Halo 3 looks good, yet it's hard not to peg it as a high definition version of Halo 2. Less a jab at Halo 3 than a compliment to the visual fidelity of its predecessor, the graphics aren't exactly to the level of the trailer shown last year. With that said, increasingly detailed textures, gorgeous reflective surfaces, and new physics ensure a distinctly superior presentation in Halo 3. The game clearly utilizes Xbox 360 hardware for a silky smooth performance even when handling up to 16 simultaneous players.

Bakken asserts, "Halo 2 looks dated when compared to this--it's almost shocking." While not quite shocked, we're pleased with the progress Bungie is making in bringing the franchise into the HD era. Both visually and in terms of gameplay, Halo 3 appears to be inheriting much from the previous two titles; however, this doesn't necessarily have to be a bad thing, as Halo 3 promises to keep intact everything that has made the series successful.

Our hands-on time with the game has left us with as many questions as answers, including a raging curiosity about the campaign. For now, though, we'll just shut up and continue playing.