Halo 3: ODST

 Xbox 360
User Score
7.6

Generally favorable reviews- based on 1697 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 1,112 out of 1697
  2. Mixed: 354 out of 1697
  3. Negative: 231 out of 1697
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  1. busbfran
    May 16, 2014
    7
    Halo 3: ODST is the most unsatisfying game of the series, yet still portrays an intriguing story that pushes you through the lengthy adventure. The open world was so plan and boring, trying to navigate was very difficult that it became the most frustrating part of the game. Having to walk from side to side of the map is something i hated in this game! However the scenes of being weak andHalo 3: ODST is the most unsatisfying game of the series, yet still portrays an intriguing story that pushes you through the lengthy adventure. The open world was so plan and boring, trying to navigate was very difficult that it became the most frustrating part of the game. Having to walk from side to side of the map is something i hated in this game! However the scenes of being weak and venerable is done so well you start to get the creeps in some parts of the game especially at night time. This is something i haven't seen a halo game for a very long time, as master chief is a well known bad ass! All in all ODST isn't a must have just an expansion of the city from Halo 2, new comers will be left confused, do not start halo here. However if fans are looking for a unique game of the series. This is a must!… Expand
  2. HarbingerReview
    Apr 5, 2014
    7
    As a 10 or even 20 dollar expansion this would have been great, but I paid 60 dollars for it. This has excellent game play stellar graphics and an awesome story with a lovable set of characters, but it only took me 3 hours to complete on LEGENDARY. The multi-player despite being fun crashes multiple time in a few short sessions. Truly a sad corporate sellout to something that could haveAs a 10 or even 20 dollar expansion this would have been great, but I paid 60 dollars for it. This has excellent game play stellar graphics and an awesome story with a lovable set of characters, but it only took me 3 hours to complete on LEGENDARY. The multi-player despite being fun crashes multiple time in a few short sessions. Truly a sad corporate sellout to something that could have been great.… Expand
  3. Termin8ter
    Feb 8, 2016
    7
    If you are a Halo fan, then do not buy this game, wait for Halo Reach to come out, please don't buy this. Halo 3 ODST is not worth 60$ or 40$ or even 20$. ODST is an obvious cash grab to unsuspecting Halo fans like me. The game would be totally fine if it was DLC, for 5$ or 10$. ODST is a great expansion, but a terrible standalone game, save your money and wait for Reach to come out, orIf you are a Halo fan, then do not buy this game, wait for Halo Reach to come out, please don't buy this. Halo 3 ODST is not worth 60$ or 40$ or even 20$. ODST is an obvious cash grab to unsuspecting Halo fans like me. The game would be totally fine if it was DLC, for 5$ or 10$. ODST is a great expansion, but a terrible standalone game, save your money and wait for Reach to come out, or wait until the price gets lower.… Expand
  4. cish
    Oct 20, 2015
    7
    This had great potential that was not taken advantage of. Felt like more of an add on for halo 3 than its own game. The open world aspect could have been cool but was too dark, too empty, and too lonely to be much fun
  5. xboxkid
    Dec 23, 2016
    7
    The rookie parts are a bit boring, the gameplay has changed and not only do we have no shields (life regeneration) if we can not use 2 plasma rifles at once, the good thing is that the brute plasma rifle returned, Has a bug if you start the campaign in normal so it is better to start it in easy. It's not very nice to be the scent dog, I'm not a fan of firefight mode but it does, it bringsThe rookie parts are a bit boring, the gameplay has changed and not only do we have no shields (life regeneration) if we can not use 2 plasma rifles at once, the good thing is that the brute plasma rifle returned, Has a bug if you start the campaign in normal so it is better to start it in easy. It's not very nice to be the scent dog, I'm not a fan of firefight mode but it does, it brings more multiplayer maps, very good like sandbox or heretic.… Expand
  6. LuckyDrum
    Jun 10, 2019
    7
    Un spin-off bastante bueno que se centra en mostrar otro lado de la historia que ocurre durante el final de Halo 2 e inicio de Halo 3
  7. Blujus
    Jun 18, 2020
    7
    Everything this game offers is amazing! Firefight, the expanded Halo 3 multiplayer and the frankly AMAZING campaign but there's not enough content to make it worth it's retail price of 50 quid. Still a great game that I highly recommend anyone plays!
  8. Cyborg_TDRK
    Jan 13, 2021
    7
    O jogo é bom, mas não é Halo, não tem a alma de Halo, não te traz a sensação de estar jogando um jogo da franquia Halo, avaliando ele como um jogo da franquia Halo eu daria um 5, mas como um jogo em si ele é um 7
  9. LuanAmorim
    Dec 8, 2022
    7
    Halo 3: ODST - sua base é a mesma de Halo 3 então não tem muito o que pontuar: os gráficos são os mesmo; a trilha sonora continua boa; os personagens são bem carismáticos; as armas são as mesmas; não podemos usar muitos veículos; os inimigos são os mesmos; a dublagem é muito boa e ela contém ótimos dubladores.
    O que eu não gostei foram os momentos em que jogamos com o Novato e o mapa de    Halo 3: ODST - sua base é a mesma de Halo 3 então não tem muito o que pontuar: os gráficos são os mesmo; a trilha sonora continua boa; os personagens são bem carismáticos; as armas são as mesmas; não podemos usar muitos veículos; os inimigos são os mesmos; a dublagem é muito boa e ela contém ótimos dubladores.
    O que eu não gostei foram os momentos em que jogamos com o Novato e o mapa de Nova Mombasa, com ele na maioria das vezes você não tinha vontade de lutar contra os covenant e só fugir e evitá-los, o que não me agradou. Não teve um momento em que eu gostei de jogar com ele e sim com os outros personagens já que eles eram bem mais legais e seus momentos na história eram bem mais interessantes. No mais, é uma boa adição a franquia!    … Expand
  10. DerekF
    Sep 22, 2009
    6
    This is a fun game, but ultimately an overpriced expansion pack. Good value at $30, reasonable at $40, but not worth $60. The campaign only takes about 4 hours to complete and there is no matchmaking in firefight. Any halo fan would most likely have already purchased halo 3 and the map packs, so there is not much value for the majority of fans.
  11. DavidL.
    Sep 25, 2009
    6
    Firefight is a novel idea, however quickly gets extremely repetitive and boring. I'm surprised a broader selection of vehicles and weapons were not included. Let's face it, fighting against a computer is only so fun for so long when your using the same boring default weapons. Biggest Flaw: No matchmaking in firefight. The campaign was short with Co-op, but that's nothing Firefight is a novel idea, however quickly gets extremely repetitive and boring. I'm surprised a broader selection of vehicles and weapons were not included. Let's face it, fighting against a computer is only so fun for so long when your using the same boring default weapons. Biggest Flaw: No matchmaking in firefight. The campaign was short with Co-op, but that's nothing new. Lastly, this IS an expansion pack, nothing more. The maps included do not warrant a $60 price tag, as anyone who still plays Halo 3 already own all of the maps. Let's get real here, if it wasn't for the Reach Beta, ODST would not be a full-game priced expansion pack. Period.… Expand
  12. GavinM
    Jan 2, 2010
    6
    Halo 3 :ODST is a serviceable game, it doesn't do anything new or isn't exactly memorable, but is an enjoyable game when you don't take in the Halo name or the hype buildup. If it wasn't a Halo game though, it would wash away in the sea of better games that came in the fourth quarter of this year.
  13. ClintK
    Dec 2, 2009
    6
    The Halo campaign though fun, had way too few enemies, challenges, and far too much repetitiveness and the game was too short. The firefight is the highlight and easily the most fun we had. Not having a Halo 3:ODST Multplayer is a total cop out job. I would have loved to have played ODST Multiplayer with a visor and no health recharge, but alas what a disappointment on that portion.
  14. JohnS.
    Sep 22, 2009
    6
    Pretty much underwhelming.
  15. JonathanL
    Sep 22, 2009
    6
    It's hard not to experience deja vu when you play this game. However, that quickly wears off and you'll feel disappointed once you've beaten the game in under 5 hours and noticed the multi-player remains the same. This should have been priced at what it is, a standalone expansion. Do not buy this game for $60.
  16. RavenWolfx
    Sep 22, 2009
    6
    The game is short, the graphics are sub-standard now, and the story is average at best. I would like to give it a better score, at least a 7, but this is just way too overpriced. $20-$30 DLC would have been great, but not $60. Firefight is great fun with a full team, but even that doesn't make it a great buy. I refuse to boost the score just because it is Halo or because Bungie is The game is short, the graphics are sub-standard now, and the story is average at best. I would like to give it a better score, at least a 7, but this is just way too overpriced. $20-$30 DLC would have been great, but not $60. Firefight is great fun with a full team, but even that doesn't make it a great buy. I refuse to boost the score just because it is Halo or because Bungie is known for making good games.… Expand
  17. FrankGrimes
    Sep 23, 2009
    6
    I'm very surprised people say this is a good deal. I already beat the campaign. I already had some of the multiplayer maps. I do enjoy a new twist on the Halo setting and universe but this is just not worth $60. I would highly recommend this for $30 if you can find it at that price.
  18. KeithBE
    Sep 23, 2009
    6
    A large disappointment. Campaign is pretty fun, but way to short and not very exciting. Only one real new weapon which is the automag. The smg is the same as halo 3 with a silencer. Firefight is okay compared to horde in gears of war 2. This game is a good rental but not worth 60 bucks.
  19. Nickj.
    Sep 23, 2009
    6
    I was rather disappointed on this game because it's pretty much halo 3 and i got confused on when this was happening if it was before master chief came were are all the elites i see brutes and everything else but no elites when i was walking around i saw a couple of dead elites so my guess was that it was after the war. And also i found the health annoying because i couldn't I was rather disappointed on this game because it's pretty much halo 3 and i got confused on when this was happening if it was before master chief came were are all the elites i see brutes and everything else but no elites when i was walking around i saw a couple of dead elites so my guess was that it was after the war. And also i found the health annoying because i couldn't find any health and then it beeps and doesn't stop beeping why couldn't they keep the old health like in 2 and 3 i know because you were chief but i couldn't c why. Recoil is an other thing i got annoyed while shooting bad guys. mapping is annoying because in halo you knew were u were going because you have a little map at the corner. i'm sorry me and my mate played this got lost got bored nothing differant flash backs got me confused and this game wasn't the game i thought it would be and bungie probably weren't thinking right.… Expand
  20. JoradT
    Sep 23, 2009
    6
    When are people going to realise that this is just the SAME game from two years ago just with a couple of new maps in multiplayer and a different (shorter campaign). It's ridiculous that Bungie are charging $60 for this. There are a few very good aspects (such as firefight which is AWESOME) but apart from that it's really not worth it at all. Worst value package ever.
  21. EliJ.
    Sep 25, 2009
    6
    Oh i absolutely love the fact that it doesn't take 30 hits to kill someone, but i cant give it higher than a six because this game should be priced as DLC. Not enough game for your buck so to speak.
  22. NathanielJ.
    Sep 29, 2009
    6
    + actual characters, not just Jon everyman the stereotypical action hero and a supporting cast of fodder. + actual character development, which is refreshing considering the brevity of the story + the story is better told than any previous halo game and the contrast between night and day gameplay is wonderful + music is quite different from other halo games, but stands in in own right + + actual characters, not just Jon everyman the stereotypical action hero and a supporting cast of fodder. + actual character development, which is refreshing considering the brevity of the story + the story is better told than any previous halo game and the contrast between night and day gameplay is wonderful + music is quite different from other halo games, but stands in in own right + broader color palette than previous Halo games + enhanced vision is fun and useful and makes it so you can see -- you have to use the enhanced vision most of the time because everything is either black as pitch or blooming light out it's rectum - a better palette doesn't count when I spend the entire game in enhanced vision A) because I can't see otherwise and B) because there's no reason to ever turn it off! - auto-unzoom when you get hit I can understand, auto-stand I cannot however forgive. I do not wish to emulate the moronic AI, which flinches into full exposure when you nick their shoulder thanks. + quality time with the fuel rod gun and other lesser utilized weapons and vehicles - can't jack jack (no wraiths for you!) -- No firefight matchmaking, seriously?! I mean they ripped off horde from Gears and didn't think to rip off the public live option too? -- brutes are still the most annoying and uncompelling race/enemy in halo, I want to go back to fighting elites in halo 2 - buggers got tougher and are still annoy and unrewarding as well -- the story is however completely uncompelling and ultimately feels quite meaningless at the end of the game, sadly most fans won't notice or care. - story is VERY short and overall content is very limited ? it comes with a map pack, but that's more like bonus content than something the game itself should be rated on ODST is most assuredely NOT a standalone game and should not have been priced as one. It should've been moderately priced DLC (about $10-20 depending on whether or not the maps came with it), not an overpriced standalone (albeit not full price) game. It was worth a play through, but I honestly can't say I'm compelled to do much else and will readily give it up when my rental runs out. I greatly thanked the friend who convinced me to rent this one before buying it, which is about what the game is worth paying to play. A decent rental, but not a good purchase.… Expand
  23. dupplawt
    Apr 22, 2011
    6
    Halo 3 ODST is a decent game on it's own, but with the full Halo 3 multi-player experience packaged with it, it makes this an awesome deal. The campaign is interesting, with varied locations and classic Halo battles with the Covenant; although you don't play as Master Cheif, it doesn't detract from the experience. Firefight is a good addition, but the ability to go on Xbox LIVE would haveHalo 3 ODST is a decent game on it's own, but with the full Halo 3 multi-player experience packaged with it, it makes this an awesome deal. The campaign is interesting, with varied locations and classic Halo battles with the Covenant; although you don't play as Master Cheif, it doesn't detract from the experience. Firefight is a good addition, but the ability to go on Xbox LIVE would have made it much more interesting. Nonetheless, it is fun whether you go it alone or with some friends.… Expand
  24. aadms
    Oct 28, 2011
    6
    This is a really hard game to want to play because it's nothing more than a four hour dlc pack. Granted I didn't pay the original $60 for this, more like $25, but it still didn't draw me into the game to enjoy it. What's my motivation here? To fight a battle that took place just prior to Halo 3? Wander streets as an underpowered ODST trooper and unfold an irrelevent story? It'sThis is a really hard game to want to play because it's nothing more than a four hour dlc pack. Granted I didn't pay the original $60 for this, more like $25, but it still didn't draw me into the game to enjoy it. What's my motivation here? To fight a battle that took place just prior to Halo 3? Wander streets as an underpowered ODST trooper and unfold an irrelevent story? It's basically boring.… Expand
  25. bighead6000
    Jul 24, 2011
    6
    This is the worst Halo game in the series yet. To me most of the things are recycled content, and that's probably because the guys at Bungie are to lazy to add new content. The multiplayer is totally recycled, and that pissed me off. The campaign is not that good also, and I was especially much more pissed when a glitch in the game made me start all over again. The only good thing in thisThis is the worst Halo game in the series yet. To me most of the things are recycled content, and that's probably because the guys at Bungie are to lazy to add new content. The multiplayer is totally recycled, and that pissed me off. The campaign is not that good also, and I was especially much more pissed when a glitch in the game made me start all over again. The only good thing in this game, i would say, is the firefight mode. Besides that, not really a game worth getting.… Expand
  26. GamingSoldier
    Jul 19, 2013
    6
    Halo ODST is a fun game but I need to say it is more DLC then Game why because it gives a short campaign and one new mode. it is especially a DLC for anyone that bought Halo 3 since it also gives halo 3 multiplayer something you already bought.
    pros: still halo= still fun, graphics, cool audio logs which have a bonus scene if you collect them all, pretty cool story where you are shot down    Halo ODST is a fun game but I need to say it is more DLC then Game why because it gives a short campaign and one new mode. it is especially a DLC for anyone that bought Halo 3 since it also gives halo 3 multiplayer something you already bought.
    pros: still halo= still fun, graphics, cool audio logs which have a bonus scene if you collect them all, pretty cool story where you are shot down and must discover what happened to your team.
    cons: its a DLC halo 3 is in its title, in the open world you backtrack most of the time and avoid fights. you can't even do some normal things anyone can do because "rookie is strong enough" like duel wielding and JUMPING HIGH ARE YOU SERIOUS!, you never really like any of your team (except maybe buck) 4 hour campaign with one multiplayer mode is all the game really offers if you already got Halo 3 (which I bet you did)    … Expand
  27. Zman6495
    Jul 23, 2013
    6
    Halo 3: ODST is not a bad game. It is just as polished as the other games in the series. That being said, the reason the score is not higher is because of the amount of content that this game has to offer. The multiplayer is a rehash of Halo 3, which is really fun, but not new. Many people already own most of the Halo 3 maps, making this disc feel like a rehash. The campaign is fun,Halo 3: ODST is not a bad game. It is just as polished as the other games in the series. That being said, the reason the score is not higher is because of the amount of content that this game has to offer. The multiplayer is a rehash of Halo 3, which is really fun, but not new. Many people already own most of the Halo 3 maps, making this disc feel like a rehash. The campaign is fun, but it is extremely short. I was able to beat this game in 4 hours max. This short campaign is not worth a full retail price, which is why I cannot give this game a higher rating.… Expand
  28. Poppeloppiluss
    Oct 20, 2014
    6
    The game overall in general aspects is very good and interesting like the story and the visuals and the structure of the game story but that is the only thing I can say is good about the game because there are so many details that are glitchy, especially the AI.

    I have always said since the first Halo game that the AI (Artificial Intelligence or so called computer controlled characters)    The game overall in general aspects is very good and interesting like the story and the visuals and the structure of the game story but that is the only thing I can say is good about the game because there are so many details that are glitchy, especially the AI.

    I have always said since the first Halo game that the AI (Artificial Intelligence or so called computer controlled characters) is one of the worst I've experienced. They are poor programmed and doesn't have any tactic to follow, they simply run in battle and get themselves killed and you have to literally babysit them all of the time. They shoot you in the back all of the time and walks in front of your line of fire. They sometimes doesn't respond when you stand beside them with a vehicle they can enter. And one of the biggest nightmares is when they are controlling the turret/gunner positions, they don't hit the enemies and also rarely shoots at all, making you to drive around in circles until you get killed.

    Sometimes weapons disappear through the floor when you drop a weapon which is very frustrating. The AI characters have gotten me killed so many times that it simply is frustrating to even keep playing. The game is messing things up for the player who maybe easily would have completed a certain mission unless the AI wouldn't have messed it up for you. With such a high budget Bungie has then this is unacceptable.

    This glitchy details and AI problems is really ruining a otherwise GREAT game! I love the halo series and the story and apart from all these details it is a game i could easily have rated 8-9 but because of all the aspects that are really bad I have to give it a 6 unfortunately.    … Expand
  29. flametail23
    Dec 9, 2014
    6
    After the first three Halo games left their mark on the gaming world people wanted a sequel. This is what we got. A short 5-6 hour campaign following a squad of ODST troopers and all of Halo's multiplayer maps.
    The only great part about this game is the multiplayer.

    Verdict:
    A game that lacks a good story or characters but adds all of the maps from Halo 3
    6/10
  30. banda89
    Dec 26, 2015
    6
    Great game. But why am I giving such low score?
    Well, I don't think this game should've been 60 bucks, it was a 15 buck DLC.
    Getting that aside, it's a well made experimente by the Bungie team, great atmosphere, you walk through the ruins of New Mumbasa and just see the chaos and destruction but with all the quietness it's a relaxing game. Has my favorite halo weapon, that silenced SMG    Great game. But why am I giving such low score?
    Well, I don't think this game should've been 60 bucks, it was a 15 buck DLC.
    Getting that aside, it's a well made experimente by the Bungie team, great atmosphere, you walk through the ruins of New Mumbasa and just see the chaos and destruction but with all the quietness it's a relaxing game. Has my favorite halo weapon, that silenced SMG it's beautifiul!! Great characters, brought us FIrefight which I love!!
    But the lack of a real multiplayer, and the fact that had a 3-4 hour campaign and a full retail price made this game blend in with all the mediocre games the 360 had.    … Expand
  31. Robert88
    Nov 24, 2021
    6
    Though story was lacking and jumbled , couldn’t care less about the characters besides buck. Think they should’ve just continued a game with master chief .. the combat is fluid but not as great as reach and halo 3 ..
  32. Skurttish
    Dec 30, 2020
    6
    This is only a review of the single player campaign, which is all I played.

    Let’s start with the good: There’s finally a little icon that tells the player where they’re supposed to be going. That’s a fantastic addition, and it really helped me make my way through the levels. Full marks there. But the rest of the game was pretty unremarkable. The story had a great premise and had parts    This is only a review of the single player campaign, which is all I played.

    Let’s start with the good: There’s finally a little icon that tells the player where they’re supposed to be going. That’s a fantastic addition, and it really helped me make my way through the levels. Full marks there.

    But the rest of the game was pretty unremarkable. The story had a great premise and had parts that were really engaging, but was poorly written, with awkward or overly-emotional deliveries that didn’t give it the feel of a great story. The voice acting and lines were definitely missing a layer of polish that you’d find playing something like Titanfall 2 (or even Halo 2).

    Then there’s the level design, which varied very little from block to block of the city, no matter which time period you’re playing in. The layouts are different, sure, but it’s basically the same deal from area to area. More creativity would have improved this aspect.

    As far as difficulty goes, the game was definitely on the easy side. As you grow in gaming, you start to realize that difficulty is the spice that keeps gaming engaging; without an acceptable level of difficulty, the game is dishwater. I wash my dishwater down the drain each night and it’s forgotten by the time my head hits the pillow that evening. Unfortunately, that’s the case here with Halo 3: ODST. If it didn’t have Halo in the name, nobody would remember this game at all (much less play it)—it is gaming dishwater.

    Music, sound, and visuals were fine.    … Expand
  33. Kio22
    Sep 25, 2022
    6
    The only reason I'm giving this game a 6 out of 10 is because of how ridiculously short it is which is a shame. This game has the most unique atmosphere of any Halo game and sexy music. This game has awesome characters and a great silent protagonist that make you feel like part of the game, along with a good mystery like story to boot. It has an interesting open world exploration idea withThe only reason I'm giving this game a 6 out of 10 is because of how ridiculously short it is which is a shame. This game has the most unique atmosphere of any Halo game and sexy music. This game has awesome characters and a great silent protagonist that make you feel like part of the game, along with a good mystery like story to boot. It has an interesting open world exploration idea with audio logs that lead to a cool ending and tell an enthralling story that makes you want to find them all (way better than Halo infinite). The main flaw with this game is it is only 4-5 hours long even if you explore everything, which sucks especially being 60 bucks when it first came out. It also took away the battle rifle that was in Halo 3 for no real reason limiting your weapon pool. This game could have been way better than it was with a few more mission levels and a bigger more interactive city to explore with side quests and civilians fighting the covenant sadly that did not happen.… Expand
  34. AlcoholicGoat
    Mar 27, 2022
    6
    Not much new here. Firefight is cool, some of the gameplay is tweaked, the OST is fantastic, love the atmosphere but it feels like DLC more than anything. The story is very barebones and kind of cliché. I don't think a romance subplot necessarily fits this kind of game
  35. KP
    Oct 3, 2009
    5
    I'm pretty disappointed in this one. I disagree with some of the other comments. To me it feels obvious that Bungie cut corners on this game....from the game play to the graphics to the voice acting. I think the voice acting is terrible on this one. My biggest complaint is the lighting. When it's dark out and you are forced to used your VD vision or whatever it's I'm pretty disappointed in this one. I disagree with some of the other comments. To me it feels obvious that Bungie cut corners on this game....from the game play to the graphics to the voice acting. I think the voice acting is terrible on this one. My biggest complaint is the lighting. When it's dark out and you are forced to used your VD vision or whatever it's called...it just makes it an unpleasant gaming experience. I found myself constantly messing with the brightness adjustments to no avail. No matter what I did to adjust I found the game either too dark or too bright. Granted I haven't gotten into Firefight mode, but as far as the campaign, I'd rather replay any Halo game than play this. A Halo game this is not.… Expand
  36. JackS
    Feb 8, 2010
    5
    The game is SO boring and definitely not worth the money. Bungie tried to apply an open world to the Halo series, but failed miserably. As the cookie cutter protagonist that is the Rookie (promising young rookie, never speaks, where have we seen this before? Oh, yea: EVERYWHERE), you travel the bleak, depressing city of a destroyed New Mombasa. There is WAY too much walking, and to top it The game is SO boring and definitely not worth the money. Bungie tried to apply an open world to the Halo series, but failed miserably. As the cookie cutter protagonist that is the Rookie (promising young rookie, never speaks, where have we seen this before? Oh, yea: EVERYWHERE), you travel the bleak, depressing city of a destroyed New Mombasa. There is WAY too much walking, and to top it off, the scenery is bland and uninspired. Everything looks the same in New Mombasa, and worst of all, there are few fights in between objectives, and when you do enter a fight, it's so small and easy that it's nothing worth remembering. The Rookie is trying to find his squadmates who dropped into New Mombasa as well. Upon discovering their remains, you enter standard linear Halo levels, playing as the character you discover up until their crash. This concept seems to be the only thing original about this game. The linear Halo levels aren't completely terrible, but it's nothing worth remembering. The graphics in the game are the same as those in Halo 3, which is a 2007 game. This game came out in 2009. It seems like Bungie just added a bit of blur, but no major polish. Firefight is also boring. A lot of people seem to love it, but I absolutely hate it. The regular multiplayer is fun, but it's Halo 3's multiplayer with every map pack, so I can't credit any of that to ODST. People may tell you that this game is an expansion, but it's not. If it is the same price as a full game, then guess what? It's a full game. If I were you, I'd wait until this game dropped to $30-$40. Otherwise, it's cheaper to buy Halo 3 and every map pack separately, and will definitely leave you with a better experience.… Expand
  37. thedude
    Mar 23, 2010
    5
    Hugely disappointing. Most of the content is content that most Halo fans have already paid for, since the main multiplayer is Halo 3's multiplayer. Tacked on you get Firefight mode which will get old fairly fast. The only other new content is the super-short campaign(around 6 hours long). There were a lot of great games last year(mw2, l4d2, gh5, borderlands, arkham asylum). Compared Hugely disappointing. Most of the content is content that most Halo fans have already paid for, since the main multiplayer is Halo 3's multiplayer. Tacked on you get Firefight mode which will get old fairly fast. The only other new content is the super-short campaign(around 6 hours long). There were a lot of great games last year(mw2, l4d2, gh5, borderlands, arkham asylum). Compared to those, this game was a terrible waste of money.… Expand
  38. jacob
    Oct 25, 2009
    5
    the story line was too short, and always being interrupted by long and unnecessary bits of walking around and looking for the smallest most inanimate object that triggers a flashback. the online game play is good but not enough so to revive itself. overall, a mediocre score for a mediocre game.
  39. BrandonZ.
    Oct 5, 2009
    5
    The campaign was fun, but relatively short. I enjoyed the game until I put the multiplayer disk in and my xbox recognized it as Halo 3. This game was way overpriced, even with the $20 gift card from toys r us. It should have been a 20-30 download for Halo 3, but since Microsoft knows we love Halo, they thought they could just trick us into paying full game price for it. What a rip-off.
  40. RobertC.
    Sep 22, 2009
    5
    Very over hyped game very short campagin, poor graphics it just does not stand up to some of the falls coming games like MW2 and uncharted 2 but fire fight mode is a blast with friends but is let down by no match making with randomers over xbox live.
  41. PhilipP
    Sep 23, 2009
    5
    It's a very solid rental, but if I could go back to Gamestop, I'd return it and pick up Marvel: Ultimate Alliance 2, or else just wait for Operation Flashpoint (while playing Zombie Apocalypse on XBLA). The engine is starting to show it's age, the VSR mode I think is just an attempt to hide the low-rez textures and bland level design, the whole "vulnerable" aspect they were It's a very solid rental, but if I could go back to Gamestop, I'd return it and pick up Marvel: Ultimate Alliance 2, or else just wait for Operation Flashpoint (while playing Zombie Apocalypse on XBLA). The engine is starting to show it's age, the VSR mode I think is just an attempt to hide the low-rez textures and bland level design, the whole "vulnerable" aspect they were bragging about is just the armor shield renamed to Stamina, and the weapons are all the same from previous versions (who cares about the two "new" silenced weapons, they're weak and pack no punch). Also, though I'm looking forward to trying out Firefight, I have zero desire to play any more Halo 3 multiplayer. The campaign is fun, but I imagine I'll be done with it by this time tomorrow (including all the SP cheevos).… Expand
  42. LorenzoC
    Oct 18, 2009
    5
    Halo is a good game, it have a long story but i think it can't have more than 7 out of 10 because it have a good grafic and a good multiplayer on xbox live but it use only a part of the joistick, not like call of duty or other war games, they use all the joistick, then halo is limited, i don't understand many things also in the story and in the multyplayer on live, when one Halo is a good game, it have a long story but i think it can't have more than 7 out of 10 because it have a good grafic and a good multiplayer on xbox live but it use only a part of the joistick, not like call of duty or other war games, they use all the joistick, then halo is limited, i don't understand many things also in the story and in the multyplayer on live, when one player or covenat death they only go on the ground, i don't want blood but only the sign on the body.… Expand
  43. [anonymous]
    Dec 27, 2009
    5
    Stick to normal Halo 3, this one isn't too good. It was nice of them to include the map packs for Halo 3, though.
  44. JV
    Oct 7, 2009
    5
    Feels like an expansion pack. Its short. The the interface is horrible. The learning curve is sharp, most of the HUD which they force you to step through the tutorial for is pointless. The first half dozen levels are severely disjointed and not particularly enjoyable. I found it extremely hard to keep track of the plot or associate with any of the characters mostly because of how it keeps Feels like an expansion pack. Its short. The the interface is horrible. The learning curve is sharp, most of the HUD which they force you to step through the tutorial for is pointless. The first half dozen levels are severely disjointed and not particularly enjoyable. I found it extremely hard to keep track of the plot or associate with any of the characters mostly because of how it keeps switching who you're playing as and the horrible cut scenes. The are many instances where they should have reinforced with visuals where you should go or what the objective was - maybe they didnt do sufficient usability testing to figure out the traps and areas that needed to be smoothed. But like always the fan boys jump on the bungie wang and give it a good polish... just like how halo3 was a 9.9/10 game? yeah right.… Expand
  45. MarcusChief
    Sep 22, 2009
    5
    Pissed that MS is selling this as a retail game when more than half of it is stuff from H3. Fire Fight and new campaign mode are the only new things. Same old same old pretty much. Definitely NOT worth 60$
  46. DougC.
    Sep 23, 2009
    5
    Typical Halo production values (which are high).....and little else excluding a few exclusive maps. All in all the entirety of the worthwhile content could have easily been done as an H3 expansion via digital distro and a considerably more reasonable price tag. The whole thing reeks of filler to justify the box. I consider that a semi-evil thing to do after such lofty promises were made Typical Halo production values (which are high).....and little else excluding a few exclusive maps. All in all the entirety of the worthwhile content could have easily been done as an H3 expansion via digital distro and a considerably more reasonable price tag. The whole thing reeks of filler to justify the box. I consider that a semi-evil thing to do after such lofty promises were made by Bungie...looks like the Microsoft ethos finally invaded the building there, which is a shame.… Expand
  47. BrianA.
    Sep 24, 2009
    5
    As a fan of the Halo series, I was truly and utterly disappointed by this installation to the epic saga. Granted, they've taken the game in a whole new direction for storytelling and gameplay, but I was mortified to find no competitive multiplayer. Including 3 new maps for Halo 3 is NOT a legitimate way of justifying the lack of a competitive multiplayer in ODST. I can't believe As a fan of the Halo series, I was truly and utterly disappointed by this installation to the epic saga. Granted, they've taken the game in a whole new direction for storytelling and gameplay, but I was mortified to find no competitive multiplayer. Including 3 new maps for Halo 3 is NOT a legitimate way of justifying the lack of a competitive multiplayer in ODST. I can't believe I spent $60 for a 4-5 hour campaigh and a silly wave mode. Personally, I find Firefight to be quite monotonous and unappealing, though it's an interesting addition. I'd still rather play Horde Mode in GoW 2 or even Survival Mode in Resident Evil 5. ODST has almost driven me to the point of boycotting Halo Reach. If it's anything like this, I will not be purchasing it.… Expand
  48. MasterChief
    Sep 24, 2009
    5
    Another overhyped and overpriced game. A boring campaign with a story that tries to be emotional but fails. The graphics looks dated. Overall another disappointment int the Halo Series.
  49. BobbyD.
    Sep 27, 2009
    5
    And the vs multiplayer is where? Firefight.. that's it? Are you kidding me?!! I've already go Halo 3 and previously payed for the maps thanks! Imagine if the new COD MW just gave you the COD 4 maps on a separate disk. You'd feel justifiably ripped off.
  50. RobD.
    Sep 22, 2009
    5
    Shame Bungie trys to milk the Halo cash cow with a bullshit package as this. Aside from the good single player and firefight but with no lobbys b.t.w. the multiplayer is exactly like in Halo 3 except the 3 exclusive maps it comes with the disc wow thanks Bungie $60 bucks really? I say rent it for the single player and maybe firefight and save your money for Call Of Duty Modern Warfare 2 Shame Bungie trys to milk the Halo cash cow with a bullshit package as this. Aside from the good single player and firefight but with no lobbys b.t.w. the multiplayer is exactly like in Halo 3 except the 3 exclusive maps it comes with the disc wow thanks Bungie $60 bucks really? I say rent it for the single player and maybe firefight and save your money for Call Of Duty Modern Warfare 2 in November. Trust me it's not worth it.… Expand
  51. TewaD
    Sep 24, 2009
    5
    What a letdown! I am a true fan of Halo from the first one and have been looking forward to this game for months. From bad lighting and small map to cheesy cut scenes and bad graphics, I felt like I was playing N64 again. Bungie strayed way too far from its roots and Halo 1 and turned the game into a real disappointment. Save your money and rent before you play.
  52. KeithR
    Sep 28, 2009
    5
    Why it sucks- campaign sucks, way to short, no new guns, stealth gameplay my ass, perfect enemy snipers, to much walking, no vehicles exept mongooses and SOMETIMES a ghost, price why it rocks- visor is pretty cool, flashback missions are pretty good, FIREFIGHT
  53. zotune
    Sep 21, 2012
    5
    For me this game is not up to par with those that came before it. Running around trying to find beacons gets repetitive early on, as well as the level design being used over and over again - like earlier Halo games. The storyline change is what happens when the developer has finished and closed a trilogy, yet the fans want more - and so they had to come up with an alternate storyline. TheFor me this game is not up to par with those that came before it. Running around trying to find beacons gets repetitive early on, as well as the level design being used over and over again - like earlier Halo games. The storyline change is what happens when the developer has finished and closed a trilogy, yet the fans want more - and so they had to come up with an alternate storyline. The narrative certainly is, for the most part, what separates this game from the others - unfortunately though I didn't find it very engaging and otherwise the game doesn't add anything that wasn't already there in past titles. I also found the presentation to be too dark at times, and the hud takes up too much of the screen. In addition I found the gameplay to become too repetitive. Upon trying to play through the Halo games chronologically, I have hardly seen any new opponents or breakthrough gameplay elements since the original Halo. It was decent fun at certain moments, I'll give it that - though sadly my optimism for this game just isn't anything more than that.… Expand
  54. mariomaster
    Aug 12, 2010
    5
    I was extremely dissapointed in odst. Honestly i think that odst should have stayed as an expansion. I wasted 60 dollars on a 5 hour game. IT was a rundown version of halo 3. The only good thing about the game was that it came with the extra halo multiplayer disc. I was really excited for firefight and you cant even use it in matchmaking
    none of my friends had the game so i was stuck    I was extremely dissapointed in odst. Honestly i think that odst should have stayed as an expansion. I wasted 60 dollars on a 5 hour game. IT was a rundown version of halo 3. The only good thing about the game was that it came with the extra halo multiplayer disc. I was really excited for firefight and you cant even use it in matchmaking
    none of my friends had the game so i was stuck playing it by myself and its not fun. The free roam wasnt even free roam. It was run from point a to point b. The gameplay was exactly the same as original halo. The dificulty was not that hard at all. The game itself is ok but for 60 dollars its not worth it at all. Mabye for 40 but thats a mabye    … Expand
  55. V4ni11az
    Sep 25, 2010
    5
    This game isn't the worst ever, but it certainly is not a Ã
  56. asylumspadez
    Nov 15, 2011
    5
    So heavily recycled from Halo 3 its like playing a modded version of it when you put in ODST. The only good things about ODST are the addition of firefight and the bonus disc that gives you all the halo 3 maps for free.
  57. LROCK95
    Aug 18, 2011
    5
    The campaign of this game was really bad, but the firefight mode in this game saves the game to be a very awful one. But, to get the maps for firefight, you need to play the campaign! I feel it's an okay game, but the campaign just lacks in story and makes no sense at all.
  58. Swimming_MANGO
    Jan 7, 2012
    5
    I hope Microsoft is listening. You can't sell 4 hours of content, and a new multiplayer mode as a full game!!! The game was meant to be an expansion pack for Halo 3, hence the name Halo 3: ODST, so who's idea was it at Bungie, or Microsoft to sell this game as an independent title?!?!?
    The game play is similar to the other Halo titles. You kill aliens, to be frank. This time around you get    I hope Microsoft is listening. You can't sell 4 hours of content, and a new multiplayer mode as a full game!!! The game was meant to be an expansion pack for Halo 3, hence the name Halo 3: ODST, so who's idea was it at Bungie, or Microsoft to sell this game as an independent title?!?!?
    The game play is similar to the other Halo titles. You kill aliens, to be frank. This time around you get a few new guns, and a vision mode that highlights enemies. Does that sound like it deserves to be a full purchase? No. But wait there is also a new multiplayer mode called Firefight, where you, and up to three friends fight in a survival type of mode where endless hordes of enemies will attack, and you have to fight them off. Aside from that, and a tacked on single player, the multiplayer is the exact same, without the new guns. Simply put, its one game mode, a short and tacked on single player, and the old Halo 3 multiplayer without any chances. I haven't left anything out at this point. I've said everything that Halo 3:ODST has to offer. So if that's all that was added why did the game set sold as a full price game rather then DLC? I'll tell you why. It's because some executive at Microsoft who figured they weren't making enough money said so that's why. This game is nothing new at all, it's just a recycled Halo 3. This game should not in anyway be praised.
    If this would have been released at DLC it would warrant a better score such as a 6, maybe 7. However, because of the price tag, I have to deduct points from it. The game doesn't deserve anything else other then a 5, because it simply isn't enough to get a better score when you have to pay full price for it.
    Shame on you Microsoft, shame on you Bungie, shame on you Halo fan boys who would be willing to cough up $60 for this trash at launch.    … Expand
  59. MrFluffy63
    Mar 23, 2013
    5
    This game really could of just not existed. Really, it could of been an Add-On for Halo 3, and life could go on. This is my least favorite Halo game. The campaign has its moments, but it never wowed me at any moment. I never had feelings for any of the characters, and that brings it down a lot. Firefight was ok, nothing exiting or interesting because it did not have many options. The bestThis game really could of just not existed. Really, it could of been an Add-On for Halo 3, and life could go on. This is my least favorite Halo game. The campaign has its moments, but it never wowed me at any moment. I never had feelings for any of the characters, and that brings it down a lot. Firefight was ok, nothing exiting or interesting because it did not have many options. The best part of the package was the multiplayer. It has all the Halo 3 map packs and original maps. I cannot argue with that. But if you already own all of the maps, this game really has nothing to offer. Unless you want to see what the lore is, of course. In the end, this game is great for hardcore fans of the series, but I am not a hardcore fan. Just a guy who was expecting more from this game.… Expand
  60. oDjento
    Jan 4, 2015
    5
    This game was a cool idea but is a prime case of a DLC game. There just isn't enough content here, and they tried to justify it by givinf you the halo 3 multiplayer, a game which a lot of people proably already had. I'll give it to them for the story, it was ace to have a noir Halo game, but only 6 hours ish of gameplay? And then a firefight mode that gets tiresome pretty quickly. I wasThis game was a cool idea but is a prime case of a DLC game. There just isn't enough content here, and they tried to justify it by givinf you the halo 3 multiplayer, a game which a lot of people proably already had. I'll give it to them for the story, it was ace to have a noir Halo game, but only 6 hours ish of gameplay? And then a firefight mode that gets tiresome pretty quickly. I was sadly done with this game in about a month or two and was straight back to playing Halo 3. Would give it a lower score for lack of content but the story mode is cool and a bit different from previous halo games stories so i give them credit for that!… Expand
  61. gamingisgreat
    Oct 23, 2016
    5
    Halo 3:ODST is a medicore expansion for a great game.

    The campaign is bad,with no real spark to it,plus the fact that is 5 hours long.The gameplay has not even seen a slight change. Firefight,which was introduced to Halo for the first time in this game,is absolutely great fun to play with friends,killing waves and waves of Covenant. The graphics are good,and the framerate is    Halo 3:ODST is a medicore expansion for a great game.

    The campaign is bad,with no real spark to it,plus the fact that is 5 hours long.The gameplay has not even seen a slight change.

    Firefight,which was introduced to Halo for the first time in this game,is absolutely great fun to play with friends,killing waves and waves of Covenant.

    The graphics are good,and the framerate is solid.

    Sound design is decent,but the soundtrack,as with any Halo game,is amazing.

    Overall,Halo 3:ODST can be summed up in one word:MEDIOCRE    … Expand
  62. Broyax
    Apr 14, 2017
    5
    Comme les autres Halo sur 360, cet ODST vous fait un gros doigt sur les succès en mode facile mais malgré quelques passages crispants, il reste gérable en mode normal. La narration de l'histoire (pour autant que le concept "d'histoire" ait une quelconque importance dans les Halo) est assez originale, un peu dans l'esprit de COD Black Ops, en plus cohérent toutefois. Rien de palpitant nonComme les autres Halo sur 360, cet ODST vous fait un gros doigt sur les succès en mode facile mais malgré quelques passages crispants, il reste gérable en mode normal. La narration de l'histoire (pour autant que le concept "d'histoire" ait une quelconque importance dans les Halo) est assez originale, un peu dans l'esprit de COD Black Ops, en plus cohérent toutefois. Rien de palpitant non plus.

    On peut même éviter certains combats ou en tout cas opter pour une approche plus discrète lorsqu'on est dans la ville de nuit... de là à parler d'infiltration, il y a un monde (!) mais ça change un peu. Pas de changement ou d"évolution graphique depuis Halo 3, et forcément ça commence à se voir (une façon comme une autre de dire que c'est bien moche, si, si).

    Pour le reste, Halo reste fidèle à Halo avec ses environnements ouverts, ses phases en véhicules réussies, ses batailles "épiques" (entre guillemets, car des lourdeurs sont présentes)... du classique pourrait-on dire. Je déplore la fin du jeu, décevante et sans véritable conclusion.    … Expand
  63. elolugo
    Jun 29, 2022
    5
    Cool story. Does not hold up in 2022, maybe in 2009. Multiplayer is dead...
  64. AmadouIraklidis
    Oct 28, 2022
    5
    A decent game, it had the original mode of waves of covenant, which was my main interest in getting the game. All in all, it wasn't a particularly memorable game.

    But, as a game in the halo tradition, it was still fun and passable as a game.
  65. BruceC
    Oct 15, 2009
    4
    I have all of the Halo series games and have been a Halo fan from day one. I was really excited when I heard this game was going to be released in September. I got the game and finished the game in a few hours. When I got to the end, I said to myself, "Huh? What happened? Did I miss something?" I don't care about the price of the game, It's the content and playability of the I have all of the Halo series games and have been a Halo fan from day one. I was really excited when I heard this game was going to be released in September. I got the game and finished the game in a few hours. When I got to the end, I said to myself, "Huh? What happened? Did I miss something?" I don't care about the price of the game, It's the content and playability of the game that matters. As others have said previously, the play in the dark, then play in blinding light was just unacceptable. I thought the music score was excellent. I hated the side story that was presented in the kiosks about the human inhabitants of Mombassa, third and fourth graders would like it. And what the heck happened to the humans? Were you suppossed to find them somewhere in the city? This game had sooo much potential with multi-level capabilitiy within the buildings, and street levels. Too many doors that could have been explored were locked, There was too much time spent wandering through empty streets. The overall maps were huge, but they were not used to their fullest capability. ODST was a big disappointment.… Expand
  66. MikeW
    Jan 2, 2010
    4
    The story is very non flowing, even if it is good I couldn't tell because it's so choppy. The ruined Mombasa that you play for most of the game as the rookie is very dull and lifeless. It has it's moments and I was entertained but it really doesn't hold a candle to what the halo name has set itself to be.
  67. EdmárcioS.
    Sep 22, 2009
    4
    It's not a new Halo game.
  68. SamM.
    Sep 26, 2009
    4
    Well it has a decent five hour campaign that fizzles out towards the end. Recycled Halo 3 multiplayer with the only new addition being Firefight. Sadly Firefight doesn't include matchmaking, which was one of the stupidest decisions Bungie could have made in my opinion. If you own Halo 3, and have already downloaded the new maps when they were released months ago, this game is not Well it has a decent five hour campaign that fizzles out towards the end. Recycled Halo 3 multiplayer with the only new addition being Firefight. Sadly Firefight doesn't include matchmaking, which was one of the stupidest decisions Bungie could have made in my opinion. If you own Halo 3, and have already downloaded the new maps when they were released months ago, this game is not worth buying. Had this game been $30 cheaper it would almost certainly have been a day one buy. Instead, I can only recommend renting it, or try your very hardest to find it under $35.… Expand
  69. CraigT.
    Sep 26, 2009
    4
    Basically v.poor DLC for halo 3. A short and forgettable 5 hour long single player campaign and no new multiplayer content. The AI is rediculously inept at any sort of simple task and should not be allowed to drive at any time. Halo is the new cash cow in town and its already dry on milk. Developers like Bungie and publishers like MS just make Valve look even more like the idillic Basically v.poor DLC for halo 3. A short and forgettable 5 hour long single player campaign and no new multiplayer content. The AI is rediculously inept at any sort of simple task and should not be allowed to drive at any time. Halo is the new cash cow in town and its already dry on milk. Developers like Bungie and publishers like MS just make Valve look even more like the idillic buisness model and the saviours of gaming.… Expand
  70. MichaelC
    Oct 20, 2009
    4
    Some of my friends bought this, a couple of whom are halo fan boys. At first they said it was awesome but after a few days one of them changed their mind. I decided I would try it myself and paid £35 for it. Waist of money if you ask me. I found the new campaign, in one word: poor. The missions where you are the rookie are brainlessly unchallenging and boring to a sleeping level. Some of my friends bought this, a couple of whom are halo fan boys. At first they said it was awesome but after a few days one of them changed their mind. I decided I would try it myself and paid £35 for it. Waist of money if you ask me. I found the new campaign, in one word: poor. The missions where you are the rookie are brainlessly unchallenging and boring to a sleeping level. When you are in a flashback mission it is usually difficult to see where you are supposed to go next and cut scenes are dull and unintreging. Overall you can't get to grips with the characters or really the storyline as a new character is thrown at you over and over again. Firefight adds a great element to Halo as it now has a defensive game mode like the other main shooters. It introduces intelligent game play that you could go on for hours at a time. The only thing it lacks is a host system that doesn't end the game if a person disconnects or a search for other random players to play with. The new multiplayer maps are also very good.… Expand
  71. SamJ.
    Oct 5, 2009
    4
    Okay while it lasts but its a bit short, I'd say rent it, you can finish in about 6 hours and the online is basically the same as halo 3 feels like the ODST should have just been a downloadable add on like lost and damned.
  72. GioG.
    Sep 22, 2009
    4
    Worst package ever. The game is great in terms of the look and feel of it. And firefight should be loads of FUN if you have friends who have it. But overall it was a sloppy package and bungie put no effort into making this a FUN game.. They give you a 2nd disc thats for online play.. Its all Halo 3.. I own halo 3 already, owww i get 3 maps i didn't have thats it.. You get the Worst package ever. The game is great in terms of the look and feel of it. And firefight should be loads of FUN if you have friends who have it. But overall it was a sloppy package and bungie put no effort into making this a FUN game.. They give you a 2nd disc thats for online play.. Its all Halo 3.. I own halo 3 already, owww i get 3 maps i didn't have thats it.. You get the campaign which is 6-8 hours most, and firefight which has no match making.. Worst Games of the year, worst hype EVER for a game. I was let down… Expand
  73. KrisDeSha
    Sep 22, 2009
    4
    I cannot believe i paid 60 bucks for this, it is worth 40 at max, it is more of an Add on then a full blown game, i was at midnight launch to come home and play to realize i was playing Halo 3, just a little different, not enought o shell out 60 bucks :( Disappointed
  74. AD
    Nov 23, 2009
    4
    I have never been a Halo fan, but gave this a try after seeing the awesome live action teaser "We are ODST". This game is crap! Every time I tried to play it, I fell asleep, so I never even finished the game. Ugly graphics, badly animated cutscenes, boring........
  75. DaveR
    Sep 23, 2009
    4
    I simply can not believe this game is $60. Anyone paying full price for this is not playing w/ a full deck. Do not let blind fanboyism keep you from calling BS. When will the community learn, do not pay fro over hyped, over priced games. That is the only way to get it to stop.
  76. esp
    Sep 6, 2010
    4
    Perhaps Halo just isn't my thing, but this game is just dumb. The annoying childlike aliens, the (very) weak attempts at humor, the vague and contradictory mission objectives -- I played the first two missions and sold it back to the shop where I'd gotten it. There are many ways to get one's FPS fix, and this just didn't do it for me.
  77. kloborgg
    Mar 1, 2011
    4
    One of the biggest disappointments I've ever had to suffer. I'm a long time Halo fan, and while I don't exactly love Bungie, I trusted them to deliver a great experience. I'd already given up hope for a great campaign since Halo 2, and all I really cared about was playing survival Halo. I was initially taken aback that a game Bungie themselves had dubbed an "expansion to Halo 3", with anOne of the biggest disappointments I've ever had to suffer. I'm a long time Halo fan, and while I don't exactly love Bungie, I trusted them to deliver a great experience. I'd already given up hope for a great campaign since Halo 2, and all I really cared about was playing survival Halo. I was initially taken aback that a game Bungie themselves had dubbed an "expansion to Halo 3", with an estimated price for $40 was now being marketed as a full game (thankfully Amazon gave me $10 back soon afterwards). Loading up into the campaign, I was almost immediately struck at how.. well.. bad it was. The cutscene animations are laughably poor, and the characters are all bland stereotypes. The storytelling was rather annoying, as between levels you'd have to "explore" an extremely repetitive New Mombasa while fighting outposts of Brutes (more like driving past them with a ghost you steal) and then searching for 10 minutes to find the next "clue". Somehow this piece of garbage reveals an extremely complicated story to your "rookie". Honestly, this is probably the worst Halo campaign in existence. Besides that, two things stuck out to me:
    1. Where in the hell are the elites? I personally hate fighting brutes; they're dumb, slow, and boring. Obviously since this game takes place about 2 seconds after the Master Chief fights with about a MILLION elites, you'd think there would be.. I don't know.. some elites left over. Well you'd be wrong. I'm not sure what the canon explanation is, but basically the H3 engine didn't have enemy AI coded into the elite characters, so we're stuck fighting Halo 3 elites before they even existed.
    2. You're supposed to feel different. You're supposed to feel like a smaller soldier, without super shields, who can't take on 50 brutes by himself. You don't. You still feel like a spartan, but you can see your hands this time. You still run and gun as you kill dozens of grunts and elites with superior firepower to your own. Yeah, you have to find healthpacks from time to time. Big woop. You definitely do NOT feel like a small fragile soldier, and there is no more strategy than previous Halo games offer.

    On to firefight.. boy what a disappointment. There is no defense strategy, there is no teamwork involved. Playing with 4 friends, we just got into a game and found the best strategy was to run our separate ways and kill as many enemies as possible. What makes this incoherent mess even worse is that you're forced to deal with these stupid skulls that turn on after a couple waves. These skulls force you to melee enemies to regain shields, to constantly dodge enemy grenades while yours are rendered ineffective, to deal with a terribly low supply of ammo. Do any of these things sound fun to you? They sure aren't. I knew they would offer the skulls for those looking for additional challenge, but to force them on you? Ridiculous. It ends up playing like a 4-player co-op campaign, except there's only one tiny level, and there's no story... and it's not even remotely fun.

    Some people loved the "storytelling" and "style" of this game, but ultimately, as a Halo fan, it was a huge disappointment. I played ODST for about a week before stopping altogether. Do I regret buying it? Not entirely. For one, I now have all the H3 maps on a single disk and my HDD has much more space. Two, I was able to complete the achievements towards getting Recon armor in H3. And finally, I was able to participate in the Reach beta. All that aside, I found this game terrible. I'm a HUGE Halo CE to Halo Reach fan, and I found this game TERRIBLE. Take from this what you will.    … Expand
  78. MySt1
    Oct 16, 2010
    4
    Halo 3 ODST is by far the worst Halo game. The story is boring, there isnt really anything new about the game, exept the firefight mode,the game is short, the characters are stupid and the campaign totally sucks.This game should have been just a DLC for Halo 3, nothing more.
  79. matroycem
    Apr 30, 2013
    4
    This review in a word AWFUL
    Okay so Halo fans are likely to love this game but it really is nothing new. there is no new ground covered in this game and it simply feels like a cash in. The Game is a side story to the plot of Halo 3. This time instead of being the Master Chief you are a band of UNSC soldiers who crash and lose one another. The game is then about finding one another. Often    This review in a word AWFUL
    Okay so Halo fans are likely to love this game but it really is nothing new. there is no new ground covered in this game and it simply feels like a cash in. The Game is a side story to the plot of Halo 3. This time instead of being the Master Chief you are a band of UNSC soldiers who crash and lose one another. The game is then about finding one another. Often you end a story arch by finding something of a team mates at the end of the level. Then you switch to that person and play their story. the thing is that I did not care. I never felt any form of bond with the characters or really care what they are going through. There was just nothing that made me feel this was worthy of a retail release. If this had been an expansion of Halo 3 it may just have been passable. Bungie just feel lazy. They have the same enemies in the same linear environments where you walk from A to B and then back to A. I breezed through the game on Legendary mainly due to indestructible team mates (AI) who are unbelievably good on turrets. I kept seeing my team mate run into a horde of Elites and be battered to hell and still be there 5 minutes later taking the beating. It was incredible and not in a good way. If you are a fan of the series then you will play this for that reason. If you are not that much of a fan and really still want to look at it then get it VERY VERY cheap else you will feel ripped off.    … Expand
  80. Delta_Assault
    Sep 28, 2011
    4
    Halo ODST was a massive missed opportunity for Bungie. They could've actually crafted a game that broke from their previous efforts. They could've actually shown us what combat was like from a vulnerable human's point of view, instead of from a power armored supersoldier's point of view. Instead of walking around like some sort of shielded tank, maybe we'd be able to go prone and takeHalo ODST was a massive missed opportunity for Bungie. They could've actually crafted a game that broke from their previous efforts. They could've actually shown us what combat was like from a vulnerable human's point of view, instead of from a power armored supersoldier's point of view. Instead of walking around like some sort of shielded tank, maybe we'd be able to go prone and take cover and do interesting stuff. But they squandered it all, they just didn't give a damn.

    So you're an ODST. Well, I guess that means you're really vulnerable, right? You can't rely on shields to save your bacon, this gameplay's probably going to be a lot more like Rainbow Six, and even grunts will pose a considerable challenge... oh wait. No, no they didn't do that. There's still a shield, it's just now called stamina and it's hidden from the HUD.

    Well, you're just a human. I guess that means you can't break off machine gun turrets and lug them around and... oh wait. Yeah, I guess you can still break off turrets and walk around with them. You've still got superhuman strength. You can still carry Spartan lasers as if they weighed nothing, even though they're huge weapons that would probably strain a normal human.

    But hey, you're way way weaker than a Spartan II, you've probably got a much much weaker melee attack now, right? You probably can't deliver a couple of punches to kill grunts and Brutes and stuff, right? After all, regular humans don't have the superhuman strength to do that. Oh wait... yeah, I guess your melee attacks still kill them quickly. Your punches are still superhuman for some reason.

    But without the finely tuned motor reflexes and stabilizers of the Mjolnir armor, your aim is probably going to be really bad when you move a lot, right? I mean, your reticle is probably going to expand if you're running or strafing a lot, right? That's what happens when a human being moves rapidly while carrying a gun, their aim suffers. So that's surely... oh wait. Oh wait, that's not... that not what we get. The crosshair just remains static and perfectly accurate. Boy, that's not right is it?

    If you just expected more of the same, I guess ODST might've been just peachy-keen for you.    … Expand
  81. Pivot1022
    Dec 26, 2011
    4
    AWFUL campaing, Just **** garbage. Why people would like to see a story in mixed order is beyond me, Yeah it's not gonna make no sense if you do the second last mission then the second, but it just feels like a way to pad the game play, "Oh we have a 4-5 hour campaing, but instead of just telling a story, were gonna force you to walk around for 10 mins before you get to the next part ofAWFUL campaing, Just **** garbage. Why people would like to see a story in mixed order is beyond me, Yeah it's not gonna make no sense if you do the second last mission then the second, but it just feels like a way to pad the game play, "Oh we have a 4-5 hour campaing, but instead of just telling a story, were gonna force you to walk around for 10 mins before you get to the next part of the story" Firefight isn't online and the multiplayer is halo 3. Do not buy unless you don't have halo 3 anymore. even then halo 3 is dead sooooooo… Expand
  82. PrimalHunter70
    Apr 22, 2012
    4
    Give your Halo character little health and change absolutely NOTHING else, and you have ODST. The gameplay mechanics are exactly the same, except you have bugger all health (jumping from fairly low heights can hurt you), the story is boring and forgettable, levels are repetitive (I HATED the night time level in the city) and this game is obviously just a cash ploy made by Bungie. We canGive your Halo character little health and change absolutely NOTHING else, and you have ODST. The gameplay mechanics are exactly the same, except you have bugger all health (jumping from fairly low heights can hurt you), the story is boring and forgettable, levels are repetitive (I HATED the night time level in the city) and this game is obviously just a cash ploy made by Bungie. We can wait for Halo Reach without crappy sequels to fill the gap.… Expand
  83. 7dogguy
    Feb 16, 2012
    4
    ive been a fan of halo ever since the 2nd one came out and i have to say this is the worst halo ive ever played the story is the worst in the series you are random solders in the unsc army that get lost in there drop pods and get scattered around this city and you have to find out what happened to your squadmates and do random missions this halo has the worst plot line out of the seriesive been a fan of halo ever since the 2nd one came out and i have to say this is the worst halo ive ever played the story is the worst in the series you are random solders in the unsc army that get lost in there drop pods and get scattered around this city and you have to find out what happened to your squadmates and do random missions this halo has the worst plot line out of the series although they did bring in this mode called firefight which is amazing its like horde mode from gears of war and zombies from cod and you have fend off waves of the covenant but that is the only good thing about the game and they completely scraped competitive multiplayer if it wasnt for firefight i would give this a zero… Expand
  84. Jerricho_N
    Dec 28, 2021
    4
    Самая слабая часть в серии. Унылые и однообразные локации, гнетущая музыка, депрессивная атмосфера в самом худшем понимании . Первый Halo выглядит и играется куда бодрее и интереснее.
  85. Antonette_87
    Dec 22, 2021
    4
    Halo 3: ODST sufre una crisis de identidad, al principio, cuando controlamos al novato vemos que el mapa y el ambiente es sombrío y solemne, y joder te metes en el personaje, no eres el Jefe Maestro, no puedes ir andando como si esto fuese tu casa, entonces es vital rodear e interceptar enemigos en este mundo semi-abierto, pero después de unas misiones sigue siendo lo mismo de siempre, esHalo 3: ODST sufre una crisis de identidad, al principio, cuando controlamos al novato vemos que el mapa y el ambiente es sombrío y solemne, y joder te metes en el personaje, no eres el Jefe Maestro, no puedes ir andando como si esto fuese tu casa, entonces es vital rodear e interceptar enemigos en este mundo semi-abierto, pero después de unas misiones sigue siendo lo mismo de siempre, es decir acción y disparos a bocajarro y no es algo que me moleste un juego de Halo, pero SI me molesta en ESTE HALO, no tenía porq ser así y es una cagada que vayan a por lo fácil, ahora que he hablado de eso me toca hablar de, ah si el mundo semi-abierto, aunque es cierto que la ambientación la hace bien cuando estamos con el novato, hay que admitir que al mundo semi abierto no te incita en lo mas mínimo a explorar, entonces para que coño haces una nueva mecánica si no es solamente que no sepas usarla, si no que también ni te esfuerzas a (por lo menos) mostrar algo de empeño. Ahora que he acabado con el pésimo mundo semi-abierto, hablemos de la historia... es la peor historia de Halo, y no porq sea mala, si no porq es muy simple, no te encariñas con los personajes y la trama empieza bien pero va decayendo. Hablemos del gameplay que también tiene tela, Halo 3: Odst no solo no añade nada de gameplay a la saga, si no que quita mas gameplay, me explico Halo 3 añadió las habilidades especiales estas, ya sabes, el escudo burbuja, invencibilidad etc. Bien no solamente quita eso, si no que también quita las armas duales, sin ningún sentido, en fin, lo bueno es la banda sonora que es la hostia y la ambientación en el primer nivel, aunque después se va, este Halo no solamente no añade nada si no que también quita cosas un claro bajón de la saga con este título, buenas intenciones, mala ejecución.… Expand
  86. DavidM
    Mar 4, 2010
    3
    Halo 3 odst really had my hopes up i thought it was going to be a fantastic game! But i was one stupid person for thinking this game will be good. I can go on and on and on about ranting this game. But first let me start with the cost when the game came out. 60$ for a crap campaign that i beat in one night, the firefight gamemode and the Halo 3 multiplayer expierience. I mean when i got Halo 3 odst really had my hopes up i thought it was going to be a fantastic game! But i was one stupid person for thinking this game will be good. I can go on and on and on about ranting this game. But first let me start with the cost when the game came out. 60$ for a crap campaign that i beat in one night, the firefight gamemode and the Halo 3 multiplayer expierience. I mean when i got the game I was woah cool a halo 3 multi disc sence my halo 3 game disc broke. But for me the game is stupid unpolished and super boring to me. I barley even touch the game the only reason why i am keeping it is because the multiplayer disc. Reason 2 The campaign: The campaign is a kind of open world thing when your the rookie but all he does (said in gameinformer) is that he just finds out about his squad mates awesome moments. the campaign was about 5 hours to me and the legendary difficulty is 1 whole clip to kill one brute! I beat legendary on the orginal but the legendary on halo 3 odst is just down right ridiculous. It just seems like bungie is bribeing the famous game companys to vote high on there game. Reason 3 Plays like original halo 3: Ok so you think there will be some cool new feature to the gameplay like lets say like sprinting? no its the exact same thing from halo 3 i know most of you will be like why is he whining about that... Well first of all halo 3 has been out forever! and you think if you play halo 3 alot it will get boring and yes it did. There is only 2 new weapons as well i mean a 60$ expansion with no new gameplay features besides the VISR... Come on bungie so greedy. Reason 4 Firefight: For me on halo 3 odst firefight was the best thing in there (Besides the multiplayer expierience) But i have a few proplems with it. What if i want to play with my friends at my house? No i cant i can only play with one of them sence its only 2 player Split-screen so no 3 or 4 player matches. Pretty stupid a 4 player survivor mode that 2 people can only play locally... And the last proplem in firefight there is no good maps. My favorite map on the campaign to hold off was the rooftops but that map was not on there.… Expand
  87. Rayo
    Sep 22, 2009
    3
    I can not believe the consumer is being charged 65 dollars for what should have been a 20 dollar expansion pack. There are no new multiplayer weapons. It is next to impossible to play a new map online because all 8 or 10 players need to be using ODST. People buy Halo for online play, not for just a campaign mode that has taken baby steps since Halo 2.
  88. joes.
    Sep 24, 2009
    3
    Campaign was too short and nothing really spectacular. Bungie and MS teaming up to take our money, that's about it! You can have Halo brand toilet paper and halo fanboys will buy it. Complete utter garbage.
  89. Tahoe
    Dec 10, 2009
    3
    This game should've been an expansion to Halo 3 instead of being a standalone game. There's not enough in this game to make it a $60 game. A short campaign, and the same versus mode, except a new firefight mode, which is essentially the same thing as Gears of War 2's Horde mode. Firefight isn't very innovative, yet it is argued to be the most amazing part of Halo 3: This game should've been an expansion to Halo 3 instead of being a standalone game. There's not enough in this game to make it a $60 game. A short campaign, and the same versus mode, except a new firefight mode, which is essentially the same thing as Gears of War 2's Horde mode. Firefight isn't very innovative, yet it is argued to be the most amazing part of Halo 3: ODST. Aside from these, the game is put into two discs, one for campaign and one for multiplayer? What was the point of this? The campaign isn't so long that it's like Lost Odyssey where it has to be on multiple discs. Halo 3 was a longer and interesting game and shipped in one disc. Why should this game be any different? Disappointment.… Expand
  90. TomoH
    Oct 27, 2009
    3
    If this game didn't have HALO in the title, people wouldn't be interested. Played through about half the campaign now, and the story is about as deep as a puddle. Some of the review scores are incredible. There is no new multiplayer, only a couple new maps and a survival mode. Neither of which I'm interested in. Honestly the dialogue takes clichéd military tough guy If this game didn't have HALO in the title, people wouldn't be interested. Played through about half the campaign now, and the story is about as deep as a puddle. Some of the review scores are incredible. There is no new multiplayer, only a couple new maps and a survival mode. Neither of which I'm interested in. Honestly the dialogue takes clichéd military tough guy talk to a new level. It's retarded really. I've served and I'm telling you it's ridiculous. Artistically, it's a darker HALO 3 with a broad cast of nobodies you don't really care about because the game doesn't bother introducing them on a personal level. It's never been more obvious that Microsoft buy their review scores. Really I think this deserves a 70 or a 3 out of 5 stars. There's so little thats new and yet it is being put out there as a stand alone game. If you've played HALO 3 and are desperate for more, go ahead. But if you're looking for a decent shooter, I'd pass on this.… Expand
  91. CoreyF.
    Sep 22, 2009
    3
    I'm PISSED! I bought this game for full price and completed the campaign in under 4 hours, what the hell is that. I decided i would try the multiplayer out but was sad to discover that it was essentially the same from Halo 3. 60 dollars for this?!?! Pathetic Bungie, Pathetic.
  92. charlesc
    Sep 22, 2009
    3
    I have been a loving fan of the Halo franchise since the first game released and I enjoyed every minute of it. That is up until now. This game is utter and complete garbage and I am very dissapointed with myself for having wasted 60 dollars on this crap. I am guessing alot of the creative talent behind the first three games must have left Bungie because playing this game seems like it I have been a loving fan of the Halo franchise since the first game released and I enjoyed every minute of it. That is up until now. This game is utter and complete garbage and I am very dissapointed with myself for having wasted 60 dollars on this crap. I am guessing alot of the creative talent behind the first three games must have left Bungie because playing this game seems like it came from an entry level programmer. Even the opening screen with the backstory behind the current conflict stutters and clips, they couldn't even get that right. sad sad day for me.… Expand
  93. GaryL
    Dec 21, 2009
    3
    $60 game, 5 hours of campaign, new Gears of War rip-off multiplayer mode you can only play with your friends, and the same multiplayer you probably have because chances are if you are buying this game you already have Halo 3. This doesn't add up to a good game to me. The new campaign is barely different from other Halo games in terms of gameplay and the story seemed to be written by $60 game, 5 hours of campaign, new Gears of War rip-off multiplayer mode you can only play with your friends, and the same multiplayer you probably have because chances are if you are buying this game you already have Halo 3. This doesn't add up to a good game to me. The new campaign is barely different from other Halo games in terms of gameplay and the story seemed to be written by a 7th grader. The audio logs you can go collect around the city have the most nonsensical and embarrassing dialogue I have ever heard in a game series of this caliber. This is a bad game at a high price.… Expand
  94. AllenLord
    Jun 27, 2011
    3
    when i was in the store with my money at hand just enough for a new game i was at walmart at the time when i saw halo 3 the game i always wanted after halo 2 came out i wanted more but somthing else caught my eye halo 3 odst i immedietly bought it today i regret that descicion for poor story line and even worse gameplay it is not a good choice at all
  95. usrevenge
    Jul 11, 2013
    3
    a $20 game sold for $60

    very mediocre and short single player, not worth replaying at all. Firefight is a new mode where you basically play horde mode, but you litterally play the same waves of enemies in the same order and getting the achievements takes forever. it's mind numbing an tedious. doesn't have it's own multiplayer vs mode, just gives you halo 3 again, wow thanks I    a $20 game sold for $60

    very mediocre and short single player, not worth replaying at all.

    Firefight is a new mode where you basically play horde mode, but you litterally play the same waves of enemies in the same order and getting the achievements takes forever. it's mind numbing an tedious.

    doesn't have it's own multiplayer vs mode, just gives you halo 3 again, wow thanks I have halo 3 and it's DLC like every other fan of the series.

    I know this review is years late but people are talking about it again since halo 4 was bad and considered the worst in the series, but many forget how bad ODST was. worst in the series, WORSE than halo 4.    … Expand
  96. Pickle
    Sep 12, 2013
    3
    I never been too much of a fan of the "Halo" franchise, mainly because of it's ignoring simplicity of issues that are constantly represented in the game always, and, well, also because of the constant monotony in between the several games of the franchise itself.
    Even then i decided to jump into "Halo" with, "Halo Reach", (which i loved). But this game, could possibly be one of the worst,    I never been too much of a fan of the "Halo" franchise, mainly because of it's ignoring simplicity of issues that are constantly represented in the game always, and, well, also because of the constant monotony in between the several games of the franchise itself.
    Even then i decided to jump into "Halo" with, "Halo Reach", (which i loved). But this game, could possibly be one of the worst, most boring, dull, first person shooters out there, forget about the repetitive scenarios, that just end up being bland, and boring, forget about the awful, graphical quality of the overall game.
    No, the real problem begins with the gameplay, every single "new game mechanic", that's being add into this game doesn't work, why? Because at it's entirety it's the exact same replica of another game mechanic showed in past entries, with a re-skin.

    The entire game you go throughout the exact same scenarios, over, and over, and over again, and i'm talking about exactly the same, there is not even one difference in between them, and when there finally is, it's just another lifeless, empty, wide open area, with nothing to do more than to shoot the exact same enemy model until you finally finish the game.

    The story it's completely irrelevant, i really think that you can play throughout the game and get an even better experience while skipping such soulless, unenjoyable, dull, mediocre, cutscenes, it's that bad, aside from that the game manages to overcome all of this obstacles an give a couple of bursts of fun and enjoyment for a couple of minutes, sadly, after a while, it falls into the exact same endless cycle of monotony
    that every other aspect of this game falls down into.

    It's the worst "Halo" game in all the franchise, but it can be fun and enjoyable at times, even if it doesn't last to long, nor it's interesting, while your forcing yourself to play it.    … Expand
  97. DemKin
    Jun 27, 2015
    3
    Out of all the Halo games I've played, this one has been the worst. Couldn't play it for more than 20 minutes unfortunately. Running and gunning through uninspired areas full of ennemies not necessarily fun to fight with minimalist controls and gameplay really didn't do it for me.
  98. mescovica.
    Sep 24, 2009
    2
    Terrible, terrible game, rehashing old game play and boring level design to fans who will eat it up like it crack without any intelligent thought.
  99. donalm
    Sep 23, 2009
    2
    Expansion pack worth 20 dollars unless you dont have halo 3. this looses lots of marks for that. also no graphic improvement over last 2 years. music is decent and gets it a mark. gameplay is bland and introduces nothing new compared to halo 3 let alone gaming in general. online is halo 3 online. big disappointment.
  100. samtheham56
    Oct 27, 2010
    2
    The storyline was very short and ruined mombasa was a dissapointment. As well as that the storyline wasnt that good. If you want a better game at half the price just buy halo 3. dont buy this game
Page:

Awards & Rankings

31
#31 Best Xbox 360 Game of 2009
2
#2 Most Discussed Xbox 360 Game of 2009
12
#12 Most Shared Xbox 360 Game of 2009

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
83

Generally favorable reviews - based on 94 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 80 out of 94
  2. Mixed: 13 out of 94
  3. Negative: 1 out of 94
  1. Game Over Online
    85
    The bottom line here is that this is a nice little piece of Halo, and that anyone who has ever enjoyed Halo will probably enjoy this too. The only question is how much it is worth to you. As a full priced stand-alone game, its value is somewhat dubious.
    Read full review
  2. GamingXP
    88
    Not only an add-on! This is better than many of the main games! Next to the single player, you also get a great multiplayer mode. You just cannot do wrong if you buy this game!
    Read full review
  3. Extreme Gamer
    90
    Halo 3: ODST is an excellent add-on campaign for Halo 3, and one which all Halo fans should own.
    Read full review
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