It's that time again...more Halo downloadable maps!

Bungie has unleashed yet another series of downloadable multiplayer maps for Halo 3, three new surroundings that you're sure to frag plenty of friends in. Like the previous map pack before it, the Legendary Map Pack provides ample surroundings in which to test your Master Chief skills, whether you're a master of Slayer territory or prefer something more creative with Forge.

Get snowed in with Avalanche.

The first of the three maps is Avalanche, and, as you may have guessed, it takes place in snowy terrain. However, it's not a completely new map. It's actually based on an old Halo map called Sidewinder, so if you've mastered that in the past, you'll master it here. The whole map is shaped like one big arc, complete with on-foot antics and vehicular action. We were able to get around in Warthogs and Hornets just fine in this stage, although the surroundings make it easy to get into a fight, with bases on each end of the stage. Eventually, you're just going to have to face off and show the other team who's in control. There also a few turrets flanked throughout the stage, in case you're in that kind of mood.

Fans of the old Lockout map will recognize Blackout almost instantly.

This Map Pack's second stage, Blackout, is another recreation of a Halo favorite. It originally was known as Lockout back in Halo 2, and is obviously a fan's dream when it comes to up-close combat. The level is interconnected through a series of ramps, making it difficult to maneuver around for "sneaky kills". There are plenty of weapons, however, so you'll have no trouble running into a room and loading up on your arsenal. You'll need it, as the close quarters guarantee you'll be running into the opposing team rather quickly. The Forge options are probably best with this particular map, not only because of the close quarters and the changes you make to them but because the camera options are user-friendliest here. We watched a replay of the action in the map and came away with no bad angles at all. Of course, your directing skills are up to you. Don't turn Uwe Boll on us now.

A word of caution – the Ghost Town map is not "green friendly".

Lastly, there's Ghost Town, the only original map of the three. However, it holds its own remarkably well, taking place in a water processing plant that's been left to rot over the years. As a result, you'll see a lot of worn-out foliage, in which you can attempt to hide and get off your best skills. This level is a heaven for snipers, as you can perch yourself in certain areas and pick off soldiers from a distance. For those preferring more aggressive combat, however, there's lots of that, too. You'll find lots of weapons spread out on this map, along with alternative paths to follow and places to set up handy assault tactics. Again, though, it's probably best built for distance shooters. The Forge options are stacked here as well, as the customization only tends to make the level even more complicated.

Best of all, purchasing the pack gives you access to a new feature called Bungie Pro. It's essentially an expansion of the File Share set-up, giving you twenty-four slots for your file shares instead of the standard six. However, it's not a permanent upgrade – you're only given access to it for the next four months. No word yet on what'll happen with the upgrade following that, but enjoy it while it lasts.

Although the count of maps may be low here, their quality shouldn't be denied. In the end, these three maps offer their own individual perks, and long-time multiplayer fans of Halo 3 shouldn't miss out on them. This is 800 points well spent.

Related Links

Halo 3 Game Guide

Bungie