Editing Halo 3: ODST

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{{Ratings}}

{{Game Info Box

|name='''''Halo 3: ODST'''''

|image=Halo 3 ODST Cover.png

|imageSize=250

|Developer=[[Bungie|Bungie, LLC.]]

|Publisher=[[Microsoft Game Studios]]

|Genre=[[First-person shooter]]      

|US Date Released=September 22nd, 2009

|UK Date Released=September 22nd, 2009

|Game modes=[[Campaign]] and [[Multiplayer]]

|ESRB=Mature (M) <ref>''Game Informer: December 2008'', page 7</ref>

|Platform=[[Xbox 360]]  

|Media=DVD

|Website=[http://www.bungie.net/Projects/ODST/default.aspx '''Bungie.net''': ''Halo 3: ODST Project Page'']

'''''Halo 3: ODST''''' (formerly known as '''''Halo 3: Recon''''') is a first-person shooter video game developed by [[Bungie]] for the [[Xbox 360]]. ODST was released worldwide on September 22nd, 2009, at 12:00 midnight. <ref name="[[Halo 3: ODST - E3 2009 Gameplay Trailer|''Halo 3: ODST'' - E3 2009 Gameplay Trailer]]">[[Halo 3: ODST - E3 2009 Gameplay Trailer|''Halo 3: ODST'' - E3 2009 Gameplay Trailer]]</ref>

Taking place in the [[Kenya]]n port city of [[New Mombasa]], ''ODST'' follows a [[Dare's Shock Trooper Squad|squad]] of elite [[UNSC Marine Corps|Marine]] [[Orbital Drop Shock Troopers]] during the [[Battle of Earth|Covenant invasion of Earth]] on [[2552#October|October 20th, 2552]]. Knocked off course due to the [[Battle of Mombasa|Mombasa Slipspace Incident]], these five Marines lead by an ONI officer fight through the waste-filled, destroyed streets in order to link up with each other, evade the Covenant, and execute a top secret mission.

''ODST'' is a prologue to ''[[Halo 3]]'' which fills in the details of what happened in southeastern Kenya from ''[[Halo 2]]'' to ''[[Halo 3]]'' <ref>[http://features.teamxbox.com/xbox/2317/Halo-3-Recon-Bungie-Speaks/p1 Team Xbox Interview]</ref>. An official five-part prequel comic, ''[[Halo: Helljumper|Helljumper]]'', was released in the months leading up to and after the release of ''ODST'', starting in [[Halo: Helljumper Issue 1|July]] <ref>[http://www.marvel.com/catalog/HALO~colon~_HELLJUMPER.2009.1 Marvel.com Catalog - ''Halo: Helljumper'' #1]</ref>, and ending in [[Halo: Helljumper Issue 5|November]] <ref>[http://marvel.com/catalog/HALO~colon~_HELLJUMPER.2009.5 Marvel.com Catalog - ''Halo: Helljumper'' #5]</ref>. An Xbox Live invitation to the Multiplayer Beta of ''[[Halo: Reach]]'' <ref>[http://www.bungie.net/projects/odst/features.aspx#beta Bungie.net : Invitation to the ''Halo: Reach'' Beta]</ref>, announced at E3 2009, is included with ''ODST'', and will become available May 3, 2010.

On release, ''ODST'' became the top-selling Xbox 360 game worldwide. The title received generally positive reviews from critics, who praised the atmosphere, music, and story approach. Critics were divided on whether the relatively short campaign and included extras were enough to justify the full-game price tag.

*"[[Kizingo Boulevard (Level)|Kizingo Boulevard]]"

*"[[ONI Alpha Site (Level)|ONI Alpha Site]]"

*"[[NMPD HQ (Level)|NMPD HQ]]"

*"[[Kikowani Station (Level)|Kikowani Station]]"

=== Opening Scroll ===

Shown after the [[Bungie Studios|Bungie]] and [[Wikipedia:Microsoft Game Studios|Microsoft Game Studios]] logos, and before the main menu, is an opening scroll.

{{Opening Scroll

|name = Opening Scroll

|text = The year is 2552.

Teams of highly-trained "Orbital Drop Shock Troopers" are ready to assault the carrier from Navy ships in low orbit.

}}

===The Drop===

[[File:H3_ODST_-_Buck_Dare_Argument.png|thumb|250px|Sgt. Buck and Capt. Dare arguing.]]

{{quote|The Navy put up a good fight.|[[Mickey|Private First Class Michael Crespo]].}}

{{quote|'Course they did. It's Earth.|[[Dutch|Corporal Taylor Miles]].}}

{{quote|Better late than never.|[[Romeo|Lance Corporal Kojo Agu]].}}

The game begins at around 4:00pm, [[2552#October|October 20th, 2552]]. The majority of an [[ODST]] [[Unnamed Shock Trooper Squad|squad]] is relaxing on board the {{UNSCship|Say My Name}} orbiting high above [[New Mombasa]], [[Kenya]]. They are grouped around a holo-table, which shows the [[Covenant Empire|Covenant]] [[Prophet of Regret]]'s [[Assault Carrier]] hovering near the city's [[New Mombasa Orbital Elevator|Orbital Elevator]]. [[Taylor Miles|Corporal Taylor "Dutch" Miles]], [[Kojo Agu|Lance Corporal Kojo "Romeo" Agu]], [[Private First Class]] [[Michael Crespo|Michael "Mickey" Crespo]], and [[The Rookie|Lance Corporal "Rookie"]] are resting in the back.

Romeo jokingly remarks how the [[UNSC Navy]] managed to put up a fight during the [[Battle of Earth|Invasion of Earth]], but still allowed a Covenant carrier to slip by the [[Orbital Defense Platform]]s surrounding the planet. Dutch criticizes Romeo, stating that the navy left the lone ship for the [[Marines]] to infiltrate. The ODSTs are soon put on alert when their team leader, [[Gunnery Sergeant]] [[Edward Buck]], enters the room with an attractive [[Office of Naval Intelligence|ONI]] operative named [[Veronica]], or "Dare". Romeo utters "Hello, beautiful", catching Buck's attention and prompting him to order the ODSTs to their [[Single Occupant Exoatmospheric Insertion Vehicle|SOEIV "drop pods"]].

While walking to the nearby armory, Buck is stopped by Dare, who remarks that the members of his squad are replacements. The two go on to discuss the small numbers of combat-experienced Marines they have to lead into combat. Conflicted about what she likely told him prior to entering the room, Buck attempts to protect his men by confronting Dare, stating the Assault Carrier being a more vital concern than her covert mission. Dare reminds him that they have orders to follow, and that she should be referred to as "[[Captain (Ground forces)|Captain]]", in keeping with military regulations.

Buck directs the Captain to her pod, where Romeo asks about her; obviously angry about the mission, Buck confronts the curious Lance Corporal, replying that she is their "new boss". He gives a short speech to his men, and hands a [[Sniper Rifle System 99D-S2 Anti-Matériel|SRS99D Sniper Rifle]] to Romeo, drawing questions from his men. While entering his drop pod, Romeo hits the Rookie across the head with the stock of his rifle (at which point the camera changes to a first-person view) while still in his pod. Dutch pushes Romeo out of the way and hands the Rookie a [[M7S Caseless Submachine Gun|silenced SMG]]; the Rookie's pod is then closed, spun around, and lowered into the launch bay to begin drop preparations.

[[File:ODST Screenshot 7.jpg|250px|thumb|left|The Rookie approaches the Assault Carrier.]]

{{quote|Troopers, we are green, and very, very mean!|Gunnery Sergeant Edward Buck.}}

Marine forces are informed by Dare that the [[Covenant Army]] is massing beneath the Assault Carrier for an organized retreat. Dozens of ODSTs are launched into Earth's atmosphere in a coordinated drop to infiltrate and capture the Prophet of Regret aboard the Assault Carrier. They pass by a few destroyed [[UNSC Frigates|Frigates]] in orbit around the elevator, and begin to enter cloud cover above the city. The Captain then orders the squad to adjust their trajectory and drop locations; sending the Marines way off of their intended course.

Before the Marines are able to deploy their internal parachutes, it is revealed that the invasion forces had already evacuated to inside the carrier. Dutch picks up a radiation alert in his pod, and the Assault Carrier proceeds to enter [[Slipspace]], closely followed by the Frigate [[UNSC In Amber Clad|In Amber Clad]]. An EMP emitted by the Slipspace rupture disables the drop pods before they are able to deploy their parachutes; the ODSTs are scattered across New Mombasa. During the fall, the Rookie's pod collides with Mickey's pod, knocking the former unconscious.

===The Rookie Awakens===

{{Quote|Hey, Rookie? You out there? Respond, that's an order.|Buck, sending a transmission over the COM.}}

{{Quote|Give it up, Gunny. Even if he ain't dead, he's lost in that soup. Our com chatter can't cut through that.|Romeo}}

{{Quote|Oh, give up, huh? What if it were you down there?|Buck}}

{{Quote|Just saying. I ain't dead.|Romeo}}

[[File:RookieAwakes.jpg|thumb|202px|The Rookie emerges from his pod.]]

Six hours after the drop (10:02pm), the Rookie awakens to the sound of two [[Phantom]]s flying nearby. He soon regains his situational awareness, but is unaware of the fact that his drop pod is lodged in the side of a building, ten to twenty feet above the ground. He tries to exit, and is slightly injured by the fall. After combing the area for medical supplies, he heads in to the city to find his squad.

Almost immediately after starting out, the Rookie encounters a few Covenant patrols covering a small area. The Rookie uses his silenced weaponry to eliminate the patrols, after which he is alerted to a ringing data terminal. Upon accessing the terminal, the Rookie is connected to the [[Superintendent (Construct)|Superintendent]], a second-generation "dumb" [[A.I.]] tasked with maintaining the city's infrastructure. The A.I. provides the Rookie with data that had been previously unlocked by Dare. The Superintendent begins to assist the Rookie, giving him maps, marking notable locations throughout the city, and providing warnings using road signs.

As the Rookie travels throughout the city, he finds clues regarding the fate of his squadmates. When the Rookie finds a clue, the game's perspective shifts to that of the relevant ODST.

Six hours earlier, Buck had landed somewhat safely and made radio contact with Dare, who told him that she had been trapped in her drop pod. With the assistance of two Marines, Buck attempted to fight his way to her position. Along the way, he noticed a "family feud" within the Covenant as many [[Elites]] were found dead and seemed to have been killed by the Brutes. By the time Buck got to Dare's pod, she was nowhere to be found. Buck noticed a [[Huragok]], and saw that it was holding Dare's helmet in one of its tentacles. Curious, the alien began to examine Buck. Having mistaken its curiosity for hostility, Romeo sniped it from afar. The Huragok's explosion threw the helmet out of sight, although the Superintendent recorded a video showing where it landed. Romeo and Buck regrouped, the former stating that Dare was dead. The Rookie later finds the helmet.

Meanwhile, Dutch landed in the Uplift Wildlife Reserve, where he led a [[Warthog]] charge in an effort to breach Covenant defenses and secure the long-departed carrier's landing zone. Mickey had landed nearby, and stumbled upon retreating Marines from the [[405th]]. Mickey used a [[Scorpion]] to bring the Marines to their rally point: the entrance to [[ONI Alpha Site]]. There, he and Dutch regrouped and found a desperate [[NMPD|police]] officer.

The two ODSTs worked with the officer and several Marines to defend the ONI complex. Dutch and Mickey used explosives to destroy the bridge leading to the base, but the Covenant countered by using Phantoms to land troops past the broken bridge. The courtyard was quickly overrun by Covenant forces, prompting the besieged humans to retreat to the structure's interior. The humans are eventually forced to retreat from the building using a police [[Pelican]], as they fled, they destroyed the base using remotely-detonated explosives, [[Wikipedia:scorched earth|preventing the Covenant from using the structure and its contained information]]. While in flight, Dutch and Mickey managed to re-establish communication with Buck; they headed to the NMPD Headquarters.

Upon arriving and attempting to land on the rooftop, Mickey, Dutch and their Police allies were attacked by [[Banshee]]s. They made radio contact with Buck and Romeo, who fight their way across the rooftops to the downed Pelican and their Squad mates. There, the four ODSTs used [[missile pod]]s, heavy machine guns, and [[rocket launcher]]s to defend the building from Banshees and Phantoms with their landing parties. They were successful in repelling the Covenant assault, but in the process, Romeo was badly wounded by a [[Brute Chieftain]], and their Pelican was damaged and left inoperable.

Buck led the group to Kikowani Station, planning to use the tram system to escape the city. On the way there, the ODSTs stabilized Romeo using [[biofoam]]. Upon arrival, however, the group discovered that the tram system has been severely damaged. They proceeded to hijack a Phantom and escape the city, fighting their way past enemy Banshees and even a [[Scarab]] in the process. Along the way, they noticed the increasing number of Phantoms and Covenant aircraft moving toward the crater left by the Assault Carrier's Slipspace jump. Buck then figured out where Dare is, and ordered Mickey to turn back.

===Reunited with the Team===

Meanwhile, the Rookie having made his way to the Superintendent's Data Center, finds Captain Dare locked in on sub-level nine. Her orders were to fight her way to the A.I.'s data center and retrieve the information that had recently been discovered about what lay beneath the city, and deny access to the Covenant. The center, however, had been infested with an entire hive of [[Yanme'e|Drones]], which in turn were supported by numerous other Covenant forces. She explains that this was why she requisitioned a whole squad for her mission: it would have been suicide to fight these forces alone.

Dare and The Rookie fight their way to the data center, arriving just as the Superintendent was disabled by a Huragok. Dare reveals an ONI discovery: the Huragoks were enslaved by the Covenant, and were forced to fight against their wills. She also reveals that this particular Huragok, named Vergil, has combined it's knowledge with the information possessed by the Superintendent. Information that can aid humanity in the war.

The two convinced the Huragok to follow them just as the Covenant arrived; Buck arrives at the same time. They escape the data core and fight though hordes of Covenant troops before reaching an elevator, which takes them to the highway. Buck informs Dare and the Rookie that he has a Phantom waiting in a scrapyard. Vergil powers up an [[Oliphant]]; Dare drives, while the Rookie and Buck provide supporting fire from a [[Warthog]], and later, a [[Scorpion]].

More Covenant ships enter the city, and the fleet begins to [[glass]] the area in an attempt to uncover the buried [[Forerunner]] [[Portal]] to the [[Ark]]. Buck, having witnessed glassing during the [[Battle of Reach]], is particularly disturbed by the sight. A Scarab manages to score a direct hit on the Oliphant, damaging it severely and forcing the ODSTs to abandon their vehicles and take cover inside the building entrance to Uplift Wildlife Reserve. Buck orders Mickey to provide extraction instead of waiting for them to arrive.

The ODSTs endures multiple Covenant attacks while waiting for Mickey to arrive. When Mickey and the rest of the squad reach their position, the group boards their captured Phantom, narrowly avoiding a Covenant Carrier's glassing beam.

A month later, Admiral [[Terrence Hood]] gives [[Sergeant Major]] [[Avery Junior Johnson|Avery Johnson]] clearance to interrogate Vergil on an ONI orbital facility. Dare warns Johnson to be careful. As the three enter the room, they see Vergil attempting to access the Covenant [[Battlenet]]. Referring to the Covenant excavation in Africa, Johnson casually tossed his lighter to the delicate creature, before confidently remarking, "You're gonna tell me exactly what they're looking for. And then, you're gonna help me stop 'em." Vergil raised the lighter, flicked it open, and lit the cigar that Johnson just placed in his mouth, suggesting that this Engineer is friendly and willing to cooperate with the humans.

An additional scene plays upon completing the game on [[Legendary]]. The [[Prophet of Truth]] is seen in the chamber that houses the Superintendent's core, smiling as more Huragok uncover an extensive Forerunner complex beneath the dirt. There is no clear indication as to whether this structure is part of the previously uncovered portal generator or something else entirely.

'''[[United Nations Space Command]]'''

*[[The Rookie|Lance Corporal "Rookie"]] - The main protagonist of ''ODST''.

*[[Dare|Captain Veronica Dare]] - The Rookie's commanding officer and [[ONI|Naval Intelligence]] operative <ref name = "Game Informer December '08 page 1">''Game Informer'': December 2008, page 1</ref>. She is voiced by [[Tricia Helfer]] <ref>[http://www.spike.com/video/gttv-2009-vgas-e3/3175518 GameTrailer TV: E3 2009 Special]</ref>.

*[[Edward Buck|Gunnery Sergeant Edward Buck]] - The former-leader now second-in-command of the [[Unnamed Shock Trooper Squad|squad]].<ref name = "Game Informer December '08 page 1"/>. Voiced by [[Nathan Fillion]].

*[[Taylor Miles|Corporal Taylor "Dutch" Miles]] - The Heavy Weapons specialist.<ref name = "Game Informer December '08 page 1"/> <ref name = "Game Informer December '08 page 5">''Game Informer'': December 2008, page 5</ref>. Voiced by [[Adam Baldwin]].

*[[Kojo Agu|Lance Corporal Kojo "Romeo" Agu]] - The Marksman in the squad, and is quoted as being a "wiseass".<ref name = "Game Informer December '08 page 1"/> <ref name = "Game Informer December '08 page 5"/>. Voiced by [[Nolan North]].

*[[Michael Crespo|Private First Class Michael "Mickey" Crespo]] - He is the demolitions expert for the squad.<ref name = "Game Informer December '08 page 1"/>. Voiced by [[Alan Tudyk]].

*[[Superintendent (Construct)|Superintendent]] - New Mombasa's Urban Infrastructure A.I. construct. Voiced by [[Joseph Staten]]<ref>''Halo 3: ODST'' Credits</ref>

*[[Avery Johnson|Sergeant Major Avery J. Johnson]] - An experienced Staff Non-Commissioned Officer with nearly a half-century of combat experience. Voiced by [[David Scully]]. <small>(Epilogue only)</small>

{{col-2}}

*[[Vergil]] - A Huragok with the data and memories of the Superintendent's subroutine "Vergil" transferred into him.

*[[Prophet of Truth]] - The de-facto leader of the [[Covenant Empire]], he leads a fleet to Earth in order to find the [[Installation 00|Ark]]. Truth can be seen during the Legendary Ending in a cave that goes underneath New Mombasa to a Forerunner artifact hidden beneath the city.

*[[Prophet of Regret]] - One of the three Hierarchs of the Covenant, his only known role in the game is at the beginning where his [[Assault Carrier]] enters slipspace over New Mombasa. <small>(Mentioned only)</small>

====Minor Characters====

*[[Huragok]]

*[[Jiralhanae]]

*[[Kig-yar]]

*[[Mgalekgolo]]

*[[Sangheili]]<ref>''[[Halo 3: ODST]]'', level ''[[Tayari Plaza (Level)|Tayari Plaza]]''</ref> (Dead bodies only)

*[[San 'Shyuum]]

*[[Unggoy]]

*[[Yanme'e]]

{{col-2}}

'''UNSC'''

*[[UNSC Marine Corps]]

**Marine Infantryman

**[[Orbital Drop Shock Troopers]]

*[[New Mombasa Police Department]]

**NMPD Officers

*[[Terrence Hood|Fleet Admiral Sir Terrence Hood]] - The Commander-in-Chief of the [[UNSC Home Fleet|Home Fleet]]. <small>(Mentioned only)</small>

{{col-end}}

**[[Lumumba|Lumumba District]]

**[[Mbaraki|Mbaraki District]] - Most of Dare's squad landed in this district after they diverted their course from the Assault Carrier to the area surrounding the ONI facility directly across from the Space Tether.

**[[Kikowani Station]] - One of [[New Mombasa Transit Authority|NMTA]]'s [[MagLev Train|train]] stations in the city. It was flooded with water during the battle. Buck and his team arrived here to try to escape the city and ended up stealing a Phantom.

**[[Kizingo]]

***[[Kizingo Boulevard]]

**[[Tanaga|Tanaga District]]

***[[NMPD Headquarters]]

**[[ONI Alpha Site]] - This [[Office of Naval Intelligence#Section Two|Section Two]] facility was the site of a fierce battle that pitted New Mombasa Police and the UNSC Marine Corps, against a Covenant assault from across the bridge. This building was destroyed shortly after the battle to prevent the Covenant from getting any important information. A Firefight map, known as [[Security Zone (Level)|Security Zone]], takes place in front of the entrance to the facility <ref>[http://www.bungie.net/News/content.aspx?type=topnews&link=BWU061209 Bungie Weekly Update 6/12/09]</ref>.

**[[Tayari Plaza]]

**[[Uplift Nature Reserve]]

**[[New Mombasa Orbital Elevator]] - Severely damaged by the Slipspace Jump caused by the Prophet of Regret's Assault Carrier, snapping due to the tremendous stresses put on the tower, wreckage from this space tether can be seen all across the city. Only the base of the tether and the bottom few rings survived the jump, though the structure can be seen from most places in the city, still blazing.

*[[M7S Caseless Submachine Gun]] <small>(First appearance)</small>

*[[M9 Fragmentation Grenade|M9 HE-DP Fragmentation Grenade]]

*[[M41 Light Anti-Aircraft Gun]]

*[[M165 Demolition Charge]]

*[[M7057/Defoliant Projector]] <ref>''[[Halo 3: ODST]]'', level ''[[Data Hive (Level)|Data Hive]]''</ref>

*[[Sniper Rifle System 99D-S2 Anti-Matériel|SRS99D-S2AM Sniper Rifle]]

*[[Weapon/Anti-Vehicle Model 6 Grindell/Galileian Nonlinear Rifle|W/AV M6 Nonlinear Rifle]]

{{col-2}}

*[[Type-1 Antipersonnel Grenade]]

*[[Type-2 Antipersonnel Fragmentation Grenade]]

*[[Type-2 Energy Weapon/Hammer]] <ref>[http://www.bungie.net/News/content.aspx?type=topnews&cid=15956 Bungie Weekly Update 10/14/08] - ''CJ Cowan just made a Brute Chieftain introduce the business end of his Hammer to some dudes.''</ref>

*[[Type-3 Antipersonnel/Antimatériel Incendiary Grenade]]

*[[Type-25 Carbine]]

*[[Type-25 Grenade Launcher]] <ref>[http://www.bungie.net/News/content.aspx?type=topnews&cid=16887 Bungie Weekly Update 1/16/09] - ''At one point I found myself inquiring aloud if the Brute Shot had been powered up.''</ref>

*[[Type-33 Guided Munitions Launcher]]

*[[Type-33 Light Anti-Armor Weapon]]

*[[Type-51 Carbine]]

*[[Type-50 Sniper Rifle System]]

*[[Type-52 Pistol]]

*[[Single Occupant Exoatmospheric Insertion Vehicle]]

*[[F-99 Wombat|F-99 "Wombat" Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicle]] <ref>''[[Halo 3: ODST]]'', level ''[[Uplift Reserve (Level)|Uplift Reserve]]''</ref>

*[[UNSC Frigate]]

*[[Assault Carrier]]

*[[CCS-class Battlecruiser]]

*[[Type-25 Rapid Assault Vehicle|Type-25 "Chopper" Rapid Assault Vehicle]]

*[[Type-25 Assault Gun Carriage|Type-25 "Wraith" Assault Gun Carriage]]

*[[Type-26 Ground Support Aircraft|Type-26 "Banshee" Ground Support Aircraft]]

*[[Type-32 Rapid Assault Vehicle|Type-32 "Ghost" Rapid Assault Vehicle]]

*[[Type-47 Ultra Heavy Assault Platform|Type-47 "Scarab" Ultra Heavy Assault Platform]]

*[[Type-52 Troop Carrier|Type-52 "Phantom" Troop Carrier]]

*[[Type-52 Anti-Aircraft Artillery|Type-52 "Wraith" Anti-Aircraft Artillery]]

===Achievements===

{{Halo 3: ODST Achievements}}

==Gameplay==

[[File:ODST Screenshot 12.jpg|250px|thumb|left|VISR Mode]]  

[[File:Battle of New Mombasa.jpg|250px|thumb|right|The Battle of Mombasa.]]  

[[File:The Squad.jpg|thumb|right|250px|The main cast of ''ODST''.]]

''ODST'' has the main protagonist, The Rookie, searching for beacons across the city of New Mombasa.<ref name = "Game Informer December '08 page 3">''Game Informer: December 2008'', page 3</ref> It is up to the player on how to get to any specific location, and in any order, giving a very open-world feeling to the game; something for which the main trilogy has been criticized for, due to its linear gameplay style. The "beacons" are various objects, each linked to a particular squad mate in some way. Finding one of these objects sends the player back in the game to find out what happened to one of his five squadmates ([[Edward Buck|Buck]], [[Veronica|Dare]], [[Taylor H. Miles|Dutch]], [[Kojo Agu|Romeo]], and [[Michael Crespo|Mickey]]).<ref name = "Game Informer December '08 page 3"/> Once you go back in time for a short period, you will take control of the player for a single mission, and play the situations that the particular character went through. Unlike the overall game, these flashback scenes go along the path of the linear gameplay that has been common throughout the original trilogy of ''Halo''.

Due to the fact that you are playing as an [[Orbital Drop Shock Trooper]], you do not use the motion tracker or the shielding featured in the [[MJOLNIR]] Battle Armor suit, instead using the more traditional health bar/medkit system. The Rookie and his squadmates are not able to dual-wield weapons, such as the [[SMG|M7/Caseless Submachine Gun]] and the [[Type-25 Directed Energy Rifle]]. They also cannot use [[equipment]].

On the other hand, the player receives a helmet-integrated data management system known as the [[Visual Intelligence System, Reconnaissance]] (or VISR), which includes a low-light vision mode which identifies allies and enemies through the HUD on his helmet's visor by illuminating and classifying objects; green outline for allies, red outline for enemies, blue for scavengable weapons, vehicles, ammo and grenades, and a thick yellow outline for important objects. Outlines of scenery and objects that will block weapons-fire have a thinner yellow outline. The VISR can also be used to manage waypoints, mission objectives, and information which will help the player. The squad has two new weapons, the [[M7S|M7S Submachine Gun]] and the [[M6C/SOCOM]], which the protagonist and most of his comrades land with in Mombasa during the initial drop. Also, the grenade limit has been increased to 3 per grenade type.

As stated by Bungie in the January 23rd Weekly Update, the [[Sangheili]] do not appear as enemies in ''ODST''.<ref>[http://www.bungie.net/News/content.aspx?type=topnews&cid=16989 Bungie Weekly Update - 1/23/09]</ref>. Although, several groups of [[Sangheili]] corpses are found throughout the campaign, apparently killed by Brutes. By December 2008, the game was "representational", meaning that players could experience the game from start to finish, albeit in an unfinished state. The entire Bungie staff was pulled from other duties to play through the game and offer feedback. Among the unfinished elements was the lack of finished dialogue delivered by voice actors; storywriter [[Joseph Staten]] filled in placeholder audio. <ref>[http://www.bungie.net/News/content.aspx?type=topnews&cid=16551 Bungie Weekly Update: 12/19/08]</ref> Bungie's audio director [[Martin O'Donnell]] contributes music for ''ODST'', as he has done for the previous ''Halo'' games. Due to ''ODST'''s shift to a new protagonist, O'Donnell created new music that was a homage to ''Halo'', though was taken in a new direction. <ref>[http://bpc.bungie.org/Bungie_Podcasts_Halloween_08.zip Bungie Podcast: 10/31/08]</ref>

==Multiplayer==

[[File:ODST Controller.jpg|250px|thumb|right|Controls for ''ODST'' gameplay.]]

===Firefight===

{{main|Firefight}}

Due to a technical issue, Firefight is relegated to an invite-only game, as opposed to a matchmaking system used by previous installments in the series <ref>[http://www.kotaku.com.au/2009/08/bungie-why-halo-3-odst-firefight-doesnt-support-matchmaking/ Kotaku.com Australia - Bungie: Why Halo 3: ODST Firefight doesn't support matchmaking]</ref>. Fans who have spoken to Bungie employees on this matter have allegedly stated that the matchmaking function would have taken an additional six months to create for ''ODST'' <ref>[http://www.ethiopianreview.com/et/181 Ethopian Review - Seven Things You May Not Know About Halo 3: ODST]</ref>.

 

===Firefight Maps===

Below is a list of maps for ''ODST''<nowiki>'s</nowiki> Firefight mode:

*[[Alpha Site (Level)|Alpha Site]]

*[[Chasm Ten (Level)|Chasm Ten]]

*[[Crater (Night) (Level)|Crater]]

*[[Last Exit (Level)|Last Exit]]

*[[Lost Platoon (Level)|Lost Platoon]]

*[[Rally Point (Level)|Rally Point]]

*[[Security Zone (Level)|Security Zone]]

*[[Windward (Level)|Windward]]

*[[Crater (Night) (Level)|Crater]] &nbsp;(Night)

*[[Rally Point (Level)|Rally Point]]&nbsp;(Night)

All map packs (''[[Heroic Map Pack|Heroic]]'', ''[[Legendary Map Pack|Legendary]]'', ''[[Mythic Map Pack|Mythic]] as well as [[Cold Storage (Level)|Cold Storage]]'') are available for those who haven't already purchased them over Xbox LIVE Marketplace <ref>[http://www.bungie.net/News/content.aspx?type=topnews&cid=17195 Bungie Weekly Update - 2/06/2009]</ref>. In addition to the other map packs, an additional map pack are featured in the ''ODST'' package. These maps are ''[[Citadel (Level)|Citadel]]'', ''[[Heretic (Level)|Heretic]]'', and ''[[Longshore (Level)|Longshore]]''.

While previously confirmed to only feature a Campaign element as the only gameplay mode, the second disc in the ''ODST'' box,&nbsp;[[Halo 3: Mythic]], contains all of the maps, which you can play directly from there, without having to download the maps to your Hard Drive and starting ''Halo 3''. &nbsp;<br clear="all" />

==Marketing Promotions and Release==

===Viral Campaigns===

On May 29th, 2008, a viral campaign for ''Halo 3: ODST'' started which focused around [[Superintendent (Construct)|the AI of the same name]], New Mombasa's janitorial second generation dumb-A.I. construct that aids The Rookie and his squad in surviving the Covenant occupation of New Mombasa.

====ONI Candidate Assessment Program V5.02A====

{{Main|ONI Candidate Assessment Program V5.02A}}

On September 4th, 2009, a second viral campaign was released on Xbox.com, letting fans watch interviews of the main characters of ''ODST'' <ref>[http://cdn.haloodst.xbox.com/odst/index.html ONI Candidate Assessment Program V5.02A]</ref>. These videos go into the background of each character, with Buck and a various teammate talking about their past, military career, their education, and about the mission ahead. Clips directed by Rupert Sanders can be seen via a marker the Marines place on their right [[Wikipedia:Temple (anatomy)|temple]].

First, different screens of areas of New and Old Mombasa come on screen, followed by HEV pods entering the atmosphere. Here you can see the Prophet of Regret's carrier on the right, then it moves behind buildings. The pods come into view as a large explosion (Caused by the Prophet of Regret's carrier entering Slipspace) appears, sending the pods off-course. Then, the Superintendent appears, and shows warning signs and then reboots. All the screens from earlier flash onto the screen, but heavily damaged from the blast. Then, a single [[HEV]] pod falls through the sky, when the ''Halo 3'' Logo appears. The pod then crashes into the camera and goes black, followed by the words 'Prepare to Drop'.

The second part to the trailer, released on the 8th of October, followed on from this - the Superintendent reinitialized itself, attempting to assess the catastrophic devastation and tries to identify the object that survived. Later, after a Covenant [[Phantom]] dropship has passed by, the object opens to reveal a lone surviving [[Unnamed Marine Shock Trooper|Marine Shock Trooper]] to clamber out, wielding a modified M7S Caseless Submachine Gun. The Marine narrowly avoids a [[Jiralhanae]] patrol, before encountering messages from the [[Superintendent (Construct)|Superintendent]], presumably leading him to safety.

Also shown are little clips of the flashback missions, namely, featuring GySgt Buck and LCpl Agu on a landing platform at [[NMPD Headquarters]], where a police Pelican dropship was extracting the two Marines, before getting chased off by two [[Banshees]].

[[Avery Johnson|SgtMaj Avery Johnson]] is the narrator of the ViDoc, making a stylish entrance in a [[Single Occupant Exoatmospheric Insertion Vehicle|Drop Pod]] over the ''[[Security Zone (Level)|Security Zone]]'' map. During the video, Johnson explains the details of this new gametype in ''ODST'', along with explaining how players can play as him by pre-ordering ''Halo 3: ODST'' at a number of participating retailers.

The game developers at Bungie were entering unfamiliar territory, making the largest enviroment they ever created as the freely-explorable level of New Mombasa. It also says the differences and similarities of the ODSTs and the SPARTAN-II soldiers, such as jumping height and the fact that no motion tracker is present in ''ODST.''

A 2 minute live-action short made exclusively for the launch of ''Halo 3: ODST'' was released on September 7th, 2009 on [[Wikipedia:Spike TV|Spike TV]] with a run-time of 2 minutes and 30 seconds. <ref>[http://www.reuters.com/article/pressRelease/idUS252724+03-Sep-2009+PRN20090903 Reuters.com - Prepare To Drop! Spike TV Gears Up For 'Halo Month']</ref>. This short is directed by Rupert Sanders, who previously directed the ''[[Believe|Halo 3: Believe]]'' series.

[[File:ODST tour vehicle.jpg|200px|thumb|right|A render mock-up of the tour truck.]]

To promote the release of the game, Bungie and Microsoft started an "ODST Tour", showcasing the game's Firefight mode to fans all across the [[United States]] <ref>[http://gamerscoreblog.com/press/archive/2009/08/20/sc200.aspx Xbox Press.com - “Halo 3: ODST” Transport Vehicle embarks on a nationwide tour]</ref>. Beginning August 22nd in Redmond, Washington, this tour lasted for nearly a month, coinciding with the release of the game.

==Soundtrack==

{{main|Halo 3: ODST Original Soundtrack}}

Like previous games in the series, ''Halo 3: ODST'' was released alongside an Original Soundtrack comprised of music heard in the game. This soundtrack features seventeen new tracks, composed by [[Martin O'Donnell]] and [[Michael Salvatori]], on two discs.<ref>[http://twitter.com/MartyTheElder Martin O'Donnell's Twitter "''MartyTheElder''"]</ref> Though over three hours of music was composed for ''ODST'', only two hours will be released on the soundtrack.<ref>[http://www.music4games.net/Features_Display.aspx?id=361 Music 4 Games - Behind the Music of Halo 3: ODST - Interview with composer Marty O'Donnell]</ref>

[[File:H3 ODST - Unknown Image.jpg|200px|thumb|right|"Death Comes to All of Us".]]

[[File:ODST Collector's Pack.jpg|200px|thumb|right|The Collector's Pack]]

*The tagline for the game is ''Prepare to Drop'', which references the method of Orbital Drop used by the ODSTs for quick insertion into operations.

*This is currently the only game in the Halo series to not include the [[Flood]]. In addition to this, it is also the only game to not include [[Sentinels]] or a [[Forerunner]] [[Monitor]] (not including ''Halo Wars'').

*A teaser trailer for ''Halo 3: ODST'' called ''[[Keep It Clean]]'', was released on September 25th, 2008, at 07:07:07 am PST, which coincided with the one year anniversary of the launch of ''Halo 3''. The trailer was viewed through the many security cameras around New Mombasa. The time at which this trailer was revealed is a reference to Bungie's long-time "obsession" with the number [[List of "Seven" References in Halo|seven]].

*The "''Road to Recon''" challenge, as named by Bungie, gives players the chance to unlock the [[Mark VI MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor/R variant|MJOLNIR Mk.VI "Recon"]] (simply referred to as "''Recon Armor''") for use in ''Halo 3'' multiplayer <ref>[http://www.bungie.net/projects/odst/features.aspx#recon Bungie.net : Road to Recon]</ref>. This challenge requires unlocking the current [[Vidmaster|Vidmaster Challenges]] from ''Halo 3'', and three more Vidmaster Challenges only available through purchasing ''ODST'' <ref>''Game Informer: December 2008'', page 4</ref>.

*On November 25th, 2008, Bungie LLC. renamed the in-development ''Halo 3: Recon'' to ''Halo 3: ODST''.<ref>[http://www.bungie.net/News/Blog.aspx?mode=news#cid16289 Bungie.net Blog - ''Halo 3: ODST'']</ref> The reasons to why the upcoming expansion was renamed is due to the player playing the character of an ODST in the game, and to focus attention off of the fact that players will be able to receive [[Mark VI MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor/R variant|MJOLNIR Mark VI Reconnaissance Armor]].

*During an interview at Gencon 2008 in Brisbane, Australia; [[Alan Tudyk]] commented on a so called ''Halo 3 Supplemental'', in which himself and fellow [[Wikipedia:Firefly (TV series)|Firefly]] actors [[Nathan Fillion]] and [[Adam Baldwin]] would lend their voices to the game.<ref>[http://forums.bungie.org/halo/archive30.pl?read=886556 Alan Tudyk does voice work for Halo 3 supplemental]</ref> All three of the actors played the role of [[UNSC Marine Corps|Marines]] in ''[[Halo 3]]''.<ref>''[[Halo 3]]'', ''[[Halo (Halo 3 Level)|Credits]]''</ref> This supplemental is actually ''Halo 3: ODST'', Tudyk and Baldwin voice members of the [[Unnamed Shock Trooper Squad|squad]] in the game. The ''E3 2009 Gameplay Trailer'' confirmed Fillion, Baldwin, and Tudyk's roles as Buck, Dutch, and Mickey, respectively <ref name="[[Halo 3: ODST - E3 2009 Gameplay Trailer|''Halo 3: ODST'' - E3 2009 Gameplay Trailer]]"/>.

*You can receive Halo 3: ODST clothing Awards for your Xbox 360 Avatar from [[Halo Waypoint]] by unlocking achievements in Halo 3: ODST.

*[[McFarlane Toys]] released a 6-inch figurine replica of The Rookie as a part of their "Medal Edition" line of Series 6, due out in October 2009 <ref>[http://www.spawn.com/toys/product.aspx?product=4020 SPAWN.com - Product page for 'The Rookie']</ref><ref>[http://www.spawn.com/news/news6.aspx?id=13588 SPAWN.com - First Look at 'The Rookie' ODST Action Figure]</ref><ref>[http://www.spawn.com/news/news2.aspx?id=13590 SPAWN.com - Halo Series 6 'Medal Edition' Photography Revealed]</ref>. Included in the package is the M7S/Caseless Submachine Gun and exclusive Medals.

*In early September 2009, [[Rooster Teeth]] began a three-part ''[[Red vs Blue]]'' special debuting ''ODST''<nowiki>'s</nowiki> Firefight mode to the cast of ''[[Red vs Blue: Recreation|Recreation]]''. The first episode, entitled "''Guys Like Us''" (referring to both the cast of ''RvB'' and ''ODST'' being "normal" soldiers), can be viewed on Rooster Teeth's official website ''[http://redvsblue.com/archive/?id=836 here]''.

*Marketing for ''ODST'' will encompass a broad range of mediums, including print ads in magazines; with television spots taking center stage "with multiple ads prepared and sponsorship of key shows arranged" <ref>[http://www.mcvuk.com/news/35402/Halo-marketing-blitz-detailed#after_ad MCV.com Gaming Industry - Microsoft plans Halo 3: ODST marketing blitz]</ref>. Advertisements will be shown up to Christmas 2009 and into early 2010. Such ads can already been seen in the American version of the ''Official Xbox Magazine'' and even here on [[Halopedia]]. GameStop has already began their advertisements, showing off both UNSC and Covenant in the Firefight mode dancing to SgtMaj Johnson, a bonus unlock item for those who pre-order the game <ref>[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y8iAeUicU9I YouTube.com : Gamestop Video - Halo 3: ODST]</ref>. [[Wikipedia:Spike TV|Spike TV]] has designated September as the "Halo Month", with five programs lined up over the course of sixteen days <ref>[http://www.reuters.com/article/pressRelease/idUS252724+03-Sep-2009+PRN20090903 Reuters.com - Prepare To Drop! Spike TV Gears Up For 'Halo Month']</ref>. One such show will mark the debut of a live-action [[We Are ODST|ODST short]] and a preview of ''[[Halo Legends]]''<nowiki>'s</nowiki> ODST-centric film ''[[The Babysitter]]''.

*Copies of ''ODST'' were sold early in France, to which Microsoft responded by investigating and threatening to ban any players on Xbox LIVE playing ''ODST'' before its official release of September 22nd <ref>[http://kotaku.com/5346774/microsoft-taking-action-against-those-who-buy-and-play-halo-3-odst-early-%5Bupdate%5D Kotaku.com - Microsoft Taking Action Against Those Who Buy and Play Halo 3: ODST Early]</ref>. Microsoft France lead manager Stephen Toulouse later stated that they would not ban legitimate buyers of the game <ref>[http://kotaku.com/5347615/early-halo-odst-players-wont-be-banned-so-long-as-they-bought-a-copy Kotaku.com - Early Halo: ODST Players Won't Be Banned (So Long As They Bought A Copy)]</ref>.

*In an interview with Microsoft Game Studios' Ryan Crosby on Joystiq.com, a sequel to ''Halo 3: ODST'' would be considered if fan and media reception exceeds expectations, and the need arises for a follow-up <ref>[http://www.joystiq.com/2009/09/21/video-interview-inside-halo-3-odst/ Joystiq.com - Video Interview: Inside Halo 3: ODST]</ref>. Despite that, there are no current plans for a sequel, despite the hints of an "''ODST 2''" during the Epilogue cinematic.

*As a bonus feature for those who pre-ordered ''ODST'' at select retailers (including such stores as GameStop and Amazon.com), a token to play as [[Avery Johnson|Sergeant Major Avery Johnson]] in [[Firefight]] was included.<ref>[http://www.bungie.net/projects/odst/features.aspx#johnson Bungie.net - PRE-ORDER BONUS: Brings Sgt. Johnson into the Firefight]</ref>

{{Reflist|3}}

==Links==

===Internal===

*[[Orbital Drop Shock Troopers]]

*[[ONI Candidate Assessment Program V5.02A]]

 

*[http://www.bungie.net/Projects/ODST/default.aspx Official ''Halo 3: ODST'' page at Bungie.net]

*[http://www.bungie.net/News/content.aspx?type=topnews&link=ournextgame ''Meet Our New Game'' - Bungie.net]

*[http://cdn.haloodst.xbox.com/odst/index.html ONI Candidate Assessment Program V5.02A]

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