Halo 3: ODST Forum
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  • Subject: ODST not appreciated for what it is:
Subject: ODST not appreciated for what it is:

Hanger one I just shredded with the SMGs until ammo was out and I just threw 'nades like a boss while BRing.

My experience playing Cairo Station on Legendary

It's funny. Generally, the public reception is that "It's not like Halo.". I disagree, Halo Reach is the least Halo-like while ODST neatly falls in line with the rest of Halo canon, and the gameplay is fresh, rather than casual-friendly.
Posted by: JerSagun21
I too agree...ODST is my favorite Halo campaign. Not sure why so much hate for it other than cry babies whining about the price

  • 02.12.2012 4:27 PM PDT

I completely agree. The campaign has more freedom to it because you can wander around the city whichever way you like. The game feels hopeless when you wander around on your own, but with a friend it gives you a small amount of hope of surviving. It also lets you play as the other people, who each have their own personality so you feel sorry for them whenever something happens . so I'm backing ODST as a brilliant game and would buy the next ODST game if it ever came out!

  • 03.30.2012 11:27 AM PDT

The whole film noir thing it had going for it and the amazing soundtrack are solid reasons for why I appreciate it.

Also, the SI <3

  • 04.03.2012 9:23 AM PDT
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All that is needed for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.

I hate when people say "It's not like Halo"

Halo 3 ODST has a compelling, character driven story, it goes along with the halo cannon, has great gunplay, and a lot of the sense of exploration and mystery from Halo CE. ODST also proved that games can be amazing without competitive multiplayer.

Don't forget the epic backdrops and amazing soundtrack.

ODST was a wonderful addition to the halo universe. I didn't mind at all that it had a full retail price.

  • 04.03.2012 1:29 PM PDT

It's the prestige that makes the illusion.

read this

  • 04.15.2012 7:30 AM PDT

Hanger one I just shredded with the SMGs until ammo was out and I just threw 'nades like a boss while BRing.

My experience playing Cairo Station on Legendary

I gave it a read. If I had to give my best guess as to why many players don't enjoy the game, my list would be:

1. The game is not focused on Master Chief
2. The player is no longer a super soldier, by any means.
3. It's a side story, rather than an addition to the core-focused threats.

Aside from that, I really don't see what there is to not love about the game.
Posted by: DeBleserMike
read this

  • 04.15.2012 8:25 PM PDT

Waffles > Pancakes. End of story.
I <3 Bungie :)

OP, I couldn't agree more.

For me personally, what sets it apart is the ambiance of the city, the atmosphere created by the story, the brilliant soundtrack that masterfully contributes to both of those aspects. The plight of the Rookie, searching the somber rain soaked, night cloaked New Mombasa. The campaign was an experience that will not be forgotten, it had me completely enveloped from start to finish.

I guess this kind of story caters to someone like me, who enjoys his alone time. I can see why certain folk don't enjoy the game, but they should at least be able to appreciate the masterpiece that ODST is. A game like this, with a story so delicately crafted, naturally won't appeal to such masses like the main Halo trilogy does. The grand scale of the epic space opera is amiss, which Halo is known for.

  • 04.15.2012 11:34 PM PDT

Hanger one I just shredded with the SMGs until ammo was out and I just threw 'nades like a boss while BRing.

My experience playing Cairo Station on Legendary

I strongly agree with what you're saying, especially about the alone time. ODST feels like a perfect fit with story telling and FPS action.

The Mass Effect series, I have grown to love far more than I love Halo nowadays. The story telling and atmosphere in this singleplayer experience is jaw-dropping. When I step into New Mombasa, I'm amazed at how easily I can sink right in to it, much like I could when I started ME3.
Posted by: tacomaster13
OP, I couldn't agree more.

I guess this kind of story caters to someone like me, who enjoys his alone time. I can see why certain folk don't enjoy the game, but they should at least be able to appreciate the masterpiece that ODST is. A game like this, with a story so delicately crafted, naturally won't appeal to such masses like the main Halo trilogy does. The grand scale of the epic space opera is amiss, which Halo is known for.

  • 04.16.2012 8:54 PM PDT

Waffles > Pancakes. End of story.
I <3 Bungie :)


Posted by: Sector Z 157
I strongly agree with what you're saying, especially about the alone time. ODST feels like a perfect fit with story telling and FPS action.

The Mass Effect series, I have grown to love far more than I love Halo nowadays. The story telling and atmosphere in this singleplayer experience is jaw-dropping. When I step into New Mombasa, I'm amazed at how easily I can sink right in to it, much like I could when I started ME3.
Posted by: tacomaster13
OP, I couldn't agree more.

I guess this kind of story caters to someone like me, who enjoys his alone time. I can see why certain folk don't enjoy the game, but they should at least be able to appreciate the masterpiece that ODST is. A game like this, with a story so delicately crafted, naturally won't appeal to such masses like the main Halo trilogy does. The grand scale of the epic space opera is amiss, which Halo is known for.



All of our discussion is giving me an insatiable hunger to play ODST :/. Sadly I have other things that I have on the top of my priorities.

  • 04.16.2012 9:50 PM PDT

Vengeance only leads to an ongoing cycle of hatred.


Posted by: Brickbuster1000
and would buy the next ODST game if it ever came out!

If only, if only.

That would be great.

  • 04.18.2012 4:05 PM PDT

Bring Back Rocket Race!!!


Posted by: Sector Z 157
It's funny. Generally, the public reception is that "It's not like Halo.". I disagree, Halo Reach is the least Halo-like while ODST neatly falls in line with the rest of Halo canon, and the gameplay is fresh, rather than casual-friendly.
Posted by: JerSagun21
I too agree...ODST is my favorite Halo campaign. Not sure why so much hate for it other than cry babies whining about the price


I agree, Halo: Reach is the least like Halo and Halo 4 will soon follow that trend. ODST is basically the last real taste of Halo we'll ever get. Even with Halo Anniversary, I keep getting the feeling while playing it that 343 tried to make it feel more like Halo: Reach.

Halo 3: ODST shared the same game engine as Halo 3 which is why they had the same graphics pretty much (though ODST was slightly improved). I feel Halo graphics were the best at Halo 3 in terms of style. Sure Halo: Reach had better graphics and higher resolutions, but I just didn't like the art style of Halo: Reach. Halo 3's style was perfect and reminds people that it's a Halo game. ODST kept that same style. With Halo Anniversary, they just copied and pasted Halo: Reach textures. I'd be ok with that if they used Halo 3 graphics for Halo Anniversary, but in 343's eyes, Halo: Reach is now the new standard for future Halo games.

I think ODST could've been a great Halo game if Bungie had made it a full fledged Halo game with its own multiplayer and Forge. But otherwise, it had a great campaign. With Halo: Reach bungie tried to take the Halo story in a new direction/style. I didn't like the direction they went with Reach. However, ODST got it right. It's a new direction for the Halo story, but it doesn't alienate the classic Halo feel.

  • 04.18.2012 9:48 PM PDT

Hanger one I just shredded with the SMGs until ammo was out and I just threw 'nades like a boss while BRing.

My experience playing Cairo Station on Legendary

My god, yes! Reach may look cleaner and less blocky, but Halo 3 has a huge pallet of vibrant colors.

I can't speak for anyone else but myself, but too many games are filled with Gun-Metal grey and browns, and non-vibrant colors. I love Halo 3, not only because of the superb online gameplay, but the artist style. ODST seemed to carry over this trend, but has tone-screens that made it feel unique with a hint of grit.
Posted by: General Heed

Sure Halo: Reach had better graphics and higher resolutions, but I just didn't like the art style of Halo: Reach. Halo 3's style was perfect and reminds people that it's a Halo game.

  • 04.19.2012 2:04 PM PDT

Bring Back Rocket Race!!!


Posted by: Sector Z 157
My god, yes! Reach may look cleaner and less blocky, but Halo 3 has a huge pallet of vibrant colors.

I can't speak for anyone else but myself, but too many games are filled with Gun-Metal grey and browns, and non-vibrant colors. I love Halo 3, not only because of the superb online gameplay, but the artist style. ODST seemed to carry over this trend, but has tone-screens that made it feel unique with a hint of grit.
Posted by: General Heed

Sure Halo: Reach had better graphics and higher resolutions, but I just didn't like the art style of Halo: Reach. Halo 3's style was perfect and reminds people that it's a Halo game.



lol when bungie said that ODST and future Halo games would have a darker feel and darker story to it, I didn't think that literally meant the colors would get progressively darker.

In fact, starting with ODST, the color Gold became less and less vibrant than in previous Halo games. In Halo: Reach, gold for armors looks more like brown. In fact, I suspect the darker colors was done for balance reasons (which I hate). The more vibrant a color is, the more easy it is to spot. Therefore, in order to make sure the game is balanced, they made it so all the armor colors don't really stand out and that no one is disadvantaged because of their color.

  • 04.22.2012 9:52 PM PDT

Vengeance only leads to an ongoing cycle of hatred.


Posted by: General Heed
I liked the darker feel in ODST. It seemed to really fit. The dark colors and all...That was meant to be in there. It would have felt out of place if there were bright colors. With Reach, they probably should've had brighter colors. The story and environments weren't as dark as ODST's. But, my solution to this: Go back and play Halo 3 instead. :D

  • 05.14.2012 6:19 AM PDT

Hanger one I just shredded with the SMGs until ammo was out and I just threw 'nades like a boss while BRing.

My experience playing Cairo Station on Legendary

I couldn't have put it better myself. I've grown tired of trying to argue with Halo is the best, probably because it's all a matter opinion [though veteran fans seem to have a general consensus].
Posted by: SEAL Sniper 9

Posted by: General Heed
I liked the darker feel in ODST. It seemed to really fit. The dark colors and all...That was meant to be in there. It would have felt out of place if there were bright colors. With Reach, they probably should've had brighter colors. The story and environments weren't as dark as ODST's. But, my solution to this: Go back and play Halo 3 instead. :D

  • 07.06.2012 12:29 AM PDT

Vengeance only leads to an ongoing cycle of hatred.


Posted by: Sector Z 157
I couldn't have put it better myself. I've grown tired of trying to argue with Halo is the best, probably because it's all a matter opinion [though veteran fans seem to have a general consensus].

I'm glad to see this is back up there in the Top Forum Topics. It deserves to be.

I agree completely. People can argue for hours, days, weeks, but in the end it's all just a matter of opinion. I've grown weary of arguing myself.

  • 07.06.2012 7:34 AM PDT

ODST was an excellent game, I wasn't even aware that people made harsh rants about this game at all! In fact the story gave the franchise a whole new different feeling than the same ol killing aliens and blowing up halo thing.

  • 07.08.2012 1:09 PM PDT

Hanger one I just shredded with the SMGs until ammo was out and I just threw 'nades like a boss while BRing.

My experience playing Cairo Station on Legendary

They definitely made harsh decisions. It's ironic that many of folks making the comments, or at least the players I have argued with, enjoy Reach [Which feels even less like "Halo"]. I like the whole "unraveling the story" aspect. Not to mention the dynamic relationship between the characters.
Posted by: Spartan841jose
ODST was an excellent game, I wasn't even aware that people made harsh rants about this game at all! In fact the story gave the franchise a whole new different feeling than the same ol killing aliens and blowing up halo thing.
What can I say? It was a hell of a night.

  • 07.08.2012 9:12 PM PDT

Why Bungie, why would you do this?! - Halo Community

ODST had the only REAL firefight. Reach MM Firefight was pathetic. They give you a butch of weapons and make it super easy. I felt like it a random arcade game. I even made a highly customized gametype to feel like ODST, but there was no urge to survive, no fear of major enemies. I mean, it was still much funner than the normal crap, but just not ODST.

And the campaign, more specifically Mombasa Streets, was really fun and refreshing after already mastering H1-H3. Free roam was awesome.

  • 07.08.2012 10:13 PM PDT
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Posted by: Dark Hunter 2100
I even made a highly customized gametype to feel like ODST, but there was no urge to survive, no fear of major enemies.
Reach firefight customization was so fail. Dozens of pages dedicated to the player traits but only 1-2 page for AI intelligence?

There should have also been an option to stop the AI from moving to a sector of the map that you go to. It doesn't necessarily speed up gameplay and active camo is completely pointless as a result.

Finally, AI waves. It should have been more in-depth. Why can't we spawn only sword Elites? Why can't we increase the overall numbers? Why can't we have an option that makes waves spawn regardless of how many AI we kill (like in T&R's boarding battle)?

Bad prioritization killed Firefight, which is why I no longer play it. I find modding Reach campaign game saves with Liberty to be more engaging since I can customize each AI's health and weapons. So far, I've only done it to complete 3 missions and to enhance my AI collection on Nightfall but I've been experimenting with object re-positioning and it's great!

[Edited on 07.09.2012 5:39 AM PDT]

  • 07.09.2012 5:37 AM PDT
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I love ODST. The feel and tone of the game are incredible. I think it might be my favorite Halo Campaign.

  • 07.10.2012 4:34 AM PDT

Agreed. I loved playing ODST legendary with my friends. I think it was the second best halo campaign. First being Halo ce. That feeling that death could be around every corner really gave it a sence of survival. Overall I would give it a 9/10.

[Edited on 07.10.2012 5:15 PM PDT]

  • 07.10.2012 5:14 PM PDT

Hanger one I just shredded with the SMGs until ammo was out and I just threw 'nades like a boss while BRing.

My experience playing Cairo Station on Legendary

I thoroughly believe that over customization, in a gametype like Firefight ruins what makes it fun. It becomes over complicated, and this balance of survival and difficulty becomes lop-sided one way or another.

We can't have a game where we survive too easily and stomp out enemies. At the same time, it's unreasonable to have enemies that throw you around like a rag-doll. My hats go off to the people of Bungie for making Firefight as good as an experience as it was in ODST.
Posted by: Sliding Ghost

  • 07.11.2012 1:16 PM PDT

One cone to splatter em all!!


Posted by: SEAL Sniper 9
I agree with this one-hundred percent. The thing that's sad...Not many people will see this, which is a damn shame. People have just forgot about ODST and moved on. It's very saddening, all things considered. This was a phenomenal game, but so, so underrated. It deserves just as much praise as any other great Halo game.


And there are enough in my FR list that appreciate odst. Somehow it just seems to be a older generation that likes it. Must be the consuming mentality of some generations. It could be something else I don't know.

  • 07.11.2012 8:17 PM PDT

Vengeance only leads to an ongoing cycle of hatred.


Posted by: revisted2
Posted by: SEAL Sniper 9
I agree with this one-hundred percent. The thing that's sad...Not many people will see this, which is a damn shame. People have just forgot about ODST and moved on. It's very saddening, all things considered. This was a phenomenal game, but so, so underrated. It deserves just as much praise as any other great Halo game.

And there are enough in my FR list that appreciate odst. Somehow it just seems to be a older generation that likes it. Must be the consuming mentality of some generations. It could be something else I don't know.

It really shows that people only care about mutliplayer these days. That's what ODST shows and it's clear that the new generation of gamers is all about multiplayer. With ODST, they delivered a great story. Arguably the best story/campaign out of all the Halo games, so far. Yet, people look at it with disdain and don't like it because it doesn't have multiplayer. And they sneer at the $60 price tag because they think a game without multiplayer isn't a full game.

It's a shame. It really is.

  • 08.07.2012 8:41 AM PDT