Strap in everyone for a new addition to the “Halo” universe,
“Halo 3: ODST” which takes the focus away from the super solider, Master Chief,
and tells the story of a group of Orbital Drop Shock Troopers or ODSTs, who are
elite soldiers that weren’t enhanced like Master Chief but took on challenges
that were just as daunting as the ones he does. This first person shooter puts
you in control of an ODST solider as he searches for clues to the remnants of
his team through an alien-occupied city called New Mombasa. Finding the various
clues left by your comrades allows you to start a flashback mission in order to
find out what happened to your team, as you assume the role of the missing
solider the clue relates to six hours earlier. The incredibly designed world of
New Mombasa is free to explore as players can choose where they want to go to
find the next clue or explore the futuristic city they are placed in. Since
players are taking on the role of the ODSTs instead of the Master Chief's damage-absorbing
energy shield, the game uses a recharging stamina mechanic which provides a new
feel to the “Halo” games players are used to. Players now have to be more
tactical against facing down alien enemies that in “Halo” games of the past
could be easily taken on, head first, as the Master Chief. This provides for an
exciting and enjoyable new gameplay element missing since the first “Halo”
game, players now experience more guerilla type fighting as they set out to
help their missing teammates. “Halo 3: ODST” brings to the table some new
weaponry for players to use, the two most prominent and enjoyable new weapons
are the M7/Caseless Submachine Gun which is a variation of the SMG seen in
other “Halo” games being that it now comes with a suppressor an much better
accuracy that causes incredible damage and will be used quite often by players.
The other welcomed addition to the game is the standard pistol which has had
the damage level increased and the zoom feature added back to it from way back
when it could in the original “Halo” game. “Halo 3: ODST” also offers the first
appearance of the new Firefight game mode, where players take on increasingly
difficult waves of enemies in a timed survival challenge. Firefight can be
played cooperatively with up to three other players through Xbox Live or with
up to two players on the same console in splitscreen mode and as players’ progress
through the wave of enemies they are awarded medals for making special kills,
and individual and team scores are tracked throughout the games. Inside
Firefight, players have a shared pool of seven lives, which are replenished
after completing five rounds, adding to the difficulty are modifiers called
"skulls", which give enemies new abilities or a handicap to the
player for example, skulls can cause enemies to throw greater numbers of
grenades or make enemies heads explode.
“Halo 3: ODST” provides a massive selection of gameplay
elements to choose from is truly a worthy addition to the franchise, with the
introduction of complex and enjoyable characters, a short but enjoyable
storyline as well online play the game provides an amazing experience. While
the game was considered to be only an expansion onto to “Halo 3” it became much
more than that and is a must have for true fans of the franchise.
Good:
-Incredible and fresh new look to the Halo universe
-Short but highly enjoyable storyline with complex and
interesting characters
-New addition of an addicting Firefight mode
Bad:
-Is considered only an expansion
(Game Reviewed on Xbox360)
Scully Rating: 9.5
out of 10
