Halo 3: ODST is a very unique game in the series. Initially deigned as DLC, it morphed into its fully fledged game, as spin-off tie in to bridge the gap narratively between Halo 2 and 3. It only takes place in one location, similar to Combat Evolved, but truly just in one location, a city on Earth, so aesthetically the biomes and environments are similar. The biggest difference is it features only new characters, the ODSTs. A more human feel, as you’re not a super soldier. You play as a squad, and features a different atmosphere/tone than the others.
While a smaller game, it comes with some great levels. So here is my ranking of ODSTs levels.
Mombasa Streets
It’s not a traditional level, as it’s open world, a first for the series, and it’s not even a level. It’s more a hub for the player (The Rookie) to explore. It perfectly captures everything ODST is going for: An alien invasion, detective mystery story, with a film noir atmosphere. The city at night, the music, rain, destruction, police lights flashing, the sense of loneliness in an occupied alien city; it all fits in perfectly. I love exploring the streets, seeing Covenant squads move about, you feel more human this time. Not a bad ass super-soldier. The random encounters of Covenant was always fun, needing to always be vigilant. It’s very well done in its design and execution. Especially for one location, the city doesn’t feel too repetitive. And it’s quite replayable. I can just go back and roam the streets endlessly. But as stated, it’s not a traditional level, which is reserved for the flashbacks and last two missions.
8. Kikowani Station
I enjoyed the use of the banshee throughout, and the wide open environments, the counters being different enough through each section. Especially battling the scarab, with the option of taking it down or avoiding it (I always destroy it). A good level, but not one I replay a whole lot. It feels too slow paced several times throughout. And maybe the darkness in this level is reminiscent of the Mombasa Streets hub level. And in this case, I don’t think it worked as well, it’s too dark at times. It’s fun enough I don’t hate it like some other levels in the original trilogy, but just not as fun as most of ODST’s other levels. But I’m happy there was a flying focused level in this game, something I never get tired of.
7. Tayari Plaza
The first level playing as Buck, immediately after the opening cutscene, is a perfect contrast with playing as the Rookie at night. A solid level in the day, to show what the city was like in contrast with the destruction at night. This is executed quite well, especially seeing these areas you visit as the Rookie, But it’s a standard level, with not much going on. I enjoyed the part where Buck sees dead Elites, contacts Veronica, and she says “It’s classified,” giving hints to the civil war that would erupt in Halo 2. Your objective is simple, needing to rescue Veronica, and while the level is enjoyable, it’s just short. The part with taking out Hunters was a lot of fun, especially as you have some options how to approach the set piece, and taking out Covenant. Just a solid level that doesn’t wow me as others.
6. Kizingo Boulevard
A tank level playing as Mickey, that focuses on urban combat provided a different take on a vehicle section, as they’re mostly used in open rural areas.
Like most of ODST, this level is fairly short, and personally, not a big fan of the urban setting with the tank. It feels a bit claustrophobic at times. But as always, using a tank to destroy every vehicle – including some phantoms and banshees – is always fun! The final defence section is actually my favorite part, because how the wide area to defend, or take the fight to the Covenant. Different weapons and turrets to use gives you player choice. So the main focus of the mission is a bit of a mixed bag for me, the final set piece ends this level on a high note. Especially with the music that fits so well with this level!
5. Uplift Reserve
An overall fun warthog themed level, sees you playing as Ditch fighting Covenant through a nature preserve. It’s the only level you fight brute choppers strangely. But the various set pieces are enjoyable, and fighting your way to the Prophet of Regret’s ship’s LZ (The one Chief tried to board in Halo 2), added to the level’s intensity.
The open area of taking out wraiths, shade turrets, helping marines, gave you plenty of freedom to approach it. And seeing the space elevator crash as you go through bridges/tunnels, actually had my jaw down for a brief few seconds. Those classic epic Halo moments!
Getting to the LZ after, was a real challenge, as Covenant forces would not give it up easily. It was definitely one of the toughest parts of the entire game. While the end wasn’t special, it’s a standard set piece encounter, overall, I always have fun playing this level. The flashbacks level in the day usually have big epic moments to contract the quiet, loneliness feel of the night as the Rookie, and this level does a great job of being bombastic.
4. Coastal Highway
What a great finale! Needing to escort Veronica and the Covenant Engineer to safety, and get out of the city as Covenant destroy it. The first in the city in the morning is fine, playing as the Rookie is nice seeing what it looks like after walking the streets at night.
But the best part is escorting Veronica and the Engineer as they use a garbage truck, while you either ride or use a chain gun warthog with Buck. Fighting along the longest highway ever! My only gripe is it can feel a bit long and repetitive. But it’s saved with the various ground troop encounters, and vehicle sections. You just gotta wipe out an entire Covenant army as you fight your way out of the city.
You get to use a chain gun warthog, then a gauss hog, then a scorpion! This helps keep variety and encounters from being mostly repetitive. What I love about the level is seeing Covenant ships start glassing the city, and Scarabs moving about. Gives a real sense of an alien invasion, and that you aren’t a super soldier. You’re desperate to survive. The music just adding to the intensity, making the atmosphere and tone all the more palpable and memorable.
The final act is a defense section against several waves of Covenant troops, including Hunters and Brute Chieftains. You have a variety of weapons to use, and where you hold out, so player freedom/options give a sense of more strategy and thought into your engagements. You hold out long enough to finally escape the city on a captured phantom!
While an escort mission, it’s not annoying as many others in gaming. And not as punishable. The encounters along the highway vary, and the atmosphere/background vistas make me appreciate this level more. I love this level so much.
Oh, and the final shot showing the Covenant digging up the portal, what a perfect way to tie into Halo 3.
3. ONI Alpha Site
What a great defensive themed level! I loved the opening, arming detonators on a bridge, using a sniper rifle and spartan laser to take our Covenant troops, banshees and wraiths. Then blowing the bridge up, what a start to the level!
Then falling back to the main base, fighting uphill against troops and especially Hunters (Like Halo 3, sucks you barely fight Hunters and Drones evenly spaced throughout the game). Defending against oncoming troops, holding up with a turret or rocket launchers, from whichever position you think best.
Then you’re pushed inside the base. Honestly, this is the most adrenaline themed level of the game. In the centre of a room, seeing Covenant cut through the doors, then taking out wave after wave of them. Suicide Grunts wielding plasma grenades, raging Brutes, jackals, it doesn’t end. Then phantoms drop behind you, and you need to adjust your fire. It’s so tense, and always a blast to play.
I try my best to keep as many marines and cops alive as possible, especially once the elevator arrives, and you need to take out some Drones. Then on the rooftop removing jet pack brutes. This whole level makes it feel more of an alien invasion, and you’re not all powerful, because you’re constantly being pushed back. All you can is delay, then destroy the base. So it is a victory in a sense.
The various set pieces, how you hold out with what weapons, the player freedom, makes this a great level the whole way!
2. Data Hive
The penultimate level that sums up the detective mystery story, sees the Rookie traversing the bowels of the city, looking for Veronica.
I love the ominous feel, in a more enclosed area compared to the streets of Mombasa. While the level is a bit repetitive, it’s not as bad compared to other games in the franchise.
The best part is the encounter with a cop, just a random guy needing to a personal mission. This has 2 alternative scenarios. He either gets taken away by Drones, or, if you found all the audio logs that tell a side story, he keeps stating with you until a certain part, that reveals the ending of the side story. And then he turns on you! What a way to spice up gameplay, storytelling, and replay to the level, and overall game!
Continuing from that point, the areas in the level start getting colder, freezing as you get closer to your objective. Once Dare reveals you and your squads’ mission, it shifts to a rescue. The next part is going through a hive Drones have created through the city’s A.I. superintendent core. This had me on edge, as they could come out anywhere. And there’s a lot of them! It’s pretty much the only level they really appear significantly, which is a shame, but they’re used to perfection here.
Once you rescue the engineer, and reunite with Buck, you need to take down Brute Chieftains and swarms of Covenant bent on the Engineer’s demise. And sleeping Drones hanging from the wall.
I just love this level’s pacing, design, variety of encounters, the sense of intrigue and mystery, similar to Combat Evolved. You’re in the heart of enemy occupied territory, but you pull through. Apart from a slight repetitiveness in aesthetic/design and layout, this is a top notch level.
1. NMPD HQ
A different sniper themed level. Taking place on the roofs of skyscrapers of New Mombasa, especially with the police department, you play as Romeo, needing to rescue your teammates after their pelican was shot down. As Buck said, “Alive or dead, we’re pulling them out, you hear me?!”
I love the sniper sections, taking out Jackal snipers, jet pack Brutes, grunts, just a blast. And the areas are open to offer some strategy in how you take out the Covenant. Good pace, various groups and the level design are different enough to want to replay endlessly.
Even after the encounters are finished, I enjoy standing on the edge of the skyscraper and seeing the huge vistas, mainly Covenant ships flying around, and the tops of buildings piercing through the skies, gives me a sense of epicenes, and the Covenant’s grasp on the city is tightening. Before, the battles were bigger, with marines accompanying you. But now it’s just the squad. Especially as you see corridors littered with dead cops and Covenant.
I love that you can just ditch the sniper rifle, and go loud and bombastic. Especially against Brute Chieftains wielding plasma cannons. Buck and Romeo’s banter and dynamic is very strong; they respect each other, but don’t seem to always agree and like each other. Buck can act as a scout, pointing out potential soldiers for a surprise attack.
Then, when you locate your teammates you need to cross a crane between buildings! And it gives you an amazing defence section to close out the level! Probably helps with the soundtrack, the electric guitar and drums pounding, giving you an emotional intensity. You need to hold against waves of phantoms, banshees, and troops.
You have a lot of weaponry at your disposal in how you defended yourself. You got chain guns, missile pods, spartan laser, rocket launchers, and I love using them all! Destroying the banshees and phantoms is always satisfying. Once it ends, you feel satisfied. Just a blast the entire time, a level I love replaying this level. Great mix of sniping, defense, bombastic moments, amidst a more unique location and level design.
So that’s my ranking of ODST’s level. What do you think? Rank your level below!
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