Halo 2
Halo 2 continues the story of Master Chief, the heroic super-soldier who defied the invading alien Covenant and survived. The Covenant leaders within Halo are angry at this unheard of event. To save face, they launch an invasion of our planet. Earth's defenses are breached, and we're all in danger -- unless Master Chief can lead a small military squad to victory against Covenant forces, in all-out guerilla warfare!
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.
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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 Accessories
 Halo: Combat Evolved
Xbox Core Console USM
Fable: The Lost Chapters
Halo 2 Multiplayer Map Pack
Halo 2: The Official Game Guide
Star Wars Battlefront II
Call of Duty 2
Xbox 360 Wireless Controller Black
Elder Scrolls IV Oblivion
Star Wars Knights of the Old Republic
Halo 2 Reviews
This game is absolute trash. In fact the whole Halo series is trash. The whole idea of an inter-galactic warrior batteling space creatures is a dumb idea. Wht don't you go out and buy a real game like Saints Row, Call of Duty, Rainbow Six, or any other game that isn't this.If you even think about buying this you might as well throw your money into a fire and watch it as it slowly burns. I played all of the games in the series and after 10 minutes with each of them I wanted to gauge my eyes out.
but xbox live is the best way to play. if you don't have xbox live, it is still a great game.
PEOPLE are so stipid when they try to tell you how stipid this is.BECAUSE its not.IT bets the first one 10 times over.SO awsome I just want to cry.best game I ever played.BUT it gets boring if you don`t have friends to play it with.
You get about two levels in, and you start to wonder why you are still holding the controller. This game is a matter of comparison. Which is not to say it is good, as the balance factor is terrible (battle rifle, plasma pistol, rocket launcher, and sniper rifle - thats it, the only worthwhile guns in the game, roughly in order of importance). Halo 1. Otherwise, avoid it, its not worth the time. As for the MP, it is better than the first one. If you want to keep up with the story, then play the SP game, and pay close attention, as it is rather complex.
If you don't plan to get H3 and finish out the story line, then you probably won't have the patience to finish the game. The only more unbalanced online shooter I have played in recent memory was. It's SP, compared with its predecessor, is complete garbage. well. Overall, it is only valuable as a segue between Halos 1&3.
Halo 2 I just recently purchased HALO: Combat Evolved and HALO 2 from Amazon. I was extremely pleased with the graphics, I am saving up to buy a XBOX 360 and HALO 3 ($[.]. I am playing non stop everyday =). refurbished by Gamestop ,) I am so ready to pass the insolent levels of covanent. Just yesterday I received both in the mail =). GOOD GAME.
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