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Halo 2 - Here at Last Partial review enclosed.

#1 User is offline   Chefelf Icon

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Posted 10 November 2004 - 12:53 PM

Halo 2, like the first game, has a single player that is a very fun FPS but nothing really groundbreaking. Thie world they've created is very interesting but I don't find the plot to be anywhere near as inspiring as they seem to like to think it is.

That having been said, it's one of my favorite FPS games of all time. Here's what I think stands out about the game:

Control
As in Halo, Halo 2 features superlative controls. Some other FPS games seem to be very muddy and the controls are not very responsive (Medal of Honor: Rising Sun springs to mind). There is no point in either Halo where you don't feel like you are in 100% control of your character.

AI
The AI in this franchise has proven itself to be leaps and bounds above other FPS. Enemies don't do stupid, predictable things, they're smart. I can't think of a single FPS that I've ever played where the AI comes even close to the Halo titles.

Programming
In other games there are always little glitches. Suddenly a floor will disappear or your character can walk through a wall. This just doesn't happen in the Halo games. These games were not rushed to the market and it shows. Their testing team deserves recognition for this painstaking attention to detail.

Multiplayer
The multiplayer is great. While the core "running and gunning" gameplay feels identical to the original, there are numerous additions that make the multiplayer infitely superior to its predecessor. New weapons; destructable environments and vehicles; dual wielding; as well as adjustments to existing weapons all round out the multiplayer game nicely in the only areas where it was lacking previously.

The new stats and experience level are a nice touch. One gripe I had with the first Halo was the inability to store user records. I would still like to see a better record of statistics (much like in Grand Theft Auto, which gave you every possible total and percentage you could imagine and then added a few more) but Halo 2 certainly sees a marked improvement over the original.

Weapons
The weapons from the previous game have all been changed. The needler is useful, the assault rifle has the potential to kill an enemy, the pistol can't kill someone from 600 meters away with one headshot. This makes for a much more level playing field. Dominance on any level does not so much depend on finding the one shotgun to go on a killing spree. The new weapons, along with dual wielding, add a lot more strategy to multiplayer.

Bottom Line

The only problem I have, really, is that there are not enough multiplayer maps. I was expecting maybe twice the number of maps as the original game but unfortunately we are only given 11. This is actually only 10 as I don't view the inclusion of "Beaver Creek" as an actual map. Including "Beaver Creek" (which is nothing more than "Battle Creek" from the original game) gives the impression that they were running out of ideas and just rehashed this level to knock off another quick addition. Furthermore, the inclusion of this map makes one wonder why they didn't simply include all the original maps. They proved that they had the technology, why not go all out and offer a greater variety?

We can see by the game that more maps be available via Live download in the future. Hopfully many maps make their way to download. The original game was still playable after 3 years, but those maps did get a little tired, even though the level design was great.

Did Halo 2 live up to the hype? No, but it's not the fault of Bungie. Nothing, ever, could live up to the hype surrounding this game. However, while not entirely groundbreaking, Halo 2 delivers a great sequel (which is really more of an expansion of the ideas presented in the original) that will keep [i]Halo[i] fans fragging with happiness for quite some time.
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#2 User is offline   mrtimp Icon

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Posted 10 November 2004 - 05:21 PM

I am hoping to get my copy from Gamefly any day now Nate =) I don't have live =( maybe me and Mike someday will get it.
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#3 User is offline   Chefelf Icon

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Posted 11 November 2004 - 12:38 PM

You should... we already have a clan set up. It's pretty fun on Live. smile.gif
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Posted 12 November 2004 - 12:36 PM

Best FPS ever? No. Pretty spiffy? Yes. Improved in the areas I disliked about the first game? Definately.
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Posted 13 November 2004 - 01:47 AM

QUOTE (Slade @ Nov 13 2004, 01:36 AM)
Best FPS ever? No. Pretty spiffy? Yes. Improved in the areas I disliked about the first game? Definately.

Still not on Gamecube? Unfortunatly sad.gif
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Posted 17 November 2004 - 02:58 AM

Meh. I'm waiting for Prime 2 and the new Zelda game. He's finally realistic looking again. The one lefty swordsman in an entire gaming industry, Link is the man.
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#7 User is offline   Chefelf Icon

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Posted 17 November 2004 - 02:25 PM

This month's EGM features the most highly rated games I've ever seen:

Halo 2:
10, 10, 10

Metroid Prime 2: Echoes
9.0, 9.0, 10

Ratchet & Clank: Up Your Arsenal:
9.0, 9.0, 10

Metal Gear Solid 3:
9.0, 9.5, 10

Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas:
10, 10, 10
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#8 User is offline   Chyld Icon

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Posted 22 November 2004 - 10:35 AM

It annoys me that GTA won't go to Xbox, because Hell will freeze over before my brother buys a PS2, I certainly don't have the money to buy one, or the computer power to get it on PC. If you even can...

Still, it does mean I can probably expect Halo 2 on my return...

This post has been edited by Chyld: 22 November 2004 - 10:35 AM

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#9 User is offline   Chefelf Icon

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Posted 22 November 2004 - 10:44 AM

QUOTE (Chyld @ Nov 22 2004, 10:35 AM)
It annoys me that GTA won't go to Xbox, because Hell will freeze over before my brother buys a PS2, I certainly don't have the money to buy one, or the computer power to get it on PC. If you even can...

Still, it does mean I can probably expect Halo 2 on my return...


But it is going to Xbox. Rockstar just has a deal with Sony where they get to have a gap of time before it can go to Xbox. GTA: SA should be on Xbox early next year (well after the Christmas rush). smile.gif
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#10 User is offline   looktothesky Icon

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Posted 24 November 2004 - 11:17 AM

I don't really like Halo2...
But that might also be because the guy I know who plays it, plays it EVERY time I come over, the WHOLE time I'm there, hogging the living room to himself.
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Posted 24 November 2004 - 06:02 PM

Halo 2: Eh...I played it. Yeah kinda like the first one, the graphics are debate unto itself, and as for the multiplayer, aside from the big giant wheel thingie that moves where you can park vehicles and watch them go to the top and then crash...and that new gun on the warthog...I remain unimpressed. I hate the story, playing the alien charcters(its confusing) and it doesn't have the same eeire quality as the first Halo which impressed me.

GRand Theft Auto: San Andreas: Unbelievable. Someone finally invented digital crack. It works, its addictive and many people will drop out of college playing this game. There is no end to this game, I went for a walk after playing it for 5 hours and began looking at cars parked on the street differently, people on motorcycles and pedestrians quite differently. After the side effects wore off, I found the AK47, the grenades and a golf cart and went to one of the small towns and killed hundreds of people. It numbs the mind what this game will do to kids and little brothers of guys who have it, its a good game that has endless entertainment value. I'm glad I didn't buy Halo 2. I played it over the weekend with a bunch of people for hours and haven't played it since. Haven't wanted to. Its kind of boring.
GTA;San Andreas on the other hand, I had to force myself to quit playing the game to retain my sanity.
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Posted 25 November 2004 - 04:28 AM

I want to get the new Metroid game, but the game shop is so far away sad.gif
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Posted 25 November 2004 - 11:46 AM

QUOTE (Chefelf @ Nov 10 2004, 05:53 PM)
There is no point in either Halo where you don't feel like you are in 100% control of your character.


Except when you get continually fragged from behind with one hit from a shotgun. That could leave you feeling not totally in control.
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#14 User is offline   Chyld Icon

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Posted 25 November 2004 - 01:53 PM

QUOTE (Chefelf @ Nov 22 2004, 03:44 PM)
QUOTE (Chyld @ Nov 22 2004, 10:35 AM)
It annoys me that GTA won't go to Xbox, because Hell will freeze over before my brother buys a PS2, I certainly don't have the money to buy one, or the computer power to get it on PC. If you even can...

Still, it does mean I can probably expect Halo 2 on my return...


But it is going to Xbox. Rockstar just has a deal with Sony where they get to have a gap of time before it can go to Xbox. GTA: SA should be on Xbox early next year (well after the Christmas rush). smile.gif



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#15 User is offline   Chefelf Icon

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Posted 25 November 2004 - 02:10 PM

I really think Halo 2 made some great improvements over the original. If you aren't into FPS then it's probably not for you. It is a very good game but unable to live up to the hype surrounding it as nothing would be able to.

I can't wait to play San Andreas but I'm waiting until it comes to the Xbox. There are plenty of great games this holiday season to tide me over until January or February. smile.gif It looks so good. I hope it's better than Vice City, that game disappointed me.
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