Halo 3 has some of the most epic battles we've ever seen. But even if you don't own an Xbox 360, that doesn't mean you should miss out on all the fun. We've spent the last two weeks picking through Halo 3 with a fine tooth comb (and some handy screenshot tools). Here's what we came up with.
The entire first level: Sierra 117
Sierra 117 is a refreshing spin on the usual Bungie level design. Minus "The Silent Cartographer" level from Halo: CE, which was a masterpiece in my book, repetitious and mundane environments plague the Halo games from beginning to end.
The Overall Scale
When this Covenant Phantom flies overhead you feel more like a Grunt than a seven-foot tall Master Shaq.
Armored Brute shimmering in the sunlight
There are all sorts of OMG moments stuffed into Sierra 117. The first of which, the ferocious Brute clad in shiny armor Dirty Dancing on the fallen tree with the UNSC soldier in his arms. Did you save the poor chap or were you blinded by the majesty of Halo 3's HDR lighting?
Banshees destroy Sgt. Johnson's Pelican
This landmark is technically the first real OMG moment in the game. When you arrive at the top of the waterfall, Sgt. Johnson is waiting to pick you up for evac, but things go awry.
Monkey Cave Men
These furry creatures can be found in Sierra 117 on a high sniper's ledge shortly after the waterfall. Oddly enough, their faces are rumored to be that of Bungie.net's numero uno writer, Frank O' Connor. Maybe that's why he calls himself the content monkey.
First encounter with a Brute Chieftain
You know the big guys with the Gravity Hammers. It's difficult to say which is more of an OMG moment; going toe-to-toe with your first Brute Chieftain or stealing his Gravity Hammer after he's dead. Sucka!
Warthog away
Even scripted moments such as this will make your jaw drop. It's even better in slow-mo where you can see the explosive detail of the blue plasma against the flaming Warthog.
What's the password?
Whether or not it's the machina champs Red vs. Blue, this little Easter egg in "Crow's Nest" is a quirky treat.
Turret madness
The docking bay in "Crow's Nest" is especially satisfying. Sit on one of the two turrets at either end of the room and wail on the incoming drop ships.
That's a big bomb
This ridiculously oversized bomb is a little going away present for the Covenant from Sgt. Johnson and Miranda Keyes.
