Review: Halo 3: ODST

Halo 3: ODST
Microsoft, Bungie
Available for Xbox 360

This week’s game, Halo 3: ODST was a first for this reviewer as I have never played a first-person shooter genre Halo game in my life (played Halo Wars but that doesn’t count as it’s a real time strategy game). Though I’ve had Halo games in my home because of past boyfriends who played them, I’ve never taken any interest in playing them myself even though I liked the game’s main character, Master Chief and I even liked the game’s musical score. Basically I’m pretty much a Halo virigin.


So after some many weeks of fan girl reviews from me, you now get to read my review on the new Halo 3: ODST with no previous views or fan girl love to get in the way of my opinion on this game. But unfortunately I also can’t really compare this game to its previous games, so rather than say what this game lacks this compared to Halo 3 or whatever; I’ll just tell you what I know it does have, rather than what it doesn’t have.

Halo 3: ODST puts you into the role of an Orbital Drop Shock Trooper or “Helljumper” who has landed in the abandon city of New Mombasa after a failed drop. The city has been occupied by a small Covenant force and it’s up to you to find out what happened to the other missing members of your team. Rather than playing the game out as just your plain old linear story line, the developers set the game up in a series of detective missions where you must find clues around the city in order to move onto a mission where you play out what happened to one of your missing team members.

Of course, amongst the entire clue finding you still get to kill hordes of the covenant that have brought along a new alien type (a passive type that acts as a shield generator) and some new weapons like the Jiralhanae. Now unfortunately for all you veteran Halo fans, the ODSTs are not apparently as tough as Master Chief and tend to need a few more melee hits to take out enemies. Plus they don’t handle the bumps and bruises of war quite as well as Master Chief either, so don’t be afraid to retreat to safer ground when facing tougher enemies that you would normally take head on with the Chief.


Once you are done with the main campaign story mode which can be played alone or with a friend via online co-op play, you can still enjoy all that New Mombasa has to offer with the new Firefight mode. Playing with up to 4 friends, Firefight mode allows you to defend against a never ending horde of the covenant on various maps from New Mombasa. The only feature which would have been a nice addition to this mode would have been open online game play as you can only play this online with people on your friends list.

Included in the ODST box was a second disc which includes all the available Halo 3 maps you could possible own and while is a great feature for someone like me who doesn’t own Halo 3, Halo fans didn’t seem to be too impressed (what I read online) to purchase a $60 game featuring a 5 hour campaign game, a new online firefight mode that they could only play with friends and a map disc full of stuff they already owned. But taking into consideration that the game does give players access to the Halo Reach beta when it comes out, this whole deal might just be worth the $60 to fans for just the beta access alone.

Being that I’ve never played any Halo games before, this is my first time really looking at the world of Halo closely (I may have looked at it once or twice when the ex-boyfriend played) and I have to say it is darn pretty - like Blade Runner meets the US Army. The world of Halo is very futuristic from the building design to the aliens you fight to the weapons you use. There were a few glitches in the game that caused me to get stuck in a death loop after I jumped on board a banshee and somehow stand on top of a brute’s head which were both pretty darn annoying. This is something that you wouldn’t expect from a game company that has had 4 games to get it right by now.


The music I am familiar with thanks to Guitar Hero 3 and Video Games Live and while the electric rock epic track were fabulous for heading off into battle, the rest of the music didn’t seem to pop up at the appropriate times. When I’m killing covenant, I really don’t like to hear jazz music or adult contemporary, no matter how cool it sounds so please leave that stuff where it belongs – at the sappy moments in the game.

Based on my Halo newb opinion, I have to say that even though this was a short experience, it was a cool experience for me and I have the urge to check out the previous Halo titles now. I loved playing the main game with my friend as well as the firefight mode and I think this might be the perfect launching game for new Halo players. As for Halo fans, I can’t really say how you would review this game but I can saw that the campaign mode has a engaging storyline and the firefight mode I would assume should be addictive to all, but there’s still that pesky second disc with all the Halo 3 maps. Just try to focus on the Halo Reach beta and maybe you won’t be bothered by the thought of buying stuff you already own.

Rating: 8 out of 10
Buy it!

Got No Halo: Photos by David Bothe

Not really sure who Julia is, but I suddenly a huge fan of this lovely lady and her sexy fishnet stockings. I think Master Chief might be a fan too.

From the pages of Flickr, I found a very talent photographer named David Bothe who posted these two fantastic photos of a lady named Julia. Again, I'm not sure who she is but she has great taste.

Check out more photos for David's flickr account.

Custom Master Chief/Warthog Transformer

This custom Master Chief transformer is currently on available for auction on eBay.com.

Created by Newobmij, this transformer goes from Master Chief to a Warthog in several moves. The current bid at the time of this post is $26.00 and the auction had 9 more days until it finished.


[Via Toycutter]

Best of the Videogame Custom Toys: Part 2

Custom Captain Olimar Dunny by monstafaktory, found via Toy Cutter.

Master (Mister?) Chief Munny created by Bpytam, found via Flickr

Zangief from Street Fighter II and King Boo Munny created by Miss shelby, found via Miss Shelby.net

Pac Man Munny and Dunnies created by WuzOne, found via Tomopop.

Bioshock's Big Daddy as a Dunny by Shauni55, found via Toy Cutter.

Vault Boy Mini Munny created by Chris Furniss, found via Flickr

Bomberman, Bonk from Bonk's Adventures and Mega Man Munnies, all created by Albert Art and found via Albert Art.net

Dig Dug Dunnys by Ryan Crippen found via ToyCutter.

Umbrella Corporation Munny created by Grim Santo found via Flickr

Faith from Mirror's Edge as a Munny by Urban1221 posted at the Kid Robot Site.

McFarlane Toys Creates Halo Rewards Program

Like Air Miles but oh so much sweeter!

McFarlane Toys, the creators of many fine collectible toys like my Lost and Corpse Bribe figures, has created a Halo Rewards program for collectors of the Halo series figures.

Anyone who purchases one of the Halo series figures will be able to save the UPC code from the packaging and use them to earn points for cool exclusive Halo rewards.

Halo Points rewards include (Pictured Above Left to Right):

* Halo 3 Lithograph -- 100 points
Featuring original artwork by Greg Capullo and Todd McFarlane.

* Hayabusa Katana & Scabbard -- 175 points
Featuring a removable katana, scabbard comes with a peg that attaches to the back of any Spartan.

* Spartan Recon Armor (Red) -- 225 points
Set includes a Recon helmet, chestplate, and both shoulders for your favorite Spartan figure, in bright "Team One" red.

* Spartan Recon Armor (Blue) -- 250 points
Set includes a Recon helmet, chestplate, and both shoulders for your favorite Spartan figure, in bright "Team Two" blue.

* Spartan Recon Armor (Active Camo) -- 300 points
Set includes a Recon helmet, chestplate, and both shoulders for your favorite stealthy Spartan figure, in clear "active camo."

* Metallic Gold Master Chief -- 500 points -- 500 points
This 5-inch metallic gold version the star of the Halo trilogy is only available through Halo Points.

For more information on the Halo Rewards program, check out Spawn.com or the Official Halo Points Website

Microsoft's CES Keynote: Halo and More Junk

Microsoft held their keynote at CES 2009 which covered the Halo franchise for 2009 and improvements coming to the Xbox Experience this year. Now I'm sure the Halo fans are stoked for Halo Wars and Halo 3: ODST and that's good for them, but the rest of the crap that Xbox announced was boring.


The game creator looked like something Nintendo should be selling to their casual market and not Microsoft to their key gamers and the fact that Microsoft is talking about the PrimeTime channel again is nothing new. We knew about it already and it should have been available at launch time with all the rest of the new features on NXE.


Show us something we didn't already know about or something we care about. Thanks.

Epic 8-Bit Art: Master Chief

My newest piece was inspired by a guy over at Destructoid who asked if I could make Master Chief. So I tried and this is what I came up with. You can buy Master Chief or a Pink Spartan for $10

I've got a lot of time on my hands right now and so I've been trying to create new pieces for my store. Below are a few of the new ones.

Mega Man for $5

Metroid

Moogle and Pikachu Key Chains

Remember that you can purchase my creations from my store, Pixelated Creations.

Gadget Review Week: Halo Interactive Strategy Game

Halo Interactive Strategy Game

If you’re looking for a break from your controller, the Halo Interactive Strategy Game is the newest board game to combine the most popular videogame series out there and simple board game fun. Made by Genius Products and B1 Games, the Halo Interactive Game combines conventional board game play with audible and visual aids via an included DVD. The 3-D board can be constructed into several different stages, or users can create their own. Two or more players can form teams with 15 sculpted characters direct from the Halo series including the Arbitor and Master Chief.

Teams move around the board engaging in turn-based combat, which is aided by the included interactive DVD. The DVD features rendered action sequences to add further realism to the game and help the players along. Additionally, the Halo Interactive Strategy Game can be played in a variety of modes and levels for extended playability. Players can go toe-to-toe in some of their favourite modes from the game series; such as Capture the Flag and Slayer. While I found the rules a bit hard to follow at times, I think experienced Halo players will love this game and find it easy to play.

Available at Walmart and Toys R Us for $49.99 CAN

More Videogame Inspired My Little Ponies

More My Little Ponies have galloped across my path and this time they are all made from the crafty hands of Anime Amy. She has quite a collection too!

So big in fact that I couldn't show all the videogame inspired pieces that she has created so I decided to post my favorites and mention the rest.

The top piece is a custom Cloud Strife from Final Fantasy VII and the picture below is custom Moogle pony from the same series.



Anime Amy has also created ponies from the Final Fantasy universe for Sephiroth, Rinoa, Cait Sith, Ifrit, Red XIII, Gunner Yuna, Vivi, Squall and Shiva. She also has a Link & Navi Pony seen below, an Epona pony and a Master Chief pony.



Pretty big collection and that's just the videogame inspired pieces. She also has a few geeky pieces like Batman and The Last Unicorn.

You can check out her entire gallery on Deviant Art here.

Master Chief Makes a Cameo in Fable 2

Game cameos are pretty hot right now.

Fable 2 has just released details that Master Chief will be making an 'otherworldy' appearance in game, but in full period garb. No details on what part he'll be playing or if he'll be sporting some duel-wielding energy swords or what, but I'm sure it will be pretty cool either way.

[Via Game|Life]

It's 12:35am and I'm sick of Halo 3 already

The Halo franchise is huge and with the release of Halo 3 tonight at midnight, Bungie will be rolling in the dough again. I've seen the ads - wicked. I've seen the swag - very stylish. I've seen the artwork - classic. And now, that the game is available and I could care less about playing it.

Truth is ... I've only ever played Halo for a moment or two in a two player game and I didn't care for it. I've never touched Halo 2 and I won't be buying Halo 3. I'd sell any copy given to me and I'd never think about it again. Master Chief is truly a sexy bitch, but I don't care to play his games.

I'd buy a Master Chief action figure and I'll wear my sexy Halo 3 t-shirt, but I don't want the game. I don't want to hear about it any more either. Gears of War drove me round the bend for 6 months already and I don't want to live with the constant "Do you love Halo 3 or what?" or "Did you pick up Halo 3 yet?"

People bugged me to play Gears of War before and I know they'll bug me to play Halo 3, so here's my stance ahead of time ... DON'T ASK ME TO BUY OR PLAY THE BLOODY HALOS!!!!

Thank you and good night. :)

Don't forget to finish the fight and tell me how it end though. ;)

Halo 'Arms Race' Trailer

The Halo 'Arms Race' Trailer - a live action short feature shown at the Microsoft Press Conference E3 2007

New Halo 3 "E3 2007" Single Player Campaign Gameplay Footage

A insider's look at the single player campaign gameplay footage for Halo 3.

New Xbox 360 Halo 3 Edition Console (Updated)

At tonight's E3 2007 Microsoft Press Conference, Peter Moore introduced the newest edition to the Xbox 360 console family, the limited edition Halo 3 Xbox 360 which will come with exclusive Halo 3 accessories.

Not much has been posted or said about the new console as to what comes with it and such but I expect Bungie to release more information about it over the week.

Peter Moore did say they plan to release the console for Christmas.

[Update:

Halo 3 Console Announced

Published July 10, 2007

In anticipation of this year's largest blockbuster game launch, Microsoft will offer the Xbox 360™ Halo® 3 Special Edition Console in September 2007. The console features an exclusive "Spartan green and gold" finish and comes bundled with a matching Xbox 360 Wireless Controller, 20GB Hard Drive, Headset, Play & Charge Kit, and exclusive Halo 3 Gamer Pics and Theme (available via Xbox LIVE® download).

Join the Halo Nation with the Special Edition Console.

Look for this new console in September. This new Special Edition contains these components:

• Halo 3 Special Edition Console
• Halo 3 Special Edition Wireless Controller
• Halo 3 Special Edition 20GB Hard Drive
• Halo 3 Special Edition Wired Headset
• Halo 3 Special Edition Gamer Pics and Theme (Exclusive download via Xbox LIVE)
• Component HD AV Cable
• Ethernet Cable
• HDMI Port
• Play & Charge Kit
• Xbox LIVE Silver Membership
• One-month Lbox LIVE Gold Membership
• Halo 3 game not included—sold separately

[Via Bungie.net/Microsoft Press Conference/Xbox.com]

New Halo Wars "E3 2007" Gameplay Footage

Jack Thompson needs a new hobby

I've really wanted to post this picture for a long time and this is a good as time as any. Created by Mike Thompson aka Boy of Tomorrow from Gay Gamer.net, this comic is pure genius and I love it. This is going up on the fridge, Mike.

Today Destructoid.com posted about how Jack "Isn't getting laid" Thompson is now suing Microsoft over the release of Halo 3. Jack demands that Microsoft uses their marketing team to ensure that no person under the age of 17 downloads or buys a copy of Halo 3 or Jack will sue them.

Jack, did you ever hear of a little thing called the ESRB Rating system? Well that's a committee that rates each and every video game sold in stores, so that Mommies and Daddies know what games are appropriate for their kids and stores selling the games never sell a game to a child that isn't old enough to play the game.

If this ESRB rating isn't enough for you be satisfied with, then maybe you should start a campaign to make parents aware of what the ESRB rating is and that they should follow its guidelines when buying games for their kids. The game industry is putting the ratings on the games and the stores are suppose to be following the guidelines of those ratings for selling them to specific ages, so in most cases, if a game gets into the hands of an underage child, well then Mommy or Daddy bought it for them.

Besides Microsoft has a age verification system on the official Halo 3 website before the game has even been rated, so more than likely the game will get a teen rating or higher. Isn't that enough, Jack?

Seriously dude, get yourself a hooker and get some action for once. This gaming violence obsession isn't healthy. Maybe you should see a doctor about it.

Halo 3 Legendary Edition

The $120 Legendary version of Halo 3 comes with this Helmet and Stand. It's nice but can you wear it to the mall? Not sure I'd want to fork out double the cost of a game just for this big paper weight unless I could actually fit it on my head.

How about you, Halo fans? Are you going to buy it?

[Via You Newb - Digg]