Despite the enormous hype, 'Halo 3' is not the best video game ever

[Zeus]

Say it ain't so, not one but TWO negative review of Halo 3 in varying degrees. Matt Slagle the AP technology writer has reviewed the title summarizing that it may be a lot of things including a rich online FPS title and the end to a popular trilogy but it is not the best video game ever. This review isn't totally negative unlike the previous one, but it just doesn't follow the others and claim it is the best thing since sliced bread reminding us that it doesn't do anything to change how we play or perceive video games.


"Halo 3" is a lot of things: an exciting science fiction action adventure, a rich online first-person shooter and the end of a popular trilogy. But let's cut through the enormous hype: It's not the best video game ever.

"Halo 3" wraps up an interesting, if somewhat scatterbrained, story line with some really compelling online features. The result isn't going to change how we play or perceive video games. But it's an overall package that's definitely worthwhile for any fan of action games.

Three stars out of four.


News Source: <A href="http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/6420AP_Games_Halo_3_Review.html" target="_blank">nwsource</a>

[pneumat]

Now the true is coming out!!!!!!!!!!!!!:)

[grapeape]

Wow who would have thought that....:rolleyes: Different people have different tastes...if there ever was a "best game ever" the industry would just end we would all spend the rest of our lives playing it and there would be no need for anything more. Of course to get to that point we would also all need to be lobotomized and probably plugged into a tank like a human battery, so its probably not a goal I would want to see the game industry achieve.

Oh and pneumat will you just fucking get over...your pathetic

[DaFireStarter]

I definitly agree that it's not game of the year but I loved this game and I am happy with it... It's a great sequel and like all sequels it does not have the revolutionary things like the first one did so I don't know why everyone is expecting something revolutionary.... Even though it does bring some new things to the FPS table.... Just don't forget the music in the game people:cool:.

[PinKDeaTH]

I agree. Honestly, I think bioshock might be better (in my opinion). If it had multiplayer, it would own halo 3 hands down.

playing around in the forge is pretty damn fun though =P

[XxBigP123xX]

people need to stop being in denial and realize this game SUCKS.

[mystic54]

Just got done with the first level and WOW! An awesome game but not the best ever, (up in my top favorites though).

[AceMilo]

Yes, its not the best game ever, but its damn fun and very well made. I've got a few more levels, I'm going to try and finish it tonight. It's definitely the best halo game and one of the best games I've played all year, but not the best game ever.

[kneehighspy]

it's not my game of the year (bioshock holds that honor), but i'm now up to i think level 5 (whatever it's called) and it's getting really good (and difficult). the storyline isn't all that great, but it's a great (not bioshock great) game.

of course the ps3 only owners (or non owners) will bad mouth the game, but we multiple console owners can enjoy it.

also, the psn supporters can now start the bitching and slandering about how live is currently on life support right now and is pretty much non existent. i can't even connect to download the new update and this is the first time i've tried to connect to live in over a week.

[akuma99]

When it was leaked on the net I downloaded it for a friend of mine (yes I'm a pirate but oh well). He already had a copy on preorder but I thought it would be nice if he got to play it a little early. I didn't like the first two so I wasn't in any hurry to play the third, I don't hate the game it just doesn't appeal to me that's all. But my friend talked me into playing a few multiplayer games with him and I will admit that it was a good game and I kinda liked it. He's a crazy Halo fan and even he said it wasn't the greatest game of the year. I think the thing was just hyped up too much and there is no way it could live up to what was expected of it.

I am kinda glad that this is the last of the Halo trilogy, again I don't hate the game or even the people who are uber crazy fans of it because everyone likes different things. I just got tired of seeing all the media coverage and adds/product placement for the game. It got to a point where I was in a hurry for the thing to come out just so all the hype would end. Kinda like when the Star Wars movies were coming out, they were OK I just got sick of hearing about them.

[sigma8]

I definitly agree that it's not game of the year but I loved this game and I am happy with it... It's a great sequel and like all sequels it does not have the revolutionary things like the first one did so I don't know why everyone is expecting something revolutionary.... Even though it does bring some new things to the FPS table.... Just don't forget the music in the game people:cool:.

DaFireStarter speaking rationally for once. Congratulations. I can't speak on the game itself yet, but from the reviews I've read (trying to keep tabs on it) it doesn't sound revolutionary. I'd really like to hear some 360 owners' opinions on Halo3 vs. Gears of War.. What are the pros and cons of each?

Personally, I'd love to get my hands on Halo3 to try it out. Almost bought a 360 today when I was at Best Buy since I read that their $350 premium versions had HDMI (necessary for me), but I couldn't bring myself to buy TWO consoles...as I was buying a PS3 for my friend for his birthday (with some financial help from friends). Plus, I really, really am hoping they announce a revised chip die version. I'm still leery of their hardware, and I do NOT want to have to send the Xbox360 back to MS and wait a week for it.

The only time a console (any console) breaks, is when you're using it. And of course, that's when you WANT to play it. That's the LAST time I'd want it to break, so anything that breaks while I'm using it p*ss*s me off beyond belief.

[grd94533]

When are people (suckers) going to realize that when something is so HYPED that it is always going to end up sucking. That's how they make large amount of money for something they know ain't going to be that great. I'll wait a couple more weeks and buy it used for $30 (maybe). But as long as you enjoy it then I guess that's all that matters.

[grapeape]

I definitly agree that it's not game of the year but I loved this game and I am happy with it... It's a great sequel and like all sequels it does not have the revolutionary things like the first one did so I don't know why everyone is expecting something revolutionary.... Even though it does bring some new things to the FPS table.... Just don't forget the music in the game people:cool:.

I like it, its fun, im fairly new to Halo so I guess I havent had enough experience with it for it to feel repetative or be unimpressed with the graphics, so far I think its beautiful. It kind of reminds me of a cross between Gears and FarCry environment wise. My favorite part so far is the chatter, hearing the grunts babble and the comments from the npc's are cool it makes them seem more like real characters in the game rather than just the typical repeat the same 2 lines over and over npc's that are in alot of games. What I really like is the music...its epic movie quality stuff and the pacing is excellent. I know not everyone likes it, but so far im having a good time with it and in the end thats all that matters.

I havent been brave enough to try and go online with it yet...im old and slow so I am sure to get owned by nimble foul-mouthed 12 year olds but im sure I will get up the nerve to give it a shot soon.

[sigma8]

When are people (suckers) going to realize that when something is so HYPED that it is always going to end up sucking. That's how they make large amount of money for something they know ain't going to be that great. I'll wait a couple more weeks and buy it used for $30 (maybe). But as long as you enjoy it then I guess that's all that matters.

Hype doesn't mean suck as often as it means "overrated".. When something is mega-hyped, it's practically impossible to live up to expectations. The fact that so many people are (acting) satisfied reflects well on Halo3, any way you slice it. But then again, it JUST came out. It took a couple days for people to get realistic about Bioshock. We'll have to see what happens with Halo3.

[gangley]

Of course it's not the best game ever, that title will belong to Mass Effect once it's released ;)

[NewBeginning]

I'm tired of jaded reviewers complaining when a game doesn't change the way we "play or percieve" games. 98% of the games released every year fall into this category, and they don't all get bad reviews because of it.

I like a lot of my games the way they are. Halo 1 and 2 were fine the way they were, and all I expected from Halo 3 was better graphics, which is great. If waving a remote around like an idiot is considered changing the way we play and/or percieve games, I want no part in it. If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

[grapeape]

I'm tired of jaded reviewers complaining when a game doesn't change the way we "play or percieve" games. 98% of the games released every year fall into this category, and they don't all get bad reviews because of it.

I like a lot of my games the way they are. Halo 1 and 2 were fine the way they were, and all I expected from Halo 3 was better graphics, which is great. If waving a remote around like an idiot is considered changing the way we play and/or percieve games, I want no part in it. If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

Sadly most games that try to push boundries and bring something new get great critical acclaim but fail miserably sales wise. Rez, Ico, Beyond Good & Evil, Sky Odyssey, Psychonauts are a few that come to mind all fantastic and all virtually ignored. Most people have a comfort zone that wont allow them to step outside of what they are used to, especially when it means spending $50-$60 to take that chance.

[Frak-Frakistan]

at least some honest reviewers denied $$$ from microsoft and reviewed Halo 2 HD unbiased

[pangbulle]

of course, its good but not a masterpiece

[John Crichton]

There is not a best game ever. for some people tetris is the best game they ever played.

And if halo 3 is not like Metroid Prime 3 or Bioshock, then i probably will quit the game after 10 minutes like i did on every other standard fps before.

[Soldiers On LSD]

LOL!! Want to be be different from any other review out there? Say that Halo is crap!! That will definetly put you in the spotlight!

I have Halo 3 and is one of my top 10 games ever for lots of reasons and you know what reviews I actually read? the bad ones. why? because those are the type of reviews that take every bit of negatives aspects of the game, blow them to epic proportions, and in the end dont talk about the good things.

Its like they dissected the game under a microscope to see the bad things. But hey! Its just a game that a bunch of nerds proggramed! It was not made by Baby Jesus like many people think. Of course it has bad stuff. Everything has bad in it. But for the good stuff in this game, man, there is a lot.

Too bad for PS3 fanboys that will not play this due to stupid console faithfulness. Let me tell you something. You can play with the Xbox 360. The PS3 wont mind. Is not that it will left you for beign a cheater. Really it wont mind. ;)

[Njay]

" it doesn't do anything to change how we play or perceive video games."

Call me nostalgic but i dont see the point why everybody wants to change the way of gaming. i like it the way it is. and come on the wii is a cute familydevice but no real gameconsole.

beside it seems most people want the same stuff over and over as we get titles like Final fantasy 13 and Tekken 6.....and it will sell very well.

[MadonnaProject]

you know what? i didnt even think about halo 3 as being the best game ever. which is why i loved every second of it, since i didnt have too lofty an expectation from it. and the best part is now that i think about it, i DONOT think the 56MB cartridge overdone, with annoying music, and bland character designs in OCARINA OF TIME make it the best game ever. ALSO FINAL FANTASY 7 is overdone and there are better variations to the series so thats not the best game ever either.

NOT EVEN MARIO 64.

you know what? now that i have thought about it, halo 3 DOES have great graphics, great gameplay and the storyline is just amazing. so YES halo 3 is the best game i have ever played. so far.

[*StoneCold*]

you know what? i didnt even think about halo 3 as being the best game ever. which is why i loved every second of it, since i didnt have too lofty an expectation from it. and the best part is now that i think about it, i DONOT think the 56MB cartridge overdone, with annoying music, and bland character designs in OCARINA OF TIME make it the best game ever. ALSO FINAL FANTASY 7 is overdone and there are better variations to the series so thats not the best game ever either.

NOT EVEN MARIO 64.

you know what? now that i have thought about it, halo 3 DOES have great graphics, great gameplay and the storyline is just amazing. so YES halo 3 is the best game i have ever played. so far.

You have to say that because you love your 360, this game was hyped to hell and even though i didnt play it people are still gonna say its crap, but i love the way you take shots at Nintendo games there and the best about it is that you took shots at 3 games that are more reconised than the Halo games are and will more than likely have gotten better scores than them.

Your a tosser

[saleem]

the people who suck up the hype and play a game that is bland and go on about how great it was like they add to it are numbskulls.


its typical halo botism.
:p

[zeuromus]

Halo, *sigh*

It's amazing how auto-aim and a little concentrated sci-fi testosterone can bring a generation of casual gamers who couldn't afford a decent PC to their knees.

Halo is Halo... be it 1, 2 or 3, it's still Halo. Even more, it's still an FPS on a console using Dual-Analog control. It's quite interesting to watch the importance of being part of a 'mass-audience' taking precedence over intuitive controls and allowing the general public to overlook core fundamental issues in gameplay design. No matter what side of the Halo coin you fall on, there are some definite things you can't deny (but probably will anyways).

One -
There's a reason this game is popular, it brought a mass-audience (of 12-40yr. old+ males) exposure to a genre they haven't had the opportunity to experience. To this end, if Quake, Half-Life, Unreal, or even System Shock (look it up kids) had been designed from the ground up on a mass-market 4th-gen console, complete with story and characters, auto-aim and online console multiplayer, it could have easily been 'Halo'. The problem being with the aforementioned games, is they came out on that little known gaming system called the PC, and let's face it... casual, "I get home from football practice then play games," kind of gamers are much like elephants in the fact that they are scared of mice. Halo had timing and a good financial backing by Microsoft on its side.

... and to be honest, when/if I play console FPS games on multiplayer, I wish my SN could be: ifihadmouseyoudbedeadbynow.

Two -
Halo 3 does indeed, indisputably, without question or argument, look like Halo 2 in HD...
Two-point-five-
The Halo target audience could give a sh*t. Which to me is ironic, on a system like 360, where it's creators are touting the fact that improved graphics are the wave of the next-gen, that their flagship game looks like a 1080p version of the game they released years prior. Halo-lovers/Bungie take note and do some research. Look at Unreal Tournament -> Unreal Tournament 2003, look at Quake 1->2->3, or Half-Life 1->2... those are called graphical improvements. It's because what you're supposed to do when you redesign a game for the next iteration of hardware is... well... redesign the game. Not port it over and up the res of the texture maps. When I walked in on my friend playing the Halo 3 beta multiplayer maps... it literally took me 5 minutes of intermittent attention before I realized it wasn't Halo 2.

When you do sequential releases, you're supposed to set the bar... raise the bar, then obliterate the bar... not

Set the bar.
Remove the bar and replace it with a shinier bar.
Polish the shinier bar.

I think what the reviewer meant by 'colossal disappointment', is that expectations were set for bar obliteration, and that's not what was delivered. It's like getting a decent car when you're 16, then years later... you're dad constantly telling you to get excited about what he has in store for you in the garage next year... over and over... hyping it up, getting you excited, making you die from anticipation... then finally handing you the same keys you already had... opening the garage, confetti falls from the rafters, news-media crews with cameras at the ready and there he is looking righteous and proud with a smug look on his face:

"I detailed your car!"

Three -
"Never underestimate the power of stupid people in large numbers."
This game will sell, it will crush records, it will topple governments... yadda yadda yadda. No one can deny that... but just because it's popular (Britney) doesn't make it good (Spears). I look at people lining up for Halo much like I view 13 year old girls lining up for N'Sync tickets. I feel bad for them... they just haven't had the proper level of exposure to better things. It doesn't make them bad people, I don't think they're wrong for liking what they like... it just means they're not as informed; and well... they like it... so I leave them be and go put on some classical music or otherwise (don't I sound pretentious?).

All in all, reviews are reviews. Especially with us 'gamers', nine times out of ten, if we WANT to like something we will (I did say nine out of ten *cough*Daikatana*cough*). So Halo-ites... enjoy your next/last chapter, cry when your RTS comes out and you don't know how to play it, hope Peter Jackson or whatever doesn't ruin your favorite IP; sit back, and cuss your little hearts out on XBL.

(Halo players have the worst mouths... seriously, it's scary.)

-Z

(Don't know if this is against the rules or whatnot, but this is my post from the last 'newsworthy' negative review... I posted a while ago, I think this thread will get more responses.)

[Norlo]

Why does it have to be one extreme or the other with some people.

There are a few people in this thread who see it as it actually is (Sigma as per usual, and amazingly, DaFirestarter).

Halo 3 is a great game.

It's got a decent story.

The multi player is great and will offer hours of fun.

Some of its features really are 'next gen' for a console game - viewing/saving of replays, uploading to web, forge etc

Visually it looks pretty nice on my TV, it's not 'the best graphics in the world, ever' - i don't think anyone would say it is, but overall, it looks good, the draw distance is good and there is no slowdown.

Is Halo 3 the best game ever. Certainly not. Is Halo 3 without fault? definitely not. Did anyone really think it would be? I hope not.

As Sigma said, the hype for any game, and especially, this game raised expectation to a level that could never be met, in that respect hype is a double edged sword.

So why not just enjoy it for what it is, a good game.

On the other hand, if you are not a Halo fan, then forget about it. Who cares if the reviews have been overrating it? - although how a review can overrate anything is something of an oxymoron, as a review is an opinion, and how can you call someones opinion on a game, overrated?

Why do you care about the reviews? Why waste your time posting about it? You don't like the game remember?

So yeah, if you hate Halo 3, thats fine. Is you think its the greatest game ever, thats cool too.

[Xenogears V]

The have right.

[modojojo]

This has become a problem with most video game reviewers. When a original game Is good an the programers/designers make a sequel, They tend to follow the same formula. IE Halo, MGS, Metroid, Splinter Cell, RE and so on. Now me personally I enjoy all of these games and there sequels, problem Is some people want new experiences. When they try to give you new **** and It dosen't work. They destroy the programers and the designers. Lets face It If you made a game that sold millions of copies would you really change the game for a sequel or would you use the formula that sold millions. That being said the Halo seires Is good. IS It the best FPS I ever played No, at least not the single player mode. I think most of the hype genrated about this game Is from the multiplayer aspect of It.

[Happsai]

LOL!! Want to be be different from any other review out there? Say that Halo is crap!! That will definetly put you in the spotlight!
I'm sure that was exactly the motive for some. I've read two negative reviews, and while one of them was a fair opinion (simply admitted to not liking FPS at all), the other was clearly on an agenda for attention.

It never fails. The same happens with movies. Some wannabe critic makes a hateful review for the movie of the year just so people will read it and maybe he'll get discovered. Just look at any Oscar winner on Rotten Tomatoes and you'll see how sad it is.

But to the point, I do agree with the concensus here. Halo 3 is obviously not the best game ever even if it becomes the best selling game ever. I have a few ideas for what would make good "best game ever" candidates, but they're all past their prime now and considered classics.

[Ed_209]

The funniest thing of all is, why is it everyone is worried about reviews of halo 3 when everyone is going to end up playing it regardless? If EVERYONE said that Halo 3 sucked, would you not attempt to try it out yourself?

More people are worried about reviews of games they are already playing, then games that they are completely unsure about. I guess some people need reassurance because they can't decide for themselves whether they like the game they are playing or not.

[JacKz5o]

Of course not, Halo 3 is horrible and I would never play that crap.

[pneumat]

Oh and pneumat will you just fucking get over...your pathetic
Yea man thats intelligent!!!!!!!

I say it again:
I have 5 frinds they are HardCore Halo Fans.But every one hase commented that Halo3 looks like Halo2 on Xbox1.But as a Halo HardCore Fan they want to play this part too.

So whats your problem?
If you say this game looks good for you than this is okay.But if you want to dis people only why they can see the thruth than you only have youre "come out" as an idiot.

Remember:
This Thread called "Despite the enormous hype, 'Halo 3' is not the
best video game ever".
And THIS IS THE TRUTH.

Uhm....and if you dont understand what they meen with "Best video Game ever" than i will explain you.
This meens all Video Games TO THIS TIME.NOT THE FUTURE TIME TOO.
So in this case FF7 can be the "best game ever" for his time.But in this time they will be games they are better than FF7,sure.
But this one have nothing to do with the other one.
Is it now better to understand for you why a game can become a "Best Video Game ever"????

[kneehighspy]

well playing halo 2 on my 360 on a hdtv, halo 3 looks above and beyond halo 2, there is no way it (halo 3) looks like halo 2. halo 3 isn't the best looking 360 game, but it's no halo 2 hd as folks (psfanboys) have been saying.

it's like saying resistance fall of man looks like castle wolfenstein on ps2.