Multiplayer

In contrast to Halo 3’s campaign mode, the multiplayer mode is a better evolution of the series. The whole matchmaking process has been fine tweaked and really makes the online experience a lot more enjoyable and smoother. The multiplayer is, as always, up to 16 players and is similar to Halo 2’s online play. But, of course, there are still issues with this portion of the game.

First off, the multiplayer maps are quite poor. Halo and Halo 2 had memorable maps such as Sidewinder, Blood Gulch, Coagulation (Blood Gulch remake for Halo 2) and many more. Whilst Halo 3 has a remake of Halo 2’s Zanzibar (named ’Last Resort’), it is missing the beautiful sandbanks of Blood Gulch. While objective-based vehicle map Valhalla does share many of its traits with Blood Gulch, it doesn’t have the same structure. For example, there are no portals at either side of the map. Other vehicular heavy maps from the original Halo 3 selection include High Ground and Sandtrap. High Ground is an asymmetrical map perfect for objective games. Sandtrap, on the other hand, is pretty much great for anything. 

It is almost symmetrical in its style, but not fully symmetrical. The flag or bomb must be taken from or planted, respectively, inside the opposite team’s Elephant. No, we haven’t gone mad. There’s no ’Dumbo’ in Halo 3, but there is a slow moving, hunk of metal on tracks known as the Elephant. There are two on the map, and they both serve as mobile bases. They include a few turrets (one that isn’t detachable) to repel enemy attacks. The map is great, especially for custom game shenanigans, and is extremely creative.

Unfortunately, there aren’t any other vehicle wielding maps from the original selection (outside of Isolation’s few Mongooses and Ghost; plus Snowbound’s Ghost). The best of the smaller maps is most certainly The Pit. It’s a symmetrical map that includes a mad dash for the rockets and invisibility at the start. You are guaranteed action, and most games tend to be very close due to the symmetry of the map. Another mid-to-small sized map worth mentioning is Guardian. Its design reflects the Halo 2 maps of both Ascension and Lockout. It comes together very well to create a great team slayer map.

Isolation: Here, it’s not the madness of being isolated that gets you...it’s the boredom

The worst maps from the original group are most certainly Isolation and Epitaph. These maps are just bad. Epitaph, in particular, as it involves too much reliance on power weapons and the closed-in nature of the map makes it very hard to reclaim such weapons from the enemy. There are also too many shields too hide behind, making it hard to get to enemies with close range weapons. Isolation, on the other hand, isn’t as bad…but it still isn’t up to the Halo standard. This map is fairly symmetrical and really is just a bit boring. As soon as a team claims the rocket launcher, they can hide in a base and camp it out. One neat feature, though, is the fact that both underground bases face each other and have slits so you can see into the other base. This can create some fun grenade battles or one quick rocket slaughter...depending...

Gameplay requires more thought since you are obviously facing human opposition. Equipment (like in the campaign) fits in rather nicely. It’s classic Halo 2 multiplayer on new maps, with a few new weapons - and the equipment feature manages to make a difference without changing the game. Power drainers and bubble shields are the most important for taking down enemy shields and protecting yourself.

Some new weapons have entered the fold very well. The Spartan Laser makes sure that the vehicles don’t completely take over some of the bigger maps, while it proves to be an effective counter sniper to the Beam Rifle on Snowbound. The Rocket Pod, though, isn’t that great a substitute to the Rocket Launcher’s target tracking from Halo 2; which has been removed. It’s very slow, but it can prove effective against the flying Covenant Banshees. The trick is to shoot at vehicles from distance to give the rockets time to track. If you fire too close range while the vehicle is moving, then the rockets will lag behind and probably hit the ground. Unless, of course, you are right behind the thing, on top of a slope...in which case, expect a double kill…

The whole matchmaking experience is heightened by the choice of playlists. You can easily choose between ’Ranked’ and ’Social’ matches. It’s organized neatly in contrast to Halo 2’s system where it just listed all Ranked and Social (unranked) playlists together. Social is thankfully no longer the place for the reject game types. Most of the playlists in Ranked, have a counterpart in the Social playlists. Though, we are missing a Ranked Big Team Battle - but Bungie has confirmed that this will be coming after the New Year.

The guy in the middle picked up the ’Manga’ Power-up

All of the playlists work well, and Bungie is keeping it up-to-date. Just this week, two new ranked playlists have appeared: Team Hardcore (enemies don’t appear on radar. Also includes map variants) and Team Control (previously removed objective based games such as Territories, Land Grab and King of the Hill). Bungie has also recently changed all of the playlists so there is a chance of starting with the Battle Rifle as opposed to the Assault Rifle. Each playlist brings something new to the table. From the un-ranked mayhem of Rocket Race, to the strategic play of Team Tactical; there’s something there for everyone. Although it does have problems...

In Team Doubles, for example, if a team takes the lead they can then kill themselves when they spawn until the end of the game without incurring a penalty on their team’s score. This is quite a ridiculous oversight on behalf of Bungie and we hope to see it fixed soon. But Bungie, thus far, has been quick to fix any playlist problems.

As well as having a skill level for each individual ranked playlist, Bungie has introduced ranks. By winning, drawing a game or being an MVP on the losing side (in some playlists), you gain ’EXP’ points. These experience points level you through military style ranks. From Apprentice/Private to General. Each of these ranks also has different grades. At the higher ranks, you must get beyond a certain skill level in a ranked playlist before you can receive that rank (confusing). For example, in order to be a Brigadier you must have 500 EXP points and have been level 45 in, at least, one playlist. If you do not get to level 45, then you simply continue to be a Colonel but have to get to 600 EXP for your next rank: which is Colonel Grade 2. It’s a very good system for tracking who’s good and who’s not. We know we’d rather have a Two-star General on our side as opposed to a Staff Captain...

Overall, Halo 3’s multiplayer is great. Although the maps seem to be lacking, the rest of the package makes Halo 3 one of the few stand-out, multiplayer gaming experiences in console history. Check out the next page where we finally round off by reviewing the Heroic Map Pack, the ’Theatre’ feature and ’Forge’ mode.