Halo 3
Halo 3 is a first-person shooter video game developed by Bungie Studios exclusively for the Xbox 360. The game is the third title in the Halo series and ends the story arc begun in Halo: Combat Evolved and continued with Halo 2. The game was released on September 25, 2007 in New Zealand (which due to its midnight release made it first available for official retail), Australia, Singapore, India, Mexico, Canada, Brazil, and the United States; September 26, 2007 in Europe; and September 27, 2007 in Japan. GameSpot reported that 4.2 million units of Halo 3 were in retail outlets on September 24, 2007, a day before official release, a world record volume release. Halo 3 also holds the record for the highest grossing opening day in video game history, making US$170 million in its first 24 hours. As of October 4, 2007, Halo 3 has sold 5.2 million copies.

The game features new vehicles, weapons, and gameplay features not present in the previous titles of the series. Halo 3 focuses on the interstellar war between 26th century humanity and a collection of alien races known as the Covenant, who after a decades-long war have begun the invasion of Earth. The player assumes the role of the Master Chief, a cybernetically enhanced supersoldier, as he wages war in defense of humanity.

Gameplay
The gameplay of Halo 3 largely builds upon the previous iterations of the franchise. It is a first-person shooter that follows the character Master Chief and his struggle against the Covenant and the Flood. The game’s action takes place largely on foot, but also includes segments focused on vehicular combat.

The balance of weapons and objects in the game was adjusted to better adhere to what Bungie Multiplayer Designer Lars Bakken describes as the “Golden Triangle of Halo”. These are “weapons, grenades, and melee”, all three of which are normally available to a player. Halo 3 also contains the ability to dual-wield, where a player forgoes grenades for a pair of weapons. All of the weapons available in previous installments of the series, except for the Brute Plasma Rifle, return with minor cosmetic and power alterations. Unlike previous installments, all weapons a player is carrying are visible; weapons not in use are holstered or slung across the player’s back. Halo 3 also introduced “support weapons”, which are exceptionally large, powerful and cumbersome two-handed weapons such as machine gun turrets and flamethrowers. These weapons drastically limit the player’s normal combat options and slow them significantly. In return, they offer greatly increased firepower. In addition to new weapons, Halo 3 added a new class of usable items called Equipment. These items have various effects and functions, ranging from defensive effects (Bubble Shield and Regenerator), or objects which blind or confuse the enemy (Flare and Radar Jammer), to ones which can actually harm and kill (Power Drainer and Tripmine). A player can only carry one of these items at a time. The majority are placed on the battlefield, where they can be destroyed by weapons fire or explosives. Most equipment also has a limited duration after being used.

Halo 3 also features a strong vehicular component, with new vehicles never before seen added in the third installment of the series. Most vehicles can be used by the player, but some are A.I.-controlled. Certain vehicles usable in campaign are not available in multiplayer due to balance concerns.