The Legendary Map Pack has just been released on the Xbox Live Marketplace for 800 Microsoft Points. The pack includes 3 new maps for use on Xbox Live. Blackout, Avalanche and Ghost Town. Also included is brand new Forge objects and a new option to change the lighting effects on the map!
The last set of maps released weren’t too flash, nothing special and most people waited until the content was available to download for free. So should you pay for this map pack? Is it worth the 800 Microsoft Points price tag? (roughly £7).
I was lucky enough to find a few people (12) who have downloaded the maps so I have played them enough to give a good opinion.
More after the jump!
Blackout
Blackout is a re-make of the original Halo 2 map Lockout. Lockout was one of the most popular maps on Halo 2 so it was inevitable that Bungie re-made this map for Halo 3. Blackout was definitely the map I was most looking forward too as I adored Lockout.
The general layout of the map has stayed the same and the weapons re-spawn in exactly the same place, although I did notice the some areas have been made bigger than they were in Halo 2, for example, it you looks at the screenshot above you can clearly see that the that the area on the right underneath the lamp-post has been made alot bigger.
The map has been given a massive visual touch up. In Halo 2 the map was deigned to look like a forerunner structure, Blackout however is a UNSC structure. When first entering the map, it doesn’t feel like Lockout, everything seems very different due to the graphical overhaul, but when you take a good look around, it’s clearly the same map.
Lockout Blackout best suits Team Slayer games, the map is very close quarters and there’s lots to explore. Lockout was a huge favourite on Halo 2 and I think Blackout is going to be no different. The map played out just like it did in Halo 2, very hectic and very fast. For Halo 2 fans this map brings back allot of great memories, it’s strange at first but you get used to it very quickly. For gamers who have only played Halo 3, Blackout is a map you have to try! For me, maps like Blackout are what make Halo great, Fast and Fun!
Ghost Town
When I first loaded up this map one thing instantly popped into my mind ‘Gear Of War’. Ghost Town is an abandoned factory type map. The scenery is broken with a post apocalyptic feel. Ghost Town is a brand new map created for the Legendary Map Pack. The layout of the map is very strange at first and will take allot of getting used to! The map is large but has no open spaces, there are lots of indoor areas and you can’t stay in one place for too long!
The colour scheme is light browns and dark greens, giving a very earthy feel. The map is asymmetric with weapons spawned fairly and in the weirdest places! All of the action is this map is close quarters, in the games I played there were no long range battles. The weapons are close quarters, the map default includes a set of rockets, shotguns, needlers, SMG’s and one sniper rifle! I had a go with the sniper rifle and found it useless, there are no spaces where you can just sit and camp, with this map you have to keep moving to survive. The map also has a mongoose, but even if you can work it around the fiddly corners, you’re still a sitting duck and will be taken down instantly!
I can see this map becoming a favorite of mine, I have always prefered CQC and this map offers plenty of it! This map will be suit Slayer variants and I can see CTF working very well on it. The map is frantic, fun and has a extremely original layout! Something Bungie is famous for. This map is a great addition to the game and fits right in!
Avalanche
Avalanche is a re-make of the Halo 1 map Sidewinder. Unfortunately I never played Halo 1’s multiplayer (bad I know) so this was a new experience for me! The general layout of the map is very big and very open! There are a few indoor areas including a nifty cave and two small bases, but in the games I played all of the action was found outside in the veichles.
The map’s graphics are gorgeous, the snow and ice sections look stunning and not too bright, unlike Snowbound. All the snow is nicely broken apart with structures, rocks and huge man-cannons so it’s not too overwhelming. All of the UNSC veichles have been given a frosty snow camo which is an excellent touch, making the world of difference.
A great addition to the map is the Hornet, something that standard multiplayer has been begging for. There are allot of un-used objects in Ranked matches that have been brought back with Avalanche, including trip-mines and the scorpion tank!
This map has been designed for those huge viechle battles that we had so much fun with in Halo 1/2 and it’s been executed wonderfully.
Overall
I still have so much to say about these maps and it’s really hard to get it into writing. These maps are overwhelmingly excellent. The 800 MP price tag is nothing compared to the pleasure you’ll get out of these maps! These maps are sublime and I wouldn’t hesitate in paying 1200 MP for them! I predict they will be an instant hit with Halo fans. The new forge objects and the lighting effects give even more reason to purchase this map pack! If you love Halo then this map pack is a must!
- Rikoshay
I’m sold.
I’d say they’re worth it. Nice work on the review.