Halo 3 ODST priced, collector's pack revealed
by Alexander Sliwinski 
{ Jun 1st 2009 at 8:15PM }
The justification for the full price is the additional Firefight (which is like Gears' "Horde" or L4D's "Survival) multiplayer modes, the entire Halo 3 map pack series and the Halo: Reach beta. Looks like ODST is using the Crackdown gambit, having customers pay for the Reach beta and getting that other game for free. We have the full details of what's included on the disc after the break.
Gallery: Halo 3: ODST Collector's Pack
Microsoft has detailed the following features:
- All-new campaign content. The "Halo 3: ODST" campaign explores mysterious events leading up to the Master Chief's return to New Mombasa in "Halo 3." Experience the fate of Earth from the brand-new perspective of a special forces ODST (Orbital Drop Shock Trooper), adding a unique outlook and new gameplay elements to the events that unfold in the trilogy's finale. This new chapter captures the same great feel of previous "Halo" experiences while offering fans new tactics, tools and weapons to defeat the Covenant.
- A new hero: Prepare to drop. ODSTs or "Orbital Drop Shock Troopers" are highly-trained special forces operators. Known for their courage, valor and willingness to tackle missions no sane soldier would, ODSTs pride themselves on being the first unit deployed into hostile situations, often in one-man drop-pods that burn through planetary atmospheres at break-neck speed.
- Expanded multiplayer experience. No "Halo" game would be complete without groundbreaking multiplayer content. "Halo 3: ODST" introduces an entirely new way to play "Halo" with Firefight, a cooperative multiplayer mode included on the campaign disc that lets up to four people jump immediately into combat. As an ODST squad, you will face increasingly challenging waves of enemies together, striving to earn the highest scores possible, while various "Halo 3" "Skulls" are progressively activated. The experience is intense and ever-evolving. "Halo 3: ODST" also includes a separate, standalone multiplayer disc which includes three new "Halo 3" multiplayer maps, all original "Halo 3" maps, as well as the "Legendary," "Heroic," and "Mythic" Map packs for a total of 24 maps.
- Ever-growing community options. Players will continue to enjoy all the great "Halo 3" technological innovations, including Saved Films, screenshots, Campaign Scoring and four-player co-op over Xbox LIVE. All of the new "Halo 3" multiplayer maps fully support the Forge editor, offering near endless gameplay customization possibilities for fans.
- Key to "Halo: Reach." As a special bonus for fans, all copies of "Halo 3: ODST" will provide access to the "Halo: Reach" multiplayer beta when the beta goes live. More information about the "Halo: Reach" multiplayer beta will be shared at a later date.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Pszczola @ Jun 1st 2009 8:19PM
Looks good, and controllers are expensive, so I might have to pick this up.
Robert27 @ Aug 10th 2009 9:22PM
I recentrly bought a Xbox for RE5 and I don´t have any Halo, you think this value pack os worth it or just the game?
MechaGamerX @ Jun 1st 2009 8:19PM
No ODST helmit?
MS, I am dissapoint.
How will my cats defend themselves during the Pet Wars?
Luke @ Jun 1st 2009 10:59PM
I would like to play Pet Wars, make it happen.
Misfit Toy @ Jun 2nd 2009 10:45AM
You sir MechaGamerX have earned the coveted 'LOL'
Kenny Powers Fastball (PSN johnnynumber5) @ Jun 1st 2009 8:21PM
So, it's an expansion but is the price of a full retail release? I must say thats a surprise but the asthetic and visual style of ODST is a nice change from the normal Halo style. I think this game is looking really good and the price won't be a barrier to Halo fans in any way possible. They will buy this regardless of the retail price. Thats a very loyal fan base who loves the universe and speaks volumes to bungies ability to create a product that is that beloved. Bravo, Bungie.
Ace @ Jun 1st 2009 11:14PM
It's priced so much due to the fact i comes with a 60$ controller, a completely new game mode, all map packs plus three more, a whole new campaign, and online with regular halo 3 players. if anything, bungie should make it more, but hey, im not complaining.
Ace @ Jun 1st 2009 11:15PM
woops, I meant it, not i
The Baron @ Jun 1st 2009 8:21PM
That's one fugly pad.
Deezul @ Jun 1st 2009 8:24PM
Looks a lot like the Halo Xbox 360 edition controller, but it just says Halo ODST on it. I say Meh, but I'll probably pick it up when Target starts discounting it 30% off.
The Baron @ Jun 1st 2009 9:31PM
I didn't say anything bad about the game, which I'm sure is seven shades of awesome.
The pad, however, is seven shades of snot-green.
The Dark Wayne @ Jun 2nd 2009 11:24AM
actually i think it's just 1?
Quattro @ Jun 1st 2009 8:26PM
As interested as I am in ODST, I don't think I will pay $60 for an expansion.
Premature ejaculation man @ Jun 1st 2009 8:33PM
I'll wait and see what my friends do first.
If enough get it, I think it'll be worth it for firefight alone, just like Gears of War 2 is owrthwhile simply from horde mode.
Quattro @ Jun 1st 2009 8:34PM
I don't really play Xbox Live anymore though, so firefight isn't something I'm interested in. It would be nice if I could buy just the campaign, without the multiplayer stuff.
eNrique @ Jun 1st 2009 8:58PM
Totally agree.
But you can always rent it.
See? Solved.
Premature ejaculation man @ Jun 1st 2009 9:29PM
Yeah, Halo games don't have the longest of single player games. I expect this one to be even shorter for being an "expansion".
bioadam @ Jun 2nd 2009 12:34PM
Quattro, don't forget we live in a free market society. You can buy Halo ODST, play it, and then sell it on Craigslist or trade it on Goozex. Bungie and MS probably want you to keep it for the "hoard mode", Halo 3 Maps, and Halo: Reach Beta. Whether you do so is entirely up to you.
Prox @ Jun 2nd 2009 12:58PM
I'm upset that is formerly "value-priced" game is now full price. The justifications for the price hike are B.S. Good thing I haven't purchased the new map pack.
Now that my bitching is out of the way, I will still buy this.
dylan @ Jun 1st 2009 8:27PM
Too bad the controller isn't modded so you'd be able to compete with the chea... I mean resourceful players.
bioadam @ Jun 2nd 2009 12:35PM
a.k.a. A-holes.
THE WICKER MAN (BWF) (GT: Dalek Prime) @ Jun 1st 2009 8:28PM
Rad. Controller and game. Its Wii Play for 360, but fun.
teh_dorkz @ Jun 2nd 2009 1:58AM
you forget the part that its halo...which means...lame
Peter Moore @ Jun 2nd 2009 2:08AM
you forget the part that your a moron...which means...stfu
Peter Moore @ Jun 2nd 2009 2:08AM
*you're
captain underpants and the bringdown gang @ Jun 2nd 2009 8:50AM
honestly, if halo 3, which had forge several maps, single player, and armor permutations was worth 60 dollars at launch...than why does ODST which only has
single player(shorter than halo 3) a single mutliplayer mode. no new armor permutations (Reconz was already in halo) no forge, 3 new maps, a couple new weapons and items... I say MSFT your turning into apple, except apple makes sure their products end up being worth the price they charge.
arrrgh @ Jun 2nd 2009 11:07AM
Apple products worth the price they charge?
I'm just gonna stop ya right there.
R (XBL: Esoteric Lord) @ Jun 2nd 2009 11:43AM
I love everyone calling this single player mode shorter than halo 3 when we know nothing about it yet.
Im not saying youre wrong, but seriously, I think this is a little full featured to be called an expansion. How about a "wait and see" approach?
343 Guilty Fart @ Jun 1st 2009 8:28PM
While I fully plan on pre-ordering ODST I'm fairly disappointed in the price. What happened to that 'value pricing'?
AtomB @ Jun 1st 2009 8:30PM
another reason i'm glad i get games from gamefly.
PSN: John-Paul-Jones @ Jun 1st 2009 8:30PM
Hey guys not to be an ass, but how many Halo games are coming out for the 360? There's the Halo ODST, Halo Reach and Peter Jackson's Halo, right?
Demon G Sides @ Jun 1st 2009 8:39PM
Yup, not to mention that there could be others that are still unannounced.
Adeese @ Jun 1st 2009 10:21PM
Wasn't Peter Jackson's Halo a movie, not a game?
Riley @ Jun 2nd 2009 12:12AM
he was supposed to be working on a game, tentively titled halo chronicles
maybe it's reach?
carg0 @ Jun 1st 2009 8:32PM
hah...this is why i didn't waste my money on those overpriced, underwhelming map packs. now i can just buy this.
Deezul @ Jun 1st 2009 11:05PM
I think I only paid full price for Heroic. I got Legendary when it was half off, and Mythic with Halo Wars. I don't feel ripped.
finnith @ Jun 1st 2009 8:32PM
As much as I hate to say it, the price isn't going to have ANY effect on the sales; Halo is just too popular not to exploit.
Demon G Sides @ Jun 1st 2009 8:38PM
Does it come with a play and charge kit, that's the deciding factor.
Dragod @ Jun 1st 2009 8:39PM
Halo fan(boy)
Definitely buying this; Somehow I didn't buy the whole "value pricing" thing. Microsoft knows Halo is its cash-cow, so I mentally prepared myself for a $60 price tag.
I'm just very confused right now... I was at school, so I missed the Microsoft keynote, and all this awesome stuff was revealed, but I only know "xxxxx was revealed, be excited!". Waiting for the G4 archive stream to go live.
The Dark Wayne @ Jun 1st 2009 8:39PM
well I'll buy it, mindless useless paraphernalia collector that I am. Although I'd much prefer a scaled ODST Helmet : (
R (XBL: Esoteric Lord) @ Jun 1st 2009 9:05PM
Useless? This is the first collectors edition this gen that comes with something I will actually use, lol.
Random G @ Jun 1st 2009 11:53PM
Why don't you make your own helmet Bruce? If you throw enough money at someone, anything is possible. Grab me a copy of the ODST LE while your at it. I know that Wayne Enterprises secretly owns Microsoft, Sony, and Nintendo, so it shouldn't be a problem.
(You're probably getting tired of this sort of thing, aren't you.)
CH3BURASHKA @ Jun 1st 2009 8:42PM
But is the d-pad fixed?
The Dark Wayne @ Jun 1st 2009 10:09PM
haha. no
EMaster @ Jun 1st 2009 9:31PM
They should've included a controller that already has a rapid-fire mod installed. Then I'd be interested lol.
ExMcCloud @ Jun 1st 2009 9:55PM
Well guess I'm getting the collectors edition...No questions asked
Manly Mcbeefington (Mr. ESC) @ Jun 1st 2009 10:12PM
So it includes a controller? That's it? Well I guess the new map packs are okay too bad I paid for every single one of them.Except for Mythic that was included in my Halo wars copy.
Bungie I hate you so much.
Well since the collector's edition is not worth it and I'm sure it will be priced 100$ and the last Halo Beta was fail and aids I guess I'll grab it from the discount bin.
Manly Mcbeefington (Mr. ESC) @ Jun 1st 2009 10:13PM
I mean it will be priced 100$ here and I already have the map packs and a Halo 3 LE controller.
Prox @ Jun 2nd 2009 3:01PM
The "$" goes before the number.
Incorrect: 100$
Correct: $100
Misfit Toy @ Jun 2nd 2009 10:46AM
Blister-pack free please.