• Xbox

Halo 2 is one of those rare video games that garnishes attention from regular folk who wouldn't know which direction to point a game controller. With more than 1.5 million pre-orders and a massive release party in Times Square, the game enjoys the sort of buzz, and sales, generally reserved for boy wizards. But does it merit the hype?

Opening Scene

Halo 2 opens with a cut scene in the Covenant Holy City of High Charity. Much has happened since Master Chief (that's you) created so much havoc for the Covenant in the first Halo, and the Arbiter has much atoning to do for his failures. This first cut scene is long, but the lush graphics, orchestral sound, and polished voice talent for both this and other cut scenes as well as the game itself put most animated television shows to shame.

Much has happened since Master Chief created so much havoc for the Covenant in the first Halo, and the Arbiter has much atoning to do.

In the end, though, Halo 2 is unabashedly a first-person shooter. It has a Mature rating and is not meant for kids. Gameplay is constant and intense. No sooner is one bunch of aliens taken care of than another descends. The controls are identical to the first game so those familiar with it will be up and blasting in no time. And the sound and graphics have been beefed up so that Halo 2 is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful console games available.

Opening Fire

Most of the weapons from the first game return, although strangely the MA5B Assault Rifle (the default weapon in the first game) is not available. There is a single melee weapon known as the Covenant Sword, but the controls for it are the same as that for all the shooter weapons, making it difficult to direct. Also, for a new twist, you can hold two of the smaller guns at the same time and shoot double-fisted.

As for vehicles, the old favorites are back and joined by a few new, mostly Covenant wheeled monsters. Some improvements have been made to the AI so that the nonplayer characters can drive without running into too many obstacles while you man the turret. This improved AI also has enemies ducking for cover, and the banter from both the Marines and the bad guys has undergone massive improvements so that it no longer sounds quite so repetitive.

On Your Own

The most significant change in the single-player game is with Master Chief's much-touted defensive suit. At the beginning of the game, he is told that the suit has been upgraded, but it's really undergone a severe downgrade. In Halo 2, the player has only one lifeline. Unlike in the first game, there is basically no defensive shield on the suit, making gameplay tougher. It can often take multiple--sometimes a maddening number--attempts to make it through thorny parts of the game.

Or with a Friend

Finally, no review of a Halo game is complete without mentioning multiplayer. One of the main reasons to buy Halo 2 is the ability to play through Xbox Live, a feature not included in the first game, which was among the original releases for the Xbox. Multiplayer for Halo 2 uses all of the same weapons and vehicles as in the single-player game, and the types of games available in Halo (King of the Hill, Slayer, Capture the Flag) return with a host of new maps. Multiplayer Halo 2 offers customizable profiles, control layout, and screens as well as a voice proximity feature, where you can talk with other players via an Xbox Communicator so that those closer to you sound louder than those farther away. Players can also create both permanent clans and temporary parties in the Xbox Live world. Undoubtedly, this multiplayer feature alone ensures that Halo 2 will remain a top-selling game for years to come. --David Morel

Pros:

• Lush graphics and orchestral sound
• Constant, thumping shoot-'em-up action
• Multiplayer available through Xbox live

Cons:

• Suit downgrade makes single-player often overly difficult
• Get ready for some bleary-eyed mornings

Halo 2- new stuff

I am writing this to give you an insite into what will be in the new halo game. There are a various levels such as on earth in a city or jungle, on the moon where there is less gravity and possibly on the covenants homeworld. New weapons such as the battle rifle (like assalt rifle but with scope and slower rate of fire) and the twin smg (high rate of fire but inaccurate)and a few more covenant weapons. Possible the light sword the elites use. New vehicles and upgraded vehicles, like the new quad bike and the warthog which has a type of rocket launcher on as well as the mini gun (as there are different versions in the game) also the marines can now drive so you can use the gun. covenant dropships that you can blow up as well as cars and other pieces of scenery. New aliens such as the brute (kinda like the hunter) and another which sits on a floating seat with guns in it. Bots in multiplayer mode which means you can play against the computer in scenarios you have created as well as set scenarios against the covenant. The master chief can use fixed gun emplcements sprint when he has no ammo left and use a combination of melee attacks to kill his enimies. All this means that halo 2 is going to be a mind-blowing and really action packed game.

Here's the real scoop and not just propaganda:

Ok, new guns:
Battle rifle
Sub Machine Gun (SMG)
Stationary turrets: Includes a .30 cal machine gun turret, look for covenant and human anti-air and vehicle turrets as well.
Possibly a larger caliber .45 type pistol
New Covenant weapons as well, details undisclosed at this time however.

Vehicles:
Look for various versions of the warthog, including tri-rocket, jungle, transport, snow, and the traditional.
Four-wheeler (no on board weapons, use one hand to shoot over stearing bar)

Possibly human air fighter craft
New covenant gunships as well, although probably won't be drivable.

New features:
Lower your gun and sprint
Combine attacks for devestating melee combos
Possible 4 player co-op (hinted at in the Halo books)
Possible BOTS for multi player and possible support for up to 32 players over x-box live.
Extremely smarter AI. Don't expect to pick grunts off one by one and escape undetected. And watch your back more often.

The current video of Halo 2 gameplay from E3 may or may not be accurate, don't treat it like a Bible.
New Species:
Brutes-Really big guys with a bad attitude. Think Hunter's strength, Elite's speed.
Prophets-Leaders and high lords of the Covenant with psychokinetic powers.
Engineers-Noncombatant species, super geniuses with anything mechanical. Even repaired Master Cheif's suit once in the book.

Plot Points:
Anyone who beet Halo on Legendary and watched the credits know that annoying little AI box, 343 Guilty Spark is still out there.
Don't expect to not see the Flood. They'll be back.
Thats really about it. Halo changed everything we knew about FPS's. Expect a whole new revolution with Halo 2 ;-)

Halo 2

Halo 2, the new reason to own an xbox....
^M
When I first got my xbox I, like many others got myself the popular Halo. At that time it was the best game imaginable with great graphics and steady and exciting gameplay. But Halo 2, Bungie and Microsoft outdid themselves. It was even better, in my opinion. Many people think that Halo is better than Halo 2 and I would understand why. Halo 2 has more options and much better graphics than Halo though. Halo 2 comes with the exciting Xbox Live though. Xbox Live makes Halo 2 really worth the money; it is smooth and clear. The storyline is not as good as Halo's but it is still pretty good. The thing that some may enjoy or hate the most is the option to switch from the covenant to the earthlings and the master chief. Personally I don't like this addition to the game, I'd prefer to stick with the master chief but others out there may disagree with that. Overall Halo 2 is definatly worth that money you saved up. It has excellent graphics, good storyline and gameplay, and superb for Xbox Live.