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 OMAGAWD! They did it again! >>> by Lizard (09.16.2005)
Console game of the year, 2004
GAMEPLAY
Will this sequel turn out better? Once again the Masterchief will save the day! Though you may think that all you’re going to play is the Masterchief, they did add a new story twist where you get to play the Arbiter, the Covenant’s version of the Masterchief (only that the Arbiter is supposed to die). No, that isn’t a spoiler since you will find out about it in the beginning. The brilliant AI is still there, the same old customizable controls, the skull-bashing and tank flipping power. So what’s new in the sequel?
With every FPS I come across I enjoy looking at the weapons. While in the first Halo, they were a little standard and not too spectacular, yet not too dull. In Halo 2 every weapon seems to be deadly. While most of the weapons have been retained, they have been modified. The first Halo’s “assault rifle” (since it was crap at long range and great close range) has been chopped in two for Halo 2, one highly accurate burst fire assault rifle and one small fast firing inaccurate at long range SMG. Most notable is the ability to wield two one handed weapons at the same time. That means you can hold an SMG and a plasma pistol while still carrying that sniper rifle on your back. The energy sword that you’ve seen Covenant Elites carry in the first Halo is now usable for your chopping fun, Arbiter or not.
The human vehicles finally can explode and sustain damage. That’s not all. The damage they sustain affects their performance. I encountered a warthog with no wheels that wouldn’t drive but has a perfectly functional turret and another warthog that wouldn’t turn left from all the abuse I put on its left side from ramming one too many Ghosts. Another thing is you can hear these machines complain about the damage, like the sick grinding of metal a Scorpion tank emits when badly damaged. Also that all the vehicles have been improved greatly, the Scorpion fires faster and more accurately, the Warthog can power slide, and most Covenant vehicles can boost their speed. Heck, even the windshield of the warthog shatters!
STORY
While it does have an annoying knack of switching to the Arbiter or back to the Masterchief just when you’re getting into playing on that side of the fence, it doesn’t take a lot to piece the story together. I did find that the story is very similar to the first Halo, despite the huge war that’s happening on the halo world. There is a twist that I enjoyed in this game that is best found out if played yourself.
If you don’t scream “SEQUEL ALERT!” when you see the ending, I wouldn’t know what will.
GRAPHICS
The graphics here are definitely much better than in the first Halo as everything seems more realistic. Everything here is drool inspiring. Though it didn’t really have a great effect on me, especially after playing Halo 1, it still, nonetheless, is spectacular. While I don’t particularly agree with the gritty feeling in some of the scenes, I still enjoy its texture.
AUDIO
Once more, a 10 isn’t enough. The little things you barely notice are still there, your allies talk amongst them, taunt the enemies, complain about your driving and so on+++all there. The idle banter is still there, too, like: “Dear Sarge, kickin’ ass in outer space. Wish you were here.” Then Sarge speaks up with the unmistakable static of a radio: “I heard that! Jackass!”
I loved the soundtrack in Halo 1. I love this one all the more. From the standard Halo feeling music to a heavy metal track done by Incubus.
LONGEVITY
I enjoyed playing through it so much, I must have played through the game 6 times. Only after my first run through did I realize that I only saw one loading screen. With the adjustable difficulty and that no-run-through, a level can be exactly the same as the last. In addition, having multiplayer ability for death match or campaign co-op, you have a lot of hours of fun game time.
VERDICT
If you own an Xbox and you don’t own this, you are cheating yourself of one of the best gaming experiences available. Even if I and my friends finished it a countless number of times or killed each other too many times, Halo 2 is still a fun game.
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