Halo 3 made me love Blu-ray more

[FF750]

Why?

Because stupid MS apparently couldn't come up with a decent DVD case for 70 bucks (the cost of the limited edition)! When I got my copy I got it home to find the disc rattling around loosely in the case and scratched up quite a bit. Then when I played it I got until the very end of the third mission and then I got a "Disc is unreadable" message.

I had to go to the store and get a new copy and guess what? The first replacement they gave me - which I could hear was also rattling around inside so the manager offered to have me open it in the store - was scratched up almost as bad. I got a third copy which was still scratched but nowhere near as bad and it finally let me "finish the fight".

And I wasn't the only one with the problem since the clerk at the returns desk called for the manager by saying "We got ANOTHER Halo 3 disc for replacement!" Apparently the problem's so widespread MS already offered replacement discs the same day the game launched. Doh.

A Blu-ray wouldn't have scratched up like that - and if it did I bet it would still play on a PS3.

And maybe the extra space would have meant better graphics for Halo 3. Really, except for the outdoor spaces - which were stunning - Resistance looked better. Especially the character models - Lord Hood looked like a Mr. Potato Head with a bad case of blight and Miranda Keyes looked like her face had been BEATEN by the Master Chief. Ugh.

And after I beat Halo 3 the first thing that popped into my mind? Hmm, I wanna fire up Resistance right now

In case you ask, I'm actually a fan of Halo - but Bungie's been letting me down since the Halo 2 "ending".

[nhaase]

I just started Halo 3, and at the first "slo-mo" scene when Cortana shows up out of focus, it reminded me of FEAR with the scenes of the girl.

[FF750]

Originally Posted by nhaase

I just started Halo 3, and at the first "slo-mo" scene when Cortana shows up out of focus, it reminded me of FEAR with the scenes of the girl.

I won't spoil it for you but that ain't the only thing that seemed cribbed from another game. By the time you finish it you'll notice sequences that seemed ripped from Resistance and even the first Halo.

[sohjonn]

if they wanted to save money, they might aswell put it in a sleeve.

[ESUNintel]

Makes me feel a little better for not buying a 360 and not being able to play Halo. I guess I'll wait for the PC version.

[takezo]

Halo is Hollow.

Many games it follow

Saves frames on ugly game faces

scratches the disks in their cases

Xbox live gamer pride must swallow

Because Halo is Hollow

[darkpoet25]

My brother got his copy of the Limited Edition. I opened it to see what all came in the case. The funny part? Not only was the disc rattling, but the case had been dented in two corners and the other side wouldn't open up. And the price? $70? Huh, seems like M$ likes to royally screw their supporters.

[BLUpassion]

Dont know if anyone has seen M$'s updated Disc Preplacement Program yet....so I thought Id post the condensed version

http://www.xbox.com/en-US/support/sy...nt-program.htm

Xbox Disc Replacement Program
If, for any reason, you have a damaged Microsoft® Xbox 360™ disc and like to replace it, please review the information below:

THIS PROGRAM IS GOOD ONLY FOR XBOX 360 CONSOLE OWNERS IN COUNTRIES WHERE XBOX 360 IS SOLD AT AUTHORIZED RETAIL LOCATIONS.

NOTE: This program covers the Halo 3 Limited Edition Game Disc and Essentials Disc at no charge through 2/1/08.

This program only applies to games where Microsoft is the publisher, and is subject to availability. To check and see if your game is available for replacement, please review which Microsoft products currently fall under this program here.

You will need to print and complete the program form.

For additional terms and conditions on this policy, please review the Terms and Conditions.

Please allow two weeks for delivery.


I love that last line....two weeks. ouch

[Truckondo]

I don't see what this has to do with Blu-ray being better. They would have used the same damn tin to put the disc in resulting in a scratched Blu-ray disc. They should of packed in a foam insert like they did for Australia.

[Aaron]

Originally Posted by Truckondo

I don't see what this has to do with Blu-ray being better. They would have used the same damn tin to put the disc in resulting in a scratched Blu-ray disc. They should of packed in a foam insert like they did for Australia.

Blu-ray Discs have a protective hard layer that is resistant to scratches and fingerprints. Works rather well if you ask me.

[Slackr89]

Originally Posted by Aaron

Blu-ray Discs have a protective hard layer that is resistance to scratches and fingerprints. Works rather well if you ask me.

and thats why Blu-ray is future-proof.

[Westifire]

I bought the regular edition. So no complaints here. MS...great job!


A supporter of all 3 consoles.

[techyted]

Same here, I was worried when I heard mine rattling when I was walking out of Wallyworld at 12:15am with my copy of the limited edition. Got home and I was so let down, kind of like when I got the RROD last February. Should have gone to Costco and got the regular version for $49. Why couldn't they make the same case as the Halo 2 Limited edition, that one was cool..... Interesting side note, my PS3 is still trucking along. GO BLU....

[koreyman]

It sometimes seems microsoft just dosent care. and why should they they could lose the game war ,and the hd dvd war ,and still have more money then anyone so why look after the loyal consumer. I am sure halo is a good game and a great boost for 360 but instaed of all the raves you here how x-360 cant get a good case for their most prideful franchise anyway it s only 6 mounths till METAL GEAR SOILD 4 come on march

[ninjanki]

As a reference, I received Flag of our Fathers recently, and it was rattling inside the case. I opened it and the disc seemed to be damaged in at least two big spots... Then I used a clean piece of cloth, and cleaned it. The scratches were gone, and the disc surface pristine... I found out it was the case that was scratched by the disc hard coat, not the opposite, and the apparent scratches on the disc were actually case material deposited on the surface it tried to scratch.

If the x360 had blu-ray, the cases would not damage the discs...

Allan

[SS316SRV]

Originally Posted by FF750

I won't spoil it for you but that ain't the only thing that seemed cribbed from another game. By the time you finish it you'll notice sequences that seemed ripped from Resistance and even the first Halo.

First, my copy was fine and I am pretty happy about the game.

I thought that HALO 3 took a lot from Gears of War. The grenades are changed, the weapons as a little different. I just this feel that Bungie saw what Gears did so well, and tried to take advantage of that. HALO 3 still has the great sequences with the warthogs (the whole final sequence is on teh warthog just like the first one was). I am pretty happy with HALO 3. I liked Gears of War better though.

[SS316SRV]

Originally Posted by koreyman

It sometimes seems microsoft just dosent care. and why should they they could lose the game war ,and the hd dvd war ,and still have more money then anyone so why look after the loyal consumer. I am sure halo is a good game and a great boost for 360 but instaed of all the raves you here how x-360 cant get a good case for their most prideful franchise anyway it s only 6 mounths till METAL GEAR SOILD 4 come on march

There is no "game war". Stop it. Both 360 and PS3 are doing just fine. And neither is going away, so stop it.

[Malosch78]

Who needs Halo 3 anyway?

PS3 got Metal Gear 4 - sometime in the future - and Final Fantasy XIII - another Time in the future

I got a PS3, not because of the Games - they still awesome, but because the PS3 is Blu!!!

[MOONPHASE]

Originally Posted by Malosch78

Who needs Halo 3 anyway?

PS3 got Metal Gear 4 - sometime in the future - and Final Fantasy XIII - another Time in the future

I got a PS3, not because of the Games - they still awesome, but because the PS3 is Blu!!!

but Metal Gear Solid 4 wont be out to march and as for final fantasy XIII that comes out in december along with final fantasy Verus XIII which comes out early january

[DezNutz]

Are people really surprised that the company that offers a 5 year warranty on thier machines, does the same with their games as well? I mean everyone knows their hardware is beyond bad, and many Xbox 360 users should be used to shipping thier Microsoft product away and waiting for weeks for the replacement to arrive.

It is sad too, if not for these deficiences, I really think Microsoft would of had a damn good shot to lead this generation in sales total (not now, by for the generation as a whole), but they really shot themselves in the foot with continued hardware problems.

I have played Halo 3, and there is alot they did right. It is a top quality next gen game on any system, graphics and gameplay are tight. I never really cared for the storyline, with the now famous dud on Halo2, and I am not a big fan of fantasy FPS, but I know a good game when I see it.

This game is like a microcosim of the 360 so far, if you can play it, it is good at what it does, and FPS is king, online play is top quality, hardware sucks, and other games not really in the same ballpark...