In the year since Halo 3: ODST was announced, developers Bungie have remained tight-lipped over their mysterious expansion, drip-feeding information and media to the chagrin of their fans. However, the curtains were drawn on ODST this week, with Microsoft officially unveiling the game to the E3 2009 attendees.
Orbital Drop Shock Troopers
ODST’s story is set in the vague time-period between Master Chief’s departure to the second ring in Halo 2, and his explosive return in Halo 3. Fans may remember in Halo 2 the vessel, In Amber Clad, hijacking a lift from the Prophet of Regret’s slip-space rupture. This rupture utterly destroyed the city of New Mombasa, wrecking the high-rise buildings and felling the Orbital Tether, now sprawled in pieces across the smouldering ruins.
ODST’s protagonist, the Rookie, is an Orbital Drop Shock Trooper, an elite team of soldiers literally dropped into combat from orbit. The Rookie and his team were dropped into New Mombasa during the slip-space rupture, which scattered them across the city. The Rookie is the last to wake and is tasked with discovering the fates of his four other teammates.
Exploring New Mombasa
Unlike the previous Halo games which followed a linear path and story, ODST can be approached from multiple angles. New Mombasa is open for the Rookie to explore. His teammates have left beacons, and once he discovers one a playable flash-back sequence occurs, each shedding light on the mystery.
New Mombasa is Bungie’s first attempt at a sandbox environment. The beacons can be recovered in any order, although Bungie have suggested there is a correct order to follow which structures the story more coherently.
The Rookie’s Visor Mode and Health-System
New Mombasa is crawling with Covenant, patrolling the deserted ruins and seemingly protecting something beneath its surface. Unlike the Master Chief, who was capable of engaging Covenant forces singlehandedly, the Rookie is weaker, slower and less well-armed, and must make use of his specialised visor-mode to stay ahead of his enemies.
The visor highlights enemies and objectives and renders low-light environments visible. The Rookie can track Covenant patrols from afar, despite the darkness, and will be alerted to points of interest such as beacons. He is aided in his endeavours by the New Mombasa A.I. system, the Super Intendent.
Considering the Rookie is not a Spartan, he lacks a recharging shield and their nigh invincibility. The Rookie instead has a stamina bar, similar to a shield albeit less durable, but has a health bar which can only be replenished by visits to medical vending stations.
Suppressed SMG and Pistol
ODST includes several new additions to the Halo armoury, namely a suppressed version of the Sub Machine Gun and a modified pistol fans may recognise from Halo 1. Both the new SMG and pistol have scopes to improve the Rookie’s accuracy.
The Rookie cannot dual-wield weapons, so he must manage his arsenal accordingly. His comparative size to Master Chief means enemies such as Jackals, who once cowered below players, now stand face-to-face, bringing a more human, intimate perspective to the Covenant.
Firefight
Alongside the campaign expansion, ODST includes an all-new multiplayer mode for players to enjoy. Similar to Gears of War’s Horde, Firefight pits four ODSTs against consecutive waves of Covenant forces, which become larger and stronger with each successful wave.
Unlike Horde, with its pre-set rounds and enemy layout, Firefight randomises the enemies included in each wave, meaning a cabal of hammer-wielding Chieftains could drop into the first round. Vehicles will be available in certain maps, although Bungie has yet to clarify how weapons will be distributed or whether the requisite scoring system yields any tangible rewards other than bragging rights.
Halo 3: ODST Impressions
Expansions usually mean a few more maps, a handful of weapons and maybe a congratulatory bonus, so the sheer wealth of content and quality in ODST is a refreshing surprise. The campaign is entirely different to what Halo fans may expect, emphasising stealth and teamwork, and the nonlinear story and environments promise depth and exploration. Firefight will be an inevitable success, and the package also includes the entirety of Halo 3’s multiplayer maps.
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