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5stars
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14ratings
Good graphics98% agree
Compelling gameplay96% agree
Good value98% agree
578 reviews
ODST, the Halo without a Halo
A noir-ish setting driven by story. That was my first thought as I considered how to describe a game whose origins stem from one of the most popular and successful FPS(first person shooter) franchises of all time, and not the groundbreaking physics and graphics of its immediate predecessor on which this game runs...and runs it does, runaway headlong into a backdrop story preceding the events in its parent "Halo 3". It does this almost nonstop, fluidly and wildly into new yet familiar directions. Gone is the hulking nigh invincible main character of the previous games, now replaced with a squad of normal human, though no less iconic ODST(Orbital Drop Shock Trooper) soldiers. The missions are non-linear and played one at time. They are generally from the perspective of the rookie member of the team as he navigates the confines of darkened city streets searching for clues to the whereabouts of his lost teammates, whom he was separated from during the story's introduction. There is also a mystery element, reguarding who is helping and directing the rookie. Game play features enemy AI is based on the player's tactics. For instance, if enemies have superior positioning or cover they keep it, not run headlong into combat as cannon fodder. If their battle line is broken, leaders try to regroup(tip, kill the leaders). Also, there is no infinite backpack or bag of plenty here. Ammo and good weapons are always in short supply, though players can carry a couple more grenades if they can find some. The rule for this game is conservation of ammo, fight only when necessary, and run and hide for your life the rest of the time. A new inclusion to the game beyond the story campaign is the frenetic 'Firefight' multiplayer mode, where one to four players defend against wave after wave of increasing difficult enemy attacks in locals based on areas traveled through in the campaign. The only drawback to this game, barring a dislike of FPS type games or the franchise itself, is its length. I rented this game and beat it in a weekend. That is not to say I did everything there was to do in this game, but even with the immersive and compelling story, the single player felt short. It played somewhere in the ten to fifteen hour range. Fightfight however is a great little gem that gives the game great lift, both on and offline. That, along with ODST including all the "Halo 3" multiplayer premium content previously available only as purchasable downloads adds good value as well. This game has tremendous multiplayer replay potential and can be a great addition to almost any gamer's library of titles. So whether you are 'Halo' fan or just a fan of great games this title can be considered a sure win.Read full review...
SICK GAME
Developed exclusively for Xbox 360 by acclaimed developer Bungie, “Halo 3: ODST” is a new game in the “Halo” saga that lets people experience events leading up to the epic story told in “Halo 3” through the eyes of an ODST (Orbital Drop Shock Trooper), as they search for clues leading to the whereabouts of their scattered squad and the motivations behind the Covenant’s invasion of New Mombasa. The release adds a new dimension to an all-encompassing universe that gamers around the world have known and loved for close to eight years. “Halo 3: ODST” also introduces Firefight, a new cooperative multiplayer* mode where up to four players can assume the role of an ODST squad and fight together to take on increasingly challenging waves of enemies. Also included are three new “Halo 3” multiplayer maps on a 2nd standalone disc, which includes all original “Halo 3” maps, as well as the “Legendary,” “Heroic,” and “Mythic” Map packs for a total of 24 maps. * Xbox LIVE Gold account required for online multiplayer game playRead full review...
Halo 3: ODST
Great game overall. Halo veterans and new-comers alike can enjoy the many aspects of the game. The campaign is both stunning and fun to play. Its unique multiplayer has plenty of replay value, fighting off horde after horde of aliens in many different environments. My biggest problem with the game is the Halo 3-compatible multiplayer. For those of us who bought the maps and decided to buy the game, our money was wasted. If you haven't, rejoice! Halo 3: ODST features all of the maps released for Halo 3 multiplayer to date. On the plus side, you can trade in your copy of Halo 3 if you've exhausted the campaign, because ODST comes with its own Halo 3 multiplayer disc. Another cool aspect of the game is its built in ticket to the Halo: Reach public beta testing this summer. ODST owners will be the first to try out Bungie's most ambitious Halo title yet!
The game itself is in a league of its own, among other Halo games in the top echelon of first person shooters. Halo is a legend in gaming, an instant classic. It's difficult to call yourself a gamer if you haven't indulged in the best today's technology has to offer in Bungie's epic franchise. Buy with confidence that you'll experience one of the best games ever made.Read full review...
Not the best but still a great time!
I just got the game last night, and finished it today. Took me about 5hrs on normal to run through it. The plot was interesting, I found it creative the way they did it. You basically wander around looking for beacons. At the beacon is an out of place object, you touch it and although your character (The Rookie) stays there you go back and play the events leading up to that anomaly. Then at the end all of the events blend together (rather well I might add) and you play the last of the story with everyone (relatively) and finish the story. If you read the Halo books or know much about the real story line it is not that much of a cliff hanger, just an interesting twist at the end. Campaign did have it's down sides though. First the banshee mission is way too short and was a huge knock off of H3... I mean really escort a Phantom around...common... Also some of the commentary get really bloody annoying and the AI could have been better (like actually keep up). The play through was fine except at the end I was somewhat tired of tunnels, streets and corridors. So campaign gets a 7/10.
Firefight is a whole other story. First off let me get this off my chest. WTF IS UP WITH NO MULTIPLAYER SEARCH!!! THAT IS F*ING BS!!!. Now that is over really they have the technology to set up a search, how hard is that? Make me wonder if they themselves were doubting the success of the game. Out side of that I love firefight. To me it is a great blend of both COD and Halo. First, sure you can run and gun like halo but if you do that too much your going to die. I love how they brought back the health from H1. You have your stamina (shields) and your health. Stamina recharges, health does not (you need to get something like a med pack but really looks like a bacta tank from Republic Commando). Some times I wish there were more weapons but other times it makes me glad because it feel a little more realistic that way. The first time I played I was with two other people and we got to 344,956 points on normal. Simply put, if it is too easy turn up the difficulty, and if normal is too hard, well then...play more. I also love how the lives are shared, the whole weakest link thing really plays in here, I have played matches where me and one of my teammates never died yet the third guy being stupid lost all 7 lives. Can be annoying but work as a team, win as a team. I am sure your tired reading now so let me sum up. I love firefight but hate that I can only play when friends are on. Also in fights you just have to use the tool for the job (grunts pistol, brutes smg, tank laser, simple). Firefight 8.5/10
AustinRead full review...
Interesting side-story to Halo, campaign a bit short and lacking depth.
Halo 3: ODST was a departure from the traditional themes of the Halo trilogy. You get a darker, more personal story about a group of Orbital Drop Shock Troopers amidst the battle of New Mombasa shortly after a slipspace rupture (basically, during the events of Halo 2 right after you leave Earth).
Gameplay still has the "Halo" feel, but you are much more fragile since you aren't as resilient as a SPARTAN soldier. The music was great, with jazz and piano to capture the themes of loneliness and survival rather than the epic "Space Opera" you get with Master Chief.
The length of the game, however, makes it feel more like an expansion pack rather than a full game. I was able to complete it at around 3 nights on Heroic. The depth of the game also leaves much to be desired, as there isn't much to explore in the hub city you spend most of your time in.
A nice bonus you get with ODST is the complete Halo 3 multiplayer experience on a separate disc with all the DLC maps. It's good to note that it's compatible with your existing save if you've been playing with the original Halo 3 game disc.
Overall, Halo fans will welcome this addition to their Halo collection with open arms. Others, however, may have mixed opinions on the campaign.Read full review...
Good as and EXPANSION pack, bad if you pay full retail for it.
First, for those that dont know, this is an EXPANSION to Halo 3, not really its own game. It comes with 2 discs, campaign and multiplayer. The multiplayer disc is the EXACT same as Halo 3 multiplayer. On xbox live you play against ODST and Halo 3 players.
That being said, I had a blast with the single player. Same great Halo formula, but you feel more human. You arent as powerful (no shield, a bit slower) but it seems like the enemies are a bit more realistic as well. The brutes dont take forever to drop like in Halo 2 but you also take care to stay out of reach of their swing. The story was interesting, if a bit loose like most halo games. Unfortunately, single player is short, which is alright for an expansion, bad for a game being sold at full retail price. If youre getting a good deal like on ebay (i paid under 10 bucks) then its a great buy and a good addition to the halo library.
I was in the perfect position to buy this game because I played through and beat Halo 3 years ago, but dont have it. I wanted something different but i also wanted to get some Halo 3 going on xbox live. This was the perfect fit. Now if only the price of Halo reach would drop....Read full review...
Halo 3 ODST
Halo 3 ODST offers fans and first-person shooter aficionados a great package that adds a nice side-story to the Halo canon. There is a pervasive sense of loneliness that mirrors the action of the lead character you play as: the rookie. This is combined with the adrenaline-fueled action that makes Halo so exciting insure the concrete reasons to make shelf space for this title. Again though, it’s not perfect. The fact that ODST started its life as a simple disc-expansion might have endured more time in development, but it’s the value of the package that counts. Firefight will offer you hours upon hours of mindless, Covenant-slaying fun, while the main campaign will garner a lot of your attention for both the story and its characters, minus our mute Rookie. Like any good science fiction spin-off, Bungie has done its homework by bringing Halo fans a worthy addition to the tale of human survival against the Covenant. Prepare to drop in; you won’t regret it.Read full review...
Short story, though great multiplayer
The ODST story is not up to par with the Halo standard, a LOT of it requires walking over action, quite irritating at points when you can't run and the city is a decent size, walking from one corner to another takes time. The graphics are nothing to boast about, character outlines are poor, but it's not utterly horrible.
The thing that makes up for it all is probably the firefight mode, 2 players per console (4 player in Halo 3 was awesome, don't know why they took it out, graphic conflict?) The AI has been upgraded to dodge more attacks and fighting wave after wave with skulls gets addicting. The con is you need friends, no matchmaking, but if you have some reliable guys to help you out there, you're set.
The Halo 3 multiplayer disc is great for soliciting new players, including all maps, but no campaign. It's really convenient to install to your hard drive if your xbox is noisy, weighing in at less than 3gb. There are exclusive maps on the disc though, can't get them w/o it as they're unavailable on live.
Overall, the game is more of an expansion of Halo 3, hence including it in its title, not really up to the cost of a full game IMO, but tries to make up for it with the halo 3 multiplayer.Read full review...
Halo 3 ODST (welcome to being human again)
Simple and sweet - if you're looking for a whole new spin off, you got it. Bungie did it right. The interface and urban warfare are definitely a new concept in this game - fighting on your own planet. There are still the old familiar (necessary things that keep us from having to relearn everything) as far as controller options and physics within the game program. Heads up on this one difference - YOU ARE NOT THE MASTER CHIEF. ODST are human and only have the benefits of armor. There are health packs throughout the city of which the AI (VIRGIL) gives you access to; we'll discuss the interaction later. Being human does not mean your running around hiding and just dodging Brutes and Hunters. Yep, Hunters - and your just an armored human to boot. Thank God those guys at Bungie at least recognized it still needed to be fun. There are some dynamics that are balanced out so the Hunters are not as tough as those in Halo 2 and 3. If you amp the difficulty to Legendary, you can expect that level will provide you the original Hunters we are all used to fighting - good luck in winning that fight. Oh yes - since it is an urban environment you can run and hide or get away but they will look for you, as well as the others if you so decide to dodge them too. Now as far as the AI, VIRGIL was a subroutine that was created to keep up with this programmer's daughter. He helps you and supports you by supplying information as to what the heck happened to everyone; he also shows you weapons cache's, bits of info of what happened throughout the city, and where enemies were last cited. Since you sustained a concussion and were out for a at least 8 to 12 hours, this is the major underflow of your primary purpose - to figure out where everyone else is! The audio and feedback that VIRGIL gives you allows you to see what happened to each one and along a time line. An extra to the game is that you get to play that character in the moment that was recorded and then some. It is kind of a throw off, but it's really fun being different characters throughout the game. Once that character's part is completed, you go back to yourself (the rookie). You continue on the next search for other specific clues that VIRGIL relays the history. You are looking for clues involving the others or where that group went to. It seems to end short but no more than what Halo 3 in length of time came to a close. There's more - like the additional Halo 3 maps. You've got to tag that bad boy - the CD is worth its weight if you're into map building. The surroundings are really cool and there are hidden extras all throughout. If you're looking for the legacy of Bungie's touch - its still here.Read full review...
Fairly good game
I felt ODST was a fairly interesting game. For those of you who are cheap and haven't bought every single Halo 3 map it has the treat of having every single map on one disc in addition to 3 new ones. The campaign is also different from normal Halo's in that u are fairly free to roam the city of New Mombasa. The Flashbacks add and interesting touch and firefight mode is a blast with 4 people allowing you endless (literally it never ends until your group uses all of its lives) hours of covenant destroying pleasure! I would recommend this game to any fan of Halo but go in warned, it has a few differences from the other Halos such as a health bar and no super powers like what master chief has...Read full review...