The Halo 3: ODST Firefight mode may have been lifted straight out of Gears Of War 2, but so what if it’s Horde mode, Halo style? Don’t fix what ain’t broke, right? Right. Halo 3: ODST isn’t out until September, but we’ve had a play of the new gameplay mode already, which sees you and your mates holding back an onslaught of Covenant aliens. Did it get our trigger finger itching? Read on and find out in our first impressions.
We got to play the new Halo 3: ODST Firefight mode on the Alpha Site map with 3 other players. You all play as ODSTs (Orbital drop shock troopers), and the aim is to clear the map of the waves of enemies that are airlifted in. It’s a never-ending task though, but the aim is to stay alive for as long as possible, racking up kills, so you’ll be able to show just how hardcore you are at Halo.
Halo 3: ODST lands 22 September!
Naturally, since it’s not a pure sequel, Halo 3: ODST feels like Halo 3 when playing, and that’s far from a bad thing. There are a few differences though, which largely stem from the new character you’re playing as. Since you’re no longer Master Chief, you’re not able to jump around as high, move around as fast or regenerate health, but there are a few new features to compensate. The new low-light visor works wonders in shadowy areas of the level, highlighting enemies in red and allies in green, and there’s a new pistol which packs a surprising punch – something you’ll be grateful for since even the Grunts are larger compared to your player now.
The enemies don’t just keep coming though: like those evil bleep tests you were made to do in PE at school, they get harder too. After a round of five waves of enemies for instance, the next batch will suddenly arrive with more health, or worse, unlimited grenades.
Ordinarily, you’ll have a pool of 7 lives between you to share before you reach game over, but in the demo mode we tried we got to play continuously, which was just as well because as soon as the enemies start coming at you with unlimited, lobbable bombs, you’re a bit stuffed. Or exploded, if you will. Make no mistake, Halo 3: ODST Firefight will be an iron hard challenge, and an eternal one for high score obsessives.
Of course, taking on endless waves of enemies with no goal but a high score isn’t for everyone, but any Halo fans old enough to remember what an arcade (young’uns, they were buildings with lots of different video games in) was like could well get addicted. We’ll definitely be giving it a whirl on every map possible when Halo 3: ODST lands.
Halo 3: ODST is out on 22 September, but you can have a flick through these Firefight mode screenshots while you cross the days off on your calendar.
Out 22 September | £TBC | Bungie
