Campaign & Story: 10/10

Yes I know its still the same story, but seriously people. This is clearly the best of the series. The campaign is massive and so is every battle within it. Instead of one-man infiltration missions all the time occasionally you are part of an attack force, or a small group of soldiers. The story has similar elements for the earlier Halo games but delivers it soo much better.

Multiplayer: 8/10

This game is the reason people subscribe to Live. Not only are the wide array of modes, vehicles, weapons enough but now there are custom maps. Just buy the game already and hook up. However, the addition of equipment has changed some of the main strategies you have seen beforehand. In case you were wondering, yes Xbox Live is inhabited mostly by children who are ready to kick your ass. Even though you're a college student and they're in the 5th grade.

Customization: 9/10

I love customizing stuff in games. Halo 3 delivers. I just wish the Elites had more armor choices and didn't have the head size disadvantage.

Replayability: 8/10

If you stick to multiplayer you will never notice this, but the campaign becomes tired after albeit like the other games. Once you've seen?a level three times you know what to expect. However the first time is amazing.

Innovation & Hidden stuff: 8/10

While there are some new mechanics (deployables and detachable turrets) most of them seem to be to nerf one man taking on the entire armada straragey that Halo made us used to. Using a 60-cal. against an enemy base sounds good but the lack of mobility makes you a sitting duck for anyone. However there are some nice things, grav lifts, that came along too. My favorite part is the new use for skulls. Before they were Easter Eggs but now they have a purpose. Grunt Birthday Party is still funny to me btw.

Overall: 9/10

I know that this is a great game and I probably would have given it a 10/10 had this been a first game of the series but, where its the third. It had the feel of the last Star Wars movie it was great but it was very much a part of the series not as much its own game.