14:00. I put in the Multiplayer disc. I guess I got used to all those PS3 titles that ship on Only one Blu-ray. Campaign label is small.

14:02. In a galaxy, far, far away... I know that's Star Wars but the initial intro is built up the same way by Bungie. Nice clouds in the cinematic sequence.

14:04. “They missed one.” “No, they left it for us?” Could all this be more stereotypical? At least Nathan Fillon can act, especially when up against Tricia Helfer. At least the developers can pick a little on the stereotypes of the genre with phrases like “Pays to be the strong, silent type.”

14:07. Since Alone in the Dark 4. all characters that have had hits to the head must now blink to establish that they are alright.

14:14. Initial combat encounters aren't that tough, considering you are not Master Chief. The city feels pretty interesting and the movement of the Rookie seems a bit floaty.

14:25. Fighting small enemies while they cover around in deep grass is pretty fun. As if taking out Beam rifles and wielding ones with sticky grenades in the small confines of a corridor. Bungie still has it when it comes to marrying off complex firefights with the right weapons and enemies.

14:38. Found the helmet. How did it get there? Let's see the Buck section.

14:42. Some pretty nice and non stereotypical banter between Buck and Veronica. Could Bungie actually be creating a love story here?

14:56. Quite a bit of a firefight here. And I meet another ODST stranded in New Mombasa. Only question is: why can I relieve him of his weapons? I mean I know I'm the main character and all but making the guy uses his pistol to fend off the Covenant seems a bit cruel.

15:00. The city feels very Orwellian, the combat is nice even if the low jump distance is annoying, the plot promises something different from the usual superhero stomp of previous titles. Halo 3: ODST might be the best non Master Chief Bungie game yet.