HALO 3 ODST – A Quick Hands On
Around fifteen games journalists descended on the Microsoft offices in Prague on the 11th of September to get their first hands on the new HALO 3 ODST game. Fortunately, I was one of them and with HALO 3: ODST Review Party invite in hand I made my way there as well. They did do some other presentations including Forza 3 and Lips Number One Hits, but it was ODST that everyone came to see, and more importantly, to play.
The moment the game begins, you know this is HALO. Getting into the gameplay confirms this fact but you’ll notice some slight changes. First off, there is no Master Chief, this allows the mythology to breathe and the universe to expand away from a single timeline and single story. It makes HALO 3 ODST all the better and enriches the HALO universe. This game brings diversity to the FPS portion of HALO like Halo Wars brought diverse gameplay to the entire franchise.
Like a good strong story? So do I and I was pleased that they continued great storytelling with HALO 3 ODST and are bringing fresh characters and new pieces to light. Humanity’s struggle against the Covenant has never been so lively.
The gameplay is that of the HALO FPS predecessors in that the environments are still mostly non-interactive, the weapons are mostly what you’ve already seen and yes, the Warthog returns. The familiarity that you will find in HALO 3: ODST will make you feel right at home as you grab the controller. I’ve also heard that this time we’ll get to drive a tank around the city in a mission, but I haven’t gotten there yet.
HALO 3 ODST branches the previously linear story that is the backbone of the universe. It gives new breath to the mythology and while gameplay does not stray far from the others, it’s definitely going to be worth the price.
The game will be a 2-disc set, one for single player and a second loaded with multiplayer content including thirty-five ways to play, over 20 maps and 9 main game modes. Old standards include capture-the-flag, Deathmatch (slayer), land capture (territories) and King of the hill. Newer modes include Oddball (carry a skull, get points), Juggernaut, VIP, Assault (bomb each other’s base) and Infection which is a battle between humans and zombies.
HALO 3: ODST is chocked full of content and definitely worth the asking price. They worked hard to pack it all up and give you a complete gaming experience with a full campaign, co-op and massive multiplayer options. HALO 3 ODST will certainly project the series back where it belongs among the upper echelons of the gaming elite. You too will be saying We are ODST come 22 September.
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