Halo2 is OVER...LEFT WANTING MORE! *minor spoilers*

[ThaMaskedGamer]

If I'm rating Halo2, I'd give the game a 9/10. My initial feelings about the project were dead on. This turned out to be the greatest single player shooter, if not game, I've ever played. I have absolutely no complaints about the single player game, except that I wish it was more, twice as much more, three times more.

The story was absolutely fantastic, the plot twists, the voice acting, the cinematics, brillaint. There was backstabbing on top of backstabbing. And, as much as I love the MasterChief, I love the Arbiter even more. The stealth feature of the Arbiter such added an extra layer of strategy to an already strategic game. Also, playing alongside other Elites and Hunters was absolutely fantastic, they are much more effective than the Marines.

The fighting was far more 'combat evolved' than the first Halo, rivaling even surpassing the strategic combat of military shooters such as R63 in many respects. On Heroic, there are certain parts of the game, you absolutely will not be able to complete if you do not employ strategy. Before, you will know how to deal with any enemy in any situation. There is only one part of the game, that I really feel was unfair, it took me over 20 times to do it. When the tentacle monster releases MC and you start with no HUD, no grenades, and one weapon. You then have to fight a horde of Brutes, and grunts, above and below you. That was the most intense situation and really unfair. I did a lot of hiding and ducking and praying my shields would recover. There a place and usage for every single weapon in the game, except for the two pistols. The plasma pistol and Marine pistol are useless on Heroic. In a pinch, the plasma pistol can be used to knock down shields if there is nothing else around. Aside from that, I needed and used every weapon.

The levels were amazing I have nothing at all negative to say about the levels, they were fantastic, dynamic, wide-open, huge, and allowed a variety of ways to complete the mission according to your fighting style.

In short, I think the single-player campaign, in unparalled in gaming history. Half-life2 will have to be stunning to live up. And I hope it is, I really want HL2 to be just as awesome. If I was rating the single player alone, I'd give it a 10/10.

My gripes come from online play, which, I thought would be the weaker aspect of the game. At least for my gaming taste, which is why after next week, with GR2, I probably won't be playing much Halo2 online.

First let me say, the online game is not weak. It is quite excellent, 16 players online with no lag, no problem. Everything is cool, it is just a fragfest with minimal 'team' play opportunities. But, if you love fragfest, and most people who like fps do, then this game is awesome.

Here is where the game faulters online.

#1 It is too hard to tell teammates. After a while, you get better at it. But initially, it is too hard to tell who you should or shouldn't shoot. And from far a way, it is almost impossible. If someone is running up on you, cool. But flying or driving in vehicles, it can become too hard. This is not a problem in games like Battlefront, where the teams look different, droids vs humans, have different costumes, rebels vs empire.

#2 And this is the biggest complaint for me. Your starting weapons. You have to start out with the same weapon that everyone else does. You can change what that weapon is, but doing so makes that change universal. You should be able to customize your default weapons configuration. This would allow each person to play the game, they way they want to. Or there should be basic configuration types, like 'heavy weapons', basic rifleman, sniper etc. This is another area where battlefront is much better. When I first started Halo2 online, I was programmed to go searching for 'my weapons' and I would always get killed, looking for weapons. Yesterday, I finally just went with the flow, and grabbed the weapons I came across.

#3 There aren't enough maps. First off, I think two of the online maps are from the first game. That is cheap. So that only leaves you with a handful of real Halo2 maps. And they get old quickly, I've only played online two days, and already I feel like I know the maps. They are great, but there really should be more.

That said, I would give the online game 8/10. But, I know i'm in the minority here. For the majority, this game is just a major shootout online, and everyone is loving it. This game will be played for many many months online, if not years. I just hope I can still find some Battlefront and GR2 gamers :(

[Superior Beatslayer]

If I'm rating Halo2, I'd give the game a 9/10. My initial feelings about the project were dead on. This turned out to be the greatest single player shooter, if not game, I've ever played. I have absolutely no complaints about the single player game, except that I wish it was more, twice as much more, three times more.

The story was absolutely fantastic, the plot twists, the voice acting, the cinematics, brillaint. There was backstabbing on top of backstabbing. And, as much as I love the MasterChief, I love the Arbiter even more. The stealth feature of the Arbiter such added an extra layer of strategy to an already strategic game. Also, playing alongside other Elites and Hunters was absolutely fantastic, they are much more effective than the Marines.

The fighting was far more 'combat evolved' than the first Halo, rivaling even surpassing the strategic combat of military shooters such as R63 in many respects. On Heroic, there are certain parts of the game, you absolutely will not be able to complete if you do not employ strategy. Before, you will know how to deal with any enemy in any situation. There is only one part of the game, that I really feel was unfair, it took me over 20 times to do it. When the tentacle monster releases MC and you start with no HUD, no grenades, and one weapon. You then have to fight a horde of Brutes, and grunts, above and below you. That was the most intense situation and really unfair. I did a lot of hiding and ducking and praying my shields would recover. There a place and usage for every single weapon in the game, except for the two pistols. The plasma pistol and Marine pistol are useless on Heroic. In a pinch, the plasma pistol can be used to knock down shields if there is nothing else around. Aside from that, I needed and used every weapon.

The levels were amazing I have nothing at all negative to say about the levels, they were fantastic, dynamic, wide-open, huge, and allowed a variety of ways to complete the mission according to your fighting style.

In short, I think the single-player campaign, in unparalled in gaming history. Half-life2 will have to be stunning to live up. And I hope it is, I really want HL2 to be just as awesome. If I was rating the single player alone, I'd give it a 10/10.

My gripes come from online play, which, I thought would be the weaker aspect of the game. At least for my gaming taste, which is why after next week, with GR2, I probably won't be playing much Halo2 online.

First let me say, the online game is not weak. It is quite excellent, 16 players online with no lag, no problem. Everything is cool, it is just a fragfest with minimal 'team' play opportunities. But, if you love fragfest, and most people who like fps do, then this game is awesome.

Here is where the game faulters online.

#1 It is too hard to tell teammates. After a while, you get better at it. But initially, it is too hard to tell who you should or shouldn't shoot. And from far a way, it is almost impossible. If someone is running up on you, cool. But flying or driving in vehicles, it can become too hard. This is not a problem in games like Battlefront, where the teams look different, droids vs humans, have different costumes, rebels vs empire.

#2 And this is the biggest complaint for me. Your starting weapons. You have to start out with the same weapon that everyone else does. You can change what that weapon is, but doing so makes that change universal. You should be able to customize your default weapons configuration. This would allow each person to play the game, they way they want to. Or there should be basic configuration types, like 'heavy weapons', basic rifleman, sniper etc. This is another area where battlefront is much better. When I first started Halo2 online, I was programmed to go searching for 'my weapons' and I would always get killed, looking for weapons. Yesterday, I finally just went with the flow, and grabbed the weapons I came across.

#3 There aren't enough maps. First off, I think two of the online maps are from the first game. That is cheap. So that only leaves you with a handful of real Halo2 maps. And they get old quickly, I've only played online two days, and already I feel like I know the maps. They are great, but there really should be more.

That said, I would give the online game 8/10. But, I know i'm in the minority here. For the majority, this game is just a major shootout online, and everyone is loving it. This game will be played for many many months online, if not years. I just hope I can still find some Battlefront and GR2 gamers :(

Yep, I just finished the game on Normal 10 minutes ago, without doubt the best game I've ever played, and yes, it does leave you wanting more, but no matter how much it gives you, your still going to want more of it. Although the end is a little......blah, some people will like it more than others. I heard that you get a different ending on Heroic, which gives you some added replay value it thats actually true.

[ThaMaskedGamer]

Yep, I just finished the game on Normal 10 minutes ago, without doubt the best game I've ever played, and yes, it does leave you wanting more, but no matter how much it gives you, your still going to want more of it. Although the end is a little......blah, some people will like it more than others. I heard that you get a different ending on Heroic, which gives you some added replay value it thats actually true.


Well, what ending did you guys get on Normal mode? Cause I got the heroic ending, of course I had no way of knowing it was different. Although I will play the game again on both normal and legendary, just not right now, I wont do it just for the ending.

I'm already playing cooperatively on Normal with my daughter, she just couldn't hack it on Heroic, she tried though. And, i'll go through solo on Legendary.

I must say, normal is not the same experience as heroic. We have already done two levels, and the intensity is just nearly the same experience. I barely have to change weapons, in fact, I used dual SMGs and the battlerifle for the first two missions on Normal mode. And each one took less than an hour, much less. Much different on Heroic.

Legendary, haven't tried it yet. But now that i've finished heroic, I know what to do, I don't think its gonna be that hard, or that much harder than heroic. I might try some today if there are no good ball games on.

[Darwin]

Ha. You are in for a real "treat" with Legendary. It is nigh-impossible. You'll see.

The online is in the same spirit as the multiplayer from the first one was. It is designed to be a fun multiplayer game that a wide variety of gamers can play. Translation: shallow. So, take it for what it is. It is a lot of fun, but doesn't last too long. You'll get the most out of the online play by being part of large parties and joining a clan. I already joined the XBLgamesdotcom clan. But as far as depth, Halo 2's multiplayer ain't got nothin' on Rainbox Six 3.

11 multiplayer maps, 2 of them recycled from Halo 1. Leaving us with 9 original multiplayer maps. This is a game 3 years in the making, and who'se biggest feature (at least from the previews) is online play. 9 maps, huh? (Well, according to IGN there is an additional hidden map if you do some wierd trick involving coop play). I smell downloadable premium content. And, I wouldn't be surprised if there are already more multiplayer maps already on the disc, but we cannot access them until we pay for a premium content "download".

[ThaMaskedGamer]

Damn, I tried Legendary and couldn't get past the first mission. In the second hanger, where u have to stop the covenant from boarding. I barely got past the first boarding party, when you get to the second, they don't give any more grenades. Your two marines die, and it is just you against hordes of grunts and Elite. After you take down all the grunts, you still have to deal with a gang of Elites. One point, I thought I was through, I was down to almost zero ammo, but I killed seemingly the last Elite, then a whole nother boat load of grunts and Elites jumped out, I got smoked. I had no more plasma rifles, no more battle rifles, one smg and one pistol, no grenades. I tried running in and grabbing one of their deads plasma rifles, and got wasted. That was about my 15th time trying, and I said this is for the birds.

It is actually doable, if you had a partner, or if your marines stay alive. The problem is those idiots are programmed to move in after you clear out one group, then they are too close when the next wave comes in.

It is hard, but artificially hard, not enough guns and grenades, or AI support.

Yeah, I agree with everything you said about multiplayer. I played yesterday and had some fun with it, got the hang of it, you just gotta go with the flow, find the vehicles, man the turrets. I still can't wait till GR2 though.

[Darwin]

I will be reserving my copy of Ghost Recon 2 on my way home from work today. I do not want to miss this one, even if I have to neglect Halo 2 a bit.

Too many good games coming out at once. I still have yet to complete San Andreas. I am playing the Halo 2 campaign a second time (but can't seem to do that because I invariably get invites while online).

Then there is still Metal Gear Solid 3, which I will just need to pick up at a later time. If I start playing that, it will monopolize my time. Then what to do about the next Need for Speed, which is brandishing impressive reviews and a (supposed) long single player mode? And in a month, I will also be getting Gran Turismo 4 ... I know, I know... but I like the series, and the driving wheel is unsurpassed. Sometimes it is a curse to own all 3 consoles.

[ThaMaskedGamer]

I will be reserving my copy of Ghost Recon 2 on my way home from work today. I do not want to miss this one, even if I have to neglect Halo 2 a bit.

Too many good games coming out at once. I still have yet to complete San Andreas. I am playing the Halo 2 campaign a second time (but can't seem to do that because I invariably get invites while online).

Then there is still Metal Gear Solid 3, which I will just need to pick up at a later time. If I start playing that, it will monopolize my time. Then what to do about the next Need for Speed, which is brandishing impressive reviews and a (supposed) long single player mode? And in a month, I will also be getting Gran Turismo 4 ... I know, I know... but I like the series, and the driving wheel is unsurpassed. Sometimes it is a curse to own all 3 consoles.

I'm going to sit tight with GR2 and just enjoy it :D I definitely won't be trying to push through the single player as fast as I did Halo2. I will be getting one other game with GR2, I just don't know which one. Most likely Call of Duty, but I may take a look at Crash&Burn2. In fact, I really don't need a stupid arcade racer for single play, so I will see which one gets adopted big time on LIVE. If neither become big on LIVE then, i'll just wait for Forza.

I am playing coop with my daughter. I switched to the bigger TV, 61inches, and it is actually very doable with the side by side screen. Its like we each have our own little 30 inch TV. I have to say, normal mode is just a breeze, it doesn't even feel like the same game. On Turkey day, me and my boy TEEZBOX are gonna get together and stomp Legendary mode. After that, i'll probably be done with Halo2, until Halo3 comes out.

Are u getting CallofDuty?

[Darwin]

Are u getting CallofDuty?

Never heard of the game till now. I'll wait to see people's reactions to this game first.

[cubeman15]

Great game?!?!? Definitely. Best?!? As far as SINGLE player games I feel Metroid Prime was still better. The game offers just as much action with a much bigger dose of puzzle solving and just all around thinking. HALO is a straight out impressive looking game that involes nothing but shooting, shooting, and more shooting. The only real challenge HALO provides is.. which weapon to use and how long to make it last before you pick up the next one. Just my opinion.
As far as online goes... I think Tron 2.0 is better. Outside of your typical run n' gun you have light cycle matches and disc tournaments. That alone allows for more variety than HALO.

[IEvOI Dragon]

Hi out there first time in a forum anyways get to the point. halo2 dont get me wrong its a good game but not the best i played. i still prefer halo 1. halo 2 has to many glitches and its a big let down for me. i completed the game on every difficulty and there is no change in the game well it gets harder of cause but no new end movie like in the 1st halo i'll gladly complete halo 1 again to see sgt. jone hug the elite. the rumors about master chife taking of his mask is a lie and rumors about febuary 9th date in the end credits and there is no feel of victory. i've died many times by falling through the floor and trough walls and playing online is cool but i prefer to play online with my friends only as the xboxlive community suck when some one kills you they rub it in to much and when you kill some one they make up excusses saying your cheationg and stuff. on my website www.freewebs.com/psocrew on the guestboook i got some whos saying his better then me even though he lost a match the score was 250-94 my clan vs his and now he wont get of my guest book his just like a bug on a car window screen he just sits there dissing me and my clan or trying too. if i had to rate the game would give it 6/10 for single player and 7/10 for xbox live only 7 because there is no co-op online :( and overall about 8/10

My gamer tag: IEvOI Dragon

[Rogue Bounty Hunter]

I finally finished this game, a day after beating KOTOR II. Overall, it was a great game. I liked how it ended, leaving gamers wanting more. My only complaint about the game has to do with friendly fire. Bungie should have made it where you don't kill your teammates during the campaign mode, especially when you are the Arbiter and it's kind of hard to tell which Covenant is on your side and which is the enemy. It becomes worse during co-op, especially if your friend is trigger-happy. I know the tartgeting circle shows red for hostile and green for teammate, but at times trying to figure out who is who will have me getting killed a lot more than I should have. That's really my only complaint, besides the usual "they should have an optional 3rd person perspective" complaint.