BitSnark

We always knew it was going to be at the conference, however that fact didn’t dampen the enthusiasm of the audience one bit as they were treated to the first in-game footage of Halo 3:ODST.

After a crash landing in Halo’s favourite terran theatre of war, New Mombasa, the demo (provided by none other than Bungie Creative Director Joe Staten) showed us what the Halo universe looks like from a perspective of a soldier less physically gifted than the Master Chief and who relies on squad tactics and gadgetry to win the day.

One of these gadgets is a multi-faceted Metroid-style visor which allows the ODST to switch viewing modes and spectrums, allowing them to see hidden dangers or enemies. In regard to weaponry, ODST’s are outfitted with light assault gear consisting of EMP grenades (useful for knocking out vehicles and installations) light assault rifles and a pistol not at *all* unlike the much beloved head-shooter from Halo 1. A range of heavier weaponry was also shown too, including a modified rocket launcher, mines and a variation of the Spartan laser seen in Halo 3.

Graphically, as one would expect the title appears very similar to Halo 3, albeit with darker environments and what seems to be slightly more detailed character models.

Perhaps the most intriguing aspect of the game on show is the manner in which the narrative is laid out to the player. Players will routinely come across ODST visors left on the battlefield. The deal with these visors is that they store the visual ‘memories’ of the last trooper to have used them and as such when you find one of these visors, you effectively ‘re-live’ the experiences of that particular individual. For example, if you discovered a visor at the base of destroyed bridge and activated its visual memories, you would then be thrust into the thick of the conflict, either protecting or destroying the bridge as the respective mission entailed.

The co-op mode for Halo 3: ODST was also hinted too, known as ‘Firefight’ no details were immediately available, although the mode is expected to get a substantial play through during the trade show itself and this will hopefully yield all the juicy details regarding this mode.

Halo 3: ODST was given a date as well. We can all expect to drop worldwide on the 22nd September 2009.