Halo 2 - Here at Last Partial review enclosed.
#1
Posted 10 November 2004 - 12:53 PM
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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#3
Posted 11 November 2004 - 12:38 PM
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#5
Posted 13 November 2004 - 01:47 AM
Still not on Gamecube? Unfortunatly
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#7
Posted 17 November 2004 - 02:25 PM
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
Posted 22 November 2004 - 10:35 AM
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
Less Is More v4
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#9
Posted 22 November 2004 - 10:44 AM
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).
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#11
Posted 24 November 2004 - 06:02 PM
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.
~ Voltaire (1694-1778)
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#13
Posted 25 November 2004 - 11:46 AM
Except when you get continually fragged from behind with one hit from a shotgun. That could leave you feeling not totally in control.
#14
Posted 25 November 2004 - 01:53 PM
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).
*starts drooling unstoppably*
Less Is More v4
Now resigned to a readership of me, my cat and some fish
#15
Posted 25 November 2004 - 02:10 PM
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. It looks so good. I hope it's better than Vice City, that game disappointed me.
Buy the New LittleHorse CD, Strangers in the Valley!
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