve a staid but still fun formula. If Rumors are true, Microsoft definitely had a hand in "gifting" magazine publications with positive reviews. Looking at metacritic scores,This game is without a doubt the MOST OVER Hyped game in the history of console. Nothing suggests that it is in anyway remarkable over its predecessor Halo 2 beyond slight graphical improvements. Playthroughs involve a staid but still fun formula. If Rumors are true, Microsoft definitely had a hand in "gifting" magazine publications with positive reviews. Looking at metacritic scores, one can see that 100s are largely in the xbox - centric publications.… Expand
  11. TylerP.
    May 9, 2008
    6
    This game is ok, rather mediocre for all the hype. There was no need to add the garbage (i.e. bubble shields, regenerator, grav lifts, etc.). The maps are just plain mundane and symmetrical. Also, all the weapons have the same effectiveness. In other words, if I have a needler and you have a rocket launcher, I can easily kill you. Some of the new weapons are unnecessary, spiker = pellet This game is ok, rather mediocre for all the hype. There was no need to add the garbage (i.e. bubble shields, regenerator, grav lifts, etc.). The maps are just plain mundane and symmetrical. Also, all the weapons have the same effectiveness. In other words, if I have a needler and you have a rocket launcher, I can easily kill you. Some of the new weapons are unnecessary, spiker = pellet gun, mauler = shotgun, spartan laser = virtually impossible to charge and aim, and missile pod = anti-vehicle rocket launcher from Halo 2. Overall, this game may offer a few new things, but nothing that contributes to the enhancement of gameplay or interest.… Expand
  12. Jon
    Jun 6, 2008
    1
    This game is garbage. The only thing good about it is it's noobfest of a multiplayer which is terrible! I f you want a real gam play gears, that delivers everything from an epic storyline to the most intense multiplayer next to COD4. Halo 3 fnas = noobs, after Halo: Combat Evolved this game went into the toilettes.
  13. jamesr
    Jul 13, 2008
    0
    unrealistic in comparison to cod 4 and no where near as fun! Pathetic attempt at another halo game!
  14. RickyM.
    Aug 6, 2008
    6
    I don't care about it's popularity, in fact it's a good thing. Gigantic online community ensures that you'll always find a game. I just tire of doing the same thing over and over again. 1. Press left trigger and throw grenade at enemy. 2. Run at enemy 3. Hold right trigger. 4. Mash B button when they get close and smack them. Luckiest/First one to do this correctly I don't care about it's popularity, in fact it's a good thing. Gigantic online community ensures that you'll always find a game. I just tire of doing the same thing over and over again. 1. Press left trigger and throw grenade at enemy. 2. Run at enemy 3. Hold right trigger. 4. Mash B button when they get close and smack them. Luckiest/First one to do this correctly wins. Graphics are pretty. Tedious gameplay. Bland weapons make picking up others unnecessary. Feels outdated.… Expand
  15. BirchLancaster
    Oct 10, 2009
    9
    a lot of people have bashed this game, and i don,t know why, this is one of the best FPS game in decades, sure the single player can get a little tired after playthrough number 3 but i still play the multi-player almost every day and keep coming back to it, also i have noticed that the people that say the multi-player is bad and unbalanced and generally bad at it.
  16. NB
    Nov 29, 2009
    10
    This is a great game, but the story a bit too small, not enough play quickly, can only be used outside the plot came to add,the whole, this is a very great game
  17. KierM.
    Jan 10, 2009
    9
    Greatly build game, multiplayer is amazing, I have seen better in the halo franchise but this game surely stands and plays well. Sure the campaign is short and rather repetative, but bungie has created a great franchise. I mean listen to the music! You get a true gaming feeling with the soundtrack! I'd say if there are over one billion hours of halo 3 played, this game deserves a 9.
  18. JordanSamuell
    Jan 20, 2009
    10
    Holy... you guys are fucking retarded I'm laughing at the people who give this a low rate (1-5) you guys have NO idea how good this game is BECAUSE 1.You don't have XBOX LIVE. or 2. You're just mentally retarded because yea... the campaign story line all that shit NO ONE, cares about only you nerds care about, is pretty bad.. but you have no experience what this game is likeHoly... you guys are fucking retarded I'm laughing at the people who give this a low rate (1-5) you guys have NO idea how good this game is BECAUSE 1.You don't have XBOX LIVE. or 2. You're just mentally retarded because yea... the campaign story line all that shit NO ONE, cares about only you nerds care about, is pretty bad.. but you have no experience what this game is like online, freaks...… Expand
  19. jacka.
    Mar 3, 2009
    10
    This game is truly incredible. The gameplay is fun, engaging and fresh and the cutscenes and particularly the music make the story a fantastic end to the Halo trilogy. I cannot think of a better first person shooter I have ever played, on any console. There is no more of a fitting end possible to the trilogy started by a game that brought fps games to the consoles. Goodby Halo, it has This game is truly incredible. The gameplay is fun, engaging and fresh and the cutscenes and particularly the music make the story a fantastic end to the Halo trilogy. I cannot think of a better first person shooter I have ever played, on any console. There is no more of a fitting end possible to the trilogy started by a game that brought fps games to the consoles. Goodby Halo, it has been a fantastic run.… Expand
  20. KeyserS
    May 1, 2009
    0
    This game does not live up to the hype. The controls are poor - ruining a lot of gunplay - it shouldn't be the case that you are *less* accurate aiming with ironsights, than when you shoot from the hip. The maps are large, but badly designed. The engine does them a lot of favours because the environments look great with blowing wind and dust and visibility varies in locations, which This game does not live up to the hype. The controls are poor - ruining a lot of gunplay - it shouldn't be the case that you are *less* accurate aiming with ironsights, than when you shoot from the hip. The maps are large, but badly designed. The engine does them a lot of favours because the environments look great with blowing wind and dust and visibility varies in locations, which is all great. But moving around the maps is very boring and straightforward. There aren't really alternate routes - like players had with movement in CoD4, going over walls, or through crawlspaces. The single player is largely an exercise in patience - fighting the same footsoldiers over and over again, and using the same basic weapons with the same problems (only sniper rifle benefitting from you aiming carefully with it). The cover system is implemented reasonably well - but it is a bit too clunky. Also - the cover system does not apply in multiplayer - so it doesn't matter if it's well done if it's absent. This game doesn't know what it wants to be. Gunplay is worse than CoD4 (a LOT worse) - ranking up wasn't implemented correctly (in a lot of cases in CoD4 you got the best guns at lower classes - mp5, ak47 from start etc), and unlocked cool features that kept the game interesting as you ranked up. In KZ2, you start with crap guns you won't go back to after you rank up, if you bother to stick with the game. I feel like I've wasted my money on this game - it was totally overhyped, and it's inferior to titles from last year. Also, the storyline is terrible, the settings for levels very repetitive, the range of game modes in MP is fine but none of them are fun - none are fast and furious, you'll do well by strategic camping - if you're good enough to play a game that rewards reactions and accuracy, you'll get penalised for that in this game. It's the Xbox360's Killzone - a dumbed down lowest common denominator shooter - but with a lot less variety in terms of weapons, a lot less speed in terms of gameplay, no local multiplayer on split screen.… Expand
  21. TylerM
    May 17, 2009
    10
    Halo 3 is one of best shooters ever released. It is so high on the ladder, its only competition is Call of Duty 4. The campaign, multiplayer, Forge mode, Co-Op and film make it a must have package, all around.
  22. BillyB
    Jun 20, 2009
    3
    Now, I am not a PS3 fanboy, but honestly there are way better Online Fps's on the 360. Team Fortress or Call of duty. Most of the online modes are complete s**t while the story is boring and uninteresting. To all who posted below me and said that "Halo 1-3 is ripped off from a book" it's not. The book is a fan fiction based off of the games.
  23. uncannyuncandy
    Jun 8, 2009
    6
    I gave it a 6.. well ..it is the most fun fps game on the xbox when it comes too co-op...and a good online gameplay*even tho ther are alot of kids flaming in voice chat wich ruins a game very fast* but it still has his old repeditive lvl design.. same charcters ..weapons.. graphics could be better *not saying they are bad* but they could have been alot better...and the story line is just I gave it a 6.. well ..it is the most fun fps game on the xbox when it comes too co-op...and a good online gameplay*even tho ther are alot of kids flaming in voice chat wich ruins a game very fast* but it still has his old repeditive lvl design.. same charcters ..weapons.. graphics could be better *not saying they are bad* but they could have been alot better...and the story line is just to boring to follow imo even tho i enjoyed the sarcasm/funny scenes during the cinematics alot. They realy need too put more effort in the physics aswell.. we are 7th generation where the imposible is posible.. halo3 is still in its 6th generation when it comes too physics. Also..something personal: it bums me out if i read these reviews, poeple saying its as good like half life and bioshock etc..those guys that are saying that are deffo halo fanatics!1 get real and see the facts.. i doubt most of you even ever played the single player. the game is far from great/awesome.. the developers are just rushing everything in my opinion.… Expand
  24. DD
    Jun 9, 2009
    5
    I'm not really interested on evaluating MP aspects of this game since its numbers speak by themselves. So the 5 points came from the average of MP-10/SP-0.
    The single player campaign is just poor. II've felt like playing an 8 years old shooter. The enemies are ridiculous, the storyline doesn't even exist, the vehicles physics behaviour is as they were made with paper, the    I'm not really interested on evaluating MP aspects of this game since its numbers speak by themselves. So the 5 points came from the average of MP-10/SP-0.
    The single player campaign is just poor. II've felt like playing an 8 years old shooter. The enemies are ridiculous, the storyline doesn't even exist, the vehicles physics behaviour is as they were made with paper, the weapons doesn't seem attractive to me, the campaign is short and straightforward.
    A real dissapointment.    … Expand
  25. TylerGodfrey
    Aug 18, 2009
    9
    Forge was a great addition to the game. So, if you don't like the normal multiplayer maps, you could edit them into all different kinds of things, like racing maps, a maze map for Infection, and a lot of different things. Now, I admit, it's not perfect, like, for one thing, how they don't turn off Friendly Fire for the normal gametypes. I prefer it over the other two ofForge was a great addition to the game. So, if you don't like the normal multiplayer maps, you could edit them into all different kinds of things, like racing maps, a maze map for Infection, and a lot of different things. Now, I admit, it's not perfect, like, for one thing, how they don't turn off Friendly Fire for the normal gametypes. I prefer it over the other two of the top three shooters because you can take a hit from most of the weapons and not die before it's physically possible to react, and it doesn't have a boring color scheme. Adding all those options to the gametype editing was a good choice, too. So that if we want to play a team game with some of our friends, we can maybe increase the speed and lower the gravity and jump across the map, or turn off friendly fire, and having regenerating grenades and spawn with random weapons. If you don't like the main gameplay, there's always an alternate way to have fun without messing other people's chances of winning up.… Expand
  26. JoshwaR
    Sep 5, 2009
    8
    It's not great but it is very good. With some minor bugs in the multiplayer, and even some in the single player it makes for a good youtube game. But those are minor and oftentimes hilarious and easy to overlook. The multiplayer is great but the Exp system could use a ton of improvement. I dont want a CoD 4 look-alike but some aspects would be nice. The campaign was pretty cool at It's not great but it is very good. With some minor bugs in the multiplayer, and even some in the single player it makes for a good youtube game. But those are minor and oftentimes hilarious and easy to overlook. The multiplayer is great but the Exp system could use a ton of improvement. I dont want a CoD 4 look-alike but some aspects would be nice. The campaign was pretty cool at some parts but very fogettable at others. The map packs and the Double Experience weekend keep me comming back for more. One Major problem though is that the Xbox 360 does not like halo 3 at all. I know three friends whose disks were sratched by thier console and no other games were affected. This is what deprived halo 3 of a nine.… Expand
  27. JacobB.
    Oct 11, 2007
    10
    One of the best games I have played in a long time
  28. DavidG.
    Oct 1, 2007
    9
    For all the content contained in this title, I'd say it was well worth my 60 bucks. Yeah, it lacked the engrossing story seen in other games like Bioshock, but what it lacks in narrative it makes up for in sheer, unadulterated fun. Even though I'm currently playing this title on a SD TV, it, in my opinion, still looks incredible (especially when reviewing my conquests in the For all the content contained in this title, I'd say it was well worth my 60 bucks. Yeah, it lacked the engrossing story seen in other games like Bioshock, but what it lacks in narrative it makes up for in sheer, unadulterated fun. Even though I'm currently playing this title on a SD TV, it, in my opinion, still looks incredible (especially when reviewing my conquests in the Theater mode). So don't waste your time reading reviews by gamers who haven't actually played the game, and try it out for yourself.… Expand
  29. SteveM.
    Oct 1, 2007
    9
    Halo 3 is really fun. That's all I'm going to say. It's a good deal, a slick package, and a wonderful game. Just because there is hype doesn't mean you have to buy into it. Honestly, most bad reviews of good games just reveal how the individual performing the review is not a very happy person, and probably complains about everything they can. I'm tired of gamers Halo 3 is really fun. That's all I'm going to say. It's a good deal, a slick package, and a wonderful game. Just because there is hype doesn't mean you have to buy into it. Honestly, most bad reviews of good games just reveal how the individual performing the review is not a very happy person, and probably complains about everything they can. I'm tired of gamers wanting games to be the way they specifically want them. If that's how you feel, go make games...stop buying them and hating the world when all you really hate is yourself.… Expand
  30. PaulusK.
    Nov 10, 2007
    6
    Fairly competent shooter with a sterile feel. Did not evoke a sense of realism like Gears of War, and the graphics are by no means polished. The game looks as if the developers had lifted the graphics directly from Halo 2 (look at the facial expressions and speech) and draped some High Def effects over them. I was expecting a revolution in terms of involvement but it just did not happen. Fairly competent shooter with a sterile feel. Did not evoke a sense of realism like Gears of War, and the graphics are by no means polished. The game looks as if the developers had lifted the graphics directly from Halo 2 (look at the facial expressions and speech) and draped some High Def effects over them. I was expecting a revolution in terms of involvement but it just did not happen. If you want polished visuals coupled with complete immersion, forget this because all in all, not even close and definately no cigar. Shame.… Expand
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Awards & Rankings

4
#4 Best Xbox 360 Game of 2007
1
#1 Most Discussed Xbox 360 Game of 2007
2
#2 Most Shared Xbox 360 Game of 2007

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
94

Universal acclaim - based on 86 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 85 out of 86
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 86
  3. Negative: 0 out of 86
  1. GameSpot
    95
    It's the addition of the Forge level editor and the saved films that give the game an even longer set of legs, legs that will probably keep you running at full speed until Bungie figures out where, exactly, to go from here.
    Read full review
  2. TeamXbox
    97
    Halo 3 is the best Xbox 360 game to date. The single-player campaign and storyline are both very strong, but it's Forge and the Saved Films features that will likely go down in history as Bungie's crowning achievements. They've basically taken everything great about the series and improved upon it in every way, then added some amazing new features that we'll be using for years to come.
    Read full review
  3. GamePro
    100
    It's solid gameplay, immense replayability, online functionality and incredible production values will ensure its place in video game history, and it is, without a doubt, a satisfying and fulfilling close to the beloved trilogy[?].
    Read full review
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