Halo 3 Post Mortem

[BreakABone]

I don't know how well this will work, but its worth a shot.

A ton of games come out surrounded by hype and expectations. Some live up to it. And others fall flat on their face.

It is tough to judge at first, but like all things in life, time is the true test.

It has been over half a year since the release of Halo 3. And I am curious as to what everyone's thoughts on the game are now.

To be fair while I liked the game, I have found that it has died down a lot quicker than Halo 2 and just doesn't have that it factor anymore.

Maybe, it is the onslaught of competition it had to face, but Halo 3 just seemed old hats after the likes of the Orange Box, Call of Duty 4 and even Bioshock. I think the fact that very few publications had it in the running for Game of the Year last year showed that.

Anyhow, this is to look back at Halo 3 and see how time has changed your opinion.

[Typhoid]

I've beaten Halo 3 over 10 times, and I only keep playing it with friends for the co-op missions with easter eggs enabled.

The game in my mind isn't that fantastic to begin with, It's a Halo game, afterall.
The storyline was short, and terrible at times - and the online feels just like all the other Halo's, but with better graphics and game engine.

You can only play the same game so many times and still be genuinely amazed.

[Aladuf]

I went into Halo 3 with low expectations and came out satisfied. I didn't expect to be blown away by it and I wasn't, not to say it isn't a great game because it is, but it's about as "generic" of a FPS as you can get.

Halo 3 is good because it does a whole lot of things right, it's overall very solid but I didn't have any desire to keep playing too long after its release. The only time I play it now is with BaB and some of his friends.

To be fair to its replay value for me though, not many games I play end up consuming my time too much because in the end I wind up playing Gears again in no time.

To sum it up:

I went into it expecting: C

What I got: B+

[Fox 6]

The best part of that game was IMO having 3 friends with you and having a death race in the last part of the game. Took like 2 hours to actaully beat the level :P

[Dyne]

I think it's still an insanely polished effort that's a lot of fun and MORE than made up for Halo 2. I think it's a 9 game at the very, very least.

[Jonbo298]

Friends only play it when we want some 4 player action since there isn't alot of local 4 player take online action. We wish CoD4 had some of that.

[BreakABone]

I've beaten Halo 3 over 10 times, and I only keep playing it with friends for the co-op missions with easter eggs enabled.
Wow 10 times?
Granted, you can beat the game in about 8 hours if you know what you are doing. Maybe even a lot less.

You can only play the same game so many times and still be genuinely amazed.
Don't you love GTA IV. ;)



Halo 3 is good because it does a whole lot of things right, it's overall very solid but I didn't have any desire to keep playing too long after its release. The only time I play it now is with BaB and some of his friends.

Yeah how much have you played recently?
I mean I don't like the game but we played Halo 2 all the way up until the Halo 3 launch. Squrel can attest since he is the only reason I play the damn game.
He needs to move on to big boy FPSes. ;)

The best part of that game was IMO having 3 friends with you and having a death race in the last part of the game. Took like 2 hours to actaully beat the level :P
I didn't know until later on that you could actually leave your teammates behind since the level falls apart after the forerunner.

So when we first beat the game, certain parties left me to die while the jumped aboard the ship at the end. :mad:

I think it's still an insanely polished effort that's a lot of fun and MORE than made up for Halo 2. I think it's a 9 game at the very, very least.

You are overly positive on most games it seem.

Friends only play it when we want some 4 player action since there isn't alot of local 4 player take online action. We wish CoD4 had some of that.

And what the hell is the deal with that?
I love online as much as the next guy, but why the hell does it have to be at the sacrifice of splitscreen action?

[Dyne]

You are overly positive on most games it seem.

Most? There's a lot of games I will slam. Off the top of my head, a ton of people loved Resident Evil: Umbrella Chronicles, but I hated it. I much prefer Link's Crossbow Training and Ghost Squad.

[Renwood]

not to say it isn't a great game because it is, but it's about as "generic" of a FPS as you can get.
It doesn't take outrageous risks with the gameplay or level design, but there are far more generic first-person shooters. Something like Area 51: Blacksite, Turok, or TimeShift; games that rely on a gimmick or premise to cover the weak gameplay.

Halo relies on its core gameplay (the 30 seconds of fun) to achieve anything. It took ideas that had already been done, and threw them in together in the original Halo, and what came out of that was fun. And since then, its been incremental refinements of that initial system. What holds it back in Halo 3 is what has held it back from the beginning; hit-or-miss art direction and, in the Campaign, mixed level quality and a so-so story.

[Aladuf]

Yeah how much have you played recently?
I mean I don't like the game but we played Halo 2 all the way up until the Halo 3 launch. Squrel can attest since he is the only reason I play the damn game.
He needs to move on to big boy FPSes. ;)

I've not played at all recently! You and your damn work schedule keeps you from playing so I never play with you since you're not on.

And whats a "big boy FPS"? I sure as hell know you don't mean that crap-shoot COD4?
Edit: I guess I shouldn't call COD4 a crap-shoot for the most part. I hate hate hate HATE the perk system because it does everything for the player, but I also mostly hate hate hate HATE the community for the MP.


It doesn't take outrageous risks with the gameplay or level design, but there are far more generic first-person shooters. Something like Area 51: Blacksite, Turok, or TimeShift; games that rely on a gimmick or premise to cover the weak gameplay.

Halo relies on its core gameplay (the 30 seconds of fun) to achieve anything. It took ideas that had already been done, and threw them in together in the original Halo, and what came out of that was fun. And since then, its been incremental refinements of that initial system. What holds it back in Halo 3 is what has held it back from the beginning; hit-or-miss art direction and, in the Campaign, mixed level quality and a so-so story.

Yeah, generic really wasn't the word I wanted to use but I couldn't think of anything else. I kinda really meant that Halo 3 is like the basic fps. When I hear "FPS" the first game I think of is Halo.

[BreakABone]

I've not played at all recently! You and your damn work schedule keeps you from playing so I never play with you since you're not on.

It isn't just me.
Halo night hasn't been happening due to work and most of my friends having finals and thesis due in grad school.

I hope Halo night makes a return this Wednesday. :p

the rest shall answer when home.

[Aladuf]

It isn't just me.
Halo night hasn't been happening due to work and most of my friends having finals and thesis due in grad school.

I hope Halo night makes a return this Wednesday. :p

the rest shall answer when home.

I wish we could all play again this weekend, it's a Grifball weekend again!

[gekko]

I actually felt Halo 2 was what Halo was always meant to be. The problem is you got some of it for Halo, some more for Halo 2, and now the complete package. It loses the initial "Wow" factor when you've experienced much of the game for years.

But as someone who wasn't a big fan of Halo or Halo 2, I loved Halo 3 and think it completely lived up to the hype. That being said, I'll take COD4 anyday, and haven't really touched Halo since it came out. Well, to be fair, I haven't touched much of anything since COD4 came out.

[Renwood]

Not talking about single player, I hope? Worst campaign from what is supposed to be a genuinely great game in a long time.

Looked pretty, at least.

[Aladuf]

Not talking about single player, I hope? Worst campaign from what is supposed to be a genuinely great game in a long time.

Looked pretty, at least.

I know you're not talking about me but, I loved SP in Halo 3, something about it I really dug.

[Renwood]

I'm talking about Call of Duty. Halo was what I expected, and I enjoyed it.

CoD4 was mind-numbing in its mediocre design. Flashy set pieces with no gameplay substance. Its the most schizophrenic game ever; how such a fantastic multiplayer could be created by the same developer that made that campaign amazes me.

[Aladuf]

I'm talking about Call of Duty. Halo was what I expected, and I enjoyed it.

CoD4 was mind-numbing in its mediocre design. Flashy set pieces with no gameplay substance. Its the most schizophrenic game ever; how such a fantastic multiplayer could be created by the same developer that made that campaign amazes me.

I don't deny that campaign was a lackluster effort and multiplayer was pretty great, but that perk system HAS TO GO. I approached COD4 multiplayer with some "tactics" I thought, I used an M-16 and the perk for more bullet damage (don't remember the name) and I actually aimed the gun around when I encountered someone, but 9 out of 10 times if it wasn't some guy I found that camped in the same place for the whole match with a shotgun then I was dealing with some guy who would just pull their trigger on the P-90 and let that thing roar all over the place with his hip-shots. These lazy fucks would let the perks do the killling "oh my increased accuracy on hip shots with more bullet damage raped you n00b"

The last few times I played the game online before I sold it was the most frustrating shit ever because of these fuckheads.

[Renwood]

The problem is not the perks system itself as much as the type of perks they make available and the way they are balanced. In an vacuum, they each have a niche, but in practice, there are some obvious discrepancies in what was intended for the perk and how it plays in a game in tandem with other perks.

I like the experience system though. The "ding" makes my actions feel meaningful with the constant gratification.

[gekko]

I don't deny that campaign was a lackluster effort and multiplayer was pretty great, but that perk system HAS TO GO. I approached COD4 multiplayer with some "tactics" I thought, I used an M-16 and the perk for more bullet damage (don't remember the name) and I actually aimed the gun around when I encountered someone, but 9 out of 10 times if it wasn't some guy I found that camped in the same place for the whole match with a shotgun then I was dealing with some guy who would just pull their trigger on the P-90 and let that thing roar all over the place with his hip-shots. These lazy fucks would let the perks do the killling "oh my increased accuracy on hip shots with more bullet damage raped you n00b"

The last few times I played the game online before I sold it was the most frustrating shit ever because of these fuckheads.

Tactics only matter is the battle is equal. Gun vs. gun, tank vs. tank. When we're talking airstrike vs. knife, tactics go out the window in favor of common sense.

I've played COD4 for about 2 weeks, total. Most of them were around Xmas time frame, and then I picked up the game again 2 weeks ago. Amazingly, I still was leading the rooms I was in. Why? I know how to play the game. It's the same reason I get my ass handed to me in Halo, I don't know how to play the game.

The game is surprisingly balanced, with a few exceptions. While the P-90 can and will kill you by getting shot in the foot, it's only lethal out to an arm's distance. If you're getting killed by the P-90, the problem is you're letting them get within range to begin with. If you're not good at close-quaters battle, then don't put yourself in that situation. If you feel like clearing houses, you better be damn quick on the trigger and accurate, or I'll destroy you.

The perks and weapon choices need to support your style of play. If you're getting mad because you can't kill someone who is in the game room with you hip-firing, it's because he chose perks to support his style of play and you did not.

Learn the system, beat the system.

[Fox 6]

Tactics only matter is the battle is equal. Gun vs. gun, tank vs. tank. When we're talking airstrike vs. knife, tactics go out the window in favor of common sense.

I've played COD4 for about 2 weeks, total. Most of them were around Xmas time frame, and then I picked up the game again 2 weeks ago. Amazingly, I still was leading the rooms I was in. Why? I know how to play the game. It's the same reason I get my ass handed to me in Halo, I don't know how to play the game.

The game is surprisingly balanced, with a few exceptions. While the P-90 can and will kill you by getting shot in the foot, it's only lethal out to an arm's distance. If you're getting killed by the P-90, the problem is you're letting them get within range to begin with. If you're not good at close-quaters battle, then don't put yourself in that situation. If you feel like clearing houses, you better be damn quick on the trigger and accurate, or I'll destroy you.

The perks and weapon choices need to support your style of play. If you're getting mad because you can't kill someone who is in the game room with you hip-firing, it's because he chose perks to support his style of play and you did not.

Learn the system, beat the system.


Totally agree. CoD 4 is one of the best fps mutilplayer games ever, and part of that is the whole perk and level systems. So good, you just have to know little tricks hear and there for dealing with the ass holes.

[BreakABone]

Well came across this article, haven't read it yet so it could be a complete dud.

http://www.gamelemon.com/article_30014.jsp

[Dyne]

I think this guy is just blind with rage.

Not only that, but the bullets themselves can penetrate at least three helmeted heads and still have the momentum to traverse the entire real estate of the level without ever once changing trajectory. These bullets can also ricochet twice and still have enough killing power for a one-hit kill.

Uh, welcome to space? I guess you didn't notice the space boots everybody has been using to jump, too?

[Bond]

That article was kind of over dramatic garbage. If an emo-band wrote a videogame article, this is exactly what it would sound like.

[Aladuf]

I've re-fallen in love with Halo 3 lately <3

[Bond]

We should play sometime. I never did get those metagame achievements.

[Aladuf]

We should play sometime. I never did get those metagame achievements.

I'm up for it. I got about 2 of the metagame achievements so I'll definetly play sometime.

[BreakABone]

Let's play now.

[Aladuf]

You got it again? Anyways, I'll play now.

[Bond]

I'm on now. You guys want to play the campaign?

[Aladuf]

Good stuff tonight jeepnut and Bond. I can't believe we ended up basically beating the whole game until jeepy lagged out and caused us to go back to the lobby in the final stretch at the end of the game.

Oh well, we can finish it tomorrow?

Oh, and jeepnut... *punch*

[Bube]

Oh. My. God. I can't believe you played without me! Shame on you Bond, I've been begging you guys to play some Halo and you always said that you hated it and stuff. Then you play when I'm gone.

I'm expecting a game later today. Some time when I can play.

:)

And there'll be a new map up for download, for those who haven't heard about it yet. It'll be free for download on 7/7. Tomorrow.

[BreakABone]

Good stuff tonight jeepnut and Bond. I can't believe we ended up basically beating the whole game until jeepy lagged out and caused us to go back to the lobby in the final stretch at the end of the game.

Oh well, we can finish it tomorrow?

Oh, and jeepnut... *punch*

So you guys continued without me.
Good to know.

I lagged out. And was like screw it. Shower and bed. Work in the morning.

you get the metagame achievements?

[Bond]

Oh. My. God. I can't believe you played without me! Shame on you Bond, I've been begging you guys to play some Halo and you always said that you hated it and stuff. Then you play when I'm gone.

I'm expecting a game later today. Some time when I can play.

:)

And there'll be a new map up for download, for those who haven't heard about it yet. It'll be free for download on 7/7. Tomorrow.
Sorry Bube.

We were playing the campaign for the metagame achievements.


By the way, I think I found a better setup with the skulls so that we can get more points.

We should also get four people together to run through the campaign on legendary.

[Bube]

Yeah, I know. Whatever, I was kidding anyway. I'd be up for Legendary, if it's at an earlier time.

[Aladuf]

you get the metagame achievements?

Yeah, we each got a couple. Mostly though, I'm about to get the 125 point achievement for beating it on Heroic thanks to last night!

And I'm all up for a 4 person Legendary playthrough, whenever you guys want to do it I'll be in.

[Bond]

Alrighty, maybe later today sometime.

[Aladuf]

I'm gonna head back to work in a little while and work for about 3 more hours after that. So hopefully I'll be home at about 6:30/7 so we can start playing anytime after that.

Maybe we could play that last mission of the game first but if you guys want we can play it on Legendary so we could kill 2 birds with 1 stone so we don't have to co-op through it again for me to get the Heroic achievement. :D

[Bond]

Alright, whatever everyone wants to do. That is very annoying how if one person leaves the whole mission has to end. You would think they could fix that, seeing how when one person leaves a multiplayer game, the game only ends if the host leaves.

[Aladuf]

Exactly, I have no idea why the whole party gets booted if one person leaves or lags out. We were done with that mission, there was barely anything left! :(

[BreakABone]

I need to work on my router again.

I wanted to lead you folks into battle as I was the only one who beat it on Legendary! ;)

[jeepnut]

Good stuff tonight jeepnut and Bond. I can't believe we ended up basically beating the whole game until jeepy lagged out and caused us to go back to the lobby in the final stretch at the end of the game.

Oh well, we can finish it tomorrow?

Oh, and jeepnut... *punch*

*oof*

Yeah, that was an awesome time. That's the first time I've played through the campaign with more than two people and it was definitely worthwhile entertainment. Oh, and for the record, AT&T sucks.

*Kicks AT&T*

[flunkie44]

I beat it on Legendary, and got all the skulls. I haven't tried for the Metagame stuff yet, though. I doubt I will anytime soon, either - Bad Company is the only shooter I need right now.

[Aladuf]

The free map and other stuff is up now ladies. Bungie day <3

[jeepnut]

...downloading.

[Fox 6]

Think if I DL it will fic the problem we had yesterday? :P that sucked btw.

[BreakABone]

Think if I DL it will fic the problem we had yesterday? :P that sucked btw.

I say download everything that doesn't have a price behind it.

So the original map pack which is free. The new map. And any update they may give you.

[Bond]

Think if I DL it will fic the problem we had yesterday? :P that sucked btw.
I hope so, that was a major letdown.

I just downloaded the map. Might be on later tonight.

[BreakABone]

We really don't have many threas on this game do we.
Anyhow, I started playing this again, and online is a mess.
I don't know if it was the time I was away, but everyone seems to have found the cheapest possible strategy in an effort to break the game.
Capture the Flag is nothing more than people dropping and throwing the flag making it harder to kill them, and to find the flag.

[Bond]

For me, multiplayer in Halo 3 was a huge disappointment.

Some of my fondest memories of online gaming are from Halo 2, but Halo 3 just dropped the ball. TF2 and L4D provide far superior online experiences.

[Jonbo298]

I mess around still in Halo 3 on occasion in Multiplayer. One of the few games you can locally take 2-4 online and just mess around without being "serious", to an extent...

[Typhoid]

Personally, I really like the multiplayer on Halo 3.
The best way to do it is party up with 6-8 of your friends.
90% of the time, I play team slayer.
Also: when playing CTF, constantly dropping and picking up the flag makes it easier to find - it brings up a blip every time. People do it just to be annoying.

[Fyacin]

Actually, I believe you run much faster when picking up and dropping the flag. Yeah, it's annoying as heck, but you do what you gotta do.

I have crap internet, so I only get to LAN with friends. Which I think, is far far superior to random idiots online.