'Halo 3' beta preaches to the converted

There are very few certainties in this universe — death, taxes, and that "Halo 3" will sell a bazillion copies when it launches on Sept. 25.

However, the legions that subscribe to the "Halo" hero Master Chief's cult of personality need not wait to get a taste of the first Xbox 360 installment of the multimillion-selling action franchise. Developer Bungie, owned by Microsoft, rolled out a three-level multiplayer demo of "Halo 3" last week for a test that is equal parts fan service and free focus-group testing. Every movement and every shot fired will be recorded for scrutiny as the company enters the final stretch of development. Expectations are sky-high, but it would take a major snafu to disappoint the millions of "Halo" devotees.

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Judging from the initial response to the demo — called a beta test — on Bungie's Web site, the sneak peek is a resounding success. Grousing is far outweighed by praise, although at this point, Bungie is truly preaching to the converted. Beta invites weren't randomly assigned, after all. To qualify for the "Halo 3" beta, hopefuls entered an e-mail contest, scoped a viral campaign, or purchased a specially marked copy of "Crackdown," a comically over-the-top action game.

Download troubles
"Crackdown" was a minor critical hit, but the game's impressive sales figures (approximately 900,000) were no doubt boosted by the inclusion of the "Halo 3" beta. Gamers that tried to enter the beta via "Crackdown," though, were treated to a nasty surprise last Wednesday when they were unable to download the demo while other beta players enjoyed rousing sessions of digital gunplay.

Bungie's message boards were an inferno of impassioned freak-outs, but the crisis was averted that evening when the "Crackdown" bug was fixed and downloads began. To read the message boards now, all is forgiven. Master Chief is truly the Dr. Phil of rampaging gamers.

Bungie must inch across a precarious tightrope for "Halo 3." The shooter's mechanics are so beloved — over 5 million gamers have played around 700 million online games of "Halo 2" — that Bungie risks upsetting the fanbase by making too many changes. However, there is an equal danger in playing it too safe and not delivering a new enough experience to justify buying an Xbox 360 for "Halo 3."

'Halo 2.5?'
Some fans are already using the derisive term "Halo 2.5" for the beta, saying that it seems too similar to the second game in both the visual and game play departments. But is such dismissal unfair when the previously developed formula is a success responsible for selling more than 9 million copies of "Halo 2" worldwide?

The "Halo 3" beta gives gamers the first crack at some new (or upgraded) weapons and gear that could help avoid that "Halo 2.5" moniker. The additions are a mixed bag, but that's what this beta is for — to try new ideas out and see how the community responds.

Bungie Studios The new Mongoose ATV in 'Halo 3' tears into the thick of battle — but leaves the driver vulnerable.

Hotly debated new weapons
The Spartan Laser is perhaps the most hotly discussed new gun, a powerhouse cannon that kills with a single shot. The laser's lethality comes at the expense of time — you must charge the weapon for about four seconds before unleashing death, and in a "Halo" match, four seconds is almost an eternity.

The laser is just too powerful and its aiming is too loose. You can take down a player just by shooting a hand or foot. However, the laser is expertly suited to destroying an enemy rampaging across the Snowbound map on a Ghost (an alien hovercraft).

The Bubble Shield, an item that envelops you in a transparent sphere, is intriguing. When used properly, it's a real gas — such as deploying it just in time to bounce a grenade right back at the thrower. The humorously named Man Cannon is a map feature that launches players high into the air. It's a fun way to cross the Valhalla map (the best of the three maps offered in the beta), but it also leaves you wide open to any player gifted with the sniper rifle, another weapon that is just a little too powerful.

The game's new vehicle, the all-wheel Mongoose, is good for speedy travel over distances, but the lack of a weapon leaves the user too vulnerable. At full speed, the Mongoose should also be able to splatter rival players if its at full-speed on the moment of impact.

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