So, is that Halo 3: ODST purchase finally paying off?  It’s been a long time coming, but my copy of ODST is now doing exactly what I purchased it for: Halo: Reach Beta access.

In this neighborhood, blue armor will get you killed

I’m sure that those who haven’t yet played the game are wondering what it plays like.  Is it like Halo 3, 2, or 1?  Well, it seems to me to be more like the first two, but it seems like the weapon balance is better than previous games.  I never felt like I was killing or being killed unfairly.  Unfortunately there were only two maps that I was able to play on, but with various game modes.  I’m guessing that Bungie will be limiting which maps etc. people can play so they can analyze data.

Do you want a jetpack? Hell yeah you do!

Most of the time, you’ll be playing as a Spartan.  You get to select from Airborn (jet pack), Guardian (allows you to put up an impenetrable shield, but you can’t move or attack), Scout (sprint ability), and Stalker (go invisible).  Stalkers can’t hear much when they’re invisible, and their radar goes haywire, so it’s not an unfair choice.  I found each loadout to be useful and fun, and I was switching almost every time I respawned.  A nice surprise that I had forgotten about was the fact that you can play as a Covenant (and they’re not just a different model)!  The major difference here is that the Covenant get a dodge/roll maneuver that they can do twice in a row, and then it has to recharge.  It allows you to quickly take cover, roll in and attack, evade…it is a hell of a lot of fun.  It’s one simple addition that adds a lot, and you simply have to try it for yourself.

Beautiful flaming skulls…

There’s a new headhunter mode which is crazy, chaotic, and quite addictive.  Whenever someone gets killed, a skull pops out of them, and the object is to collect skulls and bring them to two different checkpoints that change their location every minute or so.  If you are carrying any skulls, a number will appear over your head, and everyone can see it; so if you get too greedy, everyone will be (bad pun incoming) hunting for your head.  When someone else had a high number over their head, I felt compelled to chase them down, kill them, and watch all the flaming skulls fly, like some glorious halloween fireworks display.

One thing I noticed is that in one of the maps an air vent had been blocked off, because of the specific game mode we were playing.  This shows to me that Bungie knows their maps, and isn’t just throwing the game together; they took the time to test each map for each game type, to make sure the gameplay is fun/balanced.  The only thing I didn’t like in the beta is the every-man-for-himself oddball mode, which has 8 players going after one skull.  It was such a cluster…you-know-what, that I didn’t enjoy it even though I won; but hey, that’s what the beta is for, ironing out the kinks.

I had a great 6 hours of play time, and look forward to seeing more of the maps/weapons/vehicles that are in store.  Enjoy the Beta!

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