When first announced, Halo 3: ODST - or Halo: Recon, as it was originally called - was seen as being merely an expansion pack to Halo 3. Bungie even tossed around the phrase "value-oriented." According to retailer listings, though, it'll be a $60 game.

"At the time of those statements, the overall scope of Halo 3: ODST was not yet finalized, and since then the project has grown increasingly more ambitious," a Microsoft spokesperson told Joystiq. "We believe this standalone experience is much more than just an expansion. Halo 3: ODST provides a new campaign from the point of view of an entirely new character. Combine that with three new multiplayer maps, the entirely new cooperative mode called Firefight, and the complete Halo 3 multiplayer collection on a standalone disc, we feel this is a good value and tremendous addition to the Halo franchise."

Firefight, if you're not aware, is sort of like Horde mode from Gears of War 2, with a group of four players fending off waves of Covenant baddies. We could quibble over whether or not ODST is worth $60 - particularly if you already own Halo 3 - but anyone who's interested in Halo is probably going to buy it regardless because of the Halo: Reach beta voucher it comes with.