Following a multi-million dollar Ad campaign, Halo 3 (the last installment in the Halo trilogy) has finally arrived. The game received overwhelmingly positive reviews, even from mainstream media outlets. Never before has a video game generated this much hype.

As a parent and gamer I often wonder how much of this hype and buzz effected the opinions of video game critics and journalists. I am not suggesting that Halo doesn’t deserve praise, however some of the reviews read a little too much like love confessions from Halo “Fan-Boys”. But then again reviews are only opinions –and who’s to say Halo 3 is not the best game on the market today. The Halo hype has also arrived at our local elementary school. Students from all grades will confirm that Halo 3 has the best graphics ever and is the biggest, longest and best video game in the world. However, only a handful of students could actually tell us what platform (Xbox360) the game is running on. And even fewer students have actually played the game. My point is that your kids will probably want Halo 3 (and an Xbox360), simply because of the “cool” factor. If they are into Sci-Fi action, then chances are that they will truly like the game, aside from all the hype.

Halo 3 is rated “M” for Mature, which suggests that the game is “only” suited for player’s ages 17 years and older. Needless to say, this brings up the hot topic and controversy regarding age-appropriate content, and whether children should be allowed to play certain games, all over again. My personal take on this issue is that, we’re all different with our kids, and we all have different ideas about what our children can or should be exposed to. Watch our video review to see Halo3 gameplay footage or even better rent or play the game first without your children. In my opinion Halo 3 is on the lower end of the “M” scale, meaning that the game is not as brutal, gory and bloody as other titles with an “M” rating. However, being a Sci-Fi First Person Shooter, Halo does have its moments of intense action and violence. The game features moderately creepy looking creatures and a variety of destructive weapons ranging from simple handguns to tanks and airborne assault vehicles. Halo’s violence is comparable to action found in Star Wars Movies. Halo 3 is best enjoyed with friends via Microsoft’s exceptional Xbox Live service. In other words, add another $60 for a one year Xbox Live Gold membership to the purchase of the game. The game offers the ability to play campaign mode co-operatively with up to 4 friends in split-screen mode or via Xbox Live. The Campaign mode offers 4 different levels of difficulty. The easy setting may not earn the player any Achievement points, put it let’s even that most casual, un-experienced or in my case, un-talented shooter play through the game without being killed every 2 seconds. Halo’s strongest selling point is the multiplayer gaming. A new “Forge” mode lets players create custom games, which can be uploaded, shared and played online by up to 16 other people. Playing online with or against other people can be great fun. If you have children under the age of 12, I highly recommend limiting online play to friends and family. Joining “open” Multiplayer games may expose your kids to insulting and foul language.

Overall, Halo 3 delivers exactly what it promised – a great Sci-Fi First Person Shooter with mass-market appeal, that is best enjoyed in Multiplayer.

Visit our Halo 3 Review Page for Screenshots, Member Reviews, Tips and more.

Halo 3

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