Before Microsoft's big press conference at the Tokyo Game Show, Bungie released a trailer for what is now known as Halo 3: Recon. This didn't make the official announcement any less interesting.
As many of you may have guessed, it is a game based on the engine from Halo 3, not to be mistaken for an expansion. Halo 3: Recon takes place on earth in New Mombasa before Master Chief's return, where you play a USNC soldier, a so called Orbital Drop Shock Trooper, which was previously part of the series.
Orbital Drop Shock Troopers are not any way near as powerful as Master Chief, which is sure to affect the experience, and means you will have to use your weapons and cover differently. Your squad however consists of true dare devils and you are sure to experience a lot of action
Like Halo 3, Halo 3: Recon also supports up to four person in co-op, and includes a new multiplayer feature with completely new levels. All other features from Halo 3 will also be available, such as taking your own pictures, filming the matches and a whole lot of other stuff. The level editor Forge will be greatly enhanced for Halo 3: Recon.
Because the game is not a expansion, it will not be downloadable over Xbox Live, and we don't expect it to launch until the end of 2009. Below you can see the first pictures from the game.