All Halo’s Eve

Tonight is the night that many raving Halo fanboys (myself included) have been anxiously awaiting.  Tonight will see the release of Halo 3: ODST, obstensibly an add-on pack for the two-year-old FPS, at the full-game price of $60.  But do we Halocholics really mind?  No!  It’s Halo – Bungie might as well ask for our first-born as payment (Don’t do it Hasty!  It’s not worth it.)  So, without any further ado, let’s get to the multitude of  Halofied links:

• As I mentioned earlier (just in case you missed it) Halo 3: ODST will be released tonight at 12:01 and there are a bevy of reviews (highlights following) for you to read though: Ars Technica (whose review I feel is probably spot-on, even though I will buy and probably cherish ODST), 1UP, Joystiq, Kotaku, IGN, NowGamer

• WikiBruce offers a deep examination of the Halo universe, how it is expanded through ARGs (Alternate Reality Games) and sidestories, and why it is so “epic!”
• More concept art has been leaked (or at this point, just deliberately posted without fear of repurcusions) of the scrapped Halo MMO, which may or may not have been titled “Halo Universe.”  
• If you haven’t already committed to purchasing ODST through any other retailer (like me… *sigh*), then you should definitely take advantage of the Toys R’ Us deal in which you can snag a Rookie action figure and a $20 gift card.
• Blomkamp still has a lot of good stuff to say about Halo, despite his unwillingness to be onboard with any future Halo movie plans.  He even dives deep into some Halo politics, declaring that the Master Chief is a victim of the military-industrial complex.
• Check out this sweet bust of the ole’ green giant himself and begin your salivation.
• And speaking of large-scale Master Chief display props, I’m working on a set of armor myself right now using the amazing resource, 405th Source, which has a forum full of helpful costume/prop building insight.  As you can see from the picture above, my helmet is only about 75% complete, but I’m hoping to have the whole project finished (with a few extra helmets) by next Halloween.
• And finally, did you catch the five minutes of the new Halo anime on Spike the other night (if not, I can’t say I blame you).  Here it is in the glory of Youtube.