The much anticipated “Halo 3” is set to be released on Sept. 25. The developers at Microsoft and Bungie decided to give Halo fans a taste of what’s to come with the recent release of “Halo 3 Multiplayer Beta.”
If you don’t already know (or haven’t already downloaded it), it’s not too late to get your hands on “Halo 3 Multiplayer Beta” yourself. All you need is an Xbox 360, an Xbox Live Gold Membership and a specially marked copy of the game “Crackdown.” With “Crackdown,” it’s a lot like buying a box of cereal just for the prize inside. But in this case, the box of cereal costs sixty bucks.
A lot of people have said they were under-whelmed with the beta release of “Halo 3.” They were expecting graphics that are up to par with the recent hit, “Gears of War.” Players also need to keep in mind that the game isn’t due for another few months, so developers still have time to make improvements. That’s what beta releases are for, right? Personally, I wouldn’t mind if the graphics were not improved, but it would be a plus. Other than that, the game play is smoother, and the Spartan suit looks better than ever.
The beta has three different maps and a few new items and weapons to try out, such as the “bubble shield” (very convenient when your opponent decides to lob a grenade at you), and a laser weapon that can take out just about anyone or anything (the only problem is, charging it up gives away your position). The beta also introduces a new vehicle called a Mongoose. Why call it a Mongoose? Possibly because it is small and narrow and can drive into many areas the other vehicles are incapable of.
I really enjoyed my game-play experience. For those who are used to the “Halo 2” controls, the game is very easy to just pick up and start playing. The weapons introduced gave the game a few new and exciting ways to take out the other team. At one point, when I was trying to board a Mongoose, someone from the other team used the Spartan Laser to blow up both me and the vehicle (I wish I’d thought of that first). Throwing grenades also required a little bit more skill than what I was used to from “Halo 2.” A friend of mine managed to throw a sticky grenade onto an opponent’s leg. Needless to say, he was doomed. Overall, I enjoyed the game, had a great time and wouldn’t mind playing it several more times.
So save up your money, Halo fans, because when “Halo 3” releases, it will come out as three different versions:
Regular: Just the game here. The price will be $59.99
Limited Edition: Details were unavailable, but I’m sure they’ll have something interesting for the price of $69.99
Legendary Edition: This one comes with an actual Spartan replica helmet! (Sorry guys, it’s a bit too small to use as your new paintball mask.) It is also packaged with bonus discs containing all sorts of nifty data. This will cost a “legendary” amount of $129.99. (I would advise buying it from a store, because you know shipping will cost quite a bit as well.)
