Get ready to see many bleary eyed gamers in the morning after the release of Halo 3 this week. The third part of a trilogy, it’s a game that’s been talked about momentously and has onlookers wondering if it will live up to the hype. Given the information about the game, it probably will.

Halo 3 has taken many great qualities of the second in the series and fine-tuned them. The style of play is similar to that of its predecessor, with three options: players can choose campaign mode, multiplayer mode, or online co-op mode. It picks up where Halo 2 left off with Master Chief heading back to Earth to battle the alien Covenant and the parasite, Flood and involves first person shooter action, vehicular challenges, with up to four players in campaign mode.

This mode will help players get ready for multiplayer and online modes. They can learn about the new weapons, vehicles, surroundings, and deployable weapons, like the Gravity Lift. Online, up to 16 players can take on 11 different maps and various, customizable battle scenarios. A great new addition is The Forge, which will allow players to transport objects through different levels in real time.

With so much cool stuff going on, the game gives players the chance to save and edit video clips of the action. Using theater capabilities, players can change the angles and watch the battle from every possible scene, then share the clips with fellow gamers online. This fantastic show-off tool will create challenges in and of itself. 

The realism is superb between the music score, sound effects, voice acting, and clear graphics that won’t slow during the action. Halo 3 is sure to be a blast to play, and we can only hope that Master Chief will save the day…and the galaxy.

Check out the Halo 3 website for more information.