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Halo 3 Recon goes open world with a touch of CSI photo

Despite time concerns, it appears as though Halo 3 Recon will have a bit more meat to it than what we thought. According to the latest Game Informer spread on the game, Recon will feature an open environment where players can traverse the game’s focal point, New Mombasa, and take missions at will.

The new details stemming from the article (via CVG) are numerous. First of all, players will be experiencing Recon through the eyes of a soldier called The Rookie. Just like Master Chief, he’ll remain behind his helmet. Apparently, he won’t be talking either. He’ll lack shields, but not the ability to regenerate health. Basically he’s a step down from the Chief, which should lend credence to the slower paced, strategic gameplay.

The story of the game revolves around the disappearance of four squad members. Each member’s location is provided as a pinpoint on the game’s map system, which can be checked via a PDA. After getting the map hammered, players will visit the scene of a disappearance and put together clues to solve what happened. At this point, the game will put players in the shoes of the missing soldier to act out what happened in the scenario.
 
More details are included in a nifty list after the break.

  • Events take place during Halo 2
  • PDA is used to set up waypoints
  • The Rookie possesses something called “Visual Mode,” which makes items and enemies glow for linear fun.
  • New Mombasa is regarded as something that can be explored and the mission structure is flexible in terms of picking which one to do next.
  • Bungie creative director Joseph Staten actually compares crime scenes and the navigation of to Law and Order
  • Four squad mates seem to fit the stereotypical mode. Dutch is called “a big guy,” Romeo is a sniper who is “kind of a dick.”
  • No motion tracking or dual-wielding.

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32 comments | showing # 1 to 32
AgentMOO's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/17/2008 19:20
AgentMOO
This is unexpected, maybe it'll be interesting.
Dexter345's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/17/2008 19:25
Dexter345
Neat.
Wonder Woody's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/17/2008 19:30
Wonder Woody
Hmm, halo+?
VengefulPenor's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/17/2008 19:32
VengefulPenor
Wait you can select missions? THIS IS NOT THE HALO I KNOW!
VengefulPenor's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/17/2008 19:33
VengefulPenor
Missions at will?
Chibi_Zero's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/17/2008 19:33
Chibi_Zero
If this is done right it could be...Fun?
Mikey's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/17/2008 19:35
Mikey
A new Halo game? Different from previous Halo games? No way!
enfaw's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/17/2008 19:47
enfaw
Can we still jump really high?
falinter's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/17/2008 19:53
falinter
Can we still pay less than $60?
Just making sure...
Mig29's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/17/2008 20:12
Mig29
Wow. This actually sounds good, not that I'm getting my hopes up or anything....
CelicaCrazed's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/17/2008 20:19
CelicaCrazed
Almost sounds like an RPG set-up. Maybe a hybrid of some sorts. Could be cool.
nukka jdav's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/17/2008 20:27
nukka jdav
Wooow, halloo way to mix things up a bittt heerrre.

I applaud you with a smarmy yet proud face.

But really, this sounds wayyyy better than just more of the same.
wfolse1's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/17/2008 20:50
wfolse1
Man, I was pretty excited already, but this sounds even better. I'm really looking forward to this game.
pendelton21's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/17/2008 20:50
pendelton21
Well, my faith has just been reaffirmed in a dead franchise...
TheCleaningGuy's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/17/2008 21:03
TheCleaningGuy
No dual wielding? Shame.
The one change that they really need to make is the removal of all 12-year-olds on live.
xSledgewick's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/17/2008 21:28
xSledgewick
Why does nobody else notice this is just Far Cry 2 and Halo 3 mashed together?

They're simply trying to incorporate some new ways to do things because of the direction games are going now. I have faith in this game though, due to it obviously trying to reconcile Halo 2's shitty action, super hero story.
D-Nez's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/17/2008 22:07
D-Nez
@xsledge Hey I like far Cry 2 so if I get Halo done like that I'm down. Thats one of the things I kinda disliked about halo - how linear it was. On open New Mombasa similar to Far Crys Africa would be a welcome change. I just hope it has a little more variety than Far Cry's Africa. The same out outpost with the same 3 vehicles gets a little boring. An open world with Wartogs, Scorpions, Ghosts Hornets makes me sad that Bungie isn't developing Halo exclusively cause thats the type of thing that could renew interest in the franchise..not that is unpopular or anyhting
F Whipple's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/17/2008 22:13
F Whipple
So it's different? I bet this doesn't sell nearly as well then
Exquisitor's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/17/2008 22:25
Exquisitor
Will there be random NPC's with question marks over their heads. And after you right click on them they ask you to kill 10 grunts. After you gain enough Haloz rep you can buy a purple sniper rifle that gives you +2 levels to your pwn skill.

But in all seriousness, it seems that they are ripping off GTA with an open environment, and Left4Dead with the team of 4 unique characters. They might as well add experience points and unlockable weapons and perks if they want to get on CoD4's bandwagon.
Sharpless's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/17/2008 22:37
Sharpless
Sounds interesting. They have my attention.

@Exquisitor
Um, no. How many open environment games are out there? A lot. How many games with 4 (or more) unique characters in them are there? A lot. By your criteria, because it's in first-person and guns are involved, it's also a Doom rip-off. Honestly, people, think more clearly.
vexed alex's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/17/2008 22:48
vexed alex
That's pretty interesting.
MechaMonkey's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/17/2008 22:50
MechaMonkey
Oo la la.
GohanGVO's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/17/2008 23:38
GohanGVO
That sounds pretty rad, really.
Noah's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/18/2008 02:14
Noah
As long as it's cheap I want it
ajaxender's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/18/2008 03:18
ajaxender
This is what i wanted them to do with each level in Halo 3, back when id just finished 2 and was thinking about what they could do next.
Of course, a number of games have done similar to this now, but I really dont think any of them have done it to perfection yet. I very much doubt Recon will do better, just from whats been said so far, but this still makes me more interested than i was.
Static Jak's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/18/2008 06:04
Static Jak
This sounds pretty interesting.
Budboy311's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/18/2008 07:41
Budboy311
I like the sound of this more than the actual Halo games. Should be a good-natured romp.
ZombiePlatypus's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/18/2008 08:07
ZombiePlatypus
I was already going to get this, but now my excitement just went way up...
Wedge's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/18/2008 10:04
Wedge
So maybe it'll be a Far Cry 2 that doesn't suck balls?
KilgoreTrout XL's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/18/2008 10:23
KilgoreTrout XL
That's fucking interesting, man. - The Dude
WarZombie's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/18/2008 12:26
WarZombie
I was going to buy this regardless, but this sounds way different compared to the other Halo games (Which is a great thing). It's kind of disappointing that they decided to change the formula now, instead of trying with Halo 3 like they should have, but I don't mind as long as this is longer than Halo 3.

Seriously, doesn't anyone else think that game was way too short? It took my brother and I just six hours to finish.

But like I said, just as long as we get a longer game then I'm happy. I'd hate to think that just because this game doesn't feature Master Chief that it gives Bungie leeway to not try and just half-ass the campaign portion of this game and focus on the multiplayer instead.
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