@ tuoyo
That's what I was thinking as well and when I look at the online experience and for example compare this with a game like Warhawk, I greatly prefer Warhawk. Judging from only a couple of Halo 3 matches Warhawk provides a much more unique and fun online experience, flying warhawks IMO is truly a lot of fun. (Though sadly Warhawk was one of the most bare bones documented and worst illustrated high profile games I've played so far, the game assumes too much experience from the user).
I really have to wonder what makes Halo 3 really so special? What if the game didn't have master chief and was sold under another name?