Halo 3: Legendary Map Pack

By Daniel Needham

The Legendary pack adds another edge to Halo 3

If you started to think that Halo 3 had begun to seem stale, and you were considering moving on to another online shooter, then you should have a reality check. The old dog still has plenty of tricks up its sleeve to serve the millions that have flocked online to play, with the Legendary map pack now out for the paltry sum of 800 Microsoft Points via the Xbox Live Marketplace.

Just as the Heroic map pack - which by the way is now available as a free download - added an edge to the online play, the Legendary pack looks to replicate that and then add some. We here at NZGamer were lucky enough to have a sneak play around with all three maps - Avalanche, Blackout and Ghost Town - and felt it our duty to inform you of what we think of the new maps. (Like it probably matters, you'll be downloading it anyway)

Avalanche

For all you vehicular combat fans, this one is especially for you. A tribute to the Sidewinder map from the original Halo, this massive map adds a twist to its classic predecessor with new interiors, redesigned exteriors with open environments and new vehicles for you to race around the frozen landscape on. Even the Hornet has made it on to this map, and appears to be there by default.

And trust me, you’ll need all the vehicles you can get as this map is huge, and will be the scene to some epic big team battles.

Blackout

If you thought this map sounded slightly similar to another Halo online map, you’re not mistaken, as Blackout has taken its name from the Halo 2 map Lockout. While this map sticks closer to the original, it too has been slightly altered to give a greater sense of what this map represents. Corridors with interconnecting platforms are around for those willing to risk being out in the open, as mid-to-long range combat will still be the order of the day, despite the closeness of the corridor system.

Ghost Town

Last but certainly not least would have to be Ghost Town, my personal favourite of the pack. Ghost Town comes from the Sierra 117 level of the campaign and is at heart a series of broken covers within the ruins of the former city of Voi. By far the best looking of the three maps, the ruined nature of the town really makes the level frenetically paced and users may just want to have a quick run through by themselves before going online, just to help themselves with navigating the medium sized level. This is the urban warfare map that fans have been waiting for!

Also added in with the compulsory online update are new abilities for The Forge level editor, the coolest being the ability to change the lighting effects, creating a potential death trap in darkness, or a great sniping position. Ramps, watchtowers and sniper towers have also been added in, while block-able doors and openings are there for anyone who wants to alter the passageways of any map.

Out now, the map pack is compulsory buying for all Halo 3 nuts out there, as well as anyone wanting a new kick from the online component of the title. Each map has its distinct perks, and adds to the list of maps that are already playable, and for the price of 800 Microsoft Points is a steal.

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ReplyPosted by cute_maori on 19 November 2008, 06:26PM

On the internet I mean Xbox Live.