A beginners guide to Halo 3 multiplayer beta

After the quick lowdown of our first impressions of the Halo 3 multiplayer we’ve got a slightly more detailed guide to the three featured levels to deliver to you. This should hopefully be a little more use to you than our last feature and should give a few good tips on some good spots to camp…or not depending on your feelings on such behavior.

Here’s a quick guide to the multiplayer setup: Language can be picked to enable players to hurl abuse at each other and be understood. Vetoing levels is possible if you don’t like the look of what’s coming, allowing the same set of players to have a go at another level and game type if the majority see fit. There’s a set of 3 ranked playlists on offer, made up of Rumble Pit, Team Slayer and Skirmish. The “Social Playlist” section gives use the extra choices of Rumble Training and Team Training.

Just in case you weren’t aware, access to the Halo 3 beta is limited to those that of you that purchased one of the special Crackdown games or managed to make it in time for Phase One of the registration on halo3.com. An access code was also to given to the first 13,333 people who played at least three hours of Halo 2 multiplayer on an Xbox 360 between February 1^st and 3^rd.

High Ground

High Ground is set amongst almost tropical scenery and features an array of lovely cliff-faces, trees and distant mountains. Amongst all the nature is a pretty prominent bunker base with all manner of routes between each section, various staircases and chances to reach, well, high ground for decent sniping spots. There are gates that can be destroyed with a bit of a pummel which enable you to gain access to certain areas plus the level is scattered with handy boxes and barrels to blow up. The map presents a ton of places to hide in tunnels while catching your breath or waiting to leap out and strike. On some of the furthest high points in the concrete bases there’s chance to hide under camo sheets and a lovely selection of handy turrets for the odd bit of obliteration. An underground tunnel provides a decent camping spot, ideal for players to defend the structure by camping and flinging grenades.

The map includes new two-man vehicle the Mongoose, which we must emphasize has no weapons, so only use it if you’re after getting somewhere very quickly. The very highest peak of the base holds the gift of long-ranged Spartan Laser weapon. With this in hand, when the player takes aim and holds down the trigger for a couple of seconds will emit a massive laser strike. Followed by an explosion. There’s no ammo for the gun so it’s important to get your five shots right though there is a little splash damage for forgiveness. It’s ideal for targeting vehicles, as long as you try to hit the middle or you’ll probably just cause shield damage to the driver.

Snowbound

Much as you could probably have guessed there’s high ground in High Ground, well.. there’s quite the smattering of snow in Snowbound. It’s just a shame that the beta’s third map, Valhalla didn’t rhyme or feature Satan for a sense of continuity. Never mind.

Snowbound is a pretty open place, meaning you’ll need to be on guard pretty much all the time as there are few places to hide, and those locations where it is possible are easily found. The map’s almost circular and at its focal point boasts a gigantic platform perfect both for sniping and being spotted.

You’ll find a series of bunkers under the snow and an interconnecting tunnel system between them. It’s worth noting that the entrances to these tunnels are guarded with permanent shields to prevent them from constant grenade bombardment

One method of totting up kills is to wait by the entrances at the furthest points of the map as it’s unlikely anyone will ever take any other route than these when getting to other points as the hazards involved are pretty extreme. One of said hazards is the collection of giant automated turrets that sit near the edges of the map, these are designed to keep players inside the level’s proper area and will obliterate you immediately when you misstep. The open ground that makes up the distance between these entrances and the rest of the map makes up the second hazard as its so darned white you’ll stick out like a country singer in space station.

Sitting at the underground points of the map are a collection of weapons, shields and grenades to pick up, and dotted around the surface are a set of Ghosts (vehicles). These are pretty handy for moving around but of course they make you a blindingly obvious target for players equipped with grenades (of which there are a copious amount). It’s worth a go with these though as it’s pretty flat terrain and neutralization via Ghostly impact is a target well worth aiming for.

Valhalla

This map is another mainly outdoor affair sprinkled with grass and mountains, lovely rivers and a couple of concrete bases. It’s a ton of fun as, amongst other things, there are points in which you’re able to propel yourself, even when in a vehicle, flying into the warzone beneath. If you’re a good aim with a Warthog’s nose or base then this is well worth a shot as squishing a player is incredibly satisfying. It will most likely end with you being smack bang in a clearing but is so much fun your instantaneous death won’t bother you too much.

There’s a lot of opportunity for snipers due to the map’s massive length and opposing bases so those with a good aim will most likely find joy here. Don’t forget that sniping’s not just limited to the sniper rifles nowadays since the Spartan Laser came into play. This is a map that will quickly become the playground of experts so beginners beware.