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. KyleT.
    Jan 1, 2008
    7
    Halo 3, easily the most hyped and advertised game in recent history (all of history?), manages to stand out mostly due to media buzz. Fighting through the layer of fanboyism, however, stands a competent, enjoyable shooter. The single player campaign is short and disappointing. Levels are not only linear, but also poorly designed. A.I. is disappointing, and doesn't really provide and Halo 3, easily the most hyped and advertised game in recent history (all of history?), manages to stand out mostly due to media buzz. Fighting through the layer of fanboyism, however, stands a competent, enjoyable shooter. The single player campaign is short and disappointing. Levels are not only linear, but also poorly designed. A.I. is disappointing, and doesn't really provide and interesting fight. Overall the single-player campaign doesn't exemplify gripping pitch-perfect pacing as Half-Life 2 and often fails to deliver truly interesting action. However, this is a Halo game; it's the multiplayer that counts. Bungie has successfully added new elements to the online experience without ruining the Halo experience. Weapons are still pretty well balanced, and the majority of levels flow great (except a few badly designed ones... looking at you Snowbound) and each have a myriad of interesting strategies. Matchmaking is easy and smooth, and getting into a game with yourself, or some pals, is quick and painless. Overall, Halo is an online experience, and if you purchase the game with that in mind, you will not be disappointed.… Expand
  2. MvmntInGrn
    Jan 13, 2008
    7
    While still being interesting and fun you can't help but expect more from the series, especially in its final chapter. Needed more new aspects, Halo hasn't changed much from Halo 1 other than its graphics. Truly surprised to see the constant barrage of 100s its gotten.
  3. SeanD.
    Jan 16, 2008
    9
    Obviously Rat A. doesn't even have the game considering the fact that it says "The stunning conclusion to the halo trilogy" on the back cover and uses the slogan "finish the fight" more times than I can remember.... This game was a dissapointment for me personally because I was expecting something amazing with all the great reviews and hype. The online multiplayer is really fun but Obviously Rat A. doesn't even have the game considering the fact that it says "The stunning conclusion to the halo trilogy" on the back cover and uses the slogan "finish the fight" more times than I can remember.... This game was a dissapointment for me personally because I was expecting something amazing with all the great reviews and hype. The online multiplayer is really fun but it does get repetetive with limited maps... I don't find anything about the game fantastic but it doesn't deserve terrible reviews... The campaign may not be amazing but that is because the bungie team was focusing on multiplayer... The game had okay graphics, great gameplay, not too great of a storyline, but good multiplayer. I personally like gears much more and think this game is hyped when it really shouldn't be.… Expand
  4. JimB.
    Jan 18, 2008
    0
    This game was a HUGE disappointment with all of the hype surrounding it. It's just mediocre, Call of Duty 4 is infinitely better than this dreck. What's even more offensive is that screen shots were released of a level before this game came out. That level didn't make it in to the final game but it wasn't included so it could be sold as a map pack on Xbox Marketplace, This game was a HUGE disappointment with all of the hype surrounding it. It's just mediocre, Call of Duty 4 is infinitely better than this dreck. What's even more offensive is that screen shots were released of a level before this game came out. That level didn't make it in to the final game but it wasn't included so it could be sold as a map pack on Xbox Marketplace, that's downright offensive.… Expand
  5. L.G.
    Jan 2, 2008
    0
    Wow, truly Halo 3 is a magnificent success for Microsoft (and marketing in general). I myself have been stung by the bizarrely high scores given to this title both by (supposedly impartial) professional critics and fans alike. Put simply, this game is not a good first person shooter and I cannot understand how it has even been considered as such, let alone the best fps ever! There is Wow, truly Halo 3 is a magnificent success for Microsoft (and marketing in general). I myself have been stung by the bizarrely high scores given to this title both by (supposedly impartial) professional critics and fans alike. Put simply, this game is not a good first person shooter and I cannot understand how it has even been considered as such, let alone the best fps ever! There is absolutely nothing extraordinary about this game: the graphics still fall behind the PC, the gameplay is decidedly sub-standard and even the story is lacklustre when compared to the likes of Half-Life 2. If you want to see what a truly great game is like play HL2:EP2, within 10 minutes you will realise why Halo 3 pales into insignificance.… Expand
  6. David
    Jan 24, 2008
    10
    Perhaps it is, in single-player, a fairly conventional action shooter; but the combat is intense, visceral, and always excellent. However, it's the online aspect - the peerless multiplayer and, especially, features such as saved films and Forge - that will keep this game alive for years. The benchmark of online gaming.
  7. JohnE.
    Jan 27, 2008
    9
    Even though gamers were promised a truly epic tale that would be virtually impossible for any game to live up to, I think Halo 3 comes very close, not having bought into the hype and read anything about it before I bought it. Online play is excellent, game variants and maps, along with a constant supply of opponents keep it going for as long as you can.
  8. AnonymousMC
    Oct 28, 2008
    0
    Horrible story and simplistic gameplay, yet flawless graphics. The multiplayer sucks due to ill mannered fan boys and little kids. The story is pointless and makes no sense when put in with other games. It is so easy that I beat it on legendary within 2 weeks and I hadn't beaten any other halo before. The game starts to feel like a chore to beat it. This is a bad casual gameHorrible story and simplistic gameplay, yet flawless graphics. The multiplayer sucks due to ill mannered fan boys and little kids. The story is pointless and makes no sense when put in with other games. It is so easy that I beat it on legendary within 2 weeks and I hadn't beaten any other halo before. The game starts to feel like a chore to beat it. This is a bad casual game though many act as it is for hardcore gamers strictly, hence fanboys. Renting this game is a waste of money and time.… Expand
  9. GeoffreyM.
    Jan 30, 2008
    10
    While Halo 3 may not have the polished, efficient appeal of other shooters such as Call of Duty 4, Halo 3 has the soul that other games lack. Despite some obvious flaws in multiplayer gameplay, Halo 3 is the definitive FPS on the 360. And definitely my favorite.
  10. CraigE.
    Oct 5, 2008
    10
    Solid, well paced, and enganging single player (with up to 4 player co-op), coupled with an excellently supported Multiplayer raises this game to the top. Forge map alteration and a full on Single/Multiplayer movie playback only sweeten the deal. Must buy for 360 owners!
  11. JakeB.
    Feb 11, 2008
    0
    This game was way too hyped up. I've never been jipped more in a multiplayer game ever. There are way too many flaws and errors in online play. It had to been programmed by a bunch of monkeys. On top of that, there really aren't that many maps. For big team battle it's the same two maps...how boring. As far as the campaign, I can't believe I spent 50$+ on something This game was way too hyped up. I've never been jipped more in a multiplayer game ever. There are way too many flaws and errors in online play. It had to been programmed by a bunch of monkeys. On top of that, there really aren't that many maps. For big team battle it's the same two maps...how boring. As far as the campaign, I can't believe I spent 50$+ on something that you could beat in a couple sit ins.… Expand
  12. NickJ.
    Feb 13, 2008
    10
    Amazing action!
  13. JacobD.
    Feb 15, 2008
    10
    Just about perfect. Whatever you do, play through campaign many times to discover how truly much better Halo3 really is. 1 playthrough really doesn't do this title any justice.The most fun i have ever had playing a game even when compared against the mighty best that is Mario64 , Zelda Past , OCarina and Goldeneye.Halo1 is my personal fave for nostalgia reasons and because of Just about perfect. Whatever you do, play through campaign many times to discover how truly much better Halo3 really is. 1 playthrough really doesn't do this title any justice.The most fun i have ever had playing a game even when compared against the mighty best that is Mario64 , Zelda Past , OCarina and Goldeneye.Halo1 is my personal fave for nostalgia reasons and because of it's wonderfully believable and epic atmosphere but Halo3 is far more astonishing thanks to more refined and superior combat mechanics.Don't listen to rubbish spouted about this only so so.… Expand
  14. MattA.
    Feb 19, 2008
    5
    halo 3 has a very repetitive online, a complete dissapointment. I would rather be playing halo 2. there is barley any new weapons or vehicles. The online is always the same you shoot some one then run up and beat them down. the gravity hammer is a pointless new weapon it is pretty much the exact same thing as a sword. The only thing I liked a bout halo was the campaign and the forge.
  15. JonH.
    Feb 2, 2008
    10
    Amazing game, XboxLive will make it last forever. Anyone who disagrees can impale themselves on a rake.
  16. AnonymousMC
    Feb 28, 2008
    7
    Lets start with the good. The graphics are good but that's the case for just about every game these days, the music is still great, and the story is good.

    Now the bad parts. While the enemy AI is decent enough, your marine buddies are just about as bad as they could get. The campaign only lasted me 7 hours my first time though and less on subsequent playthroughs. Some of the    Lets start with the good. The graphics are good but that's the case for just about every game these days, the music is still great, and the story is good.

    Now the bad parts. While the enemy AI is decent enough, your marine buddies are just about as bad as they could get. The campaign only lasted me 7 hours my first time though and less on subsequent playthroughs.
    Some of the level design is terribly unintuitive, specifically the Cortana level. I found myself getting lost in several rooms and wandered around aimlessly for several minutes before I found out where I was supposed to be going.
    The difficulty curve also varies drastically throughout the game. At some points near the beginning I died many times before I could move onto the next area. But as I progressed, it became increasingly easier to a point where it was too easy. The Flood only take 2-3 bashes to kill with just about any weapon. The "boss" fights are complete jokes, and the game ends with the easiest sequence in a game that I've ever played.

    And as for the online multiplayer, I don't care about it. I don't play games online save for RTS games so I can't say if it's good or bad. But with what I have played, the game is decent. There are plenty of better FPS games out there that you can play. If you need to know how the story ends and you hate reading, play the game, otherwise read a plot synopsis and save yourself $60.    … Expand
  17. PhengY.
    Feb 29, 2008
    0
    WOW! Am I missing something? The Halo franchise is mediocre at best, inane at worst... I have to give it a O to counterbalance all the people who enjoy wandering around aimlessing shooting aliens with no visceral appeal or true emotional impact not to mention no tension of any sort. kind of like the Metroid series... I would rather play Joust on the Atari and have 1,000 times of a blast WOW! Am I missing something? The Halo franchise is mediocre at best, inane at worst... I have to give it a O to counterbalance all the people who enjoy wandering around aimlessing shooting aliens with no visceral appeal or true emotional impact not to mention no tension of any sort. kind of like the Metroid series... I would rather play Joust on the Atari and have 1,000 times of a blast then touch this drivel...… Expand
  18. ChrisW.
    Feb 9, 2008
    6
    This game was some-what decent. It is not a game to get excited about though when it comes to the campaign or the multi player. It has a lot to offer online but I found that it eventually became boring and frustrating. This game was sadly overrated and does not deserve the ratings it has received. P.S., one of the most common flaws of this game is its weapon choice. The Assault rifle is This game was some-what decent. It is not a game to get excited about though when it comes to the campaign or the multi player. It has a lot to offer online but I found that it eventually became boring and frustrating. This game was sadly overrated and does not deserve the ratings it has received. P.S., one of the most common flaws of this game is its weapon choice. The Assault rifle is the default weapon and in my opinion it blows. This game could make a unexperienced player look experienced.… Expand
  19. CalumR.
    Mar 26, 2008
    10
    The greatest video game of all time. Combining new features such as forge and theatre with perfect graphics, an excellent online forum community and old-fashioned multiplayer gunplay.
  20. KyleW.
    Mar 4, 2008
    9
    Better than HALO and HALO2 New weapons Better graphics.
  21. DannyS.
    Mar 7, 2008
    9
    Halo 3 truly stands as a worthy sequel to the Halo franchise. It's stunning visuals, overwhelming soundtrack, sublime controls, and limitless entertainment all seem to come together, crafting a game near true perfection. Multiplayer mode is by far its greatest strength. The newly convieved theater and forge mode are not only creative and original, they're completely Halo 3 truly stands as a worthy sequel to the Halo franchise. It's stunning visuals, overwhelming soundtrack, sublime controls, and limitless entertainment all seem to come together, crafting a game near true perfection. Multiplayer mode is by far its greatest strength. The newly convieved theater and forge mode are not only creative and original, they're completely entertaining. Though amazing in so many ways, Halo 3 is not without its flaws. The campaign mode was well concieved and the game's story constantly left me in both suspense & wonder. The campaign, however, was far too short. This is the greatest flaw of Halo 3. Minor technical issues were noted here and there, and the marines AI definently has its problems. The marines seemed to do well in combat, but when operating vehicles, repeatedly running into tree's were quite common. All in all, Halo 3 is among my favorite titles of all time. No game is perfect, and perhaps never will be. But Bungie proved themselves once more, and showed the world that Halo 3 is among the best!… Expand
  22. cameronschultz
    Apr 23, 2008
    10
    this is the best game i have played to date (yes, i am a sucker for FPS) and i do not see anything wrong with it. the story is awesome, a bit confusing at times if you dont know your backstory, and the online is awesome. i cannot think of a better game for the 360, or any other platform ive played on.
  23. MannyB.
    Apr 4, 2008
    8
    This game felt like a bit of a let-down, which is sad considering that the Halo franchise has so much potential. It easily would have gotten a better review if a few small problems were fixed.
  24. JordanK.
    Apr 5, 2008
    9
    Great game. However, the npcs can never understand priorities. For instance, I was driving around a warthog, and all of a sudden I came across a wraith. Normally, the wraith would be the first to go, but the npc was more interested in shooting nearby butterflies. So i tried to let the npc drive. didn't go over so well, considering he was more interested in driving into nearby rocks Great game. However, the npcs can never understand priorities. For instance, I was driving around a warthog, and all of a sudden I came across a wraith. Normally, the wraith would be the first to go, but the npc was more interested in shooting nearby butterflies. So i tried to let the npc drive. didn't go over so well, considering he was more interested in driving into nearby rocks instead of evading wraith fire. Great game, but it's only flaw is computer ai, and it's slightly unbalanced arsenal of weapons.… Expand
  25. JasonM.
    Apr 5, 2008
    0
    With slightly better graphics than quake 1, the storyline of a coloring book, and less gameplay and replayability than a calculator, Halo 3 earns its place as the worst game I have ever played.
  26. RichardM.
    Apr 5, 2008
    10
    Its absolutely amazing. People say that its not worth the money because they are unsatisfied, and its not fair to rate a game because it wasn't what you expected. Halo 3 is a completely different game from halo 1 and halo 2, with new levels, weapons, and features there are handfulls of new features for players, new and old to experience. Though its online doesn't "click" like Its absolutely amazing. People say that its not worth the money because they are unsatisfied, and its not fair to rate a game because it wasn't what you expected. Halo 3 is a completely different game from halo 1 and halo 2, with new levels, weapons, and features there are handfulls of new features for players, new and old to experience. Though its online doesn't "click" like that of halo 2, its campaign is completely amazing compared to halo 2, and its multiplayer is better than that of halo 1. Halo 3 is the perfect compliment to the halo series. Its not perfect, no game is perfect, but is by far the best title on the 360, with the best online play. Halo 3 is definitely a rent, and definitely a must buy.… Expand
  27. John
    May 1, 2008
    0
    this GTA is the best one that came out of the 8 that did. the thing that sucks is that you can't fly the jets.... or the forkleft you can't realy work it... but thats just what suckz with it... the car damge likes real you can see ever dent, the cop realy don't want to just kill you if you pull over they get out and walk to the car and realy arest you... but if u run they this GTA is the best one that came out of the 8 that did. the thing that sucks is that you can't fly the jets.... or the forkleft you can't realy work it... but thats just what suckz with it... the car damge likes real you can see ever dent, the cop realy don't want to just kill you if you pull over they get out and walk to the car and realy arest you... but if u run they pull out there fire arm and starts fireing at you.. that makes the game more like the real life cause cops just don't just shoot you.… Expand
  28. Som1
    May 13, 2008
    5
    All in all halo 3 isnt very good, the single player is very boring, which made co-op over xbox live story mode pointless, the multiplayer is still the same old thing just with more stuff that doesnt help the gameplay and overall Halo 3 is a big letdown.
  29. ColtonM.
    May 14, 2008
    10
    This game is the best game xbox let on it's and there is more to than people may imagine!
  30. MaxwellB.
    May 22, 2008
    9
    Solid game.Good graphics, fun campaign and Xbox Live play is what really pulls through for this game. Great matchmaking and the custom games ability adds to the games appeal. Forge is a great addition to this installment. Definatly a Buy for all Xbox 360 gamers.
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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

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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.
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  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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