halo-3-odst-11Today I do not come to you as mild mannered gaming journalist Josh Salem, but rather, ODST (Orbital Drop Shock Trooper) Private Salem. Yes, that’s right, last night in the Fermenting Cellar at the historic Distillery District in beautiful Toronto (although it was raining) I completed (with fly colours) my ODST training from Sgt. Swaggard and his troops and got dropped into the pandemonium of Firefight.

Perhaps I should Explain.

Marking the launch of Halo 3: ODST, a sneak peek event was held yesterday in which fans (and VIPs whom got in an hour earlier by finding a secret code) were treated to quite the set up. Waiting outside what looked like an abandoned warehouse a fully clad, fully loud drill Sargent burst out the blacked out doors and ordered the first 5 cadets to line up, shout Hoorah and march inside the hell droppers training facility. Once inside we were commanded to strip down to our birthday suits and be deloused (no, not really). Once inside we registered with the proper authorities (gave our marketing information), and were seated in an army style bunker where two extremely intense and imposing soldiers (again fully clad in UNSC gear) informed us that we were the best of the best, and that we only had 5 minutes to go from cadets to full ODSTs as a battle was being waged right outside. We were given our dog tags (lanyards), uniforms (t-shirts from American Apparel… glad to know they’re still around in times of war), and our war cards (little cards for E3 explaining the controls). We were yelled at, badgered, and demanded questions; the solider sitting infront of me became top of class and team leader.

Master Chief's ride.

Master Chief's ride.

Once my future shell shock experiences were over we were shouted out of the tent and into the next room. Now, keep in mind that this whole area was pretty dark and there were lots of big men and women yelling at us army style, the mood was set, I knew it was all in good fun but secretly a part of me was afraid of the upcoming fight I would have to bare and the intensity grew threefold. In this next room though, it felt like something out of The Wizard fog all around (which is why a number of my photos didn’t turn out), more UNSC soldiers directing the new cadets to their battle stations, and about 9 standing terminals with 4 screens, 4 X-boxes, and 4 controllers each. This was it, the trial of Firefight mode. We played as a unit for a good 20-30 minutes before our lives expired and it was time for the next batch to experience. The ambiance was great as there were two huge screens hung in the corner showing what the middle (and raised) station players were up to, the sound was loud and furious from the gameplay and with green lights flashing everywhere (as well as silhouettes of the Covenant scum and New Mombasa in ruins all around, you really got into the mood.

Once you died however, the UNSC soldiers who had been badgering you previously turned mournful and sympathetic, thanking you for your courage, shaking your hand, and offering candy, drinks, and coupons for your honour. Once  I went through my ODST training I felt I could do anything, so I went over to the media room (which was essentially just another blocked off area with nothing in it but a few chairs, Microsoft’s Jeff Rivait, and a Halo 3 ODST SUV with a big screen in the back playing the single player mode with Jeff walking us beaten soldiers through a typical romp as the Rookie.

Where our will was shattered and rebuilt as ODSTs

Where our will was shattered and rebuilt as ODSTs

I don’t want to ruin any spoilers so I won’t discuss what I saw. But I will tell you this cadet; Halo 3: ODST is much more than any of us had ever thought it could be, it’s not an expansion, it’s a whole new game, with 7 hours of gameplay in single player mode, co-op mode, a whole new disc of Halo 3 multiplayer mode with all the maps released for it (as well as 3 all new maps) and what I am most excited for, Firefight mode; Halo 3: ODST is definitely one of the games I am most excited for this holiday season.

Halo 3: ODST drops feet first into hell (comes out) TODAY! As well, we have a special Firefight preview video that will be hitting andPOP.com very soon for those who don’t like to read these previews… but then again, if you don’t than you wouldn’t be reading this far anyways.

Private Salem reporting for duty, HOORAH!






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