Halo 3: Orbital Drop Shock Trooper Thread

Since 6865 Days

Posted by icemanufc

OMEGATHON Firefight gameplay from PAX: Firefight does look like allot of fun!!

http://www.joystiq.com/2009/09/06/video-joystiq-th...

LOL some Halo lovers there for sure!!

In reply to

** Yes We CAN!! **

Kaz Hirai - Sony

"We don't provide the 'easy to program for' console that [developers] want, because 'easy to program for' means that anybody will be able to take advantage of pretty much what the hardware can do" LOLOLOLOL!!

Jin187

Since 6749 Days

Here is a really good (Lengthy) preview of the game by CVG...

http://www.computerandvideogames.com/article.php?i...

More than any other revelation it's the sheer bloody size of ODST which should take you by surprise. For a year Bungie have touted it as an expansion - a little extra dose of Halo for the fans - but ODST is as big as Halo 3, as epic as Halo 3, and even better than the very best of Halo 3.

The game has grown from a 3hr expansion to a full sized Halo Campaign (+ Firefight), this is great news :D :D :D

Halo 3: ODST really is everything Bungie initially claimed that it wouldn't be. It's part Halo, part Far Cry 2, part Ghost Recon; over twice the size of the game they initially announced at TGS 2009, and stealthy right up to the point you actually pull the trigger. Bungie's Halo expansion has become the most ambitious and creative Halo title since Combat Evolved - always unique and original in the big city, always intense and exciting in the flashbacks, and always the very best of two very different worlds.

The game sounds so awesome, I really cant wait.

In reply to

Here is a really good (Lengthy) preview of the game by CVG...

http://www.computerandvideogames.com/article.php?id=222594

[quote]More than any other revelation it's the sheer bloody size of ODST which should take you by surprise. For a year Bungie have touted it as an expansion - a little extra dose of Halo for the fans - [b]but ODST is as big as Halo 3, as epic as Halo 3, and even better than the very best of Halo 3.[/b][/quote]

The game has grown from a 3hr expansion to a full sized Halo Campaign (+ Firefight), this is great news :D :D :D

[quote]Halo 3: ODST really is everything Bungie initially claimed that it wouldn't be. It's part Halo, part Far Cry 2, part Ghost Recon; over twice the size of the game they initially announced at TGS 2009, and stealthy right up to the point you actually pull the trigger. Bungie's Halo expansion has become the most ambitious and creative Halo title since Combat Evolved - always unique and original in the big city, always intense and exciting in the flashbacks, and always the very best of two very different worlds.[/quote]

The game sounds so awesome, I really cant wait.

szaromir

Since 6761 Days

I'm super hyped after this review. Shit sounds awesome.

In reply to

"That just happened 'cause that was awesome" - Randy Pitchford, Gearbox

deftangel

Since 6873 Days

I'm a Halo fan as much as anyone but that CVG post is full of hyperbole. Don't expect it to be as "big as Halo 3" because it simply isn't. It's a sizeable expansion and the New Mobassa hub map is pretty large and fun to roam around in. You can spend a fair bit of time there but if you're just playing through the story, it's shorter than the original.

Fans of Halo 1 will love it but that previews a bit OTT to be honest.

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XBL/PSN: deftangel. Views are my own and not representative of my employers. Boulets aren't the end of the world, you will get over them! Reading and constructive discussion classes are available, enquire via PM

Jin187

Since 6749 Days

I think CVG is just really surprised by how much bigger it is compared with what was originally suggested.

Gamespot are claming the campaign is 8 - 10hrs...

http://pax.gamespot.com/story/6216867/halo-3-odst-...

In reply to

deftangel

Since 6873 Days

There are people who finished Halo 3 quicker than that. I'm not knocking anything but these sort of claims need to be taken with a severe pinch of salt. There are people who will spend a lot of time exploring the world and play on Heroic difficulty first up who will get a good few hours out of it. Other people will play 4 player co-op on Normal and smash through it in 3 hours.

It's not going to be a 8-10 hour campaign for most people. Hardly anyone, in fact.

My advice is to take heed of what Bungie have said (expansion / shorter than Halo 3) and that will reduce your chances of being subsequently disappointed.

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XBL/PSN: deftangel. Views are my own and not representative of my employers. Boulets aren't the end of the world, you will get over them! Reading and constructive discussion classes are available, enquire via PM

Viginti_Tres

Since 6507 Days

Posted by deftangel

It's not going to be a 8-10 hour campaign for most people. Hardly anyone, in fact.

Well it's their fault, isn't it? I played Halo 3 2-player coop the first time through on legendary and it took us about 10-11 hours. I plan to do the same with ODST. If I didn't have a coop partner I'd play on Heroic.

In reply to

deftangel

Since 6873 Days

Posted by Viginti_Tres

Well it's their fault, isn't it? I played Halo 3 2-player coop the first time through on legendary and it took us about 10-11 hours. I plan to do the same with ODST. If I didn't have a coop partner I'd play on Heroic.

The point I'm making is that playthrough time is going to be down to the individual, so quotes on how long it will be should be taken with a pinch of salt. Especially those in my opinion over-egg how long it actually is.

In my opinion, it's more than a simple campaign expansion and less than what you would call a full game. Make of that what you will.

It's a decent length, there's a lot there for Halo fans and a fair bit of replay value.

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XBL/PSN: deftangel. Views are my own and not representative of my employers. Boulets aren't the end of the world, you will get over them! Reading and constructive discussion classes are available, enquire via PM

szaromir

Since 6761 Days

There is a full walkthrough on youtube on easy difficulty. I actually went ahead and added the length of all videos (and cut the time needed to display the site's logo) and it mounted up to 3 hours 59 minutes and 40 seconds. Not that bad IMO, considering that on Heroic the game is much more tactical (thus slower) and should take a couple of hours more. So I suspect it'll take me 7 hours to finish the game. Halo 3 took me 10 hours 40 minutes on my first playthrough. It's shorter, but then again it's also cheaper than a normal console game, at least in my country.

In reply to

"That just happened 'cause that was awesome" - Randy Pitchford, Gearbox

Jin187

Since 6749 Days

Hmmm.... so what do have...

- : Between 5hrs (Low Difficulty Rusher) and 10hrs (High Difficulty Explorer) campaign
- : 10 Firefight Missions
- : 24 Multiplayer Maps (of which 3 are new)
- : Halo Reach Multiplayer BETA

Pretty damn good value for just £30! I'm expecting about 8 hrs on Legendary 2player co op, Halo 3 took just over 12 hrs to do the same.

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Haig07

Since 6304 Days

Have just put my copy on pre-order :)

In reply to

o_o

Acert93

Since 6976 Days

I am hearing for people who have played it (non-pirated) the same thing Deft is saying -- some of the early exclusive press previews are **BS**. 3hrs in 4 players coop, 4-6hrs on hard for most players for the SP playing normal. 3 new MP maps and Fire Fight.

Sounds like an expansion to me. The "talk" by many is a way to justify the increase to a full $60 release...

There is no way this game is 5 hours "low difficulty" or rushers. Heck, HALO 3 is 5 hours rushing on easy (I know, I have done it). This is *note* as big as Halo 3.

Where this title totally turns me off is they have failed to address *MAJOR* issues/short comings in Halo 3 (customer game browser for one) and 3 MP maps is pathetic, especially at how much have have charged for DLC which has had some pretty bad maps (The SideWinder remake is a laggycrapfest and never ever should have been released). There are a lot of crapy games at $60 that this will surely be better than, but this is an expansion and not worthy of the Halo name if you ask me.

In reply to

I am hearing for people who have played it (non-pirated) the same thing Deft is saying -- some of the early exclusive press previews are **BS**. 3hrs in 4 players coop, 4-6hrs on hard for most players for the SP playing normal. 3 new MP maps and Fire Fight.

Sounds like an expansion to me. The "talk" by many is a way to justify the increase to a full $60 release...

There is no way this game is 5 hours "low difficulty" or rushers. Heck, HALO 3 is 5 hours rushing on easy (I know, I have done it). This is *note* as big as Halo 3.

Where this title totally turns me off is they have failed to address *MAJOR* issues/short comings in Halo 3 (customer game browser for one) and 3 MP maps is pathetic, especially at how much have have charged for DLC which has had some pretty bad maps (The SideWinder remake is a laggycrapfest and never ever should have been released). There are a lot of crapy games at $60 that this will surely be better than, but this is an expansion and not worthy of the Halo name if you ask me.

Pwn'd by Phaethon360.

deftangel

Since 6873 Days

Taking into account a Halo game will have a large degree of variance anyway, the hub world aspect of it only throws it out of whack even more. I'm just saying don't assume you'll get 8 hours out of the campaign, just be pleasantly surprised if you do.

Personally I'm not unhappy with the amount of content I'm getting for £30 ish. However, it's worth noting that price does not exist in a vacum. Other full new releases are often discounted to the same amount in the UK. It would be nice also if Microsoft wanted to do something for the poor schmucks who have paid out for the map packs. 21 maps are totally meaningless to them. Even an in-game reward of sorts would be a nice if gesture.

Firefight is at least designed from the ground up though. It's not like they left it to any MP map and were done with it.

Halo 3 took me like 11-12 hours first playthrough on Heroic. For some reason it took me 4 of those to get through The Ark and The Covenant. The first Wraith on the latter had me pinged for ages. The Ark though is one of my favourite Halo levels of all time.

In reply to

Taking into account a Halo game will have a large degree of variance anyway, the hub world aspect of it only throws it out of whack even more. I'm just saying don't [i]assume[/i] you'll get 8 hours out of the campaign, just be pleasantly surprised if you do.

Personally I'm not unhappy with the amount of content I'm getting for £30 ish. However, it's worth noting that price does not exist in a vacum. Other full new releases are often discounted to the same amount in the UK. It would be nice also if Microsoft wanted to do something for the poor schmucks who have paid out for the map packs. 21 maps are totally meaningless to them. Even an in-game reward of sorts would be a nice if gesture.

Firefight is at least designed from the ground up though. It's not like they left it to any MP map and were done with it.

Halo 3 took me like 11-12 hours first playthrough on Heroic. For some reason it took me 4 of those to get through The Ark and The Covenant. The first Wraith on the latter had me pinged for ages. The Ark though is one of my favourite Halo levels of all time.

XBL/PSN: deftangel. Views are my own and not representative of my employers. Boulets aren't the end of the world, you will get over them! Reading and constructive discussion classes are available, enquire via PM

GriftGFX

Since 7005 Days

Posted by deftangel

It would be nice also if Microsoft wanted to do something for the poor schmucks who have paid out for the map packs. 21 maps are totally meaningless to them.

The poor schmucks who supported Halo 3 from the beginning, and who also happen to be the primary audience for this expansion. The price is an absurdity.

In reply to

ACEfromRussia

Since 6561 Days

CVG: Halo 3 ODST - "Hands-on with the shooter of the year"
http://www.computerandvideogames.com/article.php?i...

In reply to

Metroid Prime / Shenmue / Mass Effect / Super Mario Galaxy / Fallout 3 / Eternal Darkness / Legacy of Kain / Tomb Raider / Final Fantasy Fan
Now Playing: Halo Wars
Most Wanted: Dragon Age Origins, Final Fantasy XIII, Mass Effect 2, The Elder Scrolls V

Viginti_Tres

Since 6507 Days

Shooter of the year? Before playing MW2? I'm only buying ODST cause it's just for 40€, but I too get excited for the campaign. I just wish I didn't dig too deep into NeoGAF on it... just been spoilt by someone posting a single pic. Can't unwatch it now.

In reply to

szaromir

Since 6761 Days

Posted by Acert93

3hrs in 4 players coop, 4-6hrs on hard for most players for the SP playing normal.

You might as well count other game's length playing in god mode.

In reply to

"That just happened 'cause that was awesome" - Randy Pitchford, Gearbox

dcdelgado

Since 6865 Days

Can't wait.

That's the story you'll read on the back of the box when ODST ships to stores on Sept. 22. But Bungie isn't exactly known for tying up loose ends, and like all Halo games, ODST just may end up raising more questions about the Haloverse than it answers. At PAX 2009, Bungie lead writer and ODST Creative Director Joe Staten made it clear that there's going to be more going on under the surface of the game than has been previously reported.

Remember the I love bees alternate reality game that surfaced as a marketing push for Halo 2? The company that made it, 42 Entertainment, spawned a splinter company called Fourth Wall Studios. And Bungie has been working with Fourth Wall on an entire sub-story that's buried within Halo 3: ODST. It's called Sadie's Story, and it follows the life of New Mombasa resident named Sadie during the final hours before everything goes to hell in the city during the events of Halo 2 (and subsequently ODST).

Staten showed a few fleeting images of Sadie's Story, which he co-wrote with Fourth Wall, in collaboration with renowned comic artist Ashley Wood. We saw concept art of Sadie on a commuter train, then an image that looked like a flash of violent red and black with multiple figures in silhouette... and then it was gone. Just a glimpse of what's to come.

Bungie didn't elaborate on how Sadie's Story will be presented in Halo 3: ODST, but we do know that adding it to the game doubled the amount of voice acting work the studio did for the overall project. And the story won't be told in a traditional action-and-cutscene format, but rather will be revealed in snippets as your character, the rookie, makes his way through the world, gathering clues about what went down in the city. Bungie says Sadie's Story ties in with the main ODST storyline and, consequently, the overall Halo meta-storyline.

http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/102/1021807p1.html

In reply to

Can't wait.

[quote]That's the story you'll read on the back of the box when ODST ships to stores on Sept. 22. But Bungie isn't exactly known for tying up loose ends, and like all Halo games, ODST just may end up raising more questions about the Haloverse than it answers. At PAX 2009, Bungie lead writer and ODST Creative Director Joe Staten made it clear that there's going to be more going on under the surface of the game than has been previously reported.

Remember the I love bees alternate reality game that surfaced as a marketing push for Halo 2? The company that made it, 42 Entertainment, spawned a splinter company called Fourth Wall Studios. And [b]Bungie has been working with Fourth Wall on an entire sub-story that's buried within Halo 3: ODST. It's called Sadie's Story, and it follows the life of New Mombasa resident named Sadie during the final hours before everything goes to hell in the city during the events of Halo 2 (and subsequently ODST).[/b]

Staten showed a few fleeting images of Sadie's Story, which he co-wrote with Fourth Wall, in collaboration with renowned comic artist Ashley Wood. We saw concept art of Sadie on a commuter train, then an image that looked like a flash of violent red and black with multiple figures in silhouette... and then it was gone. Just a glimpse of what's to come.

Bungie didn't elaborate on how Sadie's Story will be presented in Halo 3: ODST, [b]but we do know that adding it to the game doubled the amount of voice acting work the studio did for the overall project.[/b] And the story won't be told in a traditional action-and-cutscene format, but rather will be revealed in snippets as your character, the rookie, makes his way through the world, gathering clues about what went down in the city. Bungie says Sadie's Story ties in with the main ODST storyline and, consequently, the overall Halo meta-storyline.[/quote]

http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/102/1021807p1.html

** Yes We CAN!! **

Kaz Hirai - Sony

"We don't provide the 'easy to program for' console that [developers] want, because 'easy to program for' means that anybody will be able to take advantage of pretty much what the hardware can do" LOLOLOLOL!!

TheBeagle

Since 6610 Days

I had pre-ordered this game but wasn't all that excited. Well, that's changed.

In reply to

Band myspace = http://www.myspace.com/skipcanyon

GriftGFX

Since 7005 Days

Posted by szaromir

You might as well count other game's length playing in god mode.

So co-op is god mode now? I only ever play Halo co-op.. because I think it's more fun than single player. Why wouldn't I count the time in that context?

In reply to

szaromir

Since 6761 Days

It pretty much is as the team can't really die, I mean it's extremely rare that all folks die at the same time and can't respawn. Not only that, you have 2-4 times the firepower :P

In reply to

"That just happened 'cause that was awesome" - Randy Pitchford, Gearbox

GriftGFX

Since 7005 Days

Oh it's definitely easier than.. not co-op. There's no denying that. But if I finish it in three hours I finish it in three hours. That's how long the game is.

Co-op isn't some cheat. It's one of Halo's defining features.

In reply to

dcdelgado

Since 6865 Days

I did coop all the through with my friend also and took us around 7hrs.

In reply to

** Yes We CAN!! **

Kaz Hirai - Sony

"We don't provide the 'easy to program for' console that [developers] want, because 'easy to program for' means that anybody will be able to take advantage of pretty much what the hardware can do" LOLOLOLOL!!

szaromir

Since 6761 Days

Posted by GriftGFX

Oh it's definitely easier than.. not co-op. There's no denying that. But if I finish it in three hours I finish it in three hours. That's how long the game is.

Co-op isn't some cheat. It's one of Halo's defining features.

That's true. However, when you measure amount of content and value versus other games it should be important to stick to some universal rules. For me, coop is for second playthrough, I always prefer to explore campaigns by myself first.

In reply to

"That just happened 'cause that was awesome" - Randy Pitchford, Gearbox

deftangel

Since 6873 Days

The trick is to adjust the difficulty when playing co-op accordingly. The skulls are very good for that.

The problem is, it's asking a lot of a player(s) to balance a game appropriately they've never played before. It's difficult to be all things to all men but Halo has such a wide audience, that's what Bungie need to try and do. More elegant solutions will be found in the future, I hope. Because the combat is AI driven and largely unscripted, it's more difficult to adjust the difficulty dynamically.

Anyhow, my advice is if you've played any Halo games before and/or FPS in general is to set the difficulty to Heroic. You'll then get a decent fist out of the campaign. Not as long as Halo 3 but decent. Remember also that you aren't the Chief any more so getting smacked about for the first half an hour does not mean it's too difficult, you just need to pick and choose when to engage more carefully.

If you are playing co-op, definitely up it to Heroic and if there is 4 of you consider legendary.

Posted by szaromir

That's true. However, when you measure amount of content and value versus other games it should be important to stick to some universal rules. For me, coop is for second playthrough, I always prefer to explore campaigns by myself first.

Part of the appeal of this is indeed exploring so I would definitely recommend playing on your own first.

In reply to

The trick is to adjust the difficulty when playing co-op accordingly. The skulls are very good for that.

The problem is, it's asking a lot of a player(s) to balance a game appropriately they've never played before. It's difficult to be all things to all men but Halo has such a wide audience, that's what Bungie need to try and do. More elegant solutions will be found in the future, I hope. Because the combat is AI driven and largely unscripted, it's more difficult to adjust the difficulty dynamically.

Anyhow, my advice is if you've played any Halo games before and/or FPS in general is to set the difficulty to Heroic. You'll then get a decent fist out of the campaign. Not as long as Halo 3 but decent. Remember also that you aren't the Chief any more so getting smacked about for the first half an hour does not mean it's too difficult, you just need to pick and choose when to engage more carefully.

If you are playing co-op, definitely up it to Heroic and if there is 4 of you [i]consider[/i] legendary.

[quote=szaromir]
That's true. However, when you measure amount of content and value versus other games it should be important to stick to some universal rules. For me, coop is for second playthrough, I always prefer to explore campaigns by myself first.[/quote]

Part of the appeal of this is indeed exploring so I would definitely recommend playing on your own first.

XBL/PSN: deftangel. Views are my own and not representative of my employers. Boulets aren't the end of the world, you will get over them! Reading and constructive discussion classes are available, enquire via PM

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