Customer Reviews

Halo 3: The Official Strategy Guide (Prima Official Game Guides)

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

There isn't so much complexity, nor are there really a handful of secrets in Halo 3 which require you to actually use a guide. That shouldn't suggest a guide is bad, though. It's a great guide, just not one you'll find yourself in dire need of. However, for what you get you'll more than likely be pleased. It's a very well designed guide and is very well organized. There's a lot of content to swallow but at least the guide is organized and easy to use. Just don't be surprised if you spend a bit more time reading it instead of playing the game.

This guide actually begins with a foreward that explains what you'll find in the guide. Noting that it won't spend a lot of time on the basics and that they really did want to design a good guide. They succeed... almost too well because this is certainly an exhaustive guide. Don't let the size fool you, this is far more detailed than any guide I've ever seen.

Halo 3 doesn't exactly reinvent the wheel. In fact, it plays almost exactly like Halo 2 did. For that the basics section of this guide spends a little too much time reiterating what Halo fans already know. At least it doesn't spend too much time here and if you are new to Halo it'll get you acquainted with the game. In the basics it'll go over basic controls and how to control vehicles and such. Again, nothing veterans will need, but it is good for beginners to take a look here.

The Campaign is where this guide gets interesting. Many strategy guides out there simply focus on one difficulty level: Normal. That's not the case with Piggyback Interactive's guide. This walkthrough has been designed for all difficulty levels. The way they organized it is how it succeeds in doing this. Each section begins with a map. These maps are basically from a birds eye view of the level. They point out weapons, enemy packs etc. for you.

However, the layout is what's interesting. On the map they point out what you should do at each spot. It's brief and to the point. These call outs on the maps are for those going through Easy and Normal. On the facing page is where they give you a ton of detail for what to do on Legendary. Things to do on Legendary are also called out on the map but in the A, B, C format established in other guides. So if you see "A" on the map, look on the facing page at what to do. The walkthrough is designed to help with all the difficulty levels but written with the assumption that you'll be playing through Legendary. Needless to say you can easily use the Legendary tips for the lower difficult levels.

For the gamer who fears spoilers, the walkthrough in all its detailed glory is spoiler free. There's a lot of reading, but it makes sure not to tell you about the story. It also will debrief you after each chapter of the campaign.

The extras chapter is a different story. It doesn't spoil anything, but it is meant to be read only after you've completed the campaign. Here it'll tell you more about Legendary Mode and give you tips. It also talks about the skulls. However, Bungie would not let the authors of the guide reveal the location of the skulls. You know which mission it can be found in but not where in the mission. That doesn't stop them from revealing the effects of the skulls.

There's also a bestiary, info on vehicles and most useful of all, talking about the Score System and the list of achievements. For the score system they also provide great tips to reach the score needed to net yourself achievements.

There is then a huge section of the guide dedicated to multiplayer. Most of this is just showing you maps of the area and providing tips, but they talk briefly about co-op here and they also talk about all the different modes and all the weapons you can get as well. The last thing they mention here is about Forging. It's another section that is generally brief, only helping you to get the basic feel of it.

It's an exhaustive guide, but a good one. You might find yourself a little exhausted with information at times, but at least you know its all there.

This is very helpful for game play.I would greatly encourage the xbox live gamer to get it because it tells the respawn times for the weapons on each multiplayer map.

Very detailed strategy guide. The artwork is awesome and the level of explanation from the writers is incredible. A must have for any Halo fan.

This guide is well written and put together in a fairly logical order. But allot of the higher end details that made the HALO 2 guide great are not included this time around. Bungie (I.E. Microsoft) told/gave prima only the material they wanted exposed. So for the whole story you may need to look else wheres. But for great maps and detailed level layouts that will keep you up to speed until the downloadable content comes out, then look no further.

bought this for boyfriend for christmas, he LOVED it! he has no patience for the game without the help provided. now he's busy playing and quiet about it. no muttering under the breath. arrived in very timely manner, would buy from this seller again.

This guide has almost everything you would want from a game guide. It's well organized, thorough, looks good, and will help you through most pinches you can get yourself into in halo.

If you've played any of the halo games, then let's face it. You already know how to play. The guide doesn't assume anything though, and makes sure that you know how to do everything you need to know from the get-go.

There are nice detailed maps for every multiplayer level, and the campaign walkthrough is nice and helpful.

The only thing that this doesn't have is an area for skulls/easter eggs, but that's what the internets for, right?

If you're looking for a halo 3 guide, get this one. You won't be disappointed.

This is a decently-written guide, but sadly incomplete. A perfect example: don't expect any info on how to find any of the hidden skulls. C'mon, really? What the heck? Buying a strategy guide only to have to look that info up online is truly lame.

The guide is helpful but there are areas or different parts of the game where using the guide I was still lost. It does contain useful info as well as helpful charts. The guide is a necessary evil.

Although I did not read this item/look it over personally, I had bought it for my son who was very, very excited to receive it. If that's any indication, I would say this has some definite cool-factor. Also a good item for those who are just plain 'ol totally into the games!! :-)

This book is not recommended to those who want to play Halo 3 without any know how on how to play but it is a very very good book to those that are struggling on Legendary difficulty or that you might just want to know some ways to do the levels as quickly as possible. Note: Sometimes some pages might fall off though.