Your thoughts?

[BananaMan]

How's Halo 2? Did it live up to the hype? tell me what you think about it.

I can read about it while i'm in school,then when i get out guess where I'm going?

:hump:

[ScorpionX]

Yeap me 2 :(

[Cold_As_Ice]

I've progressed through roughly 3/4 of the single player on the Heroic difficultly setting, logging in a total of about 5 hours of game play since I arrived home around 2am this morning. At my current rate of progression, I'll have completed the entire single player in about 7-9 hours, which is totally satisfactory for a game of this genre. If you're truly a seasoned Halo player, you should seriously consider starting the game on Heroic, imo. Excellent game so far. A few disapointments; specifically, texture pop-in, occasionally poor texture resolution, and a few frame rate inconsistencies, particularily within the cutscenes. I'm not particularily fond of the Battle Rifle so far, but over time it should grow on me. And these are only minor complaints. I'm thoroughly enjoying this game; it easily surpasses the original Halo in terms of overall depth and quality. Gameplay is far superior, with its sheer amount of balance and variety provided through its combat mechanics and game world interactions, the story is more fleshed out and less generic in comparison. Cause, and effect. Everything feels just right. The graphics engine truly showcases itself best later on in the game. Extremely impressive use of color in conjunction with bloom lighting effects, excellent application of the normal mapping techs on the majority of surfaces within the game. Very impressive game, with a few shortcomings, as stated above.

Overall, this game warrents the scores it's been receiving in mags and internet gaming publications.

[Chaotic]

I've beat this game already (i can actually say that now :p ) DO NOT PLAY THE GAME ON NORMAL, it's way to easy. Start off on Heroic as stated above... There are some nice suprises in the game but overall it's a bad ass game and is going to be golden on xbox live....

[EMX]

Game's awesome.

Got it midnight, played system link with a bunch of friends in to to all hours of the morning.

[Sheeyt]

Yes I was really disappointed with the lack of attention to detail in the cutscenes. Characters just pop into the scenes. One scene started with Master-Chief undetailed, then the detailed filled in. Also some of the animation in the cutscenes is a little jerky. I think the cutscenes as far as polish goes unfortunately have taken a step backwards and I can't understand why, given the extra time.

I'm loving the game, however something about it doesn't feel like Halo, the battles don't seem as epic, maybe because it just seems strange not being on Halo. I'm only on the second level, and I've just come across my first set of Hunters and WOW are they tuff. Not to mention the damn snipers, one shot from the Beam Rifle on Heroic and your shields are totally gone. Not to mention they psycho duel wielding Elites!

[Chewy]

TRIR, I feel like you do about the graphics. I realized something when I was playing. People who don't like computer games complain that you have to have state of the art hardware to get the most out of the games that come out. I realized that Halo2 does not look 1/2 as good as any of the screen shots that I have seen. So there are two explanations. HDTV, or Photoshop. So now, to get the game to look as good as it can you have to spend $2000+ to get an HDTV. That blows. I really just hope it is HDTV and that the screen shots have not been altered. I am going to play it at a friends later this week who has HD, I hope it looks like it does in the screen shots.

Gameplay is not too bad. I think I do like this one more that Halo 1. At least it didn't feel like I was fighting in the same room 5 times in a row. The weapons seem pretty well balanced enemy AI seems decent. When I drop the shields on the big guys, then tend to run for cover. I think if I was reviewing this one I would have to almost divide it into 2 games. Single player and Live. Once I play it on Live I will be able to decide on the rating.

[Sheeyt]

The main graphics of the game I like and I think are damn good for a console, best there is. Its the cutscenes, just seems like they where lazy.

The weapons are definately more balanced this time around. I picked up a shotgun and it took nearly four shots to kill an Elite, where as in the first it would be two up close maybe even one!

[Chaotic]

Chewy the game doesn't look that good on an HDTV.. It's only 480p and actually shows a lot more jaggys then it does on a regular smaller tv...

[Chewy]

Chewy the game doesn't look that good on an HDTV.. It's only 480p and actually shows a lot more jaggys then it does on a regular smaller tv...

That was what I was afraid of Chaotic. But does that mean that a lot of the screen shots that we were shown have acutally been Photoshoped to make them look better?

[Sheeyt]

Of course Chewy, thats a common practice now, almost all games have photoshopped screen shots to enhance their appearence.

[Chewy]

See TRIR, I don't think that is common practice. That is ****ing lying. Dammit I hate that.

[Sheeyt]

Oh yea man, absolutely. Look at Battlefront, some of the screen shots that came out for that game looked amazing, but the game doesn't hold up.

[X-Fan]

so afr this game has exceeded all of my expectations.it exceeds halo in every way possible and then some.props to bungie for making this hell of a game.

[Cold_As_Ice]

I'm fairly certain that it's been stated on record by Bungie that the cause for texture pop-in and other noticable abnormalities with the graphics are trade offs that result from a particular method of engine coding to help decrease loading times. They did a great job with this feature. Although, personally, I could stand to wait 10-15 seconds more for a level to load if it meant that these odd graphical abnormalities weren't so apparent.

[Sheeyt]

I know one thing the Hunters are hard as poop now!

[SoundX]

It's very possible that I'm the only XBA Regular without a copy of Halo 2 at this time. I'm telling you, if they do this with Halo 3, I am moving to the US. Ah well, the game sounds awesome, just another two days.

[TOTTEN]

It's very possible that I'm the only XBA Regular without a copy of Halo 2 at this time. I'm telling you, if they do this with Halo 3, I am moving to the US. Ah well, the game sounds awesome, just another two days.
No I am halo2less for like 10 more hours. I would do the same in your position :p

[BananaMan]

No I am halo2less for like 10 more hours. I would do the same in your position :p
halo 2 for me in like 3 1/2 hours!

totten i'm adding you back, and adding a lot of other xba people too.

the only complaints i've heard of so far are just minor things, the graphical pop ups, and haveing to push the white button to talk to your team online(which i think is better)

:hump:

[Leviathon]

I was only able to play for about 2 hours last night. Everything so far is awesome... My only complaint is that I feel that the Multi-player maps are a little to "Unreal Championshipish".... However, that is probably due to my very noobish experience...

However, the map are beautiful and I think that in the long run we will all understand how much thought was put into the maps for Multiplayer...

[LTM360]

This game surpasses everything you know as "Halo: Combat Evolved". In every conceiveable way. The graphics are outstanding (though popins are bit rediculous at times as stated), the sounds its still excellent as expected from me, I'm loving the battle rifle, and pistol being toned down, and duel-wielding works to a perfection. I havn't got far on campaign yet because I keep getting invites.

The online play is much much better than I had expected, though I played 3 or 4 rounds of CTF, the lag on the game is... not there. I can't believe how well this game runs online, I've yet to play an online game that plays this well. The maps are great, especially Zanzibar which is easily becomming a favorite. I still havn't figured out how the talking works, or maybe no one wants to respond to me, I don't know.

I really am in awe of how much better than the original Halo this is. I know it's silly to bring this up, but to think giving Halo 2 a 9.4 is rediculous, but to actually do it is absurd. The online play is outstanding, the campaign (though im not too far) has an interesting story, the sound is wonderful (and so is 5.1 Dolby Surround), just, overall this game exeeded my expectations, Halo 2 is one of the best console games this generation, I mean, this "review" if you wanna call it that, is basically first impression, but I don't see what would happen to make me dislike it.

If I have anything to complain about, its the fact that there are shields, and that's it, not actual health this time around, I can't say I like it, but It'll grow on me overtime. I don't see myself playing anything other than Halo 2 for a while. :p

[Whisper]

Ok I have just landed on the new Halo and my rating of the game has jumped from 8.5 / 10 to 8.8 / 10. The story is making it better.

When I'm done single player it will be a 9, but then when I start online it will be 10 im sure.

[Ghost]

well i new the game c ould not be perfect and live up to everything. But i mean thats why i never hyped myself up, that way the game will seem as if it is the best game i ever played. And about popins i dont really give a ****, its a game not real life, "stuff" happens. I am gonna get the game either today or tomorrow and try as much as i can to convince my mom to let me play it sooner than christmas, but i mean, i believe that Gamespots Video review said it all.

[LTM360]

If it doesn't spoil anything Warrior... what did they say?

[Ghost]

it is a freaking 20 minute video review just go watch please, they explain themselves very nicely, i actually agree with there score if you were to rate it the "best" you can That means dont be baised rate it on how it was.

[LTM360]

I can't watch it. Virus/Spyware messed up all my Microsoft programs and it wont create a "direct show" player thing. I can't watch any streaming videos anymore.

[Ghost]

I can't watch it. Virus/Spyware messed up all my Microsoft programs and it wont create a "direct show" player thing. I can't watch any streaming videos anymore.
ahh ok, then what they pretty much said was that the story was not completly "filled" at the end they said the game leaves off on a cliffhanger and thats annoying, i agree. And another thing was the pop-ins. Not only that they said the cutscenes were not very good, they lloked actually a bit bad. So most of the problems are with the story and graphics.

Edit* Look i am not bashing the game, i mean i havent even played it, but what i am trying to say is that if your going to rate a game rate for all the hype that was given to it and rate it compared to being flawless, which NO game is. But i mean i still belive easily this is the best At least Xbox game of all time.

[Leviathon]

I can't watch it. Virus/Spyware messed up all my Microsoft programs and it wont create a "direct show" player thing. I can't watch any streaming videos anymore.

You gotta quit watchin' all that porn....

ahh ok, then what they pretty much said was that the story was not completly "filled" at the end they said the game leaves off on a cliffhanger and thats annoying, i agree. And another thing was the pop-ins. Not only that they said the cutscenes were not very good, they lloked actually a bit bad. So most of the problems are with the story and graphics.

I watched the opening scene and IMO, it was really well done. Great graphics... Great Voice overs.... No glitches that I could see... The characters were a little "boxy", but Bungie was smart and made the cameral levels all about mid chest on up when they did close ups...

Like I said. The biggest thing to get used to where the new Multi-player maps... But that was just like original Halo... The controls all feel very natural. Shoot, I was even able to knock someone off of a ghost for the first time.... Sweeeet...

[LTM360]

It's my Brother Leviathan... seriously.

I think the cutscenes are great, just the pop ins suck. Graphics are spectacular, just in my opinion though.

[Leviathon]

Ok, stupid question, what do you guys mean by "pop ins"..?

[Nurb]

Of course Chewy, thats a common practice now, almost all games have photoshopped screen shots to enhance their appearence.

I said from the beginning the screens' graphics looked too good to be true, and everyone said I was crazy. I can't believe bungie stooped to giving out super-high rez screens to exaggerate the graphics. They still look amazing, but nowhere near what the screens and the E3 game footage appeared to be.

and I can't believe they took the scope away from the pistol! :cry:

its still a good game tho

[LTM360]

I think the graphics look just as good in game as they did in E3 and high rez...

Leviathan, have you noticed the textures of certain things (buildings, sometimes characters) suddenly become more detailed? Pop-ins, they fill in the detail, but you see it happen... which, sucks. I happens alot during cutscenes.

[Anthony4sho]

Best. Game. Ever.

[MixMasta]

I love this game.

I had my dad pick it up for me at Target, got the LE version with a free Prima Halo 2 strategy guide.

ROCK ON!!!!

[stormin4]

I was only able to play for about 2 hours last night. Everything so far is awesome... My only complaint is that I feel that the Multi-player maps are a little to "Unreal Championshipish".... However, that is probably due to my very noobish experience...

However, the map are beautiful and I think that in the long run we will all understand how much thought was put into the maps for Multiplayer...

My feeling exactly on the multiplayer maps but i'm hoping that is just on Live and they will look/feel better on system link play.

[l Maximus l]

I'm shoving the game in right now! Wish me luck! See you guys in about 10 hours!!! I'm kicking this off on Legendary!!!!!!

[npllr]

i won't get it for a while cuz is epn my money on fable, but i can't wait and i'll be killed on live, i haven't played HALO for ever

[LTM360]

Rent Fable.
Buy Halo 2.

Fable Doesn't Last.
Halo 2 Does Last.

I own both.
Believe Me.

Oh And alot of people.
On this site... agree.

:wtf: :huh:

[LiquidX]

Graphics are beautiful. Sure theres pop in but its not THAT big of a problem. And if it is caused by the code that allows for no loading time between levels, its an ok trade IMO. I loved how everything just kind of flowed while I was playing.

The new guns are great. I especially like the Covenant Carbine. But I think the vehicles could have been worked into the game a little better. I found myself using the Ghost and Banshee the most. I only used the Wraith, Spectre, and Warthog once or twice.

The story, even though it was a little predictable, was great. The ending did make me a little mad. They didnt try to HINT at a 3rd game... they just made it so glaringly obvious that it almost hurts.

Still this is the best game I have ever played. Im sure I'll feel that even more once I play some multiplayer or... *GASP* get a job and LIVE!

[Leviathon]

I haven't really even began the campaign mode... Still at work... hurry up 7:00pm...

But you have to realize that Halo3 will be the console seller for the next gen console from Xbox... That is why they are probably leaving everyone hangin' at the end.... It's all about the $$$$...

[Nurb]

one of my few complaints so far is that the squad AI are bigger idiots than in the first game it seems, first time on the surface after those hunter are beaten, they just stand in the corridor while the 5 snipers pick them off, and the enemy use the environment better than the humans that live there. Do my guys get smarter or is it this one spot?

I also don't know why they put damageable warthogs in singleplayer, I miss the indestructable vehicles from the first :)

[SilverOak]

I love the game even though it is much more run 'n gun than what I like. Beautiful maps and great weapons. Evenly matched spawn points and really awesome game types.

I think the game has endurance and will be played for quite awhile.

Well worth the $54! :hump:

All in all I am still really looking forward to GR2 as it is more stealthy.

[Leviathon]

My feeling exactly on the multiplayer maps but i'm hoping that is just on Live and they will look/feel better on system link play.

From the 2 hours of Multi-player that I played last night and only playing about 4 of the maps. It appears (remember opinion only based on limited playing time) that the maps have taken on more of a run-and-gun feel to them, which is alot like Unreal IMO... The outdoor maps that we hit early this morning did not provide alot of camping for sniping... Yes you could camp... But there was alot of coverage... So in order to get some kills you need to get a little more up and close with people (plasma sword) :D... Sniping wasn't real productive, at least in the maps we played...

But I will reiterate that the maps we did play, were awesome... Beautiful graphics... The first one played was the remake of battle creek... Beaver (something :rofl: )... And really liked what they did to the map. The lighting is beauitful... Shading to hide in... No more friggin ladders... just a really nice map... Even though it was strangely familiar, it was still pretty good...

[wbio]

So far it's awesome, I just finished the first 3 levels in around an hour or so, they were much shorter than I thought, but I am sure they'll get longer. I didn't even realize it was a new level until I got off the ship, then I stopped and looked and the ship had counted as 3 levels :yikes:

[DaRkMaN]

THERES NO LAG ON LIVE! <very impressed by this

...i was at a friends house playing with 2 other friends (total: 3 of us) and we went on live in 8 player games and there was literally NO LAG...i was really surprised im wondering how does it compare when theres 16 player games? i never got a chance to play one of those

[ChessPieceFace]

i could care less about the pop in and cut sceen stuff im just glad they perfected the part most people will be spending their time on the multiplayer !!!!

[skorp]

I loved the game! :p

Leviathon, I agree that it does play like Unreal... The game is so different from the first. Many surprises and I agree minor flaws which was mentioned... But the good things out weigh the bad. For example how certain weapons or vehicles were either downgraded or upgraded or both in a way which I understand to even out the playing field. I played the campaign in co-op at first which looked good but realized how much better it looked playing it by myself other than just having a bigger screen... I know... Weird. :confused:

I loved the funny and awesome moments I witnessed or experienced in the game from my team or the enemies... Speaking of enemies.... Was it just me that got confused at times who?! (For most of you I think you know what I mean.) :D

Well... I think I can't give a complete review of the game just yet until I play the whole campaign again and multiplayer fragfests or maybe never will... Its hard to put it into words... You just have to experience it yourself!

Live it! Love it!

Good Games! :cheers:

[Ninjermy]

I really like it, so far im on the 3rd level and i havent even TOUCHED online. A few things that do dissapoint me already though are, dumb AI, Pop-in, and the new shotgun (liked the old one WAY better). Overall, it still gets 9.8/10 from me :D

[lax_defense]

It doesn't feel like Halo 1. Which is a good thing. I mean, I'm playing on so many different places i haven't played on before. Like the city. That just doesn't feel right. I don't know, its not the open plains of Halo that i'm used to. Also, I need to get used to the multiplayer maps. Damn, I wish they kept hang em high. Thats the best map.

Ever.

[batman46st]

lets see i would lilke them to bring back the original weapon from the 1st halo dont get me wrong but that one should of still been part of the roster. 2ndly i love the constant something blowing up i tell u this is not the first part of the game we started of with in the 1st one holllllly jesus when i saw things sticking to walls and i was blown away when i saw the graphic and detail on things oh man the one thing i found stupid was :::::::::::spoiler coming up so stop reading :::::::::::: that u have to go through a stage as a covinant wat the hell was that about im master chief not that stupid covinant..... anyways over all 10 for me F the magz..

We created the spoiler tags so you wouldnt ruin the game for everyone else. :)

[LTM360]

Batman! Spoiler tag buddy on the end... I know its not BIG, but some people don't wanna know that.

Where are you all getting "dumb AI" at!? What difficulty, on Heroic they seem pretty smart to me.

[themoosearmy]

I've discovered that the pop-in varies from box to box. I barely notice any pop-in on mine here at school, but my buddies we played on at home had pop-in on every cutscene.

Everything thats in the game has lived up to my expectations, I only have a few extremely minor complaints that make this a 9.9999999/10 for me and none of it is gameplay:
-Color choices for profile (no black....)
-only one person can control the menus (perhaps i'm just doing it wrong?)
-No voice for guests on live (expected, tho disappointing)

Other than that, i can't say enough. If you don't think the campaign battles are epic, what game have you been playing. Fighting through the city streets was amazing, and the covenent snipers are an added touch of difficulty. If you've played Halo before, start this ish on Heroic, its a challenge that will leave you satisfied, Normal is too easy.

P.S. I'm LOVIN the stats after split screen/system link, the medals, the BR, jacking vehix, the symbols, sword ball on midship, TS on ascension, Territories(3) on Beaver Creek, The campaign level size, guests on live, lack of lag on live, and the music. Everything is just so damn good.

[l Maximus l]

My thoughts so far is that Halo 2 is freakin' bad ass! I'm all about gameplay and the actual action portion of the game. I've never been a big story person or a big cut scene fan. Just get to the action!

As for the game itself, it is incredible! I love how balanced the weapons are and the shear variety of weapons. I don't want to say any spoilers, but, I was shocked at a few new weapons that they don't even list in the manual.

The Energy Sword is wicked...oh man, that has to be one of the most lethal weapons in multi-player. I can only imagine at this point since I haven't played multi-player yet...it's going to be so bad ass!