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Giant Bomb Video Game News
Video Game News, Stories and Updates for the PS3, XBOX 360, PC, PSP, Wii, and DS
Added by Brad Shoemaker on June 5, 2009
Things have gotten ugly in New Mombasa.
For starters, the game will ship on two discs. The first will be single-player only, containing only the ODST campaign. The other disc will be a sort of Halo 3 multiplayer compilation, with the entire Halo 3 multiplayer framework and all 21 previously released maps included. There will also be three new maps, one of which is Heretic, a remake of the Halo classic Midship. So original Halo 3 owners and people who buy ODST will be able to mix it up online, regardless of which disc they're using.
In demoing the single-player campaign, Bungie proved how much they've improved their engine, artwork, and on-the-fly storytelling. I saw an in-game cutscene that took place from the player's perspective just before the ODSTs drop into the war-torn city of New Mombasa, and just about everything about the visuals--from the detail of the character models to the camera movements--seemed more refined and believable. I never thought the cinematics in past Halo games were particularly strong, so I'm glad to see Bungie stepping up their game in that department.
This scene also gave me a good dose of the ODST commanding officer Buck, who you may know better as... Nathan Fillion! That's right, Firefly's Captain Mal plays a major role in the game, not just with his voice but also his likeness. It was a gratifying geeky moment to see Fillion come in barking orders at the ODSTs, the kind of thing that brings an unstoppable smile to your face. If you're a huge nerd, that is. (I am.)
Firefight seems like an interesting new take on Halo co-op.
Bungie has updated the game's heads-up elements to help you navigate the new open city. You get contextual information like the map and a compass with waypoint markers popping up on the inside of your ODST's visor, Metroid Prime-style. A lot of this city data is provided by the Superintendent, New Mombasa's friendly municipal AI. The Supe's not exactly ODST's version of Cortana; he's more action than talk, helping you out by opening doors for you and that sort of thing. Bungie's Joe Staten said it's the difference between a "smart AI" and a "dumb AI." Hey, I'll take all the friendly robot help I can get.
Lastly, Bungie talked a little about Firefight, the game's cooperative mode. It's similar to Gears of War 2's Horde mode, or Survival in Left 4 Dead. In other words, it's all about fighting wave after wave of enemies with up to three friends for high scores. Unlike Horde, Firefight has no end; you keep fighting harder and harder waves until everyone is dead. There's a shared pool of lives that all players draw from, and skull modifiers will switch on and off between rounds to change the way the game plays.
ODST is looking like a great way to extend the Halo franchise and its signature dynamic combat without turning out Master Chief for the umpteenth time. I like this slightly different take on the series and I can't wait to play it when it hits stores in September.
Filed under :
Halo 3: ODST
75 Comments
story, new weapons + in game features/modes, all the contents of the Halo 3 multiplayer DLC thus far and the compatability to play with the entire Halo 3 multiplayer community from this
disc is a pretty ok deal. If this seems so uninteresting, then it seems as though Halo 3 shouldnt have been that interesting to you in the first place.
On the other hand, your certainly correct about bungie 'warming the bed'. Economically, they will milk this franshise for everything its got before it needs another shot in the arm from
another core release. So I agree with you there.
But if this game is their way of milking me, then im the fattest lactating cow on the farm.
I agree, this looks good
I actually think it looks great. Better than the other games in the franchise.
I may be a bit cynical... but it seems Bungie are just keeping the bed warm so to speak,to keep the series in people heads until the next proper Halo is released..
it's obviously just a re-working of Halo3... using the same multiplayer etc.. not that intrested in this tbh.
it's obviously just a re-working of Halo3... using the same multiplayer etc.. not that intrested in this tbh.
Firefight sounds incredible. I am definitely sold on ODST. I think I am going to go reserve it tomorrow...
Definitely getting this, if only for firefight and the three new maps, the campaign also looks superb.
@JazzMaverick said:
Same, Not interested, I'll rent it but that's as far as I'm gonna go. " I may be a bit cynical... but it seems Bungie are just keeping the bed warm so to speak,to keep the series in people heads until the next proper Halo is released..it's obviously just a re-working of Halo3... using the same multiplayer etc.. not that intrested in this tbh. "
@JazzMaverick said:
With the popularity of halo 3s multiplayer... i highly doubt they need to do that" I may be a bit cynical... but it seems Bungie are just keeping the bed warm so to speak,to keep the series in people heads until the next proper Halo is released..it's obviously just a re-working of Halo3... using the same multiplayer etc.. not that intrested in this tbh. "
@Reuben said:
Dude, Halo has go tot be one of the best multiplayer experiences there is. Seems like 50-60 bucks for a new, full length single player game in a revamped engine, interesting (likely better)"@JazzMaverick said:Same, Not interested, I'll rent it but that's as far as I'm gonna go. "" I may be a bit cynical... but it seems Bungie are just keeping the bed warm so to speak,to keep the series in people heads until the next proper Halo is released..it's obviously just a re-working of Halo3... using the same multiplayer etc.. not that intrested in this tbh. "
story, new weapons + in game features/modes, all the contents of the Halo 3 multiplayer DLC thus far and the compatability to play with the entire Halo 3 multiplayer community from this
disc is a pretty ok deal. If this seems so uninteresting, then it seems as though Halo 3 shouldnt have been that interesting to you in the first place.
On the other hand, your certainly correct about bungie 'warming the bed'. Economically, they will milk this franshise for everything its got before it needs another shot in the arm from
another core release. So I agree with you there.
But if this game is their way of milking me, then im the fattest lactating cow on the farm.
@Black_Rose said:
" I actually think it looks great. Better than the other games in the franchise. "
I agree, this looks good
I read that the Bungie didn't want to charge full price for it but Microsoft said other wise and eventually decided to pack all the map packs they released. Kinda sucks for the people that already bought those map packs. I'll give this one a rental and if I really like it then maybe pick up a used copy a couple of months after it comes out.
Greed never ceases to amaze me, But I expected that much from Microsoft.
@Hitchenson said:
Just wondering... how much will that be? Also you get to play as sgt johnson in the limited edition in firefight. Co-op will be incredible in this game." Looks awesome! Can't wait to get this:"Halo 3: ODST LCE
The main thing that drove me into Halo was the Single player. And this is shaping up to be, in fact, probably the best Halo game Bungie has put out. Even the devs seem to think so, if you listen to the Bungie Podcast.
And damn, was I impressed! I was a really active member of the Bungie forums back in the days before Halo 3. And we had a thread going detailing how we want a Survival Mode and how it should play like. And Bam! Firefight!
Bungie never fails to impress me. I came in expecting a rehashed Halo 3. But, and I'm sure Brad agrees, this truly is the age of ODSTs.
@crunchUK said:
No, you don't play as Johnson from the LCE. You get him if you pre-order either the regular or LCE editions at selected retailers.
"@Hitchenson said:Just wondering... how much will that be? Also you get to play as sgt johnson in the limited edition in firefight. Co-op will be incredible in this game. "" Looks awesome! Can't wait to get this:"Halo 3: ODST LCE
as a halo fan i thought this a meh kinda game.....brad has just blown my mind, OPEN WORLD HALO GAME..THAT"S AWESOME
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