Halo + Anime = Halo Legend

When a company finds its hit product its willing to milk it for all it’s worth. Microsoft has without a doubt hit it big with its Halo Franchise, and now it’s really milking it now that they announced their upcoming anime series at this year’s Comic-Con, Halo Legend. Anime should not mix with Halo and this looks like just more crap that’s about to hit the fan; but there are still tons of crazy people that enjoy anime. So maybe it will be a big hit, but I don’t think so; what do you think about a Halo anime series? Clips will soon become available on Xbox Live’s Halo Waypoint this Fall.

Mythic Map Pack Coverage

On April 9th, Bungie released another multiplayer map pack for Halo 3. This map pack includes 3 brand new maps for 800 Microsoft Points ($10). The levels include Assembly, which takes place in a scarab factory; Orbital, which takes place on a UNSC ship; and Sandbox, which is a perfect sandbox in every way. These new levels breath some fresh life into online gameplay, and with several new achievements what is not to love. These levels bring new types of levels in that fit well with the other Halo 3 levels, but bring something of their own to the mix.

Assembly

Assembly is a great level with lots of ledges and other paths, all leading up to the middle where the fun begins. There is a transporter beam in the center of the level that brings you down to the bottom level with a Gravity Hammer. There is always fighting to be done in the center but with lots to explore throughout the rest of the map as well. Assembly is a good addition to the list of maps.

Orbital

Orbital brings the visual appeal that I always really wanted in a Halo 3 multiplayer map. I have always loved playing on UNSC ships and this level has a great feel to it. It reminds me of the first level in the first Halo game, aboard the ship. There are several levels to this one and it is pretty big in size. There are many small corridors that could lead to surprise attacks on the enemy. There is so much to be had on this level, it is thoroughly enjoyable.

Sandbox

Sandbox is definitely a change of pace from the other maps. This map is completely customizable; completely. Take out everything and start tabula rasa. The best part is there are three different playing fields, the main sand floor, a huge steel bunker of a basement, as well as a floating field in the sky. You can take advantage of all three at once. Create death defying obstacles in the sky to have a sweet sniping vantage point, or set your level in the basement, perfect for grifball. You can be as creative as you want and have as much fun as possible with it.

I don’t know if this map pack is for everyone. $10 just seems like a lot of money to spend on a few multiplayer maps. I wouldn’t say this map pack is for the casual Halo player, if you only play every once in a while when some friends come over, you can live without this map pack. However, definitely for the hardcore players out there, these maps could bring some new strategy into your gameplay and mix things up to keep you wanting to succeed, or if you love forge and love creating levels then this map pack is for you. Sandbox is your sandbox, enjoy it and take advantage of it. Someone that likes building levels could easily pump hours and hours into building the next great level. This map pack is not for everyone, don’t spend $10 unless you know you want it. There is a lot to be done on these new levels and a lot of achievements to be earned so check out this video of the map layout to see what it is all about.

Halo 3: Mythic Map Pack

Check out these videos showing off just how awesome the upcoming Mythic Map Pack for Halo 3 will be. The map pack is set to be released on April 29 and will be available on the Xbox Live Marketplace for 800 Microsoft Points ($10). Stay tuned until then for our full review of the Mythic Map Pack, but until then, please enjoy these awesome videos.

The 5 Laws of Rockets

Throughout the Halo franchise the rocket launcher has grown into a love-hate relationship for players of all kinds. Many say it is only for noobs, others say it is a fair and vital weapon for any truly 1337 person to learn to utilize. Despite your view of tactical use, we have come to conclude there are laws that regulate rocket usage and can help make you a better launcher of rockets. We call them, The 5 Laws of Rockets, learning to adapt to these laws will help make a fire fight end in your favor as long as you have your handy dandy rocket launcher with you. So here they are…

1. Thou Shalt Not Shoot at Point Blank

It seems simple, but rockets create explosions. If these explosions are anywhere near you when they occur then you will probably face the consequences of a respond timer. don’t shoot at point blank, because you will die, plain and simple. Find another way to kill your enemy; perhaps punching them… or sticking them with a gernade; no matter what you choose. Just don’t shoot.

2. Thou Shalt Jump When Ye Hear The Sound of a Flying Rocket

There are few sounds that are more terrifying than a screaming rocket as it streams toward you with deadly consequences. By jumping you just might be able to avoid death. The enemy’s rocket launcher will take time to be able to fire again, giving you time to finish them off before they finish you off.

3. Thou Shalt Fire Toward the Feet

This law is countered by the Second Law, however, apply this law will increase your number of kills by giving you a sure spot of explosion, causing more casualties at your expense. Rather than aiming at the enemy like any other weapon in Halo, aim towards their feet. Even if they jump there is a chance they will still die within the explosion radius. The ground stays in place, but the enemy does not. Remember it and use it.

4. Thou Shalt Lead Thy Rocket

As crazy as it may sound, the enemy players will move. Unfortunately, rockets cannot make up for this once they have been fired. Therefore, you must make up for this by leading your shot. Before you take that long distance shot, do the math. You must form a triangle between where you are and their initial position and you must calculate the rocket and enemy’s final position; throwing in the time it takes to travel. Use your instincts and plan for the future.

5. Thou Shalt Reload When Out of Battle

Rockets are given very limited ammo, and it should be used sparingly. Only two shots are used before the long reload process is required. It will never end well if you run into an enemy with half the reload animation done. After a break in battle, even with one shot left, take the time to reload. You never know when you might need that second rocket to finish off a group of enemies.