Never mind the hype - how Microsoft chooses to sell it's consoles is of little concern to us.

Never mind the campaign - which doesn't really make much sense but at least brings some form of conclusion to the story.

Never mind the statistics - it may have grossed more on it's opening weekend than Spiderman 3, The Spice Girls reunion and Harry Bleedin' Potter combined, but they were mostly rubbish anyway.

No, where Halo 3 delivers big is in multiplayer. Real big.

Sure, there's an element of 'seen it all before' about it, but we've rarely seen it done this well. It's there in the sheer variety of game types available, it's there in the game 2.0 (god we hate that phrase) customization, it's there in the truly magnificent Theatre mode - "Did you see that?!", "No", "Oh, hang on then, I'll send it you".

Heading out on your own into Halo 3 multiplayer can be a daunting experience - they haven't entirely got rid of the sniping and teabagging that can scar the impressionable 38 year old mind, but getting together a few like minded mates and heading out as a team? That's where the real fun lies. Halo 3 is one of the big levelers in online multiplayer. Everyone, from your lasers-for-eyes nephew to your which-way-is-up-again best mate from the pub can work together and play together and bloody well enjoy themselves. And win.

Rocket Races are a riot of explosion and noise, themed playlists (Zombies on Halloween!) add that special occasion vibe, the Forge can be both brilliant and shit in equal measure, and even the bog-standard slayer matches take on a life of their own when you, whisper it, work together.

It’s become the all consuming brilliant hit we had secretely hoped for - the ranking system is spot-on and a big team battle with seven dog-of-war mates alongside you is all you could wish for, especially when it involves defeating a mouthy group of teenage gangsta rappers. And then collapsing in a fit of giggles.

Halo 3 is big, Halo 3 is bold, Halo3 is bloody good fun all round. We'll still be playing this through 2008 and well into 2009 and beyond and that is why this is our Game of the Year.

January 2008

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