Halo 3 [X360]

The Halo 3 multiplayer beta is, um, well, more Halo.

I don't know what I was expecting. The hype is getting so great that I would not have been surprised if a harem of Dallas Cowboy cheerleaders wearing nothing but gold body-paint exploded out of the console as soon as I hit start.

Instead I got more Halo.

It's no revolutionary new sequel, it's not set in an open-world and it doesn't now feature a stealth meter or cover system. It's the same action-packed, bunny-hopping, grenade-lobbing, beat-down-from-behind multiplayer shooter that we've come to know and love. In the same way Halo 2 felt like the original Halo with additional vehicle jacking, dual wielding and a crappier pistol, Halo 3 feels like Halo 2 with additional bubble shields and giant lasers.

And man cannons.

This doesn't mean that Halo 3 is not great. Bungie did a wonderful job of staying true to what makes its game so awesome. Instead of going in a wild new direction like we've seen in franchises like, say, Splinter Cell, Halo 3 retains what we love, then gives us more. Kudos to Bungie for staying the course.

What you notice first about Halo 3 is literally the first thing you see: the graphics. Maybe Microsoft shot itself in the foot with the gorgeous CG "Starry Night" trailer, or even the very first trailer that shows the Chief looking over a giant crater as dozens of Covenant ships invade Earth. We were expecting a bit more. Instead, the visuals look like a high-res Halo 2 with some nice new rag doll physics and pretty water. The rocks and trees are especially bland. It's still a great looking game, but fans were probably expecting Halo 3 to at least challenge Gears of War as one of the best-looking games on the console. As of now, it does not.

After about five minutes of playing the beta, you quickly forget all about the graphics (a work in progress, mind you). Put it this way. If you loved the previous games, you'll love Halo 3. If you didn't like them, then you will not like Halo 3 (we also call into question your manhood). The subtle changes -- gadgets, new maps, new weapons, new vehicles, weapon balancing -- they don't detract from Halo. They add to it.

What makes the gameplay great is really the "holy s***" moments that take place every round. Driving the mongoose off the man cannon, jumping off midair and killing some schmuck with the missile battery as you fall back to earth; jumping in the passenger seat of the warthog while your enemy drives; sniping someone from across the map with the Spartan Laser.