‘HALO 3’

‘HALO 3’

(Microsoft) for Xbox 360

Genre: First-person shooter

Rating: M

Grade: A

The tag line for this game is “Finish the Fight,” and by the time you are done with all there is to do in “Halo 3,” you will be wishing and hoping this trilogy is not truly finished.

Master Chief is back in all his glory for one last go, and the game picks up where “Halo 2” left off, so those still angry over that cliffhanger can rest assured that all the story lines are nicely wrapped up.

Nearly everything has gotten a boost, as expected. The weapons have been upgraded, though the classics are still around if you want to use them. (Wait for the gravity hammer; it’s too much fun).

There are new vehicles to drive, and a new “equipment” feature that makes things fun — but also a tad too easy at times.

For a first-person shooter, you’ll be surprised at all the customization you can do. Finding “skulls” will allow you to tweak the enemy AI, and you can also use the new Forge method (a map editor) to alter the gameplay even more. There is also a film editor, so you can save classic moments during your play and share them with other gamers.

One area that never ceases to amaze is the visuals. “Halo 3” is a stunning game that you’ll appreciate, from environments to battles.

What earns the game a perfect grade is not just the gameplay that is guaranteed entertainment, but also how all the other pieces feel so complete — from the multiplayer to the online experience and the co-op.

Microsoft has shown it takes care of its franchises just like Nintendo does, and “Halo 3” is right there with “Metroid Prime 3” in terms of closing things out on a high note and leaving you wanting more. 360 owners will regret not owning “Halo 3.”

‘SKATE’

(EA Games) for Xbox 360, PlayStation 3
Genre: Sports; Rating: T

Grade: B

My pal Kelly and his skate friends have been eagerly anticipating the release of “Skate,” a skateboarding title that was to revolutionize the game physics and provide a challenge to the Tony Hawk franchise — which has been venturing too far into the arcade world and losing fans because of its theatrics and lack of real-life depiction of skateboarding culture.

“Skate” definitely revolutionizes the way skateboarding is played. Forget using the D-pad or face buttons to execute moves. Here, it’s all about the analog sticks and giving you the feel and experience of really being on the board.

The two sticks and the triggers are all you need to execute ollies, varials, kickflips, big air grabs, grinds, shove-its and more. It’s very comfortable in feel, and having the game react and treat this like real skating is fantastic.

Your goal is to become God’s Gift To Skating, of course, and you’ll do this through challenges and other mission-type scenarios. Most are avenues to learn new tricks, which is rewarding and fun, but the challenges from other pro skaters are sometimes unnecessarily hard.

If there’s one complaint about the new gameplay system, it’s that performing specific tricks is difficult because the flicking and movement on the analog sticks are closely mapped together. One half-centimeter off and you’ll have to start over on a mission because you pulled an ollie instead of a heelflip. It gets frustrating quickly at times, so beware throwing the controller in anger.

The visual style and feel are much more in the simulation realm than other skateboarding games. The environments don’t look fake or cartoony. The tricks look spot-on.

Because of the unique controls, both casual gamers and skaters alike can enjoy this title, and skate fans can definitely rejoice in a much-needed return to realistic skating.

— Chris Campbell, Scripps Howard