GameInformer

Although the anticipation for this game is relatively lukewarm compared to Halo 2, and the mountain dew supported Halo 3 (Jesus.....), Halo 3 ODST could very well be the best game in the series, while bringing series back to it's roots, but barely pushes any boundaries forward. But being an expansion, thats an unnoticeable strike for any halo fan willing to get back in with its great campaign, coop modes, and multiplayer bundle (unless you bought the map packs, in which case your screwed). As an ODST (I'm not explaining what that is, you should know by now), the quest to find your missing comrades and discovering you mission, has with it some of the best atmosphere since halo 1, as there's a constant sense of lonelyness, as you need to navigate your way through the city. The game also has some throwbacks to halo in the form of health packs that are in moderate supply should you lose your imaginary shields (not explained), and lose health, as well as the magnums scope function, allowing you to one shot grunts aplenty once more. For most people into just the action, your screwed , as you will get bored wandering the city shooting the occasional squad or hunter before long, though you do get access to mongooses, or the ability to jack a ghost, this would have helped earlier in the game. That said, the missions you get to are wonderfully presented and full of variety, New Mombassa has some of the best level design (if somewhat basic) in the series, though the marines still suck, with occasional terrible animations (not fallout bad, but close). The cutscenes...... well huge chin, enough said. And I havent even gotten into the multiplayer yet. For Halo 3, it's the same as Halo 3,  same modes and maps, just three exclusive maps included. Firefight, is a mode many games have been using lately again (Gears 2, Call of Duty WW, COH Tales of Valor, so on) and it's done very well, with players battling waves of ever tougher covenant, with skulls that turn on after each round. But it is not short and quick to jump into, you will be spending hours on this mode, so make sure you have some time reserved and some friends to be playing with. ODST is a fantastic game in every aspect, but an easier way to sum this reader review up, an obvious way, that makes all these game editorial sites pointless is this: if you love halo, buy it, if you dont, dont, this is probably the only game you need for the rest of the year, but it wont convince any halo haters. >>)