Played this game for the first time late last year while I was on a big halo kick. The atmosphere of this game is really unique and I think it definitely paved the way for some of the moodier themes / atmosphere in reach, although this game doesn’t quite take it as far as reach does in some regards. While ODST’s are still incredibly strong compared your average UNSC solder, it is nice to experience the Halo universe from the perspective of someone who is a bit less OP than a Spartan. The characters are great in this game and easily one of the most memorable aspects of the narrative. They feel very human as far as video game characters come, and have a lot of heart.
The gameplay is pretty much just the halo gameplay you are used to. Many of the louder sections of gameplay feel a bit out of place alongside a story that is more shrouded in a balance of hope and hopelessness.
What really makes this game worth playing is the piano. I was shocked to find such a uniquely beautiful soundtrack in a game about rough and tumble space troopers who fly at breakneck speeds towards impending death and destruction. If you go to any of the 8 hours ODST ost/ambiance videos on YouTube and read the comments… it genuinely might bring you to tears. There are hundreds of stories of hardship, grief, and loss. Everyone in the comments is so encouraging of one another, there is a true sense of camaraderie, and it’s honestly one of the most honest and uplifting environments I have ever encountered on the internet, it’s really worth seeing for your self. I guess the themes of resilience, hopelessness and hope, perseverance, and even love really resonated with many players.
Gameplay is whatever but the heart is really there. I want to say I hope halo will revisit this sort of atmosphere and storytelling one day, but maybe there isn’t really a need, because this game still exists, and it’s great
7/10
The gameplay is pretty much just the halo gameplay you are used to. Many of the louder sections of gameplay feel a bit out of place alongside a story that is more shrouded in a balance of hope and hopelessness.
What really makes this game worth playing is the piano. I was shocked to find such a uniquely beautiful soundtrack in a game about rough and tumble space troopers who fly at breakneck speeds towards impending death and destruction. If you go to any of the 8 hours ODST ost/ambiance videos on YouTube and read the comments… it genuinely might bring you to tears. There are hundreds of stories of hardship, grief, and loss. Everyone in the comments is so encouraging of one another, there is a true sense of camaraderie, and it’s honestly one of the most honest and uplifting environments I have ever encountered on the internet, it’s really worth seeing for your self. I guess the themes of resilience, hopelessness and hope, perseverance, and even love really resonated with many players.
Gameplay is whatever but the heart is really there. I want to say I hope halo will revisit this sort of atmosphere and storytelling one day, but maybe there isn’t really a need, because this game still exists, and it’s great
7/10