It’s the finale in our three week overview comparison of Halo 3: ODST and M.A.G. This week we tackle the very delicate but important subject of replay values. Yes, how replayable will either game be and will both titles offer up the longevity necessary to hold gamers over until the next sequel?

In the previous rounds M.A.G pretty much swept the floor with Halo 3:ODST. Even in Round 2 for Weapon Balance, gamers agree that M.A.G owned up over ODST. Well, joining us for this third and final round between the two shooter titans for the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 is the staff from Electronic Theatre. There’s no sense putting a lot of words to paper or digits to the pad, so let’s get this thing started with the final round right here at Blend Games.

Final Round: Replayability

M.A.G

ET - ManPac: Perhaps the easiest argument to level at MAG would be that of it’s replayability. Simply bullet-pointing the extensive Class System, the comprehensively team-based gameplay, the command system and opportunity to climb the ranks, and the invigoratingly fresh look at earning skills (known as “load-outs” here) would be more than enough to compete against the majority of online multi-player titles on the Current-Generation, before even beginning to discuss the variety of gameplay objectives available for the unquestionably large-scale battles. The revision of Capture the Flag mode that sees squads commandeering enemy vehicles from several points on the map will keep the Officer in Command engaged in a totally different capacity to that of a grunt storming across the battlefield to plant an explosive on an enemy heavy weapon, and with a matchmaking system that will vary your position in your chosen faction with each battle, MAG will provide an extensive array of gameplay opportunities.

BG - William Usher It’s true that M.A.G has such a large scope on the variety of simple game modes. I like the idea that the game manages to execute a pseudo-persistent world element and continually offers gamers something new to do with old-school game types. The destructible environments and ever-changing atmosphere between the three factions almost makes it sound like it could be as addictive as any other MMO out there.

Halo 3: ODST

ET – Kev. J:Yes, there’s a complete single-player campaign with varying difficulty settings, skulls and (hopefully) an engaging storyline. Yes, this can be played co-operatively, both online and split-screen. Yes, there’s the complete multi-player component from Halo 3, including every setting, map, gameplay mode and Downloadable Content expansion offered since the original release’s launch. But, more than any of this, is a brand new gameplay option called FireFight.
FireFight is said to have taken it’s inspiration from Gears of War 2’s Horde Mode, though it could just as easily be said that Bungie had been inspired by Konami’s Super Nintendo Entertainment System and Mega-Drive release Zombies (i.e., Zombies Ate My Neighbours in the US). FireFight is a brand new co-operative mode for up to four players, featuring all the Halo antics you’ve come to love in a survival against the odds. Grenades, vehicles, unique maps and persistent online Leaderboards are available for you to carve your own battles, along with the option to modify the difficulty not only through the now traditional four settings, but also through the implementation of Skulls. Skulls command a variety of effects, such as removing your shield’s recharge capability or increasing the damage enemies can sustain, but each offers a unique twist once the standard settings have been mastered.
With Halo 3: ODST looking like a more generous package by the day, to suggest that it’s lifespan is limited by anything less than your commitment to First-Person Shooters would be little more than a farce. Get a group of friends together, and you’ll be most likely to spend just as much time arguing which of the gameplay options available you should play as actually playing them.

BG – William Usher: Well that’s summed up rather nice, but the problem with all Halo games fall in the realm of gameplay depth. The problem is that Halo 3 had a ton of options but eventually got pretty repetitive and boring, hence it failed a bit in the replay department. That’s not to knock that there is a ton of things to do in the game, though. ODST looks to inspire more replay with a meager addition of new weapons and a few new modes but it’s tough to tell if it will be more replayable knowing that it’s still pretty much a Halo 3 expansion pack with a full-game retail price.

Voting Time!

You’ve read the comments, you’ve seen both games in action and now it’s time to lay down your vote in this final round of Halo 3:ODST Vs. M.A.G.