Pages

Saturday, October 13, 2012

Halo 3: ODST

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