Halo 3 is here, the wait is over, and everything is OK. First and foremost, it feels like Halo, which in the end is the most important thing.
It is immediately apparent that this hugely anticipated sequel is no revolution or reinvention of Halo's core formula.
That of course, is the only thing developer Bungie could have done, considering the fevered dedication of the series' army of fans, and the perpetual critical acclaim previous Halo titles have enjoyed.
In fact, Halo 3 initially appears to be in many ways so similar to its predecessors, that from a distance through tired eyes you could even mistake it for Halo 2, or even the original release.
"Seeing the frenzied, twitchy gunplay is just like seeing any great Halo match from the first two games."
Everything in the levels available to play from the angular grey fortresses through to the cheerily green vegetation and shore side location screams classic Halo level design.
Seeing the frenzied, twitchy gunplay and character movement as you watch a multiplayer game is just like seeing any great Halo match from the first two games.
But step a little closer, open those sleepy eyes, and you'll notice that while not enormously different from Halo 2, there is certainly a next generation flare to the visuals that definitely supersedes the previous game's graphics.
In seeing something so familiar that also so looks so fresh, you can't help sensing that this is Halo 2's 2007 edition, and though there is certainly plenty new on offer, when you get to grips with the multiplayer gameplay your suspicions are in part confirmed.
