We ended up using the VISR on somewhere around half of the levels (mostly night locations), it also helps a ton on a couple of the more-difficult Firefight maps. By pressing the X-button players can slide down their VISR – helping illuminate friends in green and enemies in red, important things on screen glow in a yellow color. Even though it sounds so simple it really changes many of the gameplay elements in Halo 3: ODST, helping give that “futuristic” feel that’s not available in any non-Halo shooters. Stamina is much like an over-shield, in that once depleted it must be recharged to help protect the rookie ODST from taking damage to his health bar. Firefight mode is completely new to the Halo franchise and it’s very similar in style and gameplay to the current Gears of War 2 multiplayer mode Horde. There are 8 Firefight specific maps, each one taken from a location found in the single-player campaign. Reminiscent to a “last-man standing” game mode players will team-up (either solo or with up to 3 teammates) to battle against wave after wave of random enemy types, each one getting more difficult than the last.
Halo 3 skulls also take a part in mixing up the gameplay variety for Firefight in ODST, randomly adding different levels of difficulty to the waves of enemies. This new multiplayer-focused game mode adds a huge amount of replayability to the title, with hours of Covenant-slaughtering fun to be had by all players of any skill-level. ODST also includes a second disc that features all 24 Halo 3 multiplayer maps, even the ones from each and every downloadable add-on that has been released to-date. Even though the maps have been around for a while it’s nice to have them all on one disc for those multiplayer-loving gamers to experience. Graphically Halo 3: ODST is not going to blow anyone away, it looks a little better than Halo 3 did when it was released a few years ago but the engine is the same, leaving a lot to be desired. Still many of the elements shine with a much-better shading technique and the character models have much more detail than found in H3 two-years ago. Weapon discharges and lighting effects have also been upgraded and layered with extra polish that doesn't go unnoticed - there is just something super-cool about playing through the Halo universe as an ODST.
One of the more impressive aspects of Halo 3: ODST is the soundtrack, a symphony of fantastic and epic music that will inspire players to fight their hearts out every minute of the campaign mode. More than once while playing the subtle music ran a chill down our back, reminiscent of something available in only the most intense of films. Overall the title is exactly what we expected it to be, a different look at one of the most beloved franchises on the Xbox 360 console. Halo 3: ODST will be sure to recapture each and every Halo fan, as well as bring a couple new ones over because of the more scaled-back, human nature to the game. Because many of the gameplay features and elements are taking directly from the Halo 3 product some gamers may be a bit worried that it’s not worth the 60-dollar price tag, hopefully by reading this review we have assured you that it is. Playing through the single-player campaign and spending hours upon hours in Firefight mode helped remind us why this franchise is worth so much money for Microsoft. It may not be something entirely revolutionary when it comes to gaming entertainment but for us Halo 3: ODST is the best game (and most complete) in the long-lived series, hands-down.
There were times leading up to the ODST release that we found ourselves wanting Microsoft to man-up and just release it as a downloadable add-on, however after spending plenty of time with the retail product we can see that enough new has been added to the classic elements to create a full-fledged product. If you need one more reason (other than the ability to unlock the “Recon” armor for use in H3) to go out and grab Halo 3: ODST when it drops on September 22, 2009 – each and every copy will include exclusive access to the Halo: Reach beta when it is released sometime in 2010. Make sure to hold onto your ODST disc after completion because that is the sole invitation, and the only way to get into the highly anticipated beta. Stay tuned for more details on the Halo: Reach beta right here at PlanetXbox360.com as it comes about, for now get ready to return to the Halo universe with Halo 3: ODST.
