As most of you probably know by now, Bungie Studios has released a new game called Halo 3: ODST. This game is not Halo 4; it would be more accurate to say that it is an expansion pack to Halo 3. The story line in the campaign actually takes place during Halo 2. Most of you can recall the epic fight through the streets of New Mombasa only to find you must board and destroy a Scarab tank at the end of the level. Just when you thought things couldn’t get any worse, the Covenant ship hovering over New Mombasa makes a jump through slip space, effectively destroying the city.
Just before that moment is where ODST picks up its tale. You play as an Orbital Drop Shock Trooper, a Special Forces soldier similar to the marine you have fought beside in the other Halo games. You play the new guy. You’re known simply as the Rookie, but you will soon find out you get to play as almost everyone else on your squad at least once. Enough about the story though. You probably want to know if this game is worth the $60 price tag.
This game is most definitely worth the amount stamped on its glossy cover. First off, the graphics and sound are amazing. Most people thought that Bungie had really outdone themselves with Halo 3 and its stunning graphics, but if you haven’t played ODST, you haven’t seen anything yet. The soundtrack is good too. There have been many positive reviews about the soundtrack, and it is the best selling soundtrack to date on Amazon.com. Despite all of the positive things this game has to offer, it isn’t perfect.
The story line is good as you may have gathered from the first paragraph, but it is lacking in linear game-play that Halo fans have come to love. Unlike most Halo games or FPSs for that matter, Halo 3: ODST has a very interesting campaign. Instead of playing through a series of levels that are hard to get lost in because there is almost always one direction the player can traverse the environment in, ODST drops you straight into the web of streets and alleys of New Mombasa. Please note that this is after the Covenant destroyed the city with their little stunt in Halo 2.
Even though Bungie was nice enough to equip you with a state of the art navigational system, some players have still found it difficult to navigate through this luscious and confusing environment. I suggest you pay attention to the tutorial.
Despite the game’s flaws, I think Bungie did a fantastic job on their new installment to the Halo series. Overall this game is a good down to Earth (no pun intended) FPS. It has good game-play, in a beautiful environment that allows you to explore the Halo universe from a totally new perspective.
Some things you will notice that are different from other Halo games are you have no motion tracker and no shield, but you do have a visor that enhances your vision. Instead of traditional competitive multiplayer, Halo 3: ODST comes with a game mode called firefight. In firefight mode you and up to three friends can team up to see how long you can withstand wave after wave of Covenant forces.
With this new game you and your friends should be busy until Halo: Reach (Bungie’s next game) comes out. Good hunting, ODSTs.