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The Official Halo 3 Thread

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SonnyBoy said:
My feelings on the SP experience thus far.

- The graphics are disappointing and I expected more. BioShock, COD4, MGS4...hell, even Killzone the list goes on and on. The games listed above are mind blowing. They're introducing great graphics and game play advances over their predecessors. The lighting is nice though. It looks pretty realistic in certain situations, especially during cut scenes. I think the human characters look like ass.

I agree with all of these points. When I first booted up Halo 3, I had the same reaction when I saw Forza 2 for the first time: It looks good... sorta? Unfortunately, the game does have a lot of jaggies. Like Forza 2, the environments look awesome, but the character models are distinctly last gen.

SonnyBoy said:
- Overall the game is solid but it's Halo, I expected more.

What did you expect? The game is Halo, that's all it aims to be. The game certainly feels like Halo, that's for sure. Bungie has definitely refined the gameplay, combining the best of Halo 1 & 2.
 
RSTEIN said:
What did you expect? The game is Halo, that's all it aims to be. The game certainly feels like Halo, that's for sure. Bungie has definitely refined the gameplay, combining the best of Halo 1 & 2.


Thats just a personal gripe of mine. As I stated in previous posts, I read the novels and enjoyed them. I enjoyed the dark/gritty tone and picture that was painted. When I play the game, everything is bright and cartoony. Not only are the graphics cartoony but so is the acting and voicing.
 
SonnyBoy said:
No crack pipe here. And yes, I have a gorgeous HD set. Thats how I can admire the beauty of BioShock, COD4 and many other games.

The game is not visual mind blowing for the simple fact that it's simply on par with whats out right now. I expect more of Microsofts BIGGEST franchise. GOW blew peoples minds graphically because it was the best looking thing out at the time. It can be argued that Halo3 is NOT the best looking game out right now and definitely won't be before the year is over.

Does that mean Halo 3 looks bad? No. It's just not as impressive as a flagship title should be IMO.

And yes, the game is rather cartoony IMO. It's not as serious as the novels.

the game is cartoony and thats the developers intention. everyone here knows that except for you obviously.

dont compare Halo to GOW either cause GOW is a POS game which looks good but the gameplay, feature set, and online are all aweful.

and please tell me how COD4, MGS4, and Killzone have made advances in gameplay because as far as I can tell those games are built on graphics.
 
SonnyBoy said:
You bring up a valid point which I believe has some truth to it also.

But lets not belittle the accomplishments of recently released games and games being released in the near future which are on par are in the opinion of some exceed the graphic prowness of HALO3. The game just isn't a graphical powerhouse and thats something you'd expect from their biggest franchise...am I wrong?


One can argue that while Halo 1 and 2 were great games, neither of them were the best looking games on the original Xbox. Level design (for the most part), enemy AI, music, sound effects, the entire package is what made those games special. The graphics, while good are not the centerpiece of the series, never has been. Graphics were good in those games, but because of the vast worlds that those games created, they weren't exceptional, IMO. Halo 3 continues that, not the best looking game on 360, but I am having a ton of fun with it. The vast areas we are seeing couldn't be done with GOW-level graphics, not when you have to program for a machine without a hard drive for caching. That just ain't gonna happen. With that said, I think it looks great. About on the quality level that Halo has produced in the past. Not saying that it looks like a Xbox game, I am saying it is about what I expected in comparing it to the prior games.

Again, I think that many bought into the hype without holding on to their reality card. My expectations were grounded in reality and they were exceeded big time. I am having so much fun with this game. That is what it is about, right?
 
SonnyBoy said:
Thats just a personal gripe of mine. As I stated in previous posts, I read the novels and enjoyed them. I enjoyed the dark/gritty tone and picture that was painted. When I play the game, everything is bright and cartoony. Not only are the graphics cartoony but so is the acting and voicing.

Oh, I see what you're saying. Maybe you've matured since Halo 1/2 & Halo 3? :D
 
MaX_PL said:
the game is cartoony and thats the developers intention. everyone here knows that except for you obviously.

What, I don't care for it all that much and thats my opinion. This is a forum about sharing opinions and thoughts. everyone here knows that except for you obviously.

MaX_PL said:
dont compare Halo to GOW either cause GOW is a POS game which looks good but the gameplay, feature set, and online are all aweful.
I was speaking ONLY about graphics. everyone here knows that except for you obviously.

MaX_PL said:
and please tell me how COD4, MGS4, and Killzone have made advances in gameplay because as far as I can tell those games are built on graphics.
Dumbass comment, does not need to be answered. everyone here knows that except for you obviously.


You seem intent on flaming and not discussing. I'll just stick your ass on ignore. I have no problem explaining why I feel a certain way about things in a civil manner.
 
dskillzhtown said:
One can argue that while Halo 1 and 2 were great games, neither of them were the best looking games on the original Xbox.

Again, I think that many bought into the hype without holding on to their reality card. My expectations were grounded in reality and they were exceeded big time. I am having so much fun with this game. That is what it is about, right?

I cannot disagree with you entirely but I do believe that Halo2 was definitely a bit more impressive at the time than Halo3 is. At least it's that way for me. I understand your point and its a valid one.

The game is fun, that is what counts. I never really tore into the game, I just want to see more from it. What I mean by that is, I want the atmosphere from the novels in the game.


RSTEIN said:
Oh, I see what you're saying. Maybe you've matured since Halo 1/2 & Halo 3? :D

Another great point! I actually have... My tastes have definitely changed a bit. That very well could have something to do with it. I like the story, the characters, it's just the presentation that's not doing it for me.
 
Aie.jpg


I just respawned... it hurts.
 
SonnyBoy said:
The game just isn't a graphical powerhouse and thats something you'd expect from their biggest franchise...am I wrong?
I'd say yes... you are wrong (or your expectations are misguided at least). As stated earlier, Halo 1 and 2 were not the best looking games on the Xbox and yet they were still regarded as two of the best games on the system. Halo 3 is no different, it looks good (great at times) and has all the other things that makes Halo what it is and adds a bunch more with Forge, Saved Films, Live co-op, etc.
 
I'm sure this has been asked before...

What's up with the split-screen co-op? It displays in a 4:3 window, is there any way to change that?
 
I think the game looks awesome considering the scale. The jaggies reeeeeeeeeally stand out on a large 720p tv, though
 
dskillzhtown said:
the entire package is what made those games special.

Precisely. And while I do have issues with the game from a graphics standpoint, the experience of playing a fantastically fulfilling level of Campaign and then going straight to a really awesome game of CTF and then DLing and watching my friends saved film is one that is without peer in the console space.
 
SonnyBoy said:
Thats just a personal gripe of mine. As I stated in previous posts, I read the novels and enjoyed them. I enjoyed the dark/gritty tone and picture that was painted. When I play the game, everything is bright and cartoony. Not only are the graphics cartoony but so is the acting and voicing.
Halo is always "cartoony" since Halo 1 and Halo 3's art style is just what Halo should be.

Do you think Bungie would change what Halo 3 looks like just for some "dark/gritty" novels?

On the other hand, I kinda agree with you on the human model part.
 
levious said:
I'm sure this has been asked before...

What's up with the split-screen co-op? It displays in a 4:3 window, is there any way to change that?

That's the way it is for now... maybe a patch will come out.
 
I find the character-models lacking, but otherwise the game looks fine. And I have to agree that the gameplay itself is damn near perfect - I have always loved the way Halo plays, and Bungie has really taken it one step further. Multiplayer is an absolute blast, and it is more important ( for me ) than the campaign ( which is awesome so far ).
 
About halfway through and loving it, but I do have one issue with the game.

There is way too much magnetic aiming, or whatever it's called. With multiple enemies in close quarters I feel like I'm fighting with the controls, trying to keep it steady while the moving enemies jerk it around. Feels worse than Halo 2 actually.
 
Zabka said:
About halfway through and loving it, but I do have one issue with the game.

There is way too much magnetic aiming, or whatever it's called. With multiple enemies in close quarters I feel like I'm fighting with the controls, trying to keep it steady while the moving enemies jerk it around. Feels worse than Halo 2 actually.

Turn it off.
 
SonnyBoy said:
You seem intent on flaming and not discussing. I'll just stick your ass on ignore. I have no problem explaining why I feel a certain way about things in a civil manner.

no youre the one flaming Halo graphics with your comments. i'm fairly certain most here do not agree with anything youre saying about Halos graphics.

and yes keep talking in a civil manner by calling people dumbass', thats really civil.
 
Lé Blade Runner said:
I find the character-models lacking, but otherwise the game looks fine. And I have to agree that the gameplay itself is damn near perfect - I have always loved the way Halo plays, and Bungie has really taken it one step further. Multiplayer is an absolute blast, and it is more important ( for me ) than the campaign ( which is awesome so far ).

I agree. The models are a bit wonky, and the problem with the AA isn't that it's everwhere, it's that there's a lot of fine detail in the level design like grates and other small things that draw attention to it at times.

But the openness of the level design is so spectacular so far (just finished level three). The pre-climactic conflict space
Against The Tanks Not The Scarab
on that level can be approached so many different ways and since I died so many times (ON NORMAL :( ) That was really appreciated and awesome and kept the game from ever getting frustrating.

Also, on that level
the progression of gameplay from one Wraith to the Scarab at the end
deserves a fucking American Music Award. Just masterful gameplay design, with each encounter somehow managing to be as challenging as the one before it, as the scale and stakes increased.
 
Mojovonio said:
And Johnson had this like stretched texture on his face and it looked green at times.

It's funny. You think about Bungie - one of the most storied dev houses in the industry. They're responsible for one of the industry's most valuable video game properties. They have nearly unlimited resources at their disposal. They've had years to work on this game...

Yet for some reason they couldn't figure out how to make the character models look halfway decent? How could this slip through the development process? Or did Bungie just say "fuck it, they look good enough." I know, I know, Halo isn't supposed to be a graphical showcase... but wow, I haven't seen character models this ugly on the 360.
 
why are people comparing bioshock and gears graphically to halo 3?? the scope of those games is nowhere near what this engine must handle. They may be shooters, but it's a completely different game. It's an apples v. oranges comparison

Maybe i missed it but large outdoor, epic battles with 35+ AI controlled members didn't happen in either of those. People do realize that places some technical limitations right?
 
MaX_PL said:
no youre the one flaming Halo graphics with your comments. i'm fairly certain most here do not agree with anything youre saying about Halos graphics.

Incorrect. I have conversed with RSTEIN, Xekrn and a few others and actually met a happy median between their opinions and mine. Thanks anyway.

MaX_PL said:
and yes keep talking in a civil manner by calling people dumbass', thats really civil.

1st. I didn't call you a dumbass.

ME said:
You seem intent on flaming and not discussing. I'll just stick your ass on ignore. I have no problem explaining why I feel a certain way about things in a civil manner.

It's that same lack of reading comprehension that makes you think I'm flaming when the game when I'm only expressing some of my disappointment in it.
 
For the first time ever playing a Halo game, I decided to start on Heroic. I usually play normal. I'm dieing constantly, but it's forcing me to use strategy rather than just plow through the levels, and I'm loving it.

I'm not a graphics whore, but this game looks as good as it needs to look for a game this fun.
 
Up to
where the flood shows up on the Ark
. Single player is definitely better than Halo 2. The wide open levels later on with lots of vehicle battles are great.
 
RSTEIN said:
Yet for some reason they couldn't figure out how to make the character models look halfway decent? How could this slip through the development process? Or did Bungie just say "fuck it, they look good enough." I know, I know, Halo isn't supposed to be a graphical showcase... but wow, I haven't seen character models this ugly on the 360.

It's things like that, that makes me think this game was intended to ship earlier than it did. I was half joking when I told a friend of mine that I thought this may originally have been a near launch title for 360. Some of the stuff is very ruff.
 
RSTEIN said:
That's the way it is for now... maybe a patch will come out.


ok thanks... not too big a deal, but I would prefer to be able to play in widescreen with a vertical split.
 
SonnyBoy said:
It's things like that, that makes me think this game was intended to ship earlier than it did. I was half joking when I told a friend of mine that I thought this may originally have been a near launch title for 360. Some of the stuff is very ruff.

Monkey scratch head?

I don't really like the way most of the humans look either, but that comment doesn't even make sense given what we know about the development process, and logically.

If this game was supposed to have a magical earlier release date, then they took all this time to fix it why wouldn't that get fixed?

My best guess is they wanted to make sure the models look recognizable to their H2 counterparts. Not saying it was the right decision, but that makes more sense than "OMG The game was rushed, but it wasn't becaus it was delayed for 2 years"
 
MaX_PL said:
no youre the one flaming Halo graphics with your comments. i'm fairly certain most here do not agree with anything youre saying about Halos graphics.

SonnyBoy isn't flaming about the graphics. He had certain expectations about how the game should look. The game doesn't meet HIS expectations. He doesn't like the cartoony feel - again, this part of the game doesn't meet HIS expectations. He's on a gaming forum expressing HIS opinions. I don't see a lot of flaming going on. Whether or not a lot of people agree or disagree with his opinions is irrelevant.

Now, f@lus not liking the game, now THERE's a shocker :lol
 
Another part of the ending not a lot of people are talking about is (spoiler, duh)
Cortana calls MC John at the end. I don't ever remember that happening in any of the games before, but I could be wrong.
This isn't a big deal for huge halo fans that know that type of things but for those that just play the games and don't read the books or visit message boards that's kind of a reveal.
 
electricpirate said:
Monkey scratch head?

I don't really like the way most of the humans look either, but that comment doesn't even make sense given what we know about the development process, and logically.

If this game was supposed to have a magical earlier release date, then they took all this time to fix it why wouldn't that get fixed?

My best guess is they wanted to make sure the models look recognizable to their H2 counterparts. Not saying it was the right decision, but that makes more sense than "OMG The game was rushed, but it wasn't becaus it was delayed for 2 years"

Please correct me if I'm wrong but wasn't it supposed to come out earlier and then one of the MS talking heads said that they're going to wait and release it when it was ready to avoid another HALO 2 situation? I thought it was supposed to come out when the PS3 released but Im sure it was just a rumor.
 
See this picture here......

kungfu.jpg


Look at the size of the Elite compared to the Spartan!

Are Elites more of a target? I see mto remember someone from Bungie saying there was no advantage to either?

Sorry if it's been discussed a thousand times already but I can't find a definitive answer.
 
That was just Bill gates spouting off to Time magazine. I mean, the game wasn't even announce till that E3.

If you go back and read what Bungie has said for the last 8 months, they've basically had this plan in place for the development of Halo 3, and they've folllowed through on that plan. They way they describe the dev of this game makes it sound buttery smooth, though I'm sure it's had it's fair share of ups and downs.
 
I came back from the London launch event today, and aimed to post earlier but the web in my dorm seemed to only allow me on Google, which doesn't really help me all that much. Anyways, it was a good event overall, despite the rain, the poor red carpet showing from idiots like Chanelle from Big Brother, Ralph Little being a complete prat (saying my name then telling me I can't come down and play on stage due to my wrist band being of the wrong colour, then persisting to ignore me for the rest of the show), and some terrible company in the form of Destructoid's graphic designer. However, such atrocities couldn't stop the fantastic atmosphere there, I made a few friends, there was a free bar, and I introduced myself to Joe Tung and Lee Wilson, whom I called weaksauce for insisting to Joe on stage to play co-op on Tsavo Highway on normal, then he came back with the fact that I couldn't go down and play and I was just bitter, the swine! Anyways, we had some great System Link Games, with Red Team (my one) completely owning the Blues all night (people found a free machine and shuffled their friends every game, which turned into an inevitable rush to change the controller setup). Oh, I also ended up with two free copies of the game and two t-shirts because of Ralph Little's stunt with me, with one of each going to my bizarre friend who I believe started an off-topic thread insisting I go out and party when I was trying to rest.
 
electricpirate said:
That was just Bill gates spouting off to Time magazine. I mean, the game wasn't even announce till that E3.

If you go back and read what Bungie has said for the last 8 months, they've basically had this plan in place for the development of Halo 3, and they've folllowed through on that plan. They way they describe the dev of this game makes it sound buttery smooth, though I'm sure it's had it's fair share of ups and downs.


Ok cool. Thanks.
 
BadAss84 said:
Mine too :D

I had my dad check it for me while i'm at work. He said the disc was loose in the case, but he didn't see any scratches on it, so fingers crossed!

7 Hours and counting untill i am home and can get down to playing \o/



:lol

Awesome, expect many hastily chatpadded messages of "OMG did you do the bit with the stuff yet? It was awesome!"

1 hour and 50 minutes plus a busride!
 
Just completed it. I'm so sad it's all over :( I'm gonna miss looking forward to a new Halo game and then constantly playing it. I love all the characters and
it was so sad to see Johnson die
and also
the ending really made me sad for some reason, especially when MC goes "Wake me when you need me" to Cortana
Great job Bungie, you have created one of my fave trilogies. I still have to say Halo 2 is my fave though.
 
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