TheHalofranchise’s transition to PC has been a long process, with 343 Industries bringingThe Master Chief Collectionover game by game. Now, it’sHalo 3’s turn, and as one of the defining games of the Xbox 360 – and one of Microsoft’s most popular exclusives of all time – it has quite a big reputation to live up to.
Luckily,Halo 3is the best PC port the franchise has had yet, revitalizing the 2007 classic in a way that 343 hasn’t been able to accomplish with the other games. Where the ports ofReach, Halo 2,andCombat Evolvedhaven’t managed to shirk the feeling that they were designed for controllers,Halo 3is a natural fit for keyboard and mouse, especially when using precision-focusedHaloweaponslike the Covenant Carbine or Battle Rifle.
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The game controls are incredibly smooth on PC, giving it a feeling of equal parts reaction and skill-based, but refreshingly slowed down.Shooters have evolved a lot sinceHalo 3’sdebut, steadily becoming faster and more twitch-based, and while fans may be afraidHalo 3doesn’t hold up compared the other options on the platform, likeModern WarfareorValorant,the fresh coat of paint and control options makes the classic feel new again.
Halofans are likely intimately familiar withHalo 3’scampaign levels, but it’s yet another area where the game has stood the test of time. Even with the context ofHalo 4and5’slackluster storytelling, the relationship between Cortana and the increasingly damaged portrayal of Master Chief is moving. That doesn’t fix the questionable moments and unceremonious character deaths, but that hasn’t stoppedHalo 3from holding its own as one of the franchise’s best campaigns.
There are some areas where the level design is a bit stale compared to what’s out in the wild now, but the narrative itself is still solid for a sci-fi shooter. Bungie fans will clearly be able to see some of the experience the developer had accumulated by working on the franchise inDestiny 2’sDNA, and while that evolution didn’t stop atHalo 3,it’s impossible to deny its influence.
Of course, 343 was clearly more interested in preserving the original experience ofHalo 3while still moving it to PC. This comes across in a few different areas, but AI is the biggest one, as enemy and companion AI simply aren’t good. Enemies have predictable patterns, which does set players up for some cool moments, but it would have been good to see some greater improvements on that front.
While it’s nothing major, 343 industries did make some additions toHalo 3. A recentMaster Chief Collectionupdate brought a few changes to the game, along with the other entries currently available on PC.Customization is now more in-line with what players had in the Xbox 360 version ofHalo 3, and a new skull has been added thatgives Master Chief a jetpack, though players will need to unlock it.
Halo 3’s Skullsstill offer a fun way to add an extra layer of challenge regardless of difficulty setting or turn the game into a chaotic experience. Those looking for a replayable experience will find a lot to love with skulls, even more so for those that decide to have a couple of friends tag along.
But players will likely spend the most time inHalo 3’smultiplayer, which is one of the most iconic Xbox Live experiences ever. For many,Halo 3multiplayer is the main reason to pick up theMaster Chief Collectionin the first place, and even in 2020, it doesn’t disappoint.
Players have access to all the maps and game modes found in the original, but with new life on PC.Halo 3’smapsare still some of the best-designed in competitive shooters, and they feel distinct from one another in a way that not many games can match. Despite having spent hundreds of hours in them over the years, the maps still have a timeless appeal that will keep players coming back for more as long as theMaster ChiefCollectionis supported on PC.
Fans also have access to Forge, which can be used to construct custom map variations. WhenHalo 3originally launched on the Xbox 360, Forge was a major addition, offering players a chance to get creative and invent some mind-bending maps. The toolset is the same this time around, so players should have no problem replicating or innovating on their original designs. Those maps can then be used in Custom Games, but there isn’t any officially supported Forge map browser in the game, which means no community maps unless players want to mess around with the game’s files.
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However, Forge’s control set is the one area that the keyboard and mouse don’t feel great. The menu system was clunky enough originally, but the camera in Forge is awkward to move and objects can be difficult to get into position. That being said, players can easily plug in a controller to solve the problem, as it’s a better way to edit maps.
Halo 3’sPC port is by far the best yet, giving the game smoother controls but otherwise keeping the original experience intact. It’s just as fun to play today as it was back when it launched in 2007, a testament to Bungie’s design. Both returning and fans will find something to enjoy here, either for a nostalgia trip or for an experience unlike anything else currently on the market.
Halo 3is available now on PC and Xbox One. Game Rant was provided a Steam code for this review.
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Released in 2007, Halo 3 is the third installment in the mainline series of the long-running Halo series from Bungie. This title follows Master Chief and a mysterious ally called the Arbiter as they attempt to stop a Covenant leader from activating a dangerous artifact.
