Hands On HALO 3 ODST Gameplay Preview

Around fifteen games journalists descended on the Microsoft offices in Prague on the 11th of September to get their first hands on the new HALO 3 ODST game. Fortunately, I was one of them and with HALO 3: ODST Review Party invite in hand I made my way there as well. They did do some other presentations including Forza 3 and Lips Number One Hits, but it was ODST that everyone came to see, and more importantly, to play.

The moment the game begins, you know this is HALO. Getting into the gameplay confirms this fact but you’ll notice some slight changes. First off, there is no Master Chief, this allows the mythology to breathe and the universe to expand away from a single timeline and single story. It makes HALO 3 ODST all the better and enriches the HALO universe. This game brings diversity to the FPS portion of HALO like Halo Wars brought diverse gameplay to the entire franchise.

[I:http://stealthgamers.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/ChristophorRick1.png]If you’re longing for a good story, HALO 3 ODST will not let you down. Incorporated into the pre-existing HALO universe you’ll take on the role of Rookie and have to gumshoe your way through clues that will lead you to find out what happened to the rest of your squad when you all impacted in the city of New Mobasa.

The gameplay tells you this is a HALO title. The FPS action, the environments lacking in much destructibility, the weapons and major players. They are things we know, things we are comfortable with as we have seen it now for some time. HALO 3: ODST brings with it the comfort of familiarity and that means many will be instantly pleased with it. The Warthogs make a return as do many of the weapons. I hear that you get to drive a tank through the city of New Mombasa but I haven’t witnessed it yet myself.

HALO 3 ODST branches the previously linear story that is the backbone of the universe. It gives new breath to the mythology and while gameplay does not stray far from the others, it’s definitely going to be worth the price.

The game will be a 2-disc set, one for single player and a second loaded with multiplayer content including thirty-five ways to play, over 20 maps and 9 main game modes. Old standards include capture-the-flag, Deathmatch (slayer), land capture (territories) and King of the hill. Newer modes include Oddball (carry a skull, get points), Juggernaut, VIP, Assault (bomb each other’s base) and Infection which is a battle between humans and zombies.

HALO 3 ODST might have started as an expansion but it has taken on a life of its own and could stand out as a shining example of the FPS genre on the consoles. It certainly seems well worth the price they are charging and come 22 Sept, 2009 you too might find yourself shouting: We are ODST!