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[EazyB]

There is nothing open-ended about ODST. ODST's gameplay in its essence is still linear. If you want an open-ended sandbox type of game play GTA.

I don't understand why Bungie continues to push this type of shit on us. A open Sandbox type of environment for Halo just doesn't work. Shit does not work.

How does it not work? In the past the more open and sandboxy the better: Halo, The Silent Cartographer being the best examples. The best campaign encounters happen on these bigger levels like AotCR, The Covenant, and The Ark. Even classics like Truth and Reconciliation are great because of its open spaces.

The Halo campaign is at its best when it's in a large sandbox/hub, on the MP front it's debatable though. The hub world in ODST seems to be only a glimmer of what I think is possible. I hope Reach uses one big environment and they put all their focus in making it the best sandbox experience it can be while pushing the linear levels aside.

 

[NullPointer]

WTF are you smoking? can I have some?

Yeah, except for everything that's very different in ODST, its the same basic game. Right?

The Halo campaign is at its best when it's in a large sandbox/hub, on the MP front it's debatable though. The hub world in ODST seems to be only a glimmer of what I think is possible. I hope Reach uses one big environment and they put all their focus in making it the best sandbox experience it can be while pushing the linear levels aside.

Agreed. And while I don't expect ODST to be anywhere near as open-world as a Crackdown or GTA, they can still pull just enough open-worldiness and scripted experiences to make it pay dividends when it comes to gameplay. Just look at Infamous, which straddles the line between linear and open world better than just about anything else out there.

 

[cresto]

WTF are you smoking? can I have some?

I'm serious. lol. I couldn't really get into halo 3. I played it a bit, loved Halo 2 but found other games more compelling. I guess a campaign and firefight is enough.

 

[Nutter]

I'm serious. lol. I couldn't really get into halo 3. I played it a bit, loved Halo 2 but found other games more compelling. I guess a campaign and firefight is enough.

What you said can be said for ever other sequel out there. So I can ask..what do people find entertaining in MGS? or hell even Bioshock.. (your avatar?) its the same gameplay right? even though it is a new campaign, you play as the big daddy.. etc... get my point?

 

[cresto]

What you said can be said for ever other sequel out there. So I can ask..what do people find entertaining in MGS? or hell even Bioshock.. (your avatar?) its the same gameplay right? even though it is a new campaign, you play as the bid daddy.. etc... get my point?

Don't get me wrong, I'm not trying to be an ass or anything, but I just don't think it brings enough to the table. It still seems like a expansion pack more than a full fledged sequel. Remember those things? They were only 20 bucks for more content which is what I see this as.

Just my opinion, don't hate, plz.

 

[EazyB]

I'm serious. lol. I couldn't really get into halo 3. I played it a bit, loved Halo 2 but found other games more compelling. I guess a campaign and firefight is enough.

The content in there seems comparable to most any other shooter but of course mileage will vary. It's definitely a Halo 3 expansion, and made for those that like that've liked existing Halo games. It blends what was great about CE with what they've learned about enemy encounters up through Halo 3. There's probably nothing in it that'll get people who don't like the franchise to change their mind but if you feel like you've gotten your fill of Halo 3, I'd say the features and gameplay changes have a good chance of making it feel fresh for you and worthwhile.

When you say you liked Halo 2 more than 3, I'm assuming you're talking about the MP and not the SP. As you probably know ODST doesn't have competitive MP so you have to judge if Halo 3 SP blended with a lil CE mechanics interests you.

Asking why everyone in the game's official thread is hyped is a pretty dumb question though. Chances are we enjoyed Halo 3 (though there are many things to we love to bitch about) so it's only natural we're excited for more of it. You may see a campaign, 4 player co-op, and firefight as a $20 value but many others see the same thing and know they'll get at least a hundred hours of playtime with it.

 

[Domino Theory]

Don't get me wrong, I'm not trying to be an ass or anything, but I just don't think it brings enough to the table. It still seems like a expansion pack more than a full fledged sequel. Remember those things? They were only 20 bucks for more content which is what I see this as.

Just my opinion, don't hate, plz.

Expansion pack would just be three extra missions that you'd access under the "Campaign" section of Halo 3's main menu. They'd show up after the mission "Halo" on the mission list and would last a total of 2hrs even on the hardest difficulty and it would offer nothing more.

That's an expansion pack.

 

[burgerdog]

Two more weeks! Damn, I need to finish Batman this week and Tales of Vesperia next week, shiiiiiiiit.

 

[Phthisis]

What are the chances of Reach's multiplayer being a class based shooter similar to TF2?

Any time I see that promo pic for Reach with all the silhouettes standing against the sky, I always am reminded of TF2.

 

[Tieno]

Probably going to get the game, haven't been following it much (haven't been gaming in general) but from what little I've read in this thread it's a Halo game I'd really like...especially Firefight which I've wanted since Halo 2 and I get more enjoyment out of such a mode than straight up multiplayer. No matchmaking stings big time since it hurt co-op in Halo 3 a lot, but at least this time it doesn't 'directly' compete with a multiplayer component which might be a good thing so I hope there's some longevity in that mode. In Gears of War 2 I mostly stuck to Horde too so I'll be playing Firefight as long as I've got friends on my friendlist able to join me.

That said I need to find a way to get Gold for cheap, what's my best bet? Will there be Halo ODST-Gold bundles?

Hope most of you haven't deleted me from your friendlist after months of inactivity

 

[cresto]

The content in there seems comparable to most any other shooter but of course mileage will vary. It's definitely a Halo 3 expansion, and made for those that like that've liked existing Halo games. It blends what was great about CE with what they've learned about enemy encounters up through Halo 3. There's probably nothing in it that'll get people who don't like the franchise to change their mind but if you feel like you've gotten your fill of Halo 3, I'd say the features and gameplay changes have a good chance of making it feel fresh for you and worthwhile.

When you say you liked Halo 2 more than 3, I'm assuming you're talking about the MP and not the SP. As you probably know ODST doesn't have competitive MP so you have to judge if Halo 3 SP blended with a lil CE mechanics interests you.

Asking why everyone in the game's official thread is hyped is a pretty dumb question though. Chances are we enjoyed Halo 3 (though there are many things to we love to bitch about) so it's only natural we're excited for more of it. You may see a campaign, 4 player co-op, and firefight as a $20 value but many others see the same thing and know they'll get at least a hundred hours of playtime with it.

Thank you that pretty much summed up all of my questions. I get what you are saying...just not my cup of tea

 

[GhaleonEB]

Don't get me wrong, I'm not trying to be an ass or anything, but I just don't think it brings enough to the table. It still seems like a expansion pack more than a full fledged sequel. Remember those things? They were only 20 bucks for more content which is what I see this as.

Just my opinion, don't hate, plz.

You're welcome to your opinion. It's valid. But some of us love campaign, and will put a huge number of hours into Firefight. I'll get 100+ hours out of this game, easy. So to me it's a no-brainer. But that's me. I love me some (Bungie-flavored) Halo.

Edit: shoulda hit refresh. Eazy said it better.

 

[cresto]

You're welcome to your opinion. It's valid. But some of us love campaign, and will put a huge number of hours into Firefight. I'll get 100+ hours out of this game, easy. So to me it's a no-brainer. But that's me. I love me some (Bungie-flavored) Halo.

Edit: shoulda hit refresh. Eazy said it better.

It's still $60?

 

[Hammer24]

Thanks for the great OP! Makes the wait even harder...

 

[Tashi]

Similar to how I don't expect them to introduce saved films in Halo 3 and then cut it in Reach, or Firefight in ODST, I'm expecting the features to stack and the design to continue to evolve.

This and more is expected of Reach though. We don't expect it (maybe we should) from other developers but I'm pretty sure we'll all expect it from Reach and Bungie going forward.

About the level structure though. I don't necessarily see open ended game design as an evolution of linear game structure. To me, they're just different styles. It's the execution that makes the difference or in some cases, the illusion of open ended structure. We'll see how ODST turns out though. I'm pretty excited to see Halo campaigns taken in a new direction.

 

[EazyB]

It's still $60?

Yup, do you expect MS to release a fall Halo title at anything less? The game doesn't have the same amazing value as previous Bungie titles but that said it still holds up against most other games. If you're that hesitant, hold off until it's cheaper (and hope you don't miss out on the Reach beta if that interests you) or rent it.

 

[KevinRo]

How does it not work? In the past the more open and sandboxy the better: Halo, The Silent Cartographer being the best examples. The best campaign encounters happen on these bigger levels like AotCR, The Covenant, and The Ark. Even classics like Truth and Reconciliation are great because of its open spaces.

The Halo campaign is at its best when it's in a large sandbox/hub, on the MP front it's debatable though. The hub world in ODST seems to be only a glimmer of what I think is possible. I hope Reach uses one big environment and they put all their focus in making it the best sandbox experience it can be while pushing the linear levels aside.

You do realize nothing about ODST is an open sandbox? If want to see perfect examples play WoW or GTA to some extent. A true sandbox should give the player an immense amount of freedom and choices. NOTHING which ODST does.

You're talking about sandbox as in size, what you should be looking at is the choices the player is given. That is what a true sandbox game is.

 

[Nutter]

You do realize nothing about ODST is an open sandbox? If want to see perfect examples play WoW or GTA to some extent. A true sandbox should give the player an immense amount of freedom and choices. NOTHING which ODST does.

You're talking about sandbox as in size, what you should be looking at is the choices the player is given. That is what a true sandbox game is.

Oh kevin, looks like you played ODST and now have come back from the future to tell us how bland it is.

honestly play the game. The game is much more open ended than all the previous Halo;s combined.

 

[Tashi]

You do realize nothing about ODST is an open sandbox? If want to see perfect examples play WoW or GTA to some extent. A true sandbox should give the player an immense amount of freedom and choices. NOTHING which ODST does.

You're talking about sandbox as in size, what you should be looking at is the choices the player is given. That is what a true sandbox game is.

I was led to believe that in ODST, you're the Rookie at night in New Mombasa. You explore this city for clues about your ODST buds. The order in which you find these clues to play as the different ODSTs in flashbacks is completely up to the player. Am I getting this right? To me that's open sandbox. It might not be as open GTA but the way the player goes though the game is entirely up to the player. Did I fuck this up anywhere?

 

[Domino Theory]

I was led to believe that in ODST, you're the Rookie at night in New Mombasa. You explore this city for clues about your ODST buds. The order in which you find these clues to play as the different ODSTs in flashbacks is completely up to the player. Am I getting this right? To me that's open sandbox. It might not be as open GTA but the way the player goes though the game is entirely up to the player. Did I fuck this up anywhere?

Nope, but that is the most linear paragraph I'VE EVAR RED!~!!!~! THERE'S NO CHOICES FOR THE PLAYER IN THAT QUOTE, NOTHING.

 

[MirageDwarf]

Yup, do you expect MS to release a fall Halo title at anything less? The game doesn't have the same amazing value as previous Bungie titles but that said it still holds up against most other games. If you're that hesitant, hold off until it's cheaper (and hope you don't miss out on the Reach beta if that interests you) or rent it.

Is Halo: Reach beta limited? I bought Crackdown really cheap just before Halo 3 beta and was able to play it. I'm gonna do same thing again as I'm sure Amazon or other websites will have special deal around beta time.

 

[Nutter]

I was led to believe that in ODST, you're the Rookie at night in New Mombasa. You explore this city for clues about your ODST buds. The order in which you find these clues to play as the different ODSTs in flashbacks is completely up to the player. Am I getting this right? To me that's open sandbox. It might not be as open GTA but the way the player goes though the game is entirely up to the player. Did I fuck this up anywhere?

Dude, that is full of lies.....

Spoiler

lies and more lies... = truth

 

[EazyB]

Is Halo: Reach beta limited? I bought Crackdown really cheap just before Halo 3 beta and was able to play it. I'm gonna do same thing again as I'm sure Amazon or other websites will have special deal around beta time.

I doubt it's limited. I was just saying that ODST's price may not drop until after the Reach beta is over.

You do realize nothing about ODST is an open sandbox? If want to see perfect examples play WoW or GTA to some extent. A true sandbox should give the player an immense amount of freedom and choices. NOTHING which ODST does.

You're talking about sandbox as in size, what you should be looking at is the choices the player is given. That is what a true sandbox game is.

I was ignoring your previous contradiction but you've managed to persuade me now.

Ok, first you say there's nothing open-ended about ODST:

There is nothing open-ended about ODST. ODST's gameplay in its essence is still linear. If you want an open-ended sandbox type of game play GTA.

And then you throw hate at Bungie for pushing open-endedness:

I don't understand why Bungie continues to push this type of shit on us. A open Sandbox type of environment for Halo just doesn't work. Shit does not work.

Take your pills dude.

And there is a big difference between being "a perfect sandbox" and evolving the Halo formula to continue focusing on non-linear environments. If "there is nothing open-ended about ODST" than what's CoD's campaigns? Of course it isn't GTA let alone a MMO with a persistent world nor does it have to be to take advantage of non-linear environments. Once the hub opens up you, the player, gets to decide which missions to take, in which order, and how to get to each mission. It's more open-ended than Halo's ever been.

 

[Tashi]

I was also just thinking. What if it is sort of an illusion? I'm sure, that we will be able to pick which clues in the hub city we want to find first, or whatever we stumble upon. But I'm hoping and expecting that there will be more to do in New Mombasa as the Rookie. So, you're walking around as the Rookie, shitting on some Brutes when you find a clue. That takes you to a flash back where you get some story and then play a mission as a missing ODST. I'm assuming that these missions as the ODST's will be similar to a mission that we've seen in past Halo games. I'm talking in terms of structure. Go here, do this, do that, drive here, arm this bomb. And that's all good. That's the Halo we all love. Awesome fun. Is that how it's going to be or am I wrong to assume that? Then it makes me think, how much of ODST the game is that and how much is exploring as the Rookie? I know there was some info about this when it was demoed at E3 but I just don't remember. Info, as to how long it takes to get to the clues. I'm excited but I hope New Mombasa isn't smoke and mirrors.(edit: seemingly open, but still sorta funnels you down certain places) Again, I haven't been really following the campaign all that much mostly because I just really wanna play Midship so this could all be old news lol.

 

[Nutter]

I was also just thinking. What if it is sort of an illusion? I'm sure, that we will be able to pick which clues in the hub city we want to find first, or whatever we stumble upon. But I'm hoping and expecting that there will be more to do in New Mombasa as the Rookie. So, you're walking around as the Rookie, shitting on some Brutes when you find a clue. That takes you to a flash back where you get some story and then play a mission as a missing ODST. I'm assuming that these missions as the ODST's will be similar to a mission that we've seen in past Halo games. I'm talking in terms of structure. Go here, do this, do that, drive here, arm this bomb. And that's all good. That's the Halo we all love. Awesome fun. Is that how it's going to be or am I wrong to assume that? Then it makes me think, how much of ODST the game is that and how much is exploring as the Rookie? I know there was some info about this when it was demoed at E3 but I just don't remember. Info, as to how long it takes to get to the clues. I'm excited but I hope New Mombasa isn't smoke and mirrors.(edit: seemingly open, but still sorta funnels you down certain places) Again, I haven't been really following the campaign all that much mostly because I just really wanna play Midship so this could all be old news lol.

Rest assured, they give you the city to explore, and you decide what missions you want to do. However they also have the helping hand in terms of what you could do. (the nav)

Also that brings me the next point. Skirmishes with the Covenant in the city are totally up the player (at night) day time, the missions have a pretty clear goal. (usually meaning to clear a certain area, get to point a or b.) but overall I think many people will be pleasantly surprised at how they give you the player the choice to do whatever you want.

 

[Sai-kun]

I was also just thinking. What if it is sort of an illusion? I'm sure, that we will be able to pick which clues in the hub city we want to find first, or whatever we stumble upon. But I'm hoping and expecting that there will be more to do in New Mombasa as the Rookie. So, you're walking around as the Rookie, shitting on some Brutes when you find a clue. That takes you to a flash back where you get some story and then play a mission as a missing ODST. I'm assuming that these missions as the ODST's will be similar to a mission that we've seen in past Halo games. I'm talking in terms of structure. Go here, do this, do that, drive here, arm this bomb. And that's all good. That's the Halo we all love. Awesome fun. Is that how it's going to be or am I wrong to assume that? Then it makes me think, how much of ODST the game is that and how much is exploring as the Rookie? I know there was some info about this when it was demoed at E3 but I just don't remember. Info, as to how long it takes to get to the clues. I'm excited but I hope New Mombasa isn't smoke and mirrors.(edit: seemingly open, but still sorta funnels you down certain places) Again, I haven't been really following the campaign all that much mostly because I just really wanna play Midship so this could all be old news lol.

I think the first few missions you do are sorta funneled, but then you're free to do whichever missions you want in whatever order.

 

[Neverender]

Rest assured, they give you the city to explore, and you decide what missions you want to do. However they also have the helping hand in terms of what you could do. (the nav)

Also that brings me the next point. Skirmishes with the Covenant in the city are totally up the player (at night) day time, the missions have a pretty clear goal. (usually meaning to clear a certain area, get to point a or b.) but overall I think many people will be pleasantly surprised at how they give you the player the choice to do whatever you want.

dude your avatar is stretched over the size limit, just sayin'

 

[The Librarian]

Well, there are plenty of great maps in H3 (and I haven't even played any of the DLC ones) so I hate to bitch about a couple that are missing.

Just a shame as I'm pretty unlikely go to back to H2 multiplayer at this point and really was fond of some of those maps.

Blood Gulch never making an appearance is pretty stupid though. The rest are just personal favorites of mine.. but Blood Gulch is *the* map that made Halo MP a big hit. I used to play Halo 1 online using that PC hack JUST to play CTF on Blood Gulch.. Coagulation was a great remake of it as well.. not putting it in here in some way just seems stupid.

Edit: Turf will be missed as well.

So, Halo 3 players.. I've been really getting back into the multiplayer the last few days (I really miss it, and can't believe i never got into H3 the way I did H2)..

Did we ever get proper remakes of Ascension, Blood Gulch/Coagulation or Ivory Tower?

Those are by far my 3 favorite maps that are "missing" from Halo 3.. and I know these last 3 maps are the last ones we are getting for Halo 3.

Valhalla is the spiritual successor of Blood Gulch/Coagulation, and by far the best version. Hell, it's one of the best Halo maps Bungie has ever done.

 

[Kuroyume]

Valhalla is to Coagulation what Blackout is to Lockout. Btw, a link to the extended ad would be good.

 

[Thermite]

Valhalla is the "proper remake" of Blood Gulch/Coagulation, and by far the best version.

Vahalla is more like a distant cousin, than a "proper remake". Blood Gulch will always have a special place in my heart (first Halo multiplayer map I ever played) and I would have loved to see a remake of it in Halo 3. Aw well, hopefully it'll be in Reach.

 

[The Librarian]

Vahalla is more like a distant cousin, than a "proper remake". Blood Gulch will always have a special place in my heart (first Halo multiplayer map I ever played) and I would have loved to see a remake of it in Halo 3. Aw well, hopefully it'll be in Reach.

I made an edit to my post. Should've said "spiritual successor" rather than a "proper remake." But, yeah, if Reach turns out to be a Battlefield-type Halo, who knows, we could see a bigger version of Blood Gulch in Reach.

 

[EazyB]

Valhalla is to Coagulation what Blackout is to Lockout. Btw, a link to the extended ad would be good.

Coagulation doesn't hold a candle to Valhalla. I'm all for nostalgia but some things just make people sound stupid. That said Valhalla is no more a spiritual successor to Blood Gulch than The Pit is to Sanctuary. Sure they both fill similar, outdoor semi-semitrical BTB, spots but nothing like Avalanche is to Sidewinder. A spiritual successor to Coagulation would have much less interesting terrain, be ridiculously wide open, and take 5 years to trek across.

 

[Shake Appeal]

Valhalla is the apotheosis of "big map, two bases".

 

[Striker]

Valhalla would be better if it wasn't for the Spartan Laser.

Coagulation would've been better with adjusted spawns. Was awfully easy to kill people spawning fifty yards from the base with a Sniper, Gauss 'Hog, or a Wraith.

 

[Tashi]

Coagulation doesn't hold a candle to Valhalla. I'm all for nostalgia but some things just make people sound stupid. That said Valhalla is no more a spiritual successor to Blood Gulch than The Pit is to Sanctuary. Sure they both fill similar, outdoor semi-semitrical BTB, spots but nothing like Avalanche is to Sidewinder. A spiritual successor to Coagulation would have much less interesting terrain, be ridiculously wide open, and take 5 years to trek across.

...with SMG starts

Valhalla is much more tolerable than Coagulation.

 

[The Librarian]

Valhalla is the apotheosis of "big map, two bases".

Definitely. If I had to choose my all-time favorite Halo series map, it would probably be Valhalla.

And Valhalla is a map with two bases facing each other in a box canyon. That's enough for a spiritual successor in my eyes.

 

[neoism]

Let me make it clear that I'm assuming that the multiplayer mode for Reach will be the similar to or the same as previous Halo games' MP; I have no real information. Why do I think that? Well, I think Bungie wouldn't undertake something as huge as making a different type of FPS for their last Halo hurrah. A refined Halo 3.5 is most likely what they're going for. They can address Halo 3's faults, please lore fans with an Elite and Spartan packed campaign, and add new features that will give yet another Halo game tremendous longevity. The fact that the CVG story posted a page or two back mentions that playlist support for Halo 3 will only last for at least another year is very telling. Reach will be the new king until 343 or Bungie dethrones it in 2013.

Yes, I agree with this, everyone will be dieing for Halo 4 if they make it for the next Xbox. I myself, wouldn't mind Reach to be the it game for a few years. It will definitely make be want the new system!

 

[Striker]

...with SMG starts

Valhalla is much more tolerable than Coagulation.

Ranked BTB had BR starts. Heck, in Halo 3, you can still have non-BR starts in huge maps.

Valhalla is a good map, and I just played in it in Squad Battle. But it lately seems like a "sit at this spot, and wait for x person to walk here", and just isn't as fun, I guess. Avalanche is my favorite BTB map on Halo 3, despite the middle being fairly awful.

Last Resort! And why is the open box still in the base. A team can easily place it over the flag/bomb thus making the gametype not fun there.

 

[Neverender]

Last Resort! And why is the open box still in the base. A team can easily place it over the flag/bomb thus making the gametype not fun there.

It's being addressed in the October match making update, be patient.

 

[big ander]

Well, I'm glad I didn't stay up waiting for a ViDoc that wouldn't come.

 

[Sai]

It's being addressed in the October match making update, be patient.

They're getting rid of it? It's my quick route to the SPLaser, and some early Warthog/Ghost kills.

Thanks again to Easy, VH, and Dax for the quick Campaign run. If any of you guys have time before or after Customs this weekend, we should try some others as kind of a warm-up for ODST.

 

[squidhands]

Wow, less than a day old and 440+ posts already. Awesome OP, Ghaleon and m0dus. One of the most informative posts I've ever read.

Yep. Once you go Grunt Birthday Party, you don't go back IMHBYD is also hilarious - I cracked up when I heard the Arbiter say "welcome to the social" as we were ravaging through a squad of grunts and confetti.

My favorite is when he says, "You shot me, fool!"

I'm feeling that special sensation like when H3 was about to drop. Playing a little bit of Firefight really pushed the hype-level over the top for me. I've done pretty well at missing the big spoilers (knock wood) so far.

Edit 2: Grammer, my eternal enemy.

Quote of the year, right here folks.

 

[xxjuicesxx]

The ODST campaign IS an expansion pack for H3. Thats why its called Halo 3: ODST. You are getting a campaign that IS in fact shorter than H3's (Sure you can fool around and look at every crevice, but you could also do that in H3). You are also going to be playing through a less linear story with an open world hub, this adds time to the tally but does it add gameplay or does it get repetitive walking around, we have yet to see. I've even seen some repetitive parts that add time into the game. Its still an expansion. I've seen the entire thing and its good, some parts of the story are cheesy as fuck, but its a fun campaign.

The guy can post hes not excited but its pretty much bordering troll status at this point (early pages of the thread + game not even out yet) still as right in the OP everything you get is right there. Read it, if you don't like it STFU and get out. Just like you don't go into computer threads and troll console shit and vice-versa. In return if more people come in here saying things like that, just tell them they can read the OP in thread for what they are getting and if they decide not to get it, that is their choice.

The game would have been a below normal cost, but Bungie threw a goody grab bag of extra shit that everyone gets that makes the normal cost worth it. If you don't see it then you probably aren't meant to get ODST.

You get:

3 new maps, traditionally thats like 12 dollars of mspoints
all the dlc (thats like even more dollars!)
beta reach experience when ready (probably fucking priceless)
the actual expansion
Horde+ (aka firefight)
and a box with a y2k manual that is completely below the standards of what we were getting five-ten years ago with games and that is only mildly fun to rifle through once.

 

[KevinRo]

I doubt it's limited. I was just saying that ODST's price may not drop until after the Reach beta is over.


I was ignoring your previous contradiction but you've managed to persuade me now.

Ok, first you say there's nothing open-ended about ODST:

And then you throw hate at Bungie for pushing open-endedness:
Take your pills dude.

And there is a big difference between being "a perfect sandbox" and evolving the Halo formula to continue focusing on non-linear environments. If "there is nothing open-ended about ODST" than what's CoD's campaigns? Of course it isn't GTA let alone a MMO with a persistent world nor does it have to be to take advantage of non-linear environments. Once the hub opens up you, the player, gets to decide which missions to take, in which order, and how to get to each mission. It's more open-ended than Halo's ever been.

Dude, you just dissected two of my posts and put them in different order all the while mis-interpreting what they actually mean. I'm pissed at Bungie for attempting to create a open-sandbox type game. Their attempt fails hard.

If you watched the E3 vid they even admitted that just dropping the Rookie inside NM and letting him roam free was too confusing and too hard to create. They added the super-attendant and marker helpers to help curb their failure to create this open-ended world. Don't fool yourselves into thinking this is an open-sandbox game. Events are triggered that are meant to propel you into another pre-determined section of the game. There is only one event for each intended action or plot adjustment.

You guys are looking at the physical size of the level within the game. Size, as your girlfriends have professed to you night after night after you cry about your physical short-comings, has no bearing on whether or not the game is a true open-sandbox environment.

 

[Louis Wu]

You guys are looking at the physical size of the level within the game. Size, as your girlfriends have professed to you night after night after you cry about your physical short-comings, has no bearing on whether or not the game is a true open-sandbox environment.

Gotta agree with KR here, to some extent. While it seems clear to me that the ODST campaign is far more flexible than previous Halo campaigns, it's not an open sandbox. You still need to do particular things to open new sections - and each section has a single trigger.

Yes, you can do the sections in any order you choose - after the first one, of course - but that doesn't make it an 'open sandbox', it simply means the linear segments can be rearranged.

That said: it's not a rail shooter - or even a set of half a dozen small rail shooters. Every run-through (even of the same segments) will be different, or so they've said. None of this memorizing where the jackal snipers are so that you can nail 'em next time...

 

[Sai]

But as you finish up with these "flashbacks" the hub world is free for you to explore, right? Take out Covenant patrols, hop on vehicles, and so on?

 

[-PXG-]

Can't wait for this

 

[Neverender]

You guys are looking at the physical size of the level within the game. Size, as your girlfriends have professed to you night after night after you cry about your physical short-comings, has no bearing on whether or not the game is a true open-sandbox environment.

I always feel better when my girlfriend tells me that my sandbox is open-world.

 

[user_nat]

Apparently someone found one of the videos in my share, thought it was funny and put it on youtube.

Pretty cool.

 

[ToyMachine228]

I really don't understand anyone complaining about the $60 price tag. There are games shorter than 8-hours that sell for $60. With ODST, you're getting an 8-hour campaign, an addictive new co-op mode, 6 new Halo 3 maps and eventually the Halo: Reach beta. This isn't an expansion. The campaign is a full fledged new campaign.