Rating:
3.5 out of 5
Overall, I found playing through the Rookie portion of the game a little slow and boring at times. I should also mention that I actually ran out of ammo as the Rookie in one section. I tried to go to other areas where I had just fought some covenant and all the guns had disappeared. I had to search for a good ten minutes to find a new gun. I found that while playing as the Rookie, I was looking forward to finding the next Beacon so I could play as one of the other ODSTs. The reason being was their missions seemed to be more geared towards action and vehicular combat, which is the reason I fell in love with the Halo franchise in the first place. The squad mate’s missions are fun for the most part, but still lack the memorable moments that are found in the other Halo titles. This is due to the fact that Halo 3: ODST does not do anything new. Everything has a “Been there, done that” sort of feel. It’s like playing Halo 3 again, because essentially that is what it is (with full price tag). Overall, the storyline was pretty uneventful and the whole reason for your classified mission is a bit silly. Frankly, I did not mind that the campaign was only 6 hours long.
Graphically, the game falls short. Bungie is still using the same dated engine used for Halo 3 and it shows. Do not expect Gears quality visuals, textures, animations or character models. Halo ODST looks exactly the same as Halo 3 back when it was released 2 years ago. Don’t get me wrong, it looks good, but not great as a full-retail A-List title. I can name over a dozen third party games that look better than Halo 3: ODST. It seems strange that the once proclaimed “Killer App” can’t maximize the hardware it is running on, even on its second attempt. I am just crossing my fingers that Halo Reach will finally look like a next gen Halo game.
The multiplayer portion is split into two sections and is actually on two separate discs. Firefight is on the same disc as the campaign and the multiplayer is on the second disc. To me, Firefight was the reason I was looking forward to this game. When Bungie announced it I thought to myself “Halo is going to have a Horde mode? This will be the coolest thing since sliced bread!” After playing it a dozen times I came away with mixed feelings. Sure it is a blast to play with a few friends, but it just doesn’t have the longevity that will keep me playing as long as I did the Gears of War Horde Mode.
I found myself asking a bunch of questions like,”Why is there only one map with vehicles on it? Why can’t I play without any skulls activated? Why can’t I customize starting equipment and gear found on the map?” Those aren’t even the biggest issue. That crown belongs to the fact that you cannot save or select which wave, round or set to start at. For example, my friend and I were playing a match for almost two hours and time came for him to leave. We had to quit and start from the very beginning the next time he was over. This eliminates the sense of accomplishment and progression. The only thing I had to show for those two hours was an achievement only worth a measly 10GS. For me, I am just going to get the achievements to get 200,000 points on every map and I think I will have had my fill of the Firefight mode – unless they patch it of course.
The second disc contains a clone of Halo 3 and has the download maps included. No sense reviewing this because it is exactly what you find on the Halo 3 disc. I quickly have to give thanks to Bungie for continuously supporting split-screen play. Halo 3: ODST can be played two-player splitscreen through the campaign and Firefight game modes. Even further, you can link two X-Box systems together and have some four player co-op action in both game modes as well. This is how I found the game most enjoyable. If you can manage to link up two 360s and have four friends into shooters, I recommend this is how you play ODST. If split-screen is not your thing, you have the option to play both the campaign and Firefight over X-Box Live.
When Bungie announced Halo Recon, they described it as a small expansion, with a campaign that ran about four to six hours. It was to have an expanded multiplayer with exclusive new maps and was to release at a discounted price. Halo ODST has a six hour campaign and has the original Halo 3 multiplayer with the exclusive maps being found in Firefight. The only difference being Halo 3: ODST was released as a full price game. So why does the game cost so much when it only delivers what Bungie describes as a small expansion? The game feels like an expansion and to try and market it as anything else is a bit ridiculous but money is the game, and the hardcore multiplayer users will buy into the new modes. The only way I would recommend anyone to buy Halo 3: ODST is if they are a Halo fanatic and just can’t get enough of Halo or if the person really wants the new Halo 3 maps. This is a good way to get them and other content in one package. If you aren’t one of those people I suggest you wait until the price drops or just go over to a friend’s who has it and have your few hours of fun with it.
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halo is behind the times
Interesting review.
What difficulty level did you play on? The game takes roughly 8 hours on legendary. Also I guess you didn’t check the maps as weapon bunkers are located throughout the city. They contain extra handguns and those Mongoose cycles.
Its weird but you have to stand by the weapon locker door for at least 3 seconds for it to open. There also bordered with a red light outlining the entrance. Lights turn green doors open.
I really enjoyed the game would give it a 5 out of 5.
I didn’t find any of the missions boring.
The hardest part for me was locating all the audio logs.
Still havnt found them all.
(Tips anyone??? )
“Firefight mode” is great! I’ve been waiting for this kind of HALO AI game that you could play by yourself in an arcade type deal.
It took me longer to get 200k on all the firefight levels then it did playing the game.
Try to get 200k by yourself, its tough and time consuming. Also totally I’m possible on ledgendary.
On the price, I didn’t feel I overpaid more then I usually do spending 60 bucks on a game. This was a 2 disc set,,,
Anyway,,, good review but I thought it was better.
I’ll have to check my GOW2 game for that Horde Mode, is that just like “Firefight?”
I only played the beginning of it so far, and it got me excited seeing and hearing Nathan Fillion in it. The short bit I played I quite liked, the atmosphere was quite good and playing as someone other than the super soldier saving the day was a nice change of pace for Halo. It was fun, and I like forward to having the chance to play through the whole campaign.
I can’t speak to the other issues unfortunately, but it does seem that the game overall is a let down if you take into consideration the multiplayer features and the fact that it is essentially an expansion of Halo 3. Still a good deal it seems if you get it used at a good price.
I hope that Bungie decides to continue the Halo franchise in a way similar to this, if they add greater customization and more options for multiplayer while presenting a new campaign from the perspective of the regular UNSC soldiers we could get the multiplayer game that people are wanting, and another new, interesting campaign that allows us to get a greater look at the Halo universe.
@790. Have you gotten all the audio logs in “Streets of Mambasa” yet? The last one will be in Data Hive right before you get the Flame Thrower, after you have collected all of the audio logs in Streets of Mambasa. The last audio log will be on “data Hive” in the room that you couldnt enter before. When you would walk up to the door the City Monitor would say something like “Crime Scene, door will remain shut blah blah blah” If you havent found all of them in “Streets of Mambasa”, just google the map locations for them and just playe through “Streets of Mambasa” to find them using the map. Do not play it in Co-op because you cannot enter data hive without losing you Audio Log data.
And side to the story taking place in the Halo universe , ” ODST” puts you in the role of the nominal orbital band drop ship – one of the Marines normal compared with the head master, the series' protagonist normal. Using this basic graphics and game for Halo 3, ODST is stylish and different in some ways and samey disappointing in other countries.
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