2007-08-07 15:19:25

I think it looks solid. Not the best looking game by any means (even on 360)--but I was never expecting it to be anyway. Certain aspects of the games visual design look great really.

I do think the preview was pretty poorly written, but there is some really good info in there anyway. the single player scoring system is really interesting.

But what would I know, I'm a PC loving Halo hater.

2007-08-07 15:33:03 In reply to GriftGFX (2007-08-07 15:19:25)

You weren't?! Well, considering that Halo was Xbox system seller, and Halo 3 is going to sell millions of Xbox360, that it was developed by Bungie (owned by Microsoft) with a comfortable budget for several years, and the world's (gaming community) eyes are going to be set on this game, why wouldn't you expect it to be the best looking game?!

2007-08-07 16:03:32 In reply to mt_sabao (2007-08-07 15:33:03)

IMO and I stress this point STRONGLY! IMO Bunige has never been the strongest amongst the crowd when it comes to Art Direction if you ask me. When you have a good art team, most of the time you end up with brilliant looking games. it'snot always about the perfect shader or the perfect texture or the perfect lighting, if you've got the artisitc talent under your belt, you have nothing to worry about. Just look at games like Ico and Shodow of the collosus as examples of how to make killer looking games without the need for fancy graphical tricks.

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Assassin's Creed-Blue Dragon-Lost Odyssey-Eternal Sonata-Final Fantasy XIII-Cry On-Ninja Gaiden 2-Heavenly Sword-Devil May Cry 4-Resident Evil 5-Naruto 360-Mass Effect-Alan Wake-Too Human-Infinite Undiscovery-Metal Gear Solid 4-The Last Remnant

2007-08-07 16:21:21

lol milhouse trust me when I say your mind is already made up about Halo 3 just like mine. Its definitely Halo 2 tweaked everything about it could be done on the first xbox nothing remotely impressive about any of it I actually agree with you for once.

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Hironobu Sakaguchi is coming back to reclaim the throne :)

October 20th 2007 (A good day)

Don't ask any questions just shut up and buy Halo : Ghosts of the Onyx one of the greatest books ever.

pssh! more like electronic gay-ming monthly! amirite

2007-08-07 16:38:12 In reply to alimokrane (2007-08-07 16:03:32)

Yup, i totally agree with you on that, although this doesn't excuse them from making the best looking game, if not artistically at least technically. And from what i saw so far (beta MP and videos from the SP), and this is my opinion as well, it's far far from that.

2007-08-07 17:53:38

@Milhouse, I agree with lots you said.

Yes, a lot of assets look VERY close to Halo 2, some, like the Warthog are extremely hard to differentiate. The grass........it looks good, but there's a patch every 1 kilometer. I've seen this done in PC games so easily back then it isn't even funny. By back then I mean, FarCry back then.

Supposedly they are showing us a freaking jungle and I see so little vegetation it's not even funny, it looks like that jungle in Halo 2 in terms of vegetation density and such. If those shots are clear indication of the final product, FarCry on PC has a much MUCH better looking environment.

2007-08-07 19:27:06

Like I said before Bungie could've dropped every feature they announced like 4 player co-op (no co-op whatsoever) added no new weapons or equipment and just give the game amazing graphics and people would be pleased.

Don't mind me I'm just being myself, but I'm happy with the look of the game I understand others are disappointed though.

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Hironobu Sakaguchi is coming back to reclaim the throne :)

October 20th 2007 (A good day)

Don't ask any questions just shut up and buy Halo : Ghosts of the Onyx one of the greatest books ever.

pssh! more like electronic gay-ming monthly! amirite

2007-08-07 20:07:32 In reply to Optimusv2 (2007-08-07 19:27:06)

If you consider the very long development time i think the result is not acceptable. All the features like more weapons or this replay mode are nothing that would justify this long development time with those little and underwhelming results. Especially not if you consider all that recycled assets with some slightly improvements here and there. And especially not if you consider that it's HALO and you can count on it that they have a hugh financial backup and they can also rely on the experience of the developers at Microsoft.

My opinion:
Bungie and T10 failed to deliver, because they are bad in project management and are not able to deliver required feature in a time span. I think the the biggest failure is that Microsoft let both studios total control over their projects. This always reminds me on Gears of War. Microsoft told them so long before that the AI sucks, but Cliff blablablub thought it was cooler to have that chainsaw instead of improving AI or give the game at least a little storry. This happens if there is no other person that take a close look on the project and try to validate the product against market requirements. Then project manager and developers lose themself in little, unimportant details. Just remeber at Forza 2. In one of the pitpasses the project manger said they have another financial model when he has spoken about content creation. With other words, they don't care, because they are first party and payed by Microsoft. There is no market pressure to them. This is the point why both first parties are underdelivering, because they rest on its laures.
You have to face the facts that at Bungie are very young people and so i guess they are more unexperienced than other studios in that industry.
Just remeber that Microsoft wants them to make "the best looking 360 game!" available at the moment. It is sooo far away from being a good looking game (not to mention best looking game), so it really looks that one hand (Microsoft) doesn't know what the other hand (Bungie) does.

2007-08-07 20:31:06

Jumping the gun a bit aren't we? We haven't even seen a single shred of direct feed of a mission yet. Just a crappily thrown together game recording, with a bitrate lower than the IQ of your average grunt.

I have the September EGM as well, and I am definitely not impressed with those shots. Not just that they aren't very detailed, but that they aren't very good from a visual standpoint either. Seems to be some artifacts from a low-res Jpeg blown up from the size of the Geico Gecko to the size of Godzilla. Not to mention they seem like they were taken by Frankie during his less sober instances. Screens at Bungie.net are a different story however. Most of the shots look great.

I'm definitely displeased with MS/Bungie regarding all this secrecy. It's utterly pathetic. Of course they know everyone is going to buy it already, so maybe they're trying to keep the mystery and surprise. Color me unimpressed with that idea. I can't blame anyone for being unimpressed by Halo 3's graphics, or with Halo 3 in general. They've shown less of this game than any other title releasing this year. And it's really starting to get irritating.

I like the approach they are taking with the campaign though. Not just upping the graphics, but increasing the battlefield size, as well as allowing you to take your friends in with you.

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Phaethon, the forum Spectre.

2007-08-07 21:19:06

WoW millhouse, if you find GoW has no story, then you leave me speechless, maybe you need the story spoon fed, but gears has plenty of story, and more atmosphere and action than most games. Enemy AI? really did you play the game on insane? nothing wrong with enemy AI, at least they dont stay there and shoot like most shooters, they will try to circle you, shoot nades... i dont see where the ai goes wrong... Its not playing vs humans, but no game is. By comparaison Lost Planet has the worst AI, and cod3 is just bad... i only also played RSV and GraW, so thats 5 games, and GoW has the best IMO. youre allowed to disagree, so i am with your last post.

Back to topic, yes Halo 3 disapoints visually, but bugie has made marathon, Myth, omni... they NEVER disapointed.

PS, forza 2 is still fun even after a month, cant say the same about Dirt... so maybe graphics arent everything.

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GoW, War3, Halo, MYST, Civilazation

2007-08-07 21:46:14 In reply to Schmooboo (2007-08-07 21:19:06)

It has a plot, but little else. I mean, the backstory has been scratched so little that the world just feels a little shallow to me. And the enemies don't get smarter on Insane, they are just harder to kill, so survive longer to more fully complete their plans.

But this isn't about GoW! This is a Halo bashing thread!

3 years and for what? A new story, new guns, new vehicles, new environments, updated graphics, new options in combat like equipment, new bigger scale to fights, new online modes, new replay features, new character and map customisation features... worthless.

Every other game series delivers a totally new experience every time, like the last one hadn't exisited! Take PGR, FIFA, FF, CS, mario, zelda - completely different every time! Bungie just lack innovation.

But in all seriousness, theres just too many graphics whores on this thread.
I personally think Halo 3 looks pretty sweet; considering the scale. Bigger environs and battles than previous iterations, and we know the AI in Halo is great. That in itself should mean a solid game, mouth-watering graphics or not.

Yes, i'm dissappointed that Halo 3 doesn't seem to be able to demonstrate the same level of particle, or lighting effects that the trailer (e3 06) did, but thats all just skin-deap anyway. I recon Halo 3 will have the gameplay and feature muscle to have lasting appeal.

Fin.

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Ignorance is the true enemy of all things.

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2007-08-07 22:04:31 In reply to Schmooboo (2007-08-07 21:19:06)

Best joke i've ever heard! So, there are some aliens trying to kill the humanity. And there is some kind of arnold schwarzenegger to save the world. Wow, absolutly amazing storry. I've never heard that before.
I think Gears is a stunning action game with impressive graphics, but it also has its problems.
I didn't play GoW at insane, but i've finished it at hard (you just can play insane if you played hard). The AI isn't good, really not. It's just duck and cover, nothing more. When there is some locust comming to you, you can simply kill him with your chainsaw. But i've never find it challanging. When it comes to GRAW we really have to differenciate, because GRAW 1 is much more harder than GRAW 2. I've finished GRAW 2 at elevated risk (highest level) and it was much easier than GRAW 1 on normal. GRAW 1 had a really nice AI. Maybe not groundbraking, but you were forced to find you own strategy. When it comes to RS:Vegas i think it's a game with one of the the best AI. I've finished the game at realitic and it was really, really hard. Yeah, the AI is scripted (but also a kind of randomized), but it's so hard that it was really challanging to beat the AI.
I've taken much more time in that hangar to get up the stairs to catch Irena than killing RAM in GoW. The problem in GoW is that the levels are really small or each place you are visiting is to small. So it's hard to get other strategies than duck and cover. But it's not just AI, it's also the gameplay design that makes a game challanging and sets its difficutly. One game that a has really good and challanging gameplay is Battle Field Modern Combat (one of my favorite games). You've got a wide area and some team members that you have to control. You can switch through all you soldieres on the field that have different abilities (weapons). Really good gameplay, but it lacks a little of a complete storry.

2007-08-08 00:52:19 In reply to Milhouse (2007-08-07 20:07:32)

Plus Forge, 4 player co-op, about 4 new vehicles, 8 new weapons, and oh about 9 new campaign maps, equiptment, 10 or so multiplayer maps, .....Which recycled assets?Who's required time span?

Is 3 years not a pretty standard time for games developent these days? (unless your EA)Have you played the game? The AI is not Halo standard but they create plenty enough interesting gameplay, ducking, covering, retreating, charging, nades......
[/quote]Erm marathon 1995? or formed in 1991? gnop?

WIKE quote: Bungie Studios is an American video game developer founded in May 1991 under the name Bungie Software Products Corporation (more popularly shortened to Bungie Software) by two undergraduate students at the University of Chicago, Alex Seropian and Jason Jones that primarily concentrated on Macintosh games for it's first nine years. Today it is part of Microsoft's Game Studios since being acquired in 2000. Bungie is best known for developing the popular video game series Halo, Marathon, and Myth, as well as Minotaur: The Labyrinths of Crete, Pathways Into Darkness and Oni..[/quote]

2007-08-08 01:33:38 In reply to Phaethon360 (2007-08-07 20:31:06)

Yes, I think in the case of the EGM stuff people are becaue...I thought we have, in regards to screen grabs (which are mixed), but the Bungie blackout is very annoying. 4 player coop, the video editor, and Forge RTS sound like some quality additions. But I think we all want to know more.Which makes you wonder what is up... how can they go from E3 2006 awesomeness to... THQ quality trailers :|

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The fans have spoken. Concerning the graphics of the Halo 3 Beta: "There's so many little effects and things going on that make this game pretty much 2nd only to Gears at the moment."

2007-08-08 01:40:01

deleted my comment no point :)

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Hironobu Sakaguchi is coming back to reclaim the throne :)

October 20th 2007 (A good day)

Don't ask any questions just shut up and buy Halo : Ghosts of the Onyx one of the greatest books ever.

pssh! more like electronic gay-ming monthly! amirite

2007-08-08 02:07:02

Far too many people jumping to FINAL conclusions in this thread based on not a whole lot. By all means critique whatever's been released but comments like "failed to deliver" are more premature than a teenager in Amsterdam.

I showed 2 non-traditional Halo fans Halo 3 today. One an ex games tester an hardened cynic (i.e. hates everything, loved Bioshock mind) and another guy disappointed by Halo 2. Both very impressed with Halo 3 in different ways. Take from that what you will.

Again I haven't seen EGM but 1 patch of grass every KM??? Surely there are some shots of the jungle level out there that actually show vegetation, the level is positively swarming with it.

Funnily enough, Bungie have shown waay more campaign of Halo 3 than they did for Halo 2. All you saw of Halo 2 was the New Mombassa E3 playthrough which ended up getting binned and the EGM special revealing the second level and the drones. That was it. You guys have already seen/read about parts of 3 levels. I doubt there will be any more reveals (at least in terms of campaign content anyway) but that's a fair bit already.

Lastly to expand on Grift's comment. I didn't expect the graphical detail to be as good as Gears. Purely because of the differences in scale and level design. In Halo 3 you are playing in maps that are MILES wide, with significantly more enemies and other shenanigans going on. It's analogous to saying a car model in GTA should look as good as one in PGR, i.e. not the most sensible of comparisons.

Personally I think the game looks and plays great and it's been expanded vertically in several areas in terms of user generated content, community interaction, depth and re-playability. But hey, don't take my word from it, I'm probably just another Halo hating mod after all.... :)

2007-08-08 02:31:29 In reply to deftangel (2007-08-08 02:07:02)

I don't agree with that at all :-/. Every game nowwadays should take the Gears approach. Show a WIP build that looks decent given the amount of time left till release, then show a better build several months before it ships, then wow them a couple months before release.

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Phaethon, the forum Spectre.

2007-08-08 02:31:38 In reply to deftangel (2007-08-08 02:07:02)

Finally, someone who understands logic...

2007-08-08 02:36:35 In reply to deftangel (2007-08-08 02:07:02)

Just to clear that up, that's what I'm doing. Still, chances are they won't achieve that initial trailer. Probably not like I said before.Wha-wha-wee-wha, what a coincidence, I did the same but with Halo fans and they both agreed with me, take that for what you will.Are you serious? I thought that was clear sarcasm? Of course there's not a patch every 1 km, it's obviously just to get my point across. I expect more reasoning from you deft.I agree with that. That doesn't change the fact that the warthog shown in those shots looks downright awful (and not because it is damaged)

2007-08-08 02:42:31

Slightly off topic, sorry i couldnt be bothered to make a new thread, but it is to do with halo and this really is awesome...

http://obsiv.spaces.live.com/Blog/cns!948789BF56FA...

WiiMote on 360 using Halo 2 in demonstration.

2007-08-08 02:51:40 In reply to Jin187 (2007-08-08 02:42:31)

That's cool I guess, but it's clearly no competition to a regular pad, not even close.

2007-08-08 03:13:16 In reply to Jin187 (2007-08-08 02:42:31)

Wow, that's really impressive! Loads of crazy stuff hooked up and tons of tweaking I can imagine, and it looks like it works surprisingly well, too! If he got to mess with the way the game recieves input aswell as remap some buttons, it could totally work awesomely.

But yeah, it's a bit wildly off topic.

In regards to Halo 3, I know it's silly to suggest that a compromise to this effect has been made, but I'll just say that I'd rather have a huge, substantial campaign than something short and "nuttily stunning". At this point, with Halo 3 being so much like Halo 2 in every gameplay kind of way, I really just want an epic conclusion that lasts a proper while.

Waiting this long for something and then just blowing through it like Gears isn't particularly satisfying, especially considering it's the grand finale.

2007-08-08 09:38:50 In reply to LEBATO (2007-08-08 02:36:35)

Difference being in my case the two gentleman concerned were actually playing the game. A build at least a month from going gold and optimised for frame rate > final graphics, I might add.And you willfully missed my point. I wasn't taking your comment about a patch every km seriously. I was stating that there is plenty of vegetation in the jungle level, way more than Halo 2. Surely there are some shots that show this? Even in some of the scenes from the announce trailer, there's a ton more grass there than there was in in that trailer.


Again, I can't speak for the EGM media as I haven't seen it. Some of the Edge screens look very good and yet they state that "the art is not final and will apparently be further polished"

I'm sure when the game comes out some wag will use the Saved films feature to remake the E3 trailer and run the two side by side. It'll certainly be an interesting comparison.

The Edge article talks about the possibility of Halo 3 getting a 10, the number of games which have achieved that score you can count on one hand. Even if you remove the feature they feel pushes it that far, Forge, you're still taking about what they played possibly getting a 9.

Who knows, we'll see when it comes out...but comments like "Bungie failed to deliver" are just plain daft in August.

2007-08-08 10:18:08 In reply to deftangel (2007-08-08 09:38:50)

WOW i'm even more hyped for Halo3 now :)

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Delgado: HALLE what have i told you about bothering me when i'm playing Mass Effect!!! now get out and dont come back for 2 months!! (Slams door

2007-08-08 13:00:54 In reply to deftangel (2007-08-08 09:38:50)

Yeh, i read the Edge preview a few days ago, 10 pages of joy, they really love the game and some of the shots they have look soo beautiful.