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Review : Halo 2 for Xbox
Last week I found Halo 2 in a Limited Collectors Edition tin a pawn show for $15 bucks and I honestly have not taken it out of my Xbox since then. The limited edition comes with a making of Halo 2 DVD and a metal tin. This is a but of a surprise since my friend and I have had a running joke going about how long this game was hyped by hard core Xbox fans. Right now I think it was a little harsh because I have been blown away by how much fun this game is.
Halo 2 is a massive budget game that was developed by Bungie, one of the highest regarded game developers in North America. Not only is Halo 2 the continuation of Halo but they cranked up the overall experience and delivered a game that stands out high above the current batch of games.
The graphics are so good that I have to keep glancing at my Xbox 1 and tell myself that it is not an Xbox 360. There are real time physics effects, particle effects, bump-mapped textures, advanced lighting and huge environments with almost no load time. The levels feel like a real locations that were designed for a real purpose instead of cheep level editor product. One of the major complaints about the first Halo game was that the levels were a bit repetitive but Bungie took that to heart and poured countless hours into the design and layout of the new game. This game does not suffer from the Tomb Raider syndrome where sequels are way to similar as the original game. Bungie also added a whole new slew of weapons and vehicles. I am partial to the Scorpion tank. The gun battles are fast and powerful and require more thinking than just running around and hitting the fire button without any thought.
Halo is a first person shooter about a science fiction war between space marines and an alien force called the Covenant. While the first Halo was set on a giant ring with planet like surfaces this game is set back on earth and on other really well fleshed out locations as well as another massive Halo ring. There is quite a lot of cut-scene animations featuring almost movie quality animated story telling and the in game audio helps tell the story as you are playing through it. You play the "Master Chief" a space marine that never takes off this body armor much like the faceless guy from Doom. They also added a story-line with a disgraced alien soldier that fights on the other side. So at least a good third of the game you play The arbiter and it helps keep the game diverse.
The first Halo game was a staple at Xbox LAN parties and Microsoft designed Halo 2 to be a flagship title for the Xbox Live service. many of the vehicles work much better when multiple players work together as a team.
There was a surreal amount of hype that lasted for years about this game but now that I am hooked I regret not issuing Halo 2 the respect and reverence that it deserves. I am giving this a 10 out of 10 because I can't think of any games in my game libraries that even come close to this game's massive scale
Jake at June 24, 2005 
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Comments
I fail to see what sets "Halo" apart from ordinary shooters.
I really enjoyed "Warthog driving" but the rest was nothing special.
Posted by: Jim at June 24, 2005 3:27 AM
I really liked Halo 2's new ability to use two weapons at once. Xbox Live play is fun but I don't like how it randomly puts you in a map with random players.
Have you tried Half-life 2? If you are into PC first person shooters, I suggest you give it a try. The physics in the game is awesome and parts of it are downright scary. They also added vehicles to HL2.
Posted by: Ed at June 24, 2005 8:45 AM
We all know you're secretly an Xbox hater. I remember when you were still deciding whether or not to get one, and this picture has been permanently burned into my mind:
Posted by: Jeff at June 24, 2005 2:29 PM
I think the thing that sets Halo apart is the level of quality and high production values. It is a lot of fun.
I have not tried Half-Life 2 since my PC and Mac can't run it. I will be all over the Xbox version.
I don't hate the Xbox I just hate the marketing campaign that tries to make it non nerdly and cool for the cool kids. I mean it is a damn video game and video games are all about being a nerd.
Posted by: Jake of 8bitjoystick.com at June 24, 2005 11:53 PM
Yo man Xbox is dopety-dope and HELLA bling bling, it's no TOY like the LAMECUBE! It's the Mac-Daddy system for pimp-juices like me! Halo 2 is the ILLEST Xbox game ever! Word!
Posted by: Mr. Xbox at June 25, 2005 2:34 AM
high production value: yeah, I really think the Halo soundtrack is special.
I'm not a FPS fan but I liked Half Life 2 because of the physics ;)
Posted by: Jim at June 25, 2005 4:25 AM
I thought Halo 2 rocked as well. My biggest complaint is that the game was too short. The last movie in the game seems like you're about to start kicking even more ass, and instead the game ends...
Posted by: David at June 25, 2005 8:15 PM
Halo's overrated. Most people like it just because it's cool to like it. It is fun in multiplayer though.
Posted by: Shawn at June 27, 2005 9:49 AM
Anyone else got the problem when a rendered cutscene first starts, different stuff pops up at different times. like faces, then hats, then weapons, then hands, etc. I just picked up a copy @ my local EB Games here in Canada, maybe there's a scratch or something somewhere on the disc.
Posted by: Heist at June 27, 2005 8:14 PM
I have not seen that problem. It might be a bad disk.
Posted by: Jake of 8bitjoystick.com at June 27, 2005 10:30 PM
No, there is a drawing problem with cutscenes. Not sure exactly why, e.g. earlier xboxs, but it will lag on putting all the details on people. As for single player I thought it was alright (the end is getting you ready for Halo 3). Yet the multiplayer is where its at. One of my favorite multiplayer games (second only to Mario Tennis for N64).
Posted by: Mullanaphy at July 1, 2005 9:43 AM
