Examining Halo's Greatest Mission

The Covenant in Bungie's Halo 3 is the Halo series jewel in the crown, a level so extraordinary that it’s not just the best in Halo 3 and in the Halo series as a whole, but also in the entire FPS genre.
It may not be the Halo trilogy’s final mission, with Cortana and Halo following once it’s concluded, but it certainly feels like it is, with basically everything that makes the Halo series so beloved included by the bucket load.
Some may think I’m overexaggerating when I say this, but I genuinely believe The Covenant to be nigh on perfect.
If you enjoy the video, do consider subscribing, and thanks for watching!
#halo #halo3 #bungie
Contents:
00:00 - Intro
00:37 - Previously On Halo 3
02:10 - Tutorial On The Beach
05:56 - Open To Narrow
07:34 - Music To Everyone's Ears
08:40 - Second First
11:30 - Callbacks And Scarabs
15:39 - Flood Friends

[@BenPlaysGames]

✅ Subscribe: kzbin.info 🖱 Support the channel: www.patreon.com/ben_plays_games One of the best FPS levels ever made. Perfection.

[@ultragjl1976]

I know right

[@mannyperalta1064]

Question do you find it weird that in Halo 2 rtas (shipmaster/spec ops commander) says by the rings while in Halo 3 he says by the gods

[@WEAVERMACH]

My only complaint with Halo 3 is how little Master Chief and Arbiter and the elites interact, so the end of the mission with Chief and Arbiter fighting side by side is just so epic. Easily my favorite level.

[@BenPlaysGames]

Love that short bit in Floodgate where the elites drop down in pods to help you fight off The Flood, would definitely have liked more of that.

[@WEAVERMACH]

@@BenPlaysGames having only 2 short sections fighting alongside the elites, I cherish what we got. So much so that I will have an elite hop in my gauss hog rather than get in the tank almost every time.

[@Weewoo12]

The arbiter got robbed in Halo 3. Halo 2’s campaign was such a good insight to the arbiter’s character and the covenant as a whole, but since the arbiter missions got a poor reaction on Halo 2’s launch, they put him in the backseat for H3. Shame, because even at h2’s launch, I loved the arbiter missions. I think sentiment towards the arbiter in halo 2 have improved over time.

[@randybutternubs4647]

​@@Weewoo12 I just never understood the Arbiter hate. He's basically Masterchief in the form of an elite and his character actually respects chief. Just as quiet and badass. Not like the annoying fanfic that was Locke. Who I'm pretty sure was implied dead in Infinite. But I hear people say he's still alive. Which could just be copium/hopium.

[@corbinfraley7922]

Would definitely say the lack of stuff for the arbiter to do was a weakness

[@evankern5219]

It’s often overlooked how satisfying that moment is where Thel kills Truth. This is the same Prophet who made him the Arbiter, essentially sentenced him to death, and shamed his entire species when the Brutes were handed over control. His life was ruined by this villain, and seeing him finally get his revenge - on a Prophet, not a plague - is *still* a chills-worthy moment. Long live the Arbiter.

[@ebomb1133]

That roar he gives out afterwards always feels so heavy to me. All his frustration, suffering, and hardship summed up in a primal release. I couldn't have said it better myself.

[@danielshults5243]

You nailed it. We all love Chief, he's the "main character," but The Arbiter is the protagonist of Halo from a narrative standpoint.

[@thejuicyorange8526]

The villain comes the hero

[@Digidragon55]

To be honest; Truth and the other Prophets could all been spared. That they willingly to clarify what Halo really was to the rest of The Covenant!

[@jdapaul1351]

@@Digidragon55 they didn't reveal the truth because they know that if they did, The Covenant would pretty much be destroyed.

[@Alphonse365]

Wonder if anyone has pointed out Arbiter's line: "And so... You must be silenced" As some kind of hommage to the Heretic Leader since is the same phrase Truth gave him in order to kill an Elite that was fighting for the same thing he is now.

[@BenPlaysGames]

Great comment, never put that together myself! That's an awesome callback to a previous line. Bungie definitely did do that occasionally too, the difference in tone between Cortana's "there's two of us in here now" line in Pillar of Autumn and Cortana is one of my favourites.

[@ryancooper817]

Only about 2 years ago did I realize he wasn't saying: "Asshole, you must be silenced."

[@darrenong9064]

@@ryancooper817 I always thought it was that up until the MCC, when I could actually hear the dialogue with headphones rather then the crappy speakers of my old TV

[@jarlwhiterun7478]

I got chills when the Flood joined forces to take out their common enemy. Playing this back in 2007 was the absolute high water mark in gaming, and that might be the best year overall in gaming history.

[@BenPlaysGames]

I'd been playing Halo 3 for about 10 hours straight following the midnight release when I got to that part. I was just started to get tired (due to being awake so long, not because of the game), but that part got me so hyped up again!

[@timgimmy609]

Soo many trilogies wrapped up in 2007, that summer was so epic. Halo 3 really did set the bar that year, some franchises now are still trying to catch up (including Halo)

[@skylerwarren7300]

Perhaps the only thing that can be improved on in this mission is more elites with the humans, Having tanks and wraiths fight side by side against the two scabes Banshees fly with the hornets I’m well aware of the limitations of the 360 and how difficult it would be to tell what’s an enemy and what’s not aside from the color, But it would make the final fight against the covenant seem more perfect then it already is

[@BenPlaysGames]

This is what gets me so down about the more recent Halo games - I really just want the Bungie style but with more stuff happening in bigger environments, which the newer hardware can definitely do.

[@Grapelordz]

Totally agree. It's part of the reason why I really like the Ark so much as your fighting with many allies in vehicles pushing forward with you. Although no elites, it somehow feels more larger scale than what the Covenant should've been.

[@kingferaligatr7994]

I actually have this level and the Ark be joint UNSC/Covenant Separatist ops in my Halo 3 mod. Though the Elites drive human vehicles (I have my reasons), they're otherwise pretty much just as present as the humans. You even get Elite Ultras and even Zealots to help, with a cameo of friendly SpecOps Grunts. Really feels like the allied forces are giving it all they've got are pushing to end the Covenant and give Truth the comeuppance he so desperately deserves. I even have extra Elite involvement as early as Crow's Nest, with two Elites who presumably accompanied the Arbiter to Earth prematurely. These special Elites also appear on this level, giving them somewhat of a full circle. To say nothing of how I massively improved the Elites' AI (along with all other characters), making fighting with them far better. :)

[@tomorainns145]

​@@kingferaligatr7994 you made the mod or just use it, mind if i ask what its called?

[@kingferaligatr1497]

@@tomorainns145 I'm making the mod. It's called YAH3R (or Yet Another Halo 3 Revamp... yes it's on the nose --- that's intentional.). It's a whole campaign revamp mod that drastically improves the AI, both friendly and enemy; rebalances the sandbox; fixes some bugs; changes and/or expands on some encounters; and more. While I might have gotten done with the basic level edits for all the levels, there's still so much work to do on the mod that it's in a pre-alpha state. I don't feel like releasing it to the public at large while so much work still has to be done. So if you want to play it, you'll have to PM me for the link: sorry. :( If that gets you down, I do have a campaign/Firefight revamp mod for ODST that I've released. It's called ODST: Inferno. Links: www.nexusmods.com/halothemasterchiefcollection/mods/858?tab=description www.moddb.com/mods/odst-inferno . It's a simpler mod than YAH3R, but I share basically the same AI between the two mods and I use similar balancing decisions between the two. If you do decide to check it out, I hope you enjoy it. :) Though sorry that YAH3R isn't out. :(

[@physical_insanity]

When those first few notes kick in at the start, you know you're in for a banger.

[@BenPlaysGames]

Gives me shivers.

[@TheSgtLolrus]

Every time I play this level, I end up playing the entire rest of the game through to the end. It’s just that marvelous

[@BenPlaysGames]

The Ark, The Covenant and Halo as 3 of the 4 final level is an insane run. Cortana I can take or leave haha.

[@kawhigoatleonard2558]

Same, then I regret it when I have to slog through High Charity 😂

[@notageologist3022]

​@@BenPlaysGames I beat The Ark with the skull you can get, in two player though. I wasn't able to use vehicles, so I had to ride in the hornet. And then I waited for the scarab to fall, then beat it to death. With a skull. The flood section was pretty mundane (in the beginning) but afterwards was a bit more fun, because the flood were very numerous. And I still had the skull. (Noyt MCC, Xbox 360 disc)

[@sweetsoftlow]

One of my biggest gripes regarding the shift between Halo 2 and Halo 3 was Truth's totally random transformation from a conniving evil mastermind to a raving old kook. Had Bungie kept his original identity intact, and retained more focus on The Arbiter's story, his death in this mission would have been MUCH more gratifying. Great video Ben, as always! 😁😇

[@kingferaligatr7994]

Oh absolutely. Halo 3 lacks in the writing department (outside random AI voice lines). Fun as hell game and one of my favorites in the series (along with Halo 1. ODST follows closely behind both. The rest: meh.), but I really cannot the defend the story and writing. To tie into what you said, it could've been cool to see Truth start out feeling in control and being stoic like in H2, but as the game goes on and everything falls apart around him, his facade breaks. For one of the few times in his life (in recent memory, at least), he's not in control and it makes him *lose it* (*how* could be decided).

[@sweetsoftlow]

@@kingferaligatr7994 Bungie really went all in on the writing department for Halo 2, then just said "nah." 😂

[@caramelldansen2204]

C3Sabertooth's videos on the storyboards for the games best shows what the devs must have wanted Truth's vision and actions to be! You should definitely check them out! 😊

[@caramelldansen2204]

Also, regarding the writing getting 'worse' in Halo 3 generally... Bungie at its worst will always beat 343industries at its best.

[@SamsarasArt]

Truth was a better written and voice acted villain in Halo 2 than Halo 3.

[@CoffeeCrowgasm]

At 10:46 Duuuuude that wraith morter was INCHES away from ending you good lord 😂

[@BenPlaysGames]

Ha it's all completely probably skill on my part sort of.

[@toxenzz]

I respect Ben’s grind on KZbin so much. Phenomenal output quality my guy.

[@BenPlaysGames]

Cheers toxenzz! Been a bit of a slow month so far as been busy at work, but still got plenty planned for March.

[@captainmarvelwilson508]

One interesting moment after engaging the Flood for a brief moment after disabling the final generator, I found the marine I gave a fuel rod gun to after not seeing him since boarding one of the hornets. I was happy to see that he was able to live through everything.

[@StarHeaven07]

All with just little bit of luck, a little bit of skill, and an alien shoulder-mounted plasma mortar.

[@epicdude3659]

theres also a second Spartan Laser by the crashed Pelican at the start of the mission.

[@BenPlaysGames]

Oh wow, I've played The Covenant maybe 20-30 times and I've genuinely never noticed that...

[@kingferaligatr7994]

Only on Easy/Normal though. ;)

[@epicdude3659]

@@kingferaligatr7994 wait really,

[@kingferaligatr1497]

@@epicdude3659 Yep.

[@blaketindle4703]

It really is as close to a perfect Halo level as there’s ever been. The design, pacing, the music; it’s phenomenal!

[@BenPlaysGames]

100% agree, it's unbelievably good.

[@TaTopePia]

I remember watching a playthrough from a guy (can't remember his name) who was liking all of the Halos, but wasn't super super enthused about them like those watching your videos usually are. He was absolutely blown away by this level. After the mission ended, he said nearly verbatim, "that's the best FPS mission I've ever played, hands down."

[@BenPlaysGames]

Man sounds like he knows what's up! I was only being slightly hyperbolic at the start of the video - it may well be the best FPS level ever.

[@TaTopePia]

@@BenPlaysGames Appreciate the reply and respect the hell out of your grind man! You're one of my favorite KZbinrs, keep it up!

[@BenPlaysGames]

No worries at all! Cheers for the support too dude, appreciate it.

[@giannih6484]

Anyone else ever try riding in the back of the pelican during the part you get two hornets and have to fight two scarabs. There’s a pelican that drops off a rocket mongoose, and going up to it you could sit in the back of it. I used use it to drop off onto the scarab though you couldn’t see anything and had to guess. 😅

[@paulkingdesign5928]

I never knew you could do that. Amazing

[@giannih6484]

@@paulkingdesign5928 It’s weird because sometimes you’ll catch the pelican sink through the ground.

[@sebastianfontanez1081]

Time to watch another awesome Halo level analysis

[@BenPlaysGames]

Hope you enjoyed it Sebastian mate!

[@sebastianfontanez1081]

​​​@@BenPlaysGames I absolutely did! Although it did hurt me physically to watch you use 4 brute shot grenades to destroy the Scarab power core at 15:01 , since I usually just punch it and leave lol

[@fanamatakecick97]

Ever since i first played Halo 3, this has always been my favorite level. As a little kid, sometimes i’d have a “change in mind” because of the Warthog Run at the end of Halo, but i always kept coming back to the Covenant I do not think it is possible to exemplify this level enough with just words, or even showcases to reflect one’s words. However, you have surely exemplified it in this fashion better than anyone else One thing i wish was different with this level (something Bungie was rightfully scared to do, given the context of zealously outraged fans) is to have the Elites much more present. They kinda just fade out after the 3rd tower. Imagine if you had friendly wraiths and ghosts and banshees, all colored aqua or green to represent their defection from the Covenant, fighting beside you in that final sequence before the Citadel. This mission could have been SSS tier

[@Korlinium]

Another nice remake of an old analysis! One more way in which this level ties back to Assault on the Control Room takes place when you're in the area with the two Scarabs. You can fly over to a distant part of the Citadel before entering it to hear the track Siege of Madrigal, which has several hidden cues throughout the Bungie titles. AotCR had a similar cue towards the end of it, and both levels have it play in a snowy environment from a high vantage point. Also, I didn't notice this until I watched this video, but in the final part of the level, when the Halos are almost activated, there are seven rings above the bridge (no doubt representing the rings about to fire). The one in the middle, which would be the 4th one no matter which end you start counting from, has some red bits on it. It also doesn't light up when Truth activates the rings, referencing Installation 04's destruction at the end of CE. A really easy-to-miss detail, but yet another that goes to show just how much care was put into this level.

[@scorptatious]

For me, I love the section where Chief and Arbiter run on the light bridge that leads into the citadel. ESPECIALLY if the music is timed just right and that little piano jingle is playing as the two of you are running.

[@midgetydeath]

It's so cool when the scarabs drop down. We never did see before how they get to the ground, and something so massive coming in Starship Troopers style was just amazing.

[@psycho-analyticgamer7452]

Fantastic analysis! I never considered how this level introduced both the Spartan Laser and the Hornets, it really does show how the devs valued this level's importance. Your hard work and countless hours of editing is appreciated by all your subscribers

[@ChairmanKam]

8:10 Leonidas is actually a rework of "On a Pale Horse". Also, I saw you try and murder that Marine with your Ghost.

[@BenPlaysGames]

He looked at me funny, I swear!

[@ChairmanKam]

@@BenPlaysGames 😂😂😂

[@drewlehman2456]

Halo 3s campaing is so beautiful, cinematic, epic, and fun. I played through that campaign so so so many times as a 7/8 year old kid with my brothers and know it by the back of my hand. Its such a masterpiece.

[@Kspat2]

Man looking back at it I’m so glad I got to experience the halo trilogy as it happened. Thanks to all the bungee guys for creating these masterpieces.

[@BenPlaysGames]

I still remember going to buy Halo 3 at midnight like it was yesterday. Then got home and played for about 12 hours straight.

[@Spartan_Tanner]

Interestingly enough, the Covenant is a combination of 070_Alpine and 100_Forerunnercity campaign levels. The snowy part of the level, dual scarab fight, teamup with Flood, were all a part of the Forerunner City level at one point. Whilst the initial Alpine section was intended as part of 070_alpine. The Covenant mission name is 100_Citadel.

[@BrickedUpp]

When I think Halo CE I think of The Silent Cartographer. When I think of Halo 2 I think of Metropolis. When I think of Halo 3 I think of The Covenant. When I think of Halo 3 ODST I think of Kikowani Station. When I think of Halo Reach I think of Tip of the Spear. These are the best missions in the titles for me

[@BenPlaysGames]

I can get on board with this list! I actually covered Tip of the Spear in similar fashion to this video fairly recently too: kzbin.info/www/bejne/qmrbk3R7fdt1rc0

[@Spartan-sz7km]

I'd say npmd hq for odst for me

[@SM0SS]

This level really is the best of the best. While i wanted to say you were being hyperbolic calling it the best fps level ever I actually struggle to think of a level that is even comparable

[@BenPlaysGames]

There are a number of levels I consider the peak of the genre, but it's the incredible variety in The Covenant that does it for me. Nowhere else do you see such solid on-foot and vehicle gameplay combined with so many amazing set pieces and generally excellent level design.

[@SM0SS]

@@BenPlaysGames For me it's that all of the other contenders have some gimmick that pushes them into contention, Titanfall 2's "Effect and Cause" being the notable example. Whereas with "The Covenant" it's just every single gameplay feature in halo coming together to make something truly spectacular

[@blaketindle4703]

To me the one thing that really is a downside about Halo 3 is not having Cortana with you for like 90% of the game. You’re right it really should have about the middle of the game when Chief finds her. Then the entire second half of the campaign she’s with you.

[@zalabit927]

While most people disliked those bits where you're slowed down while having these cryptic images of Cortana, i found them intriguing back in the day. It added this feeling of mystery, dread even once you get to High Charity. I'd say the real issue with Halo 3's campaign is the lack of exposition, extensive dialogue and world building Halo 2 had, being a more straightforward with less dialogue. We have more direct dialogue betwen Master Chief and the Arbiter during the Gravemind cutscene than in the entirety of Halo 3. Still, it's kind of cool to think their actions during gameplay is all these two need show. A professional partnership i'd say, we already know enough from the previous game so it seems fitting to get directly to work.

[@No_True_Scotsman]

I've always thought this!! She's the best character in the series and she should've been in way more of 3. It really brought the game down only having her in one level.

[@Ralph-yn3gr]

One thing I always loved doing was the "hijack the AA wraith" glitch. That thing is hilariously broken. So much fun. But yeah. Absolutely agree that this is absolutely the best level in the series, and one of the best FPS levels period. One of the things I enjoyed the most about Halo 3 was the _feel_ that the tide had turned and now you were the one on the offensive. When those scarabs dropped in, my response wasn't "Uh oh," it was *" Aw hell yeah. It's go time."*

[@PedRandaPirate]

I have always felt this way. I’ll go back and just play this mission out of the blue because its everything I love about halo packaged up into one mission

[@BenPlaysGames]

It and The Ark and probably my favorite missions to replay, both have so much good stuff packed into them.

[@amog8202]

I love punching the grunts at the start, sneaking up to the turrets and punching those grunts too. You can reliably kill brutes just by punching about 3 times (as long as there arent others attaxking you).

[@TahuNuva2008]

Ben, you knocked it out of the park once again. I didn't think you could have improved your The Covenant video this much but you did it. Keep up the fantastic work!

[@BenPlaysGames]

Cheers Zach mate! The older version was missing stuff and didn't fit in with the rest of the 'Examining' format, so wanted to bring it up to snuff.

[@TwiceTheBitsGames]

I dont think I ever really considered before how they threw every element of Halo into this mission. I always knew it was sprawling with multiple experiences but to see it all as an homage to the series really puts this in perspective.

[@makemoneymorawski2752]

This video is truly amazing and there is no denying that but the grenade throw at 7:10 drove me crazy for some reason

[@WTC-1990]

This mission shows how intelligent and ruthless the flood is, that fact it teamed up with you until you did what was mutually beneficial only to turn on you after its done

[@threedog27]

I really think the ark and the covenant are the pinnacle of halo gameplay. You have everything packed in one mission. The sandbox really plays at its highest level there. I cant even count how many times I played these missions with my buddy back then on splitscreen. Every playthrough you can approach differently and everytime something goofy happens. This is how halo should be.

[@jasminna2768]

Couldn't agree more, it's a great mission! Everytime I play it the line at the end of the intro "We're goin a little hot!" always hypes me up even today.

[@gusfring8451]

I’m not kidding, every time I hear and watch The Covenant’s intro I get goosebumps.

[@monke12354]

Every time I play through Halo 3, it's this level I'm waiting to get to in the back of mind

[@BenPlaysGames]

This and The Ark are top tier Halo, makes the back half of 3 so strong.

[@partrock350]

Just wanted to say thank you for keeping my interest In halo when the devs can’t

[@BenPlaysGames]

No worries dude, hopefully we get something to smile about Halo wise soon.

[@c.w.simpsonproductions1230]

It’s a shame the Hornet never made a comeback. It really stuck with me in a way the Wasp never really did.

[@doublee343]

I’ve been searching for the same high as the double scarab fight for the past 15 years

[@Rae167]

Awesome video as always! Keep up the good work, love you!

[@BenPlaysGames]

Cheers dude, will do!

[@pchurch692]

Great video! Love this level. A true classic!

[@BenPlaysGames]

Thanks pchurch! And agree, one of the all time greats.

[@dylantvrdik8826]

"So... you must me silenced". Gives me chills every time.

[@flowerpower003]

I always thought he said “asshole, you must be silenced” lol

[@mortemisntedgy6872]

One other thing is that you can take the odsts that land with you literally all the way to the end after the scarabs. I actually lost all but one of them and by the scarab fight my last odst boarded both of them with me and survived :))

[@dignelberrt]

Always appreciate when Michael Salvatori is mentioned alongside Marty

[@geoffreysurara2053]

I’ve been binging your halo mission analyses for days! Always a pleasure

[@BenPlaysGames]

Cheers Geoffrey, appreciate the support dude!

[@N0TYALC]

I don't get why the flood has it's typical "kill everything" approach when they encounter you at the 2nd tower, then they ally with you a few minutes later when you get past the scarabs.

[@hiimchrisj]

Because humans are the only ones capable of activating the rings. Prior to Truth forcing Johnson to do it, the Flood had no reason to care whether Master Chief lived as long as they stopped Truth first. But since they didn’t, and Truth activated the rings, then it’s either help Chief and Arbiter get to them or give up and die.

[@BenPlaysGames]

WAs going to say that it was because the rings were activated so Gravemind/The Flood needed human intervention, but the other comment beat me to it!

[@burge117]

Amazing video man. As always. While this mission is not my personal favourite in Bungie's Halo, it is easily in my top five. Though, regardless of favouritism I agree that this is the best level in the entire franchise. Keep up the great work man!

[@BenPlaysGames]

Nice one Burge! Out of interest, what's your personal fave?

[@burge117]

@@BenPlaysGames I would have to say Delta Halo...but there are so many great levels.

[@BenPlaysGames]

Delta Halo's awesome too, can't argue with that.

[@ultragjl1976]

I respect this video and all of the videos he makes. I can see that he puts a lot of effort in these videos. Keep up the great work!

[@Raccoon12008]

Could you imagine being a covenant soldier and realizing that your being attacked by both elites and Spartans teaming up, not just normal elites either. Honor gaurds and special ops, field Marshall's, ultra elites and the best of the best, the prophets had at the time of the skism because they were all kicked out of the covenant

[@poonyapthegrunt3423]

Imagine fighting those scarabs in a mantis Someone needs to mod it in

[@hailey6639]

I've really enjoyed playing halo split screen with my friend halo 3 and 4 sadly my Xbox 360 got the red ring watching this reminds me of how much joy halo brings to me but as i grow older all of those are now just memories to remember wish I can this again someday

[@svenandersson4554]

Love your content man!

[@BenPlaysGames]

Nice one Sven, much appreciated!

[@URAWESOME94]

You skipped over the rather fascinating part upon entering the third tower. I’ll never forget how it felt seeing that for the first time. You walk in and notice a swarm of drones coming down the center of the room from above. They almost guide your eyes to a pair of hunters walking around the center piece simultaneously to drone descent. I never thought I’d witness elites battling hunters, but it didn’t disappoint. Beautiful updated designs made the battle far superior than any internal squabbles from other games. That was incredible, even if only short lived. 😊

[@Ben_Jammin94]

The Covenant is a level that really has it all, isn't it? I don't really have anything I can add that just won't be regurgitating everything you've said in a much less eloquent manner, but it's amazing how Bungie was able to put in so much without the level feeling bloated or drawn out.

[@japster2508]

14:07 you cheeky bastard. ”I repeate two scarabs”

[@BLACKout_TF2]

the previously on halo 3 recap was done so well!!

[@BenPlaysGames]

Thanks Mike, appreciate it!

[@tomitiustritus6672]

I love the name of this level. The Covenant. 1. Your final brawl with the Covenant and the moment you defeat them. 2. You are fignting side by side in a new covenant with Humans and rebel covenant. 3. You are forming a temporary covenant with the Flood even. 4. Just as the original Covenant, the one with the Flood falls apart, but the new covenant between human and alien stands back to back as brothers in arms.

[@THEODSTKING117]

Couldn't agree with you more dude. This mission was always my favorite, especially in co-op with the some friends. I have a good memory of two of my buddies arguing with each other over who got the grav hammer in the brute room lol.

[@BenPlaysGames]

One of my favourite hammers to grab in the game, heading back down the lift after and charging straight at the Flood haha.

[@AustinEasterling-oz4xs]

This level and The Ark are possibly my two favorites in *ANY* Halo game!!!

[@EmDub01]

Totally agree that it’s the best mission in the series, it summarizes everything great about Halo and is so fun to play. One of my favorite things to do in it is to keep the 2 spartan lasers, the fuel rod gun, and the rocket launcher that you find and carry them with you and the marines that follow you through the whole level, until you load up your tank with 4 marines carrying power weapons and just blast your way through the end. Bonus points for keeping all 4 alive during the scarab fight. It takes a bit of coordination but it’s so satisfying to pull off. Also a fun detail during the scarab battle is that if you ride passenger in the hornet, it will drop you off on top of the scarabs so that you can easily board and destroy them!

[@Glitched117]

love your vids man

[@BenPlaysGames]

Cheers dude, appreciate that!

[@Glitched117]

@@BenPlaysGames thanks no creator has given my comment a like before, i love your vids and it's nice to see another Halo fan out there

[@JLReanimated1991]

I can still replay those feelings I felt in those games in my mind…it’s almost like a drug❤️

[@retr0pearce765]

My favorite thing to do in this mission, and one of the many things you learn when you replay the game hundreds of times, is getting the Spartan Laser to down to it's last shot, giving it to a Marine, killing the Marine. and picking up the Laser with a few more shots in the mag, through the whole level hahaha

[@aptspire]

A nice detail of the symmetry (trimmetry?) Of the Prophets' executioners, John kills Regret, the Flood kills Mercy, the Arbiter kills Truth.

[@coryroberson4610]

12:52 elite got jump scared😂😂😂😂😂

[@endy8411]

"You'll come across a single vehicle and you'll hopefully again use the Spartan Laser to your advantage" Me: board and hijack that Wraith and use it to my advantage

[@boob-tubbysanchez5859]

The scene of Chief and Arbiter back to back, I have tatted on my arm. Iconic💯💯

[@BenPlaysGames]

No way! Pic?

[@boob-tubbysanchez5859]

@@BenPlaysGames I don’t know how to comment back with the picture lbvs

[@edux54]

another great video on an apparently very good level. didn't play it yet, but I will someday, hopefully.

[@jdapaul1351]

I remember having to restart checkpoint when all the Banshees are accidentally destroyed because I wanted to hijack a Banshee and use it to destroy the 2 Scarabs without having to cripple them by shooting one of the legs. Good times.

[@Json_1040]

2:36 One Final Effort?

[@BenPlaysGames]

I think it might be an ever so slightly different arrangement, but don't quote me on that!

[@gargravarr2]

That song is called "Three Gates" on the soundtrack.

[@rm25088]

I agree, it is up there on my list.

[@woodsyjones]

Great analysis brother!!!! Also side note, wouldn’t you like to see them make a Halo game in the same Engine they used for CE? I honestly miss that graphical style

[@BenPlaysGames]

Cheers as always Woodsy! And I'd love that, CE was a fantastic looking game. One of the decent things about Infinite is that I think it does a pretty good job of taking that style and building on it, it's far more aesthetically consistent with the rest of the series than 4 and 5 were.

[@ChrisPTenders]

I wake up, I see a BPG on a Halo level, I click. Good times.

[@BenPlaysGames]

Appreciate the support Chris, cheers!

[@jackpilkington6770]

Definitely the mission I replayed most, that sierra 117 and crows nest

[@jamesdaviesanswers8751]

Greatest level in video game history

[@BenPlaysGames]

I'll drink to that!

[@jarzard1288]

Literally replayed this mission so many times

[@Slender_Man_186]

Before even clicking I knew it would either be The Ark or The Covenant.

[@BenPlaysGames]

Two of the best in the series back to back, an insanely good pair of levels.

[@MachineMan-on4ul]

I actually found mirandas death to be very sad, it was set up in such a cinematic way. especially as she was a bigger character in halo 2 Then just as it feels there's no hope, the music swells then the flood come to temporarily help.

[@kieran2blest]

As soon as I saw the title I knew what mission it was going to be. Anyone who's played halo knows this is the goat mission

[@drteeth362]

I like how in the scene where arbiter gets his revenge and kills Truth, the big glass window in the back is reminiscent of a stained glass window you might find in a church, broken and shattered as the Prophets’ covenant

[@Isabelle-mp8rk]

I think i have to agree simply because the inside of the end part of the level is the one part of halo 3 i remember most vividly from when i played it at like 10

[@jdapaul1351]

Slight detail I want to add in 9:00: If you play alone, Miranda Keyes says, "the Arbiter should be able to...". But, if you play multiplayer, Keyes would say, "the Elites should be able to..." since P2 is the Arbiter.

[@jonathanfeldheim6554]

HALO 3 is peak HALO

[@BenPlaysGames]

Halo: Combat Evolved might edge it for me as it's the most revolutionary, but Halo 3 is the most consistently entertaining of the trilogy by a country mile.

[@GoBuckeyes216]

This is what the 343 games were missing. There’s a couple sections in halo 4 where 343 hit it just right and the sanghelios missions in 5 were absolutely stunning to me, but the lack of these types of large scale battles is what sets the bungie games apart for me. The bungie games reeled you right back in and made you want to play through them again and again because of how fun they were. Some of the levels in the 343 games felt more like a chore than fun

[@jamesshepard2672]

The amount of friendly fire in this video is HERESY

[@midgetydeath]

The level Cortana and the one on Earth should have been the humans showing they can actually fight the Flood and are not reliant on the Elites (the first one in Voi) and a time to have large numbers of Elites and Marines/ODSTs engaging the Flood together (the second on the Ark).

[@irishempire9811]

This dude should cover the final level of Transformers Fall of Cybertron, its some of the best third person shooter gameplay in a non Gears of war game from the 2010s.

[@DiabeticJohn]

This guy's content is great.

[@BenPlaysGames]

Thanks John!

[@thecheezybleezy7036]

I always hijacked the anti air wraith. You can break the hood and shoot out the driver, then jump in and shoot the fuel rods

[@kaylemjoseph8727]

forever my fav videogame level.

[@Pvaultingfenderbass]

Read the video title, said out loud “it’s The Covenant”. First words of the video: “The Covenant is-“ Me: “AHHHHHHHHHHH” 😂 LOVED this mission my whole childhood

[@raisedahell5165]

Unpopular opinion about Halo in general: the Library level in CE is a level which I've really really personally enjoyed a lot. And popular opinion about Halo: Halo 2, ODST and Reach are my absolute favourite.

[@midgetydeath]

I think you forgot to mention that you can use the Hornet to shoot the back out of the Scarab and destroy the power generator. Also, you can melee the generator, you don't have to waste ammo on it.

[@max1milli96]

Man if Bungie would’ve been given the freedom and budget to make the Halo trilogy they TRULY wanted to make it would be even more of a masterpiece than it already is.

[@BenPlaysGames]

I still mourn the loss of the Flood juggernaut.

[@flowerpower003]

If they had the freedom they wouldn’t have made anything beyond halo Combat Evolved

[@Monsuco]

You point out that the opening is an homage to Silent Cartographer and this is true but I believe Halo 2 also has this in the form of Delta Halo. All 3 levels open with chief and a group of marines having to storm a hot landing zone and then being rewarded with a warthog once it's done.

[@Digidragon55]

It’s a shame you CAN’T hijack and operate the unique Wraith with the green blasters in the level.