The reaction thus far? Halo 3 looks and plays like a much-prettier version of Halo 2. Visually, the Halo 3 beta looks impressive. Yes, it looks like a higher-resolution version of Halo 2, but the textures and details are razor sharp, and there’s a lush quality to the world that wasn’t there before. You’ll run through fields of flowers or your body will float in a tranquil pond. The high dynamic range lighting in the game also provides a realistic look to the lighting and the world. Meanwhile, there’s a smoothness and fluidity to everything now that makes battles fun to watch.

Finally, the fun doesn’t end when you stop playing. The beta does include the ability to film all your games. After the match is complete, you can save the film and watch it later or upload it to share with others. However, for the beta the saved film functionality is limited to first-person-only playback. In the final game, players will have full control over the camera, including fast-forward, reverse, pause, and slow-motion controls.