Despite its focus primarily shifting to Halo Infinite, Master Chief-centric developer 343 Industries recently surprised fans with a major update to Halo: The Master Chief Collection. The full scope of the patch notes includes PC modding tools, additional medals for Halo 3, and new cross-play options for campaign co-op. However, the most exciting change is a new version of Firefight for Halo 3: ODST. This cooperative mode will now pit players against the franchise’s zombie-like horrors, and they’re evolving into forms never seen before.
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Unlike all other Halo games, ODST lets players step into the boots of soldiers not enhanced with Spartan armor and abilities. This gives the developers a unique narrative opportunity, as Flood forms in this mode can take over player corpses as a new infected ODST variant. Other new forms include infected civilians and a more powerful Elite Major with energy shields. The Flood also regain the ability to drive vehicles in this mode, something that hasn’t been seen since Halo 2‘s campaign.
Both Flood and Covenant foes will show up in many modes within ODST firefight, and their debut comes alongside a few other upgrades for the mode. The Energy Sword and Sentinel Beam will now appear in the game for the first time, and ODSTs can take advantage of their VISR to see enemies even in the thick fog that accompanies Flood waves.
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The Floodfight update is now available in Halo: The Master Chief Collection across PC and Xbox, and 343 Industries promises that this isn’t the last hurrah for the eight-year-old compilation. Future updates are in the works which include quality-of-life updates, more mod support, and some armor and customization options leftover from the game’s various battle passes.
