Halo 3 ODST is 'underwhelming', reckons a journalist who has recently been given access to a review build of the game.
When asked what it was like, our source mustered a fairly despondent response:
"Two words: really underwhelming."
"You just look at it and think 'so what?'. Sure, the multiplayer is fun (it's Halo after all) but it's all built on an old engine (which looks pretty much untouched) and looks nowhere near as good as games such as Gears of War 2 or Killzone 2. It smacks of no effort and is a teensy bit cynical. [Microsoft] needed a big franchise title for this Christmas and presumably there wasn't enough time to build something new, so they gave us new missions on old, ageing technology that didn't really look that great first time round."
Harsh, but is pretty much what we we've been thinking all along really. Just take a look at the direct-capture screenshots and videos we got our hands on a few days ago. The game runs in less-than-720 resolution, is really jaggy and overall looks pretty washed out - regardless of what the gameplay is like, we reckon a 'triple A' franchise deserves 'triple A' technology.
This is Halo. HALO! One of the most recognisable and popular franchises the videogames world has ever seen. In terms of overall quality, it SHOULD be up there with Gears and Killzone, not limping along at 640p. Let's be clear, we say this as people who want Halo to be amazing, not 'fanboys' or 'haters', as backwards-cap-wearing American teens will no doubt accuse us of being. It doesn't matter if you're the biggest Halo and 360 Fan going - don't bury your head in the sand, demand better!
Anyway, back to our source. He reckons most reviews are poised 'to drop' September 20th:
"Embargo’s lifted ten days from now. That’s when we’ll be slammin’ our review live."
But what score will it be getting?
"Haven’t decided yet. Prolly give it an eight to be safe."
To be safe... that's the world we live in people. Don't give big games low marks - no one wants to hear it.
http://www.gameswire.net/news/reviewer-odst-is-underwhelming_316.html
Can't vouch for the "source" but I'm interested to know what Metacritic score people believe ODST will attain. I'm going to take a stab in the dark and suggest 86. What do you guys think?
