A New Look At The Halo Universe: Halo 3: Recon Preview

From XboxOZ360:

"All-new campaign content: The Halo 3: Recon campaign is an intriguing side story that takes place during the terrifying 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. While the feel of this new chapter greatly resembles that of previous Halo experiences, Halo 3: Recon will require you to employ more elements of stealth and cunning than ever before."

[Hunter86]

This will be interesting. Especially the multiplayer.

[gaminoz]

I think it will be good to leave Master Chief alone for awhile and see what happened from a new perspective. I'm sure we'll get back to him later....

[XboxOZ360]

I just want a decent, solid and engaging Single Player experience. And so long as it doesn't end up in the screaming mess any other online Halo event does, it could be half good.

As it is, I shy away from anything Halo online, as all it is is screaming-memees bouncing around like Jack-Rabbits and hollerin' whhaaawhhoo . .

[gaminoz]

@ XboxOZ

I'm totally with you...the single player game must have a good story besides "OMG invasion: I'm a super-trooper bang bang bang". If it is multi focused I just lost interest.

[XboxOZ360]

right with you there.

There is this fascination with all things MP these days, yet, stats show that the bulk of game purchases are used by SP gamers, and recent polls done (even on our site) show more ppl want solid SP experiences rather than MP the mush-pit rubbish which is dish out these days.

[jspc1989]

I couldnt agree more mate. For alot of games now, there is too much effort into try and make a game have a big multiplayer, or far too much concern on how many poly's they are pushing. If they conentrate on the SP experience, which personally is the major player for me (my fav type of games are RPG) then games will go alot further.

Now of course MP is one of the things the halo franchise is renowned for and i do love it, but i want a story in the game the gripped me as much as the stories from the books, then ill turn around and say wow!

[meepmoopmeep]

i loved Halo 1. then they sluffed off on the SP and just focused on MP from there onwards.
i hope they dig back to the origin or at least give just as much effort for SP.
maybe i'll start liking it again.

[Immortal Kaim]

I'm with all you guys. I'm sick of the single player experience being put on the back burner so they can focus on the multi. I'm first and foremost a single player gamer, though if the SP is good enough, I will then play it multi as well.

[leeeeed]

Can't wait to see something like this - it's awesome work by Bungie. As soon as everyone starts to show signs of fatigue with Chief as a character, they switch the focus... Clever :D

[Godem]

I'm Really disappointed that i wont be finding out what the hell that weird planet Master Chief was about to land on was....

But any Halo is good Halo, so bring on 2009.

[Immortal Kaim]

Wasn't that Onyx?

[XboxOZ360]

I'm actually glad he didn't come back to life on yet another planet . . but sheesses . . . is this guy made of iron . . . some level of believability would be good. Even if it is small.

[XboxOZ360]

What is it with some gamers and Halo . .it's like the second coming of christ or something . .

There are a huge bucket load of great games coming that are most likely better than Halo is, or will be, but the younger gamers seem to clamber for it in droves.

[consolewar]

Plenty of reasons why Halo is what it is....but maybe you are looking for Sony fans to agree with you...who knows anyway, the Halo franchise is let me say this...one the best if not the best fps in consoles. FACT
Having say that....what's wrong with droves of young gamers playing this awesome game?

[leeeeed]

I mean seriously! :D

Can anyone say "Halo is going to blow COD4 out of the water"?

[XboxOZ360]

I doubt anything will top COD4 at the moment except Gears 2 - for a little while, but I expect that COD4 will be back on the top, even COD5 will have its day, but until COD6 arrives, there's not much hope of long-term success on line re MP experience (long-term)

[gaminoz]

I think it is funny how many people go on about WW2 shooters (we have 2 this year) and then go on to play yet another sci fi shooter. I think this game has great potential if it goes a bit gritty and I think staying away from the normal Master Chief story is a good idea.

Bungie are going to have to deal with all the hype AGAIN....

[XboxOZ360]

Believe it - or not, yes, one of those statements, I'm NOT all that fussed about Halo anymore. I was originally, and 2 had me, but 3 left me a little flat and now it seems they are simply milking the franchise.

Although, with this new 'slant' on things, it could move things along and create a new way of looking at the franchise, without changing it all that much.

Time will tell.

[Neo Nugget]

Hooray for stealth!

/sneaky

[XboxOZ360]

So where are all the Halo-haters . . hmmm . all in bed no doubt . .

Mum probably tucked them in hours ago . . . and gave them a little peck on the forehead . . . . night-night little one . . .

[alexM]

http://www.slashgamer.com/2...

the game looks like dogshit

thats CGI trailer

see the gameplay images posted by Joystiq/some other website

OBOXOZ---hahaa that lame website that said Too Human was good

rather u go to bed
garbage sucker

[gaminoz]

AlexM:

I think it is a bit early to say what it will look like....

[XboxOZ360]

Thanks mate, I love you too . . and we still believe Too Human was a great game, once you got the hang of it, most gamers these days hate change, yet scream for innovation.

A developer gives them innovation, then the gamers scream foul because the developer changes the playing field.

The developer can never win . . I'm certainly glad I'm not one.

[alexM]

HAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA

http://www.slashgamer.com/w...

http://www.slashgamer.com/w...

HALO 2.5 confirmed

ROFL

Lol at stupid BOTS who are carried away by FAKE CGI screens

[Blu Ray3]

Halo is a powerful franchise.
I think it will be amazing.

Good one Oz.

I am a Playstation Diehard,but the way certain members act in here..............Nasim,Shane, Juuken,etc.
Frankly, I'm pretty fvckin embarrassed to be one.

MS is great competition for us,
and keeps Sony on their toes.
WTF?

[XboxOZ360]

Thanks mate.

I have NO idea why so many ppl have to be so god damn childish about these things. It 'seems' as if it has spread a great deal since Online Gaming for consoles has surfaced more than anything else, and the advent of online social networks and their ilk.

There are time I'm suitably embarrassed at comments some Xbots make, and I call them that because that is what they are, and frankly, neither the droid or the bots belong. N4G was a great sit before it became a hate-ground for platform wars.

Our site has a great deal of Sony fans that follow it. Not because they are Sony traitors, but because they see us as "gamers" not fanbois. Fanbois wouldn't go to Sony events, nor review Sony game, we do if it deems covering, as in the end, it's all about GAMES, not what side of the fence you're sitting on.

And Bubbles for you mate for stating so . .

Many seem to forget that without competition, there would be not innovations. Without MS Xbox-Division's XboxLIVE, there would be no PSN (seriously !!!) They basically told Phil Harrison to go take a jump when he suggested that Online gaming would be the way of the future (oh The Aviator). It's one of the main reasons he left Sony, he was not listened to by Sony heads.

So without the 1st-Gen Xbox having ethernet straight out of the Box, PS2 would not have pushed for online play, and without XboxLIVE, Sony's new Home would not be looking as good as it is.

Game developers would be putting out half-assed games like they were on the PS2 just to make sales and fill shelves. Developers jumped on Ed Fries when he asked them "what do you guys want from a console" . . They all demanded "easier SKD tool sets and the ability to make the games we WANT, not what we're told to make.

And if anyone doesn't know who Ed Fries is, use google.

[Internet Trolling Ex]

Reported to admin for insulting users

[XboxOZ360]

You've got to be kidding -right . . Worse has come from Sony fans any day of the week . . . I'm sure that is what the OPEN Zone is for, if you did bother to read why this zone is here for . . or didn't you . . ??

N4G admin put it here for such sarcasm silly . . .good god, when were you born . . if you can't tell sarcasm form an offensive post, then you need to re-read things a little slower.

[pumpkinpunker]

From all the Sony fanboys on N4G you'd think Halo wasn't one of the best game franchises of all time.

This game will hopefully serve as a full reminder.

@Silverchode

29. I've been playing FPS's since Doom. there are two different types of fps's: the gritty "realistic" ones like COD4 or Counterstrike and the sci-fi, space marine ones like Unreal Tournament or Quake.

As for a sci-fi space marine style multiplayer FPS there is no better than Halo. Sorry, there just isn't. Don't believe me then read the reviews:

Halo. metascore of 97 - http://www.metacritic.com/g...

Halo 2. metascore of 95 - http://www.metacritic.com/g...

Halo 3 - metascore of 94 - http://www.metacritic.com/g...

[gaminoz]

It certainly was something AMAZING back on Xbox and has continued to be a great series (if a bit overhyped). I don't think we should keep comparing Xbox games like Halo and Gears with Resistance and Killzone (or if you're a sony fanboy, the other way around). They all bring something to gaming in the shooter genre and I'll play them all.

[silverchode]

how old are you pumpkin?

[Harri4444]

really we are making this big of a deal about a DLC for a game that failed to live up to its hype miserably. PCs are going to play it for 10 hours than realize that it was a flop and you got ripped off.

[gaminoz]

Halo 3 suffered from too much hype but it was still a good Halo-esque game. You can't go and call it crap as it stuck to what it was good at. A lot of gamers have moved on to Gears/Resistance style gritty, but that doesn't mean that the Halo game was rubbish.

[Harri4444]

it was not the hype that killed it is was bungie not being willing to take any risks, and that is the difference between game companies like epic and insomniac they take crazy risks so half their games are crap (unreal tounement 111 and resistance 1) and half are prefect (gears and rachet and clank: tools of destruction). and I would like to note that rachet and clank is not a gritty style.

[Xelai]

And I personally am fed upwith so much gritty style and desaturated color palettes, all games seem clonical, Halo is the ony one that sands out as something different in all these games trying to be realistic, even though they are no more realistic than Halo.

[XboxOZ360]

It's less to do with Bungie taking the risks, but more to do at MS Xbox-Div allowing them to take risks.

Epic had to fight tooth and nail to keep the Chainsaw gun in the game from the day one, with Cliff Bleszinski have long, heated round-table discussions with MS's staffer who control content, that the gun was pivotal to the gameplay and that without it, it just wouldn't be the same game.

They (MS Xbox-Div) reluctantly gave in, but the fact that CB is relentless when he wants something certainly helped keep the gun/weapon in there.

[Godem]

theres probably a chance he is a fanboy...

[XboxOZ360]

Hmmm you could be right there, but I thank him anyway, as he lead me too some nice screens and a video for the article . .most appreciated . . hehehehe

[jspc1989]

if halo went all ''realistic'' on me and went with that nitty-gritty style.

Its one of the rare shooters that has some colour, some uniqueness to it, should i say.

I don't know why some of the people here are hating on it, is it becus its not trying to be some sort of graphical messiah? From what i remember halo was never about the graphics, it was about the gameplay, which is a rare thing for a game nowadays.

Consider this. Im not a fanboy of any sort, ill play where ever the games come and i fuly intend to lol, but one thing i have noticed is when a new sony game is announced the first thing you hear is, wow how awesome does that look (look mean graphically). Take heavy rain for example, im sure its gona be a great game, but for the second all u ever hear is - o this game wont look as good as heavy rain/uncharted or something along those lines.

Guys grow up seriously! some of us have been gaming for longer than one generation and couldnt really care for how photorealistic a game looks, if it plays crap and doesnt have me hooked i will complete it and forget about it.

I remember reading an article on the first resistance 2 videos, and most if not all the comments said - "o wow all the done in real time", or "only achieveable on ps3", u know just the usual really, but it just goes to show the some of the current gen ps3 owners may not have been in the hoby long. In previous gens at least fanboys could be civil to each other and realise its just a bit of fun, now theyre all 13 years olds who cant tel the difference and its all screwed over lol.

[XboxOZ360]

I agree, I've been around for a 'few' generations of games now, and while I do love many, I also enjoy the changes they are making within the industry to make my gaming experience better. So I'm all for change and improvement.

This is what will happen with Halo Wars, many will flock to it - initially, then realize it is NOT the Halo they have been used to, and not want to try a change. More fool them, as that is what gaming is about. Trying new innovations out, rather then keeping the same thing going year after year.

[Hunter86]

Yeah I hope it isnt overly gritty. Needs to still feel like part of the series.

[peowpeow]

I agree with xboxoz360's 1st comment
And the trailer was awesome!!

[Kenny G]

can we finally get a sprint? i hate jumping. just copy COD 4 already nobody cares if you do it

[Sanhlami]

Do I foresee third person with cover system Halo? Since it would make it stealthier.

Trailers was very epic as well.

[XboxOZ360]

It does 'seem' that way from what is available (and yes, we know they are not 'actual game screenshots to all the Sony fanbois out there) . . . we are as equally as excited about this as you are about SOCOM or R2 . . Both of which are great games in their own right, but I'm not knocking them, so stop knocking MS supporters for simply liking the games they wish to support.

[Hunter86]

I hope they don't go third person.

[rob6021]

Can't help but feel sorry for the 360 fanboys now. An expansion to an already overhyped game with average graphics?? Didn't they see the Killzone2 trailers?? I'm sorry Bungie that's not good enough, start over.

[gaminoz]

Trailers mean nothing for either of these games: look at Killzone 1: looked great; was rather ordinary. I'll wait until these are both out to judge them...

Remember Haze....

[XboxOZ360]

I'm with you on that one mate.

While I might be a xbox supporter, I know the difference between what appears as Promo Fluff, and what ends up on the game disc. There's always a huge disparity between the two, no matter WHAT platform it is on. Sony or MS . . anyone that says otherwise is fooling themselves - big time.

Even many "in-game" shots are not exactly how the finished product looks like once completed. As itgets closer to completion, some corners get cut so they can pick up on others. Personally, I don't mind the odd jaggie, or even a small tear in a scene, or dare I say not realistic visuals, but so long as the story is tight, and the gameplay is well exicuted and has some believability, then that's fine with me.

However, these days, there are a few generations of gamers who almost demand perfection from every game, no matter what. And developers are faced with ever increasing costs justto meet that level.

Tiberium was canned . .wantto know why ? Because the studio stated that it wanted a higher metric score than 8.2 or 8.5 otherwise they were not interested in putting the game out. Just shows how much influence game scores and the reactions of some gamers are having on developers. Mak=ing some fear putting out a game that may well be great, but not be in the high 8's or 9's.

What happened to great games being a 6-8 and excellent games being 8 - 9 and not many. if any games getting 10.

These days, a good game gets a score of 7 or 8, and just about every x and y generation gamers hammers the game for being shiiitee. It has gotten right out of hand, and is now affecting game development, as seen by not only Tiberium, but the Bourne Game which has been canned I believe. Which was a great game and full of new innovation.

What are WE doing to the industry, it's not all the developers fault, they follow what is dictated by the masses, and now, if a game isn't a 8.9 or 9 and above, they are thinking twice about even making it. And we have no one to blame other than ourselves for that, and especially over the last 3 years since Online gaming has exploded on consoles.

[zonetrooper5]

Can't wait for this game, looking pretty awesome. If those were the graphics then my eyes would thank me lol.

[GrathiusXR]

It was inevitable and t has to happen but at least is isn't MC this time at least it's from a different perspective which is good to see..

It's not out of Bungie's comfort zone and it is something they are extremely familiar with and i hope they hear the hundreds of complaints on the graphics engine and many other issues people had with halo 3 i hope that the graphics are way better, the game is a little less happier and has more grunt..

it need to be less super fun happy time and more super fun dark sci fi bad ass...