Release Dates

Halo 3: ODST release dates

Halo 3: ODST, the first-person shooter Xbox 360 video game, is now on general release with an RRP of £34.99. Introducing a set of new characters, film-noir setting, graphical enhancements, epic adventure and multi-player option it ships with the added bonus of the mind-blowing co-operative mode, Firefight.

A spin-off from Peter Jackson’s acclaimed trilogy and conceived by Bungie, ODST explores events leading up to Halo 3. Set in the 26th century, humans are embroiled in a bloody war with a theocratic alliance of aliens known as the Covenant. Unlike Halo 3 however, which focussed on the protagonist, Master Chief, Joseph Staten’s storyline follows the ODSTs, or the Orbital Drop Shock Troopers, the black- armoured elite command soldiers, centring on one young member in particular – The Rookie.

After having crash landed on Earth the Rookie has to locate his teammates by following clues and solving mysteries. When a clue is discovered, for example, a sniper rifle hanging on a lamppost, flashbacks allow the player to operate as the other ODSTs as well.

Although there are some similarities to Halo 3, ODST comes with many changes that escalate tension and action. Improved graphics with a full-screen-shader system, parallax mapping and depth of field include touches of realism provided by details like advertisement hoardings and civilian characters. Much of the action takes place in the dark, in the urban environs of New Mombasa in Africa, but enemies are outlined in red and allies in green thanks to a new feature called VISR (Visual Intelligence System Reconnaissance). Exclusive weapons include the addition of a suppressed machine gun and re-vamped pistol.

Receiving universal praise for its visuals, atmospheric jazz-influenced music and for its powerful audio, ODST comes as a two disc set; the first contains the campaign mode and the Firefight co-operative mode. The latter allows players to show off their skills in an on or offline battle with increasingly formidable enemies and is claimed by some fans to be one of the best features of ODST. The second disc contains the multiplayer mode with the complete set of Halo 3 maps, plus three others and open world environment.