Still, a straight port would be foolish, so some important things are being added. For instance, console players start off with a new tutorial mission that introduces them to concepts crucial to getting a grasp of team and objective-based multiplayer games. The tutorial we played on the 360 version did a pretty good job of introducing you to the different classes, their relationship to one another, and the different roles they could play throughout the course of a level.

Another addition to the upcoming console versions addresses one of the biggest criticisms of the original - a lack of integrated voice chat. Both the 360 and PS3 flavors will allow players to use headsets to coordinate accomplishing their team's objectives as well as trade insults online.

While both voice chat and a tutorial are essential, the most significant change we saw would have to be the improved AI. There can be a real learning curve when it comes to stepping in to multiplayer games and so it seems they responded to this by working hard to give some real brains to ETQW's bots. They focused on accomplishing objectives instead of just trying to kill the closest enemy. It's an enhancement that should pay off for both players still learning the ropes as well as gamers without online access.

Beyond that, the game should look very familiar to fans who enjoyed the PC version. The emphasis on vertical attacks remains and vehicles like the Icarus GravPak continue to provide a good challenge. We weren't completely convinced it will take every circle-strafing Halo 3 junky out there and turn them into someone who appreciates playing as a GDF Medic, but it should do a good job of weeding out those who won't. And when that happens to enough people, id Software may have succeeded in creating a whole new community of disciplined players who can appreciate the beauty of coordinated attacks, combat classes, and our future struggle with an alien race that feeds on the destruction of other civilizations.

Members of the Global Defense Force can expect to be repelling the Strogg invasion of American living rooms on May 27th.