Halo 3: ODST

6 Responses to “Halo 3: ODST”

1. Poisoned Blade
   11/28/2009 at 6:24 am

   Concept: 7/10
   Halo 3: ODST introduces a new Special Forces Recon Soldier for the Halo Universe. The Orbital Drop Shock Trooper is a darker, ligher armored version of a Spartan with silent weapons. That’s pretty much it.

   Story: 9/10
   The story is very well written, well told, and well acted by Firefly and BSG veterans. It is really entertaining and one of the best parts of the game. However, it is told through flashbacks and is somewhat difficult to understand your first time through. You might be confused at times, but in the end, it all makes sense.

   Gameplay: 8/10
   It’s Halo 3, with a couple new guns and a slight improvement to the health system. Your character sounds ‘in pain’ when your health is low, reminding you to stay behind cover. There’s also a night vision visor that you can toggle on and off. Unfortunately, the game seems too dark if you don’t have your night vision on, and if you use it in areas that are fairly well lit, you’re almost blinded. In the end, the night vision seems extraneous. The game would have been better if the dark areas were just a bit brighter, but still cloaked in shadows.

   Level Designs: 6/10
   There is an open ended city area where you can explore and Convenant troops are being dropped in to battle. This is new to the Halo Universe and it works quite well. Most of the game takes place in New Mobasa, a futuristic African City that is being invaded by the Covenant. The look and feel of the city is pretty impressive, but overall, the levels feel redundant. Fight in corridors, defend an area… You know you’ve got problems when the Campaign is only 5 hours long, and the Missions feel repetitive.

   Sound: 9/10
   The music is foreboding and adds to the grim atmosphere while the effects bring the battles to life.

   Replay Value: 7/10
   You can start the campaign after lunch and finish it before dinner.
   There is a Firefight Mode which is like Gears of War 2’s Horde Mode, but ODST features an additional challenge where each wave of enemies has a special behavior like “Dodges Grenades.” This mode is for friends and invites only. I understand that Bungie is trying to prevent the Leroy Jenkins of the world from ruining the fun, but it really sucks to not be able to play a pickup game.
   There are 3 new Multiplayer Maps for Halo 3, too.

   Maturity – The game is rated M because the Halo series is rated M, even though the action is pretty tame.

   Overall: 7/10
   Buy this game if you’re a Halo Collector, you’ve got a bunch of buddies that still play Halo 3 and will use the Maps and Firefight Mode.
   Rent this game if you just want to play the Campaign. It’s only 5-6 hours long.

   I’d recommend waiting for the price to drop before buying ODST because if you spend $60, you’re going to feel ripped off.
   $35 for this game feels about right.
   Rating: 3 / 5
2. Eric Bruhl
   11/28/2009 at 6:44 am

   Its a decent game, but I feel as if I had played it three times before. Its mostly just more of the same with a few little bits of new thrown in. Couple weapons, Night Vision, firefight (but the fact you cant play with random people REALLY brings this game down.)
   Not bad, but 60 bucks just isnt worth it. Im sorry I bought it. Just rent this game.
   Rating: 3 / 5
3. Raul Duke "Gonzo HST"
   11/28/2009 at 8:21 am

   ok so i picked up the game at last night’s midnight release and ive had enough time to check out all the new features pretty extensively including completing the short (5-6 hour) but excellent campaign, and i can say that while in my opinion the campaign shouldve released as a $30 download (ie Shivering Isles for Oblivion) the game is the same hyper active fun youve come to expect from halo.

   so the next big question, “how does it feel to not be in Chief’s boots for the first time?” it feels pretty great, it puts a whole new twist in the Halo franchise because for the first time even a grunt can do some damage against you in the higher difficulties, Brute’s tower over you like youre a child, the feeling of being completely outgunned and yet somehow able to beat all the odds is a great feeling, the firefights in the campaign often have an intensity never met in the original Halo 3.

   Firefight is a total blast especially with the full team of four, the premise? in this gameplay mode you must annihilate wave after wave of enemies until you finally cant survive the onslaught. drop ships provide enemy reinforcements so there are no breaks between rounds. similar to Horde Mode from GoW2.

   controls feel exactly like classic halo with the exception of night vision in the campaign due to 90% of it taking place at night. i liked how everything has a glowing outline in night vision, making everything vivid, easy to navigate, and targets easy to spot in the dark.

   so for $60 what are you really getting? whats the full package?

   - a fantastic, albiet short, semi-open-world 4 player co op campaign
   - every single multiplayer map, DLC inluded, on one disc
   - 3 new maps not included on halo 3
   - inluding the highly anticipated remake of Mothership
   - Firefight (see above for info)

   if you own a 360 and dont have Halo 3 already, or if youre just hungry for some fresh Halo action, this is the way to go; although, i can see how some would have issues with the price and general content of the package included. it basically is a glorified expansion pack, i honestly wouldve liked a few more new multiplayer maps for the money, but its as fun as halo ever was with a new type of campaign that feels so fresh, unique, and inviting you just have to see it. the fact that the graphics engine seems to have received a nice overhaul doesnt hurt either. the new content looks fantastic.

   9/10
   Rating: 4 / 5
4. J. Kammer
   11/28/2009 at 10:38 am

   If you are a fan of FPS then you will enjoy this game (period). My problem with Halo in the past has been the campaign mode. I have always found the story to be disconnected and incoherent. The campaign mode in the ODST makes improvements in this area and also has better environmental variety. Playing in the dimly lit urban environment is a welcome change from boring and repetitive landscapes which dominated the previous games. Also, the multiplayer did not allow a single user to play the computer in a deathmatch like some other FPS games do – this is no longer a problem with the inclusion of the Firefight mode. In this mode you face waves of enemies until you use up all available lives and is an absolute blast to play (this game mode has been long overdue!) So should you buy this? Well if you are smart you will order this and all subsequent games through Amazon. Why would anyone not take advantage of free shipping and no taxes! This game is a must buy for any fan of FPS. If you are a Halo fan and already own Halo 3 with all the dowloadable maps then this decision will be tougher. In my opinion the new firefight mode makes it a worthy purchase.
   Rating: 4 / 5
5. Mr. Negative
   11/28/2009 at 11:32 am

   This game is the quintessential HALO experience for me. You are outnumbered, out gunned, and over matched throughout the game. You have really cool, specialized ODST weaponry, but, you are limited on ammo, don’t have the powerful shields of the Spartan armor, and are susceptible to losing health (rapidly, if you aren’t careful).

   You truly walk into a no-win situation as the “underdog”, and you have to be smart about avoiding patrols, fighting when you must (but, picking your battles), conserving ammunition, and using stealth to move from objective to objective.

   If you thought facing one (not to mention multiple) “Hunters” as Master Chief was tough, just wait until you face them as an ODST!

   This, for me, is the defining game in the HALO series, and, as much as I love the HALO universe (and Master Chief), what HALO should have been all along.

   If you are a “run and gun” player, and just like to run about (in the open) and fire mindlessly everywhere in between grenade tosses, then, you will probably find this game to be frustrating. Also, it can be difficult surviving with underpowered equipment (in comparison to what Master Chief had).

   If you take your time and think things through, moving stealthily between objectives and avoiding Covenant patrols (and detection)and pick your battles, you will find that this is a very enjoyable and challenging game.

   Also, Firefight mode is very enjoyable. It really tests you. Once again, you are over-matched and under-armored (and armed). It truly tests your skill.
   Rating: 5 / 5
6. Halo 3: ODST | XBox 360 & PS 3 Video Game Reviews » Free Xbox 360
   11/28/2009 at 3:09 pm

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