Over time, Halo 3: ODST has evolved into a full-fledged, full-priced title that demands to be played on its own merits.

Halo players might notice a little something missing, however: theres no Master Chief in this one, folks.

The Rookie is a lone UNSC soldier protecting New Mombasa in the East African Protectorate (what was formerly Kenya).

Hes weaker, slower, and more vulnerable than MC, so expect to spend a significant amount of time in cover, strategizing, rather than running in guns blazing and straight up kicking a Jackal in the face.

Three of your space marine teammates will be voiced by FireflySerenity alums, including Nathan Fillon (Buck), Adam Baldwin (Dutch) and Alan Tudyk (Mickey).

It is unknown what kind of force field Bungie constructed around their studios to prevent the world from exploding upon this awesome meeting.

Players finishing Halo 2s campaign were left with images of Earth under attack, and ODST tells the story of how humanity defended it.

We have a feeling that once they get into this game, theyll be having too much fun to care about continuity.

As mentioned before, you wont have the tough shields youre used to.

Gone is the ability to dual-wield weapons, too (perhaps they are simply too heavy for your insufficiently-armored body to hold).

There are some new goodies in store, though, that should make up for it.

Instead, your helmet will display VISR (Visual Intelligence System, Reconnaissance), which outlines enemies in red for your convenience.

Other items of importance will be outlined in yellow, and teammates will be outlined in green.

If youre looking for a map, youre out of luck, because all youre getting is a compass.

Youll still have an aiming reticule like in the earlier installments of the Halo series.

ODSTs have access to two new weapons they often start missions with: the M7S Machine Gun and the M6CSOCOM.

The M7S Machine Gun is a variant of the M7 Caseless Submachine Gun.

It separates itself by offering an external flash and sound suppressor (essential for the stealthier-not stealthy, but stealthier-gameplay of ODST) and a laser sight.

The M6CSOCOM is a semi-automatic pistol, and a variant of the M6C Magnum Sidearm.

Itll shoot a lot like the powerful scoped M6D pistol fans loved in Halo: Combat Evolved.

Once you find these beacons (presumably homing devices attached to drop pods, one-person craft that lower ODSTs into battle), youll experience flashbacks that last about 30 minutes and put you in the role of that character, experiencing the events that they experienced.

Unlike the rest of the game, these flashbacks will be linear experiences.

Halo 3 Odst Emulator