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Forums - Microsoft Discussion - Halo: ODST - "Two words: really underwhelming"

wholikeswood on 10 September 2009

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?



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JaggedSac on 10 September 2009

So basically, the only thing he had a problem with is the Halo 3 graphics engine?



wholikeswood on 10 September 2009

Yeah, I guess, guy reckoned it was a lazy effort and a bit of a cynical cash-in, resulting in a game that looked a bit old hat. But obviously the gameplay will still be quality Halo action.

Anyway, have any ideas about the Meta, Jagged?



Spankey on 10 September 2009

no matter what the critics say this game will still sell like hot cakes a HALO game



Proud Sony Rear Admiral

Barozi on 10 September 2009

lol compare Halo 3 and ODST. The engine looks different cause it uses a different art style.

It's like saying Mirror's Edge and Bioshock look similar

 

btw: HDR anyone ??? Geeez



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otoniel on 10 September 2009

what the hell
just bcuz the graphics are not jaw dropping doesnt mean a game CANT be great
so just cuz of that the game is gonna get an 8 ?
so if the graphics were amaizing the game would get a 10?
so sad



Official Member of the Xbox 360 Squad 

JaggedSac on 10 September 2009
wholikeswood said:

Yeah, I guess, guy reckoned it was a lazy effort and a bit of a cynical cash-in, resulting in a game that looked a bit old hat. But obviously the gameplay will still be quality Halo action.

Anyway, have any ideas about the Meta, Jagged?

Low 80s.



The_God_of_War on 10 September 2009

I don't care about the graphics, it's the lack of matchmaking that disappoints me.



  

libellule on 10 September 2009

and people are still gonna buy it ...



Time to Work !

numonex on 10 September 2009

IMO Halo 3 had much better gameplay than both Gears of War 2 and Killzone 2. Halo 3 outsold both Killzone 2 and Gears of War 2 combined. Halo 3 = 10 million sales and counting. Gears of War 2 and Killzone 2 combined are under 8 million.

From a graphics perspective Halo 3:ODST does not compare to either Gears of War 2 or Killzone 2. Halo games do not sell for their graphics, it is all about the gameplay especially the highly addictive and replayable multi-player games and the wide appeal.
Halo 3:ODST will be once again another 5 million + selling game.

Mario and other Firat party Ninteno games on the Wii - are not selling because of the graphics it's because of the innovative gameplay and the huge popularity of the Mario series.

Halo is a big name series which sells due to its huge worldwide appeal especially in the United States that account for 70% of the Halo series sales.

The opinion of one negative journalist does not mean anything. Halo 3:ODST will sell extremely well. Over 2 million copies will be sold in the United States first week sales alone. 3 million + copies of Halo 3:ODST will be sold in its first week worldwide. Falling short of the 3.8 million worldwide first week sales of Halo. 3 million sales in opening week would be awesome.