41 people found this review helpful
3 people found this review funny
Recommended
0.0 hrs last two weeks / 0.0 hrs on record
Posted: Dec 11, 2021 @ 11:07am
Updated: Dec 11, 2021 @ 11:10am

After delivering one of the best trilogies in gaming, Bungie's and Microsoft's relationship hit a rough patch. Since Bungie was a soon-to-be free agent, a new mainline entry was out of the question. Thus, they opted to create two spin-offs instead. The first - Halo 3: ODST. The number 3 in its name is confusing as it doesn't take place during Halo 3 but rather in the middle of Halo 2. Perhaps running on the same engine Halo 3 uses was why they decided to slap a number 3 on it or because it was supposed to be a DLC for it at first. Who knows...

Anywho, this is also the first Halo game where you don't play as the Giga chad himself, Master Chief. Instead, you strap on the shoes of an orbital drop shock trooper or ODST for short. Think of them as the best of the best human soldiers without enhancements through ethically questionable means our big green lad went through. As I already said, the story takes place during Halo 2 and the Covenants invasion of Earth, specifically, their attack on New Mombasa. A squad of ODSTs is dropped into the city to push out the Covenant forces, but soon they find themselves entangled in more than they bargained for. Personally, the story is forgettable, but the characters and their banter during missions were fun to listen to, with an odd chuckle here and there.

https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2679661340

Like the Good Book says: "Payback's a b*tch!"
Visually, it's on par with Halo 3 in terms of graphical fidelity, enemy and weapon design. The level design isn't that great, with all but a few missions taking place in rather dull and bland looking locations. I do like that we got a more in-depth look at New Mombasa, previously seen for a brief period in Halo 2. I enjoyed rummaging through buildings, leaving its mean streets behind me as I try to flank the enemy. And the city holds many secrets only a few will discover, and I must say, it was a super fun side quest to partake in. I do have one minor complaint. The soundtrack wasn't the best, but the music that plays as you explore the desolate and ravaged streets of New Mombasa enveloped in darkness is phenomenal. It's up there as one of my favourite tracks from a Halo game, right next to Warthog Run and Finish the Fight.

But, 'tis the gameplay that matters most. And here, things didn't really change from Halo 3. And why should they? It was phenomenal there and is so here. You'll still noob combo brutes, shoot them sweet, sweet heads of grunts and die from sniper jackals. There are only minor changes; Health packs are a thing once more. And it makes sense. You aren't playing as the baddest man in the galaxy, but rather as just a "normal " human. As for the guns, we have two new additions to the roster - a silenced pistol and the totally not useless silenced SMG. Because we all know how great the SMG was in Halo 2...Enemy variety is also the same, for the most part, with only one new addition - the engineers, weird tentacle having things. They can provide others with shields and should be your top priority when clearing out a room. Also, they fly and can be rather uncooperative with helping you kill them.

https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2679244023

But, ever since Halo: Combat Evolved, the series has lacked an open-ended level. We had the Silent Cartographer, and since then, nada. So Halo 3: ODST remedies that. New Mombasa will be your playground to explore as you uncover the origin of the mysterious signal present throughout the city and follow the trail of destruction left by your comrades. Personally, I enjoyed these sections the most out of any mission in any previous Halo game. I love the freedom you have in exploring the streets, with plenty of shortcuts through buildings and different paths to take. Stealth is now a viable option as well, and not something only sporadically thrown in between combat segments like in previous Halo games. But you needn't worry about those famous linear levels where you slaughter wave after wave of enemy units as you make your way to the end. They are very much still here and quite fun as well, with that same Halo formula we all love; Plenty of vehicle combat, holding your ground against overwhelming odds and a full-frontal assault on a scarab. The action is non stop.

So what are you waiting for marine!? Strap on your boots, make sure your visor is operational and prepare for an orbital drop right in the heart of New Mombasa. Time to noob-combo these Covenant bastards right out of the city.

If you enjoy this review, come and read more wisdom from the Gospel of Sv. Prolivije.
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2 Comments
Sv. Prolivije Dec 26, 2021 @ 6:13am 
Just the level. When you are exploring the somewhat open level of Mombasa Streets you can use stealth at times. But its mostly just typical Heylou gameplay on other levels.
AviaRa Dec 26, 2021 @ 12:53am 
So, stealth is a competent part of the geym in this one; or does it change depending on the level?