Halo: Reach Forum
This topic has moved here: Subject: ODST = REACH (What We Can Expect from the Newest Chapter in Halo)
  • Subject: ODST = REACH (What We Can Expect from the Newest Chapter in Halo)
Subject: ODST = REACH (What We Can Expect from the Newest Chapter in Halo)

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Details in Halo Reach are scarce at best. All we know for sure is that it will be some form of a first person shooter and that it will in fact involve the planet Reach, where in the Halo novel "Halo: Fall of Reach" and some of the novel "Halo: First Strike" we gain knowledge that this planet has in fact met the fate of destruction in the hands of the alien onslaught, known as the Covenant.

There have been very many theories around this new game. Some say in the conclusion to Halo 3, our hero Master Chief went through a portal that sent him back in time, back to the events of Reach's fall. Some have tried to expand on this idea, and others have mocked it.

Other theories have suggested this game to be a tactical squad-based shooter, where you play as one of the Spartan IIs from the team on Reach and each squad member has their own special skills. In turn, you command such forces.

I have an entirely different idea however. Bungie has a way of hinting at things in clear daylight. And as the saying goes, sometimes the obvious isn't always so obvious. One would never expect that the answers would be right in front of them. They'd look elsewhere. They'd think things to be difficult, when in reality, there was a simpler approach taken all together.

On September 22nd, Halo 3: ODST will be released, the expansion pack for the retail game, Halo 3. Why is this important? Because essentially, this will be what we shall play when our hands are gripped around our controllers for the joy of Halo Reach.

Bungie has taken a different approach to campaign gameplay in ODST. This approach consists of a more open-world environment, where the player is set out to find his way around, with some help (super-intendent), and along the way has flashbacks that consist of plot and gameplay from other points of view, and while the player progresses, they are fed different objectives.

Let's assume the time travel theory is false. Let's assume this takes place as a prequel to Halo 1 and that we are a Spartan II who we are fully aware was on Reach at the time of the final battle. The story could take place slightly before the destruction, during, and slightly after (depending on what you consider livable and playable on Reach).

This Spartan II would then have to progress through some of the battle fields, bases, and so forth, defending the planet from the onslaught, and being fed different objectives throughout. Perhaps the Spartan could even be one of those more unknown ones where we are still today uncertain of his/her fate, and depending on how you progress, and how many objectives you accomplish throughout, the end could result differently (if the Spartan survives, how the Spartan survives).

Perhaps even, once the Covenant occupy most of Reach, shortly before they glass the planet, your character can still roam about, in efforts to sabotage the enemy efforts. People believe that the gameplay being focused during mainly the battle would strictly limit the objectives to "defend this" types. This is entirely untrue. There is a lot of plot that can be told from this perspective that is still untold from the books.

There are other characters, other angles that have not been utilized that can be. And as far as the banner is concerned, it could consist of certain, known characters, and this could still be supported. As in ODST, through the flashbacks, you in fact play as the perspectives of the other characters. It is plausable this may be the case in Reach, or something similar.

Lastly, concerning squad-based gameplay - I would not rule out a possible gametype that will be pushed by Bungie. It's entirely possible they will try to push Firefight into Reach, from ODST, and even incorporate some form of squad tactics into that. I just highly doubt any squad-based gameplay to be involved in the actual campaign. This would go against my entire theory, and I firmly believe ODST to be a test for a future game.

[Edited on 06.08.2009 1:08 PM PDT]

  • 06.08.2009 1:04 PM PDT

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Well that was fun to read. Great theory :D

  • 06.08.2009 1:13 PM PDT
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good theory.
that made this game sound a whole lot more fun :]

  • 06.08.2009 1:24 PM PDT
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I like the idea of playing as someone we don't know the fate of, this theory sounds awesome.

  • 06.08.2009 1:33 PM PDT