Halo 3 ODST: Where's the Chief Preview

• by Matt Cabral
• August 27, 2009 00:00 AM PST

Halo 3 ODST's cooperative Firefight mode separates itself from Gears of War 2's Horde mode.

Unless you've spent the last year held captive in the cargo hold of a Covenant Sumpercarrier, you're well aware a new Halo title, absent of Master Chief, is dropping in just a few weeks. What you may not know, however, is exactly what's included on Halo 3: ODST's content-packed, two discs. But given the splintered design direction and flip-flopping marketing strategy, it'd be totally understandable if you weren't hip to what tricks Bungie has tucked under their Spartan armor. The title began as an expansion pack, flourished into a full-on new campaign, and has been marketed as both. Hell, it was even called Halo 3: RECON for about five minutes. To clear up whether their latest is a multiplayer map pack, a straight-up solo campaign, or perhaps a digital collection of Master Chief's favorite recipes, we asked Bungie's senior designer Lars Bakken for the detailed description. "The first disc contains the new campaign and new Firefight mode. The second contains everything Halo multiplayer, including every feature we had for Halo 3 multiplayer-matchmaking, custom games, etc.. And the obvious addition is the three new maps on top of the 21 existing ones we already have out there."

Kill Your Friends

With that out of the way, Bakken was kind enough to unleash me--and my twitchy trigger finger--onto ODST's new maps. The first, Citadel, is a close quarters symmetrical layout that allows for plenty of moments where you're pinned against walls, bullets whizzing every which way. However, for those looking to keep their adrenaline levels in check, Citadel also provides enough protected areas where snipers can draw long breathes before shattering poor saps' helmets with well-placed armor-piercing shells. Oh, and just to keep things interesting, this one also sports an out-in-the-open center platform that plays host to a rocket-propelled grenade launcher. Yeah, go ahead and make a run for that rpg--let me know how that works out for you. Next on the headshot-capping circuit was Heretic, another small, symmetrical map that should be familiar to more seasoned UNSC soldiers, as it's essentially a remake of Halo 2's popular Midship. While fans will recognize the cramped corridors, grav lifts, and weapon locations, Bakken did point out a few visual tweaks that don't affect the gameplay. Unhinging the camera and scanning the map, he pointed out the overall visual upgrade Heretic has over Midship. Indeed, the crisp HD makeover clearly replaces previously muddy visuals with sharp details. But even cooler, at least from a purely eye-pleasing point of view, is the addition of Covenant cruisers flying by outside. Don't stare out the windows too long, though, as Heretic also gains Halo 3's regenerators and bubble shields (not available in Halo 2) making for some much more dynamic--and dangerous--melees.

Rounding out the trio of new arenas, is Longshore, a map unlike anything you've ever seen in Halo's world. Less sci-fi and more like a set piece torn from a John Woo flick, this one places players on the grimy docks of New Mombasa. The rundown shipyard is the biggest of the new maps, sporting three clearly defined areas--an attacker building, a defender building, and a wall separating them. Similar to fan fave Zanzibar, Longshore is an asymmetrical map perfect for mid to larger sized matches. While its structure--great for 1 Flag and Team Slayer play--may seem standard at first glance, the key addition of a telescoping bride promises to make Longshore a modern classic among online competitors. Brave attackers must activate a switch within the defenders' building to extend the bridge; this death-bringing task is super risky, but the payoff is worth it, as the fully extended walkway opens a straight shot to the defenders'flag. Of course, the enclosed structure also proves a fiery deathtrap with the toss of a well-placed grenade. Regardless, of which side your on, the presence of this strategy-amping addition will no doubt yield some extra satisfying victories...and defeats.

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