 01-08-2009, 6:50 AM
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Welcome to another FAQ in the line of Cyclone FAQs. This time we are taking a look at Halo 3: ODST by Bungie. Yes this one is a bit short, but I wanted to stop the questions that had been continuously coming up. I will try to keep the FAQ updated when new news and information comes out, if you see something I missed post it below and I’ll try to get it added.
1. What is Halo 3: ODST?
Halo 3: ODST is an extension to the Halo campaign story. ODST was named "Recon" for a while after TGS but Bungie announced a change late 2008.
2. Who is developing ODST?
ODST, as with Halo 3, is being developed by Bungie Studios.
3. When is ODST coming out?
September 22nd 2009.
4. What kind of game is ODST and are there any gameplay changes?
It is a first person shooter using the same mechanics and engine as Halo 3. Since you are an ODST you will lose Master Chief's abilities (dual wielding, radar, etc). You will receive a GPS to track waypoints and keep track of objectives. Also you will have a new visual mode that will help you pick out enemies and allies which can be seen in the trailer linked below.
5. What does ODST stand for and what do they do?
Orbital Drop Shock Trooper. According to HaloPedia ODSTs are dropped in to complete missions that require some stealth or into areas that normal forces cannot reach.
(Via Bungie)
ODSTs are used in these types of missions:
• Deep Ground Surveillance (or Long Range Reconnaissance)
• Direct Action
• Unconventional Warfare
• Counter-Terrorism Operations
• Counter-Contraband Operations
• Personnel and Special Equipment Recovery/Capture
According to Halo lore the ODST originate from 20 and 21st century paratroopers who parachuted behind enemy lines. 2163 was the first time troops were dropped from orbit during the Martian Campaign.
The ODST drop in Human Entry Vehicles (HEV). The HEV is risky to the soldiers as marines can die from either intense heat on re-entry or heavy G forces.
“Every ODST is a veteran from some other Special Operations outfit. Therefore they have already gone through at least two layers of screening and months of intense training—not counting the years of on-the-job-training—before volunteering for the ODSTs.
The number of combat teams can vary from company to company but it usually consists of six to eight—with each combat team specializing in a particular mission-set. A combat team consists of 10 to fourteen operators, each of whom has a specific function on the team. While each combat team is meant to excel in their assigned mission-set, they are expected to be flexible enough to adapt to any given situation.”
6. What will the story for ODST entail?
The ODST story will follow the events that took place on the defense of Earth during the events of Halo 2. While the Chief and other main characters were away on what is called “Delta Halo” the ODST were in charge of protecting New Mombasa.
Bungie’s Brain Jarrard says (Via Team Xbox):
“The giant explosion you see at the beginning of the trailer you see is actually an event that took place in Halo 2. It’s when Regret took off for what you later discover is Delta Halo and you’re introduced to the ODST there. The ODST’s back on Earth are a different that the ones you’re introduced to (in Halo 2) and while the Master Chief is fighting Regret on Delta Halo, you’re going to be in New Mombasa, fighting the Covenant occupying the city there.”
There is still not much know as to what you will actually be doing throughout the game, but it is known that you will play as a rookie traveling around a open world environment looking for your fallen squad mates. You will come across items (such as a sniper rifle hanging on a pole) and will have a flashback where you will play as that squad mate through various situations for about 30 minutes.
In Bungie's Weekly Update on 1/23/09 it was confirmed that you will not fight Elites in ODST. What follows is the reasoning for this from Bungie:
"In the wake of Regret's shameful retreat from New Mombasa, the Prophet of Truth continued his maneuvering - one eye always on his ultimate goal: his rightful and holy ascension. For Truth, his own personal passage was paramount. His Godhood would not be denied. Everything else was secondary.
And though Truth's duplicitous scheming doesn't come to full fruition until the Elite Honor Guard's failure to protect the Prophet of Regret affords him with the final leverage needed to appoint the Brutes to the lofty position, his plans were never made in haste. They were well laid. When the time came to return his attention to Earth, his expendable regiments needed to be led by Jiralhanae, not Sangheili.
Leaving the Elites to scour Earth in search of a Holy Forerunner relic, and ultimately to uncover the most precious and sacrosanct Forerunner artifact in existence - the very portal that opened upon the Ark itself - would have placed all Truth's aspirations upon the shoulders of a species he had already decided to cast aside, a species splintered by heresy and derision, even amongst their own ranks.
Truth's divisive mandate had been set in motion. The Elites had exhausted their usefulness to him, they would not be allowed to meddle in his affairs any longer, and he would not place his rightful transcendence into the hands of incompetents. His word was law.
So the Prophet of Truth deploys Brutes. And the Brutes were eager to prove that their loyalty and battle prowess had earned them a seat at the side of the Hierarchs, as the honored protectors of the sacred Covenant. Such blind faith and eagerness marked them as near perfect pawns for Truth to sacrifice."
Characters: (via Halopedia)
United Nations Space Command
MEET THE SQUAD (Via Bungie.net)
BUCK
Full name: BUCK, Edward
Blood type: O-
Height: 188cm
Weight: 89kg
Rating: Gunnery Sergeant (GySgt/E7)
Unit: [classified]
Service number: 92458-37017-EB
Enlistment date: 12/05/2528
Location: Karnak, Lombard, Draco III
Born: New Albany, Lombard, Draco III
Gender: M
Citizen: Draconian
Age: 42 –(b. 08/22/2510)
Occupation: Student
Eddie Buck is a career Marine that has seen more than his fair share of this war. He has had the dubious honor of participating in many of the wars’ most vicious battles; including both the liberation of Harvest and the fall of Reach. That he has survived through it all speaks volumes. Truly, if he was any better he’d be a Spartan.
DUTCH
Full name: MILES, Taylor H.
Blood type: B+
Height: 190cm
Weight: 91kg
Rating: Corporal (Cpl/E4)
Unit: [classified]
Service number: 21175-12121-TM
Enlistment date: 09/09/2540
Location: Paris Island, New Paris, Mars
Born: Losantiville, Seven Hills, Mars
Gender: M
Citizen: Martian
Age: 33 –(b. 06/03/2519)
Occupation: Road train driver
Dutch’s former life as a road-train driver on Mars did well to prepare him for the arduous tasks of a heavy weapons specialist and driver in the ODSTs. Behind the death’s head rictus, jolly roger, and layer upon layer of black and gray armor is a man of deep spiritual convictions and respect for those he serves alongside.
ROMEO
Full name: AGU, Kojo
Blood type: AB-
Height: 190cm
Weight: 91kg
Rating: Lance Corporal (LCpl/E3)
Unit: [classified]
Service number: 14606-85099-KA
Enlistment date: 03/12/2541 (MM)
Location: Castra arcology, Castra, Madrigal
Born: Castra arcology, Castra, Madrigal
Gender: M
Citizen: Madrigali
Age: 28 –(b. 06/12/2524)
Occupation: Merchant Marine
Romeo sees his true vocation as a ladies’ man. But just because he’s a lover doesn’t mean he can’t be a fighter—and a damned fine one at that. He keeps his gear clean, his suit looking sharp, and his body lean and strong. He may not be a shining example of the UNSC off the battlefield, but on it he is a consummate combatant.
MICKEY
Full name: CRESPO, Michael
Blood type: A-
Height: 184cm
Weight: 85kg
Rating: Private First Class (PFC/E2)
Unit: [classified]
Service number: 51033-15973-MC
Enlistment date: 06/04/2548
Location: Crisium City, Naniwa, Luna
Born: Crisium City, Naniwa, Luna
Gender: M
Citizen: Lunar
Age: 22 –(b. 10/20/2530)
Occupation: Student
Mickey LOVES being an ODST. More than he did being a pilot. More than he did being a crew chief on a Pelican gunship. He is no stranger to battle and has a fair number of notches in his belt, but he is unique amongst his ODST brothers in that he has never seen absolute ruination visited upon a human colony-world by the Covenant.
DARE
Full name: [classified]
Blood type: [classified]
Height: [classified]
Weight: [classified]
Rating: [classified]
Unit: [classified]
Service number: [classified]
Enlistment date: [classified]
Location: [classified]
Born: [classified]
Gender: F
Citizen: [classified]
Age: [classified]
Occupation: [classified]
The ROOKIE
Full name: [classified]
Blood type: O+
Height: 186cm
Weight: 88kg
Rating: Lance Corporal (LCpl/E3)
Unit: [classified]
Service number: 11282-31220-JD
Enlistment date: 07/07/2547
Location: Crisium City, Naniwa, Luna
Born: Crisium City, Naniwa, Luna
Gender: M
Citizen: Lunar
Age: [classified]
Occupation: Student
This Marine was recently transferred from the 26th MEF, part of a Rapid Offensive Picket that suffered near-annihilation at New Jerusalem, Cygnus. Like most ODSTs, his actions speak louder than words.
7. How long is the ODST campaign and how much will it cost?
7-10 hours, and
ODST is $60, reasons:
*New horde-type mode
*3 new maps
*All Halo 3 maps included on disc
Special Edition $99, comes with:
ODST Controller (linky)
8. Is there a multiplayer aspect to ODST?
4 player online co-op will still be available like the Halo 3 has now. As for online multiplayer, it will be the same as Halo 3. The multiplayer gamers will access through the ODST disc will connect them to those using the Halo 3 disc. Forge, saved films, and screenshots will make a return as well. ODST will also feature a horde-type mode called Firefight which will allow 4 players to try and survive a covenant onslaught.
Firefight Mode
Explained by Bungie: Linky
The short version:
Firefight mode is to Halo 3 ODST as Horde is to Gears of War 2, yet different. When you jump into Firefight mode you are put into the conventional lobby that you know an love from Halo 3. From there you can pick characters, difficulty (easy, normal, heroic, legendary), any skulls you want to activate, and which level you want to play (you unlock more levels as you progress through the story of ODST). In Firefight there is no cap to the time or number of waves, so once you "drop in" you are there until you die. As time goes by and you continue to survive the mode ads skulls to make the mission harder and harder and offer unique challenges. The longer you survive the more medals and achievements you rack up. The enemies and rounds are dynamic, so no planning who you fight in which round. Once each round ends (round composed of 5 waves) you get time to regroup and ammo-up before the next round begins as well. With infinite rounds you will get to test your (and your squad's) Halo skill, good luck.
9. What is up with the Mythic map pack and ODST?
The Mythic Map pack will be two separate packs of 3 maps each. The first will be available with the purchase of the Halo Wars special edition in March. The second pack of three will be available with ODST. Bungie has stated that the Mythic Map pack won't be on the Marketplace the same day as Halo Wars CE, so the CE will be the only place you can get the maps for a while.
Bungie has clarified that all 6 of the Mythic maps will be included on the ODST disc if you don't decide to get them earlier. In fact all 24 Halo 3 maps will be included.
"Just some minor housekeeping this week. We wanted to address an oft-asked, but pertinent question about the Halo 3 Multiplayer content that will ship with Halo 3: ODST this Fall. All twenty-four Halo 3 Multiplayer maps will be in the box. All shipping maps: The Heroic Map Pack, The Legendary Map Pack, Cold Storage, The Mythic Map Pack, and three brand new exclusive maps are included."
Longshore Gameplay
Heretic Gameplay
Citadel Gameplay
Gamescom '09 Opening Cinematic & Walkthrough
Part 1 - Opening Cinematic
Part 2 - Gameplay
10. Where can I find videos and images of ODST?
Bungie.net – Projects - ODST
Bungie.net – ODST Concept Art
Halo 3: ODST TGS 2008 Trailer
Vidoc #1: "Desperate Measures"
Xbox Online Marketplace Link
Bungie.net Downloads
Vidoc #2: "Bip. Bap. Bam."
Bungie.net Downloads
Xbox Online Marketplace Link
Vidoc #3: "Terra Incognita"
Bungie.net Downloads
Xbox Online Marketplace Link
11. Where can I find more stories about ODST?
Xbox.com ODST Page
IGN Halo 3 ODST Page
TeamXbox ODST Page
GameSpot ODST Page
12. Is it true that I will be able to get Recon armor in ODST?
Yes, once ODST launches if you get the vidmaster set of achievements you will unlock Recon armor for Halo 3 and ODST multiplayer.
Sources:
Bungie.net
Halopedia
GPU-NewsDC-Twitter
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