Today's game on display from our physical collection is Halo 3 ODST for the Xbox 360!
Like for many, the Halo series was one of the deciding factors when it came to buying an Xbox 360. While Sonic the Hedgehog (2006) was my number one reason—a story I've already embarrassingly shared—Halo was still high on my priority list. However, out of all the Halo releases on the Xbox 360, one title has remained extra special to me and is likely the one I’ve revisited the most: Halo 3: ODST.
Dropping Into New Mombasa
While part of my nostalgia for ODST stems from it being the first Halo game I bought on launch day, the primary reason I enjoy it so much is its distinct setting. Taking place right after the invasion of Earth in Halo 2, the game shifts focus away from series protagonist Master Chief to squad members of the Orbital Drop Shock Troopers (ODST) as they drop into battle against the Covenant.
After an insertion goes wrong, you wake up in the aftermath of New Mombasa's fall and explore the city's ruins to piece together what happened. By discovering clues left behind by the rest of the squad, you play through each character's memories in classic, linear Halo missions, while the silent city itself serves as an atmospheric hub filled with mystery.
A Lasting Legacy
This structure really helped ODST stand out from previous entries. The game also included a dedicated Halo 3 multiplayer disc packed with all the previously released DLC maps along with three new ones—a massive plus for someone like me whose slow internet connection took hours to download even the smallest update. While it didn't replace Halo 3, it served as the perfect companion title that extended the game's legacy leading up to Halo: Reach.
I loved the game so much that I even made it a central focus for a college project, where I distinctly remember getting a enthusiastic "Yo, that game is tight!" from a classmate the second the slide hit the projector.
Today, ODST is easily accessible as part of Halo: The Master Chief Collection, and the franchise even saw a crossover with Helldivers 2. For anyone who missed out on it back in the day, it's still well worth checking out.
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