Pete_LeGrant September 22, 2009 Features, Xbox 360 2,120 views Comments Print This Post  Email This Post

Halo 3: ODST is out now.

Some of you are racing out to get Halo 3: ODST today, while others of you might have reservations as to whether you should pick it up. For those of you on the fence, I’m compiled links to reviews of the game. For those of you who are committed already, and added some links to guides and walkthroughs at the bottom of this post. As I’ve indicated, not very many guides are out right now, because many fans are just now starting the game and will be working on their guides over the course of the next few weeks.

For those of you who are fans of the Halo universe, Bungie released today a Halo 3: ODST: Prepare to Drop Premium Theme. You Can download the theme from the XBOX 360 marketplace. See:  Halo 3: ODST – Prepare to Drop Premium Theme

Reviews of Halo: ODST:

In this section, I’ve picked out a bunch of prominent video games websites and their in-depth reviews of Halo: ODST. These should give you a decent idea as to whether you should buy the game in the first place. I’ve provided excerpts from the reviews, although I strongly recommend that you visit these sites and read the full reviews.

1up.com: Halo 3 ODST Review for the Xbox 360 from 1UP.com

“The game’s shortcomings are exactly what you’d expect. ODST was initially a minor expansion to Halo 3 that grew in scope and ambition over the course of its development. The final game feels like something more than an add-on, but the campaign is definitely shorter than in any previous chapter in the series. More crucially, ODST adds very little to the Halo “sandbox”; aside from a single new alien race (which plays a strictly passive role in combat) and a few new weapon variants, everything you see, shoot, and utilize comes straight from Halo 3.”

Joystiq.com:Review: Halo 3: ODST

“ODST is better summed up as a two-disc, variety pack, though — it’s more than just a side campaign built from recycled parts (not to discount the many new assets that make up ODST’s environments, which are subtly enhanced by updates to the game engine). But as a variety pack, ODST lacks that one surprise hit à la The Orange Box’s Portal — and no, Reach beta, a play-testing opportunity down the road, doesn’t count in my book; regardless of how mind-blowing it might be.”

Kotaku.com: Halo 3: ODST Review: The More Vulnerable Edition

“If you want to judge ODST for its fun without worrying about its price and the contents of its case, then know that its campaign hits the peaks of Halo 3 less often due both to its relative brevity and its uneven, experimental hubworld. The campaign can mostly be a joy. Firefight with a group of players is a blast. The main hero may be a bore, but the fiction is at least as interesting as it was in prior Halo games. Bungie’s done good this time. That’s a victory, even if that’s a departure from a series which has often seen Bungie do great.”

IGN.com: Halo 3: ODST Review

“There are places where Halo 3: ODST could be improved, but when it comes right down to it, every Halo fan should buy this game. Even if you’ve lost interest in the franchise over the years or haven’t ever given a Halo game a look, you’d do well to grab ODST and a few friends for some of the best multiplayer gaming around, especially with as wonderful an addition as Firefight. The campaign is a tad short, but well-crafted and exciting. Then there’s a whole disc full of multiplayer maps, though you may already own the bulk of them.

Halo 3: ODST isn’t a true sequel, but it is more than a standard expansion. If you’re on the fence about buying it, drop your reservations and go snag a copy. If you love Halo, you owe it to yourself to pick this up as soon as you can.”

MTV.com: ‘Halo 3: ODST’ Review

“Despite the faults, “Halo 3: ODST” is more “Halo 3″ with a fun new multiplayer mode, and it’s pretty hard to complain about that. The majority of the missions are extremely well-crafted, and the storyline reveals some new and interesting angles to the universe. There are also some hints about “Halo: Reach” thrown in there if you’re paying attention (on top of the “Reach,” beta access, which the game will grant when it launches). For “Halo” fans, it’s a no brainer. For everyone else, pick up “Halo 3″ on the cheap first. If you’re dying for more, “ODST” is a solid next step.”

Gamepaper.com: A ‘Halo: ODST’ Review

“Don’t get me wrong. This is not a bad game, not on any level. Just as ‘G.I. Joe’ has some pretty explosions in it, this game is technically proficient. You can see where the money went. The AI is fine. Enemies will occasionally sidestep when coming under heavy fire, just like real aliens. The sound is passable, the levels are well thought-out, the gameplay is as slick as you’d hope, given that Bungie has had eight years to refine it. The graphics, though dark, are nice enough. And when I say ‘dark’, I mean it. There’s a toggle mode on your character’s helmet to brighten darker areas and highlight enemies and it is helpful. But even still, in some of the unlit interiors you’ll feel like Stevie Wonder playing a survival horror game in a blackout.”

CNET.com: http://reviews.cnet.com/xbox-360-games/halo-3-odstxbox-360/4505-11457_7-33304935.html

Giantbomb.com: Halo 3: ODST

“Halo 3: ODST fills in a few interesting spots in the Halo timeline, even if the characters themselves aren’t strong enough to carry the narrative. But it strikes a healthy balance between new twists and more content done in Bungie’s trademark style. The more important thing is that if you’ve enjoyed playing Bungie’s Halo games in the past, chances are you’ll continue to enjoy that style in ODST. “

Gamesradar.com: Halo 3: ODST

“That said, Halo 3: ODST does not feel like a full game to us, either. The campaign only lasts between 6-8 hours; play on Normal instead of Heroic or Legendary difficulty and you could be done in as little as 4-5. There are nine missions – only one less than in Halo 3 – but they all seem much shorter and much simpler. They also don’t cover nearly as much terrain. We often finished just as we thought we were reaching the halfway point.”

Halo: ODST Guides and Walkthoughs

There aren’t very many guides out right now, mostly because many bloggers and walkthough creators haven’t completely dissected the game, yet, but I’m betting that more guides will be available over the next few weeks.

IGN.com: Halo 3: ODST Guide

“In this Halo 3: ODST strategy guide, you’ll find:

* BASICS // Basic strategies for surviving with (and without) your ODST squad.

* WALKTHROUGH // Our Halo 3: ODST walkthrough will get you through the game, guiding you every step of the way.

* MULTIPLAYER // Weapon tips and strategies for the game’s significant multiplayer components.

* RECON ARMOR // Learn how to unlock the lustable Recon armor.

* Q & A // Your chance to ask us questions (and get answers) to anything ODST-related.”

It looks to me like IGN has the best gameplay guide out there right now, so that would be your first stop.

Halo.wikia.com: Halo 3: ODST

Mycheats.1up.com: Halo 3 ODST

Spike.com: Halo 3: ODST – E3 09: Stage Walkthrough, Part 1 (Cam)

VideoGamesBlogger.com: Halo 3 ODST skull locations and achievements (guide)

“Take the following steps in this guide to find the Halo 3 ODST skull locations and unlock each of the achievements listed. Tips include how to get the Recon Armor! Hopefully cheats will follow after the Xbox 360-exclusive FPS is released.”

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