Not as good as they are marketed on the box. Maybe a hair better than the versions in game, but I'd be hard pressed to tell the difference. I was a bit let down. I watched all of the cut scenes from Halo (55 mins). I haven't started Halo 2 yet.

I have yet to venture online with Halo 3, but I find generally, most people are cool when they run into someone who sucks (and I speak from personal experience, since I suck at FPS games). Also, Halo 3's matchmaking system is supposed to ensure that people who suck get matched with other people who suck, so nobody will have any cause to complain.

Hmm. Is it true that the cutscenes have developer commentary on them?

That is how it is supposed to work in theory, but often times, you get matched with people who are much more skilled then you are. It is just the nature of things. Don't let that discourage you, as you can still have a fun time playing Halo. Just don't blindly think that you won't ever see skilled players.

Don't worry about sucking. Hook up with some people on here and play with them online. We will bring you up to speed in no time. You can also save the game footage and view it in Theater mode and watch the entire match from anyone's perspective. This let's you see how that teammate who is really good does their thing. Or when a team caps your flag in under 30 seconds you can watch the footage and see why.

So is there any way I can pick from a list of open custom matches and join in?

Because I'm already sick of "Slayer", and the 2 maps that they give us. I really want to play "Infected" but can't seem to.

Are you asking if you can choose a particular game (as in say "I want Infected on Narrows.")? If that is what you want, then no, not in matchmaking. Matchmaking has various playlists with certain gametypes and boards that run in rotation in each playlist. Check on Bungie and you can see what lists have what gametypes.

If however you get in a party with friends and run custom matches then the party leader can choose whatever they want and you could play Infection all evening if that is what floats your boat. Just don't be shocked when people start leaving your party.

The matchmaking system works really well imo as Bungie continually updates the playlists and keeps them pretty fresh. I just hope a SWAT list comes up soon.

Well, that sucks. R6:Vegas lets you do that. I want to play really specific games, but I'm never on at the same time as other Live friends.

Well while it is different strokes for different folks, in reality it is much much better this way. If they let you choose what game you wanted to play you would just see game after game of slayer and team slayer. By making playlists you get to generally choose what style game you want but the system picks the type. This leads to far more variety imo.

It is normally a huge paradigm shift for PC based gamers who are used to finding specific servers and doing exactly what they want. When you get used to it i really think you will see some of the merits of this system.

Fill up your friend list a little more. What time zone are you in? what times are you usually playing? I bet you will be able to find some people on here to befriend.

Finished the single player campaign. Have to say while the gameplay was classic Halo, I was very underwhelmed by the story. Some of the big questions left unanswered were other not answered or answered in a way that they seemed half assed and like a huge afterthought. My Gold Membership expired and I only have the game until wednesday so I unfortunately won't get to try the multiplayer but it seems like that's where it's at. Campaign was definitely not as good as I was hoping but the multiplayer seems like it'll be crazy.

Sup guys? Just letting you guys know I'll be on around midnight tonight. Hopefully we can get a huge group again. For those saying they don't play online cause you suck put me on your friends list. I try to switch the games up a lot so it doesn't get boring and a lot of the stuff we like to play is just plain fun.

I got a question. Anyone know if there's a way to specifically choose the flame thrower in custom matches? I was trying to make that our default weapon while playing king of the hill I think, and it wouldn't show up at all as a selectable weapon.

Also, don't be afraid to speak up and ask for any game type you may wanna play. I'm willing to try just about anything out, so just come in and say what you wanna play and we'll do it. Hope to see you guys online tonight.

Anyone up for some Campaign on Legendary in about 20 minutes?

I'll be home around 6:30 and would love to do some Legendary Co-op.

I finished the campaign last night on Heroic. I really think it was the best of the series, still not a 10 to me, but I liked the campaign a lot more than the first two games. They really improved the flow and pacing IMO, especially since they got rid of the repetitive corridors of the first two games. But the level design is still somewhat bland, it really looks like they made levels straight from a generic 3d modeler, nothing differentiates earth from any other planets you end up on. It reminds me of the basic 3d wallpapers people used to make. I still think the gameplay needs more variety, because it really is just a straight FPS, a good FPS, but there isn’t enough variety for me. However they really do make some great battle sequences,

Also, despite a little hesitation about not being good enough for multiplayer (sounds like I am not alone reading the posts) I jumped into my first ever Halo multiplayer matches last night. I was stunned that I actually won my first game, and thought I was something special until I realized I was in the beginner’s (Basic Training) section. From there I played some more games, both social and ranked, individual and team. I did okay, a few seconds and thirds, but it was obvious I was out of my league in a few games. At times I was a little frustrated with how slow it is turning around with a controller, if somebody is behind me, I’m screwed.

Anyways, I would like to get into some dvdtalk matches. I will probably be on around 10 pm PST if anybody is playing tonight.

If I'm around, I have a cool gametype I downloaded called 'Tower of Power'. If I'm on, it'll only be until about 2:30 or so.

I'm up for co-op as well. Add me as a friend if you still need another teammate.

I would be up for Legendary campaign tonight, but it would have to be after Heroes (EST).

Dear sweet...

Tower of Power was my number one most disliked game on Halo 2. I assume your version has everyone load with shotties, no nades, no shield, and a turret to control? *shudder* The only custom worse than Rocket the Hill.

Finished the game today on normal. While I was watching the end I got a disc read error and had to replay the whole last level. Oh well I think level 7 was the best. I would like to play on a harder level maybe on co-op.

Nah...I don't think this is the same thing.

It's like territories, on Last Resort, with the team needing to capture the 'tower' for two minutes.

Just out of curiosity, what do you like to play?

Then again, maybe it is. Meh.

In any event, I have some other cool game variants, if you don't mind trying them out.

Let me know.

I like SWAT style games. I loved Basejumping. I also dug off-beat games like Acupuncture (all needlers) and Fight Club (all beat downs with plasma pistols).

I don't like rocket the hill because it was just a continual stream of spawn -> run to point -> die -> repeat for 12 minutes. Tower of Power sucked because if you weren't the guy on the turret it was just running and running and praying you could make it to the tower... then hope your connection is good enough (due to the random shotguns) to take out the defenders and then take the turret for yourself.

Vehicle Fiesta was also one of my favorite games.

Ok, cool, that's what I wanted to know. Maybe you can post some of the settings so I can try to set those up for when we get together to play. I'll still run some of the other games like rocket the hill because I just think it's hilarious watching bodies fly left and right. Never gets old. My personal favorite is rocketball, though.