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[COCKLES]

I certainly won't be surprised if Halo 3 is announced as a launch game with Xenon - using the levels they 'cut' from Halo 2 plus some new extra stuff. No major graphic upgrade, just the engine from H2 ported over with extra bells and whistles and 60fps. Makes sense from MS standpoint - PS3 vs Xenon is going to be a bitter fought war...and having a new Halo will get Xenon out of the gates fast. A full Xenon Halo 3 would probably be 3-4 years off and even MS must realise that having to wait that long will mucho pisso fans off after H2's cliffhanger.

Halo 2.5 + original Halo redone with H2.5 engine.

 

[dark10x]

I certainly won't be surprised if Halo 3 is announced as a launch game with Xenon - using the levels they 'cut' from Halo 2 plus some new extra stuff. No major graphic upgrade, just the engine from H2 ported over with extra bells and whistles and 60fps. Makes sense from MS standpoint - PS3 vs Xenon is going to be a bitter fought war...and having a new Halo will get Xenon out of the gates fast. A full Xenon Halo 3 would probably be 3-4 years off and even MS must realise that having to wait that long will mucho pisso fans off after H2's cliffhanger.

Halo 2.5 + original Halo redone with H2.5 engine.

I don't think that would fly...

Halo is an important title, so if there is anything that MS would want to show off the power of their next system...it's Halo. I'd expect them to go well beyond what was shown in that original XO2 trailer. Unified lighting model, much more complex geometry (particularly on the terrain), and tons of other features.

Still, Halo 2 is beautiful as is. MUCH more so than the original. When I rode that massive bridge across the chasm in the tenth level (

Spoiler

Library 2.0

, I was in total awe. The snow, the massive alien structures, and the lighting were just too incredible. There are many moments where the vistas presented just left me in complete awe.

The game is not in the same ballpark as stuff like Doom 3 and Far Cry, but despite that, the game often looks much more beautiful. The art direction and colors chosen for each scene are really incredible. I was also pleased that they never use repeating room segments in Halo 2. I'm currently on mission 10, but everything I've seen thus far has been completely unique. It's really quite amazing!

I know about the cliffhanger, though, but I'm not too concerned. I was a Soul Reaver fan afterall (which is the king of the cliffhanger).

So far, the campaign has been expertly designed. Every single scenario is unique and well designed. It's really damn impressive. The ONLY part of the game thus far that failed to keep my interest was the beginning of the mission after Earth City. Once I reached the large elevator, though, things improved greatly and it has only improved.

 

[Late Stage Marxist]

After playing the bridge and a banshee level, I'm actually quite impressed by the SP campaign. The first couple of levels were meh, but it seems to be getting a lot better! The vehicle combat is definitely ramped up this time around! There weren't nearly enough opportunities to use vehicles in the first game.

 

[Uno Ill Nino]

Am I the only one who was pissed off that we had to

Spoiler

play as that stupid Elite for what seemed like over half the game? I thought that part of the game dragged on and on and on much like the library from the fist game. I don't know about you guys, but I bought Halo 2 to play as the Master Chief and fight alongside my fellow humans against the Covenant threat. It was cool seeing their side of the story and all, but I hated the gameplay in those sections. It was mind-numbingly boring for me. If only they could have had more firefights where you got to keep one set of weapons and roll with it for a while instead of running out of ammo every five seconds and needing to use any and all weapons laying around. On top of that, the flood just aren't fun to fight. I fought fuckin stupid enemies like that in DOOM 3, I'm tired of it.

Also, I don't like how the Covenant speak english now. Grunts did before, I know, but the Elites and Brutes should speak alien and have subtitles. They just don't sound as mysterious or menacing anymore. Whoever they hired to do a lot of the voices just sounds bad. They pulled a Phantom Menace on us here.

I'm enjoying the game for the most part, but there's too many things that I have to bitch about. I guess I'm a big fan of Halo 1 and I'm going to be very picky about Halo 2 because of that. I think ultimately I need more time with it. Maybe in a week my gripes will be forgotten in favor of the good things. So far the multiplayer kicks ass.

 

[Mrbob]

After playing the bridge and a banshee level, I'm actually quite impressed by the SP campaign. The first couple of levels were meh, but it seems to be getting a lot better! The vehicle combat is definitely ramped up this time around! There weren't nearly enough opportunities to use vehicles in the first game.

Yeah, it is awesome. On some of the later levels when you are playing co-op the possibilites are awesome! In one level I jacked a Covenant Wraith and my buddy jacked a human tank and we were tearing the level apart! It was awesome! :lol

I give the single player campaign 9.5 biscuits out of 10 (Half biscuit deduction for no online co-op!)!

Multipalyer gets 10/10 biscuits!

I'm at work i want to go home and play some more!

 

[mrmyth]

Uno, it didn't bother me other than

Spoiler

Covie weapons are CRAP FOR KILLING FLOOD. With the exception of the plasma sword.

.

 

[dark10x]

Uno Ill Nino, I totally disagree.

Spoiler

I didn't buy Halo 2 to play as the Master Chief. It reminds me of the complaints aimed at Raiden. Honestly, switching characters has never bothered me one bit and I actually enjoy the elite sections. You seriously bought Halo 2 just because you wanted to play as Master Chief?

 

[Mrbob]

Do we still need spoiler tags 600+ posts in?

Anyway, I thought the title of the game was

Spoiler

Halo 2

and not

Spoiler

Master Chief 2

!

Spoiler

I'm on stage 13 right now, but for stage count I've noticed it has been 8 for Master Chief and 4 for the Arbitar right now. I love how the story is fleshing out the Covenant side. How they aren't just some ruthless brutes conquering and controlling for the hell of it. The turmoil that is occurring within the covenant is pretty cool too. I can see how some people may get mad not being able to use the Chief the entire way through. But playing as The Arbitar along the way adds to the gameplay. It gives you a slightly different way to procede with battles. Not only with the weapons, but also the ability to cloak.

 

[Late Stage Marxist]

My only problem with the Elite sections so far is that sometimes I would mistakenly shoot my allies because they looks so similar to the enemies and the levels are so dark.

 

[ced]

My only problem with the Elite sections so far is that sometimes I would mistakenly shoot my allies because they looks so similar to the enemies and the levels are so dark.

Yeah, I gutted one on accident with my sword.

The other problem is you have like 6 allies, just too many. Its also hard to tell the difference between grunts, I killed a few of my own on accident. Then again who cares, less needles flying everywhere.

 

[Mrbob]

My only problem with the Elite sections so far is that sometimes I would mistakenly shoot my allies because they looks so similar to the enemies and the levels are so dark.

Well, that one area is intentially dark because of what happens in the stage.

I do agree about the NPC covenant allies that tag along though. Sometimes I would slice and dice them with my energy sword by accident.

 

[Rocket Punch]

I had to make this post because the previous reply count scared me :S

edit: DO'H NVMD

 

[dark10x]

My only problem with the Elite sections so far is that sometimes I would mistakenly shoot my allies because they looks so similar to the enemies and the levels are so dark.

Yeah, I've done that a few times.

I love their responses too.

 

[Sai]

Has anyone tried giving

Spoiler

those Elites Fuel Rod Guns?

They can really clean the fuck up. :lol

 

[Sysgen]

My only problem with the Elite sections so far is that sometimes I would mistakenly shoot my allies because they looks so similar to the enemies and the levels are so dark.

I thought that was intentional and the point (without giving the story away) and I thought it worked like it should. You need to rely on your recticle. At first I didn't think I would like these sections because of.... but later I thought it actually made the game.

 

[OG_Original Gamer]

I actually enjoy the game more on Legendary then I do on Heroic. I like trying to figure out how to get the advantage, I like how the Elite how the Elites pin you down and then try to rush. There's been times where I've found myself behind a box and see Plasma rifle fire on both sides of the box.

 

[Future]

I can tell right away some people will be dissapointed.....especially in normal mode, where the AI is so weak they don't have a chance to really show what the game is all about. People will run around, shoot things, then ask so what? Graphics are good, but for people that have seen Doom3 or FarCry there is no shock here. In fact the level of detail thing people have talked about is really noticable and actually hurts it somewhat/

But for people that loved Halo 1, I can't see how there can be many complaints. They fixed the level design so that there is almost no repetition (probably making it a shorter game overall). There are many climactic events/battles that take place in a short amount of time making it seem more action packed. And the AI is improved so that enemies don't just remain in their "zones." Elites actually chase me down now, so hiding in behind some box is not as easy as it once was.

It does look like Elites are easier to kill too. Don't seem as bad ass as they once were. Maybe cuz I'm only playing on heroic

 

[Mrbob]

Yeah I'm finding the elites easier as well. Dual Wielding tears their shields apart. Conversely, I'm having a much tougher time with the Hunters. Their prolonged beam attack with the ability of them to take more punishment make them much tougher to kill!

 

[Burger]

Yeah I'm finding the elites easier as well. Dual Wielding tears their shields apart. Conversely, I'm having a much tougher time with the Hunters. Their prolonged beam attack with the ability of them to take more punishment make them much tougher to kill!

You can still take them down with one shot to the orange part of their chest with the beam rifle.

 

[Deku Tree]

Yeah I'm finding the elites easier as well. Dual Wielding tears their shields apart. Conversely, I'm having a much tougher time with the Hunters. Their prolonged beam attack with the ability of them to take more punishment make them much tougher to kill!

Yup. But I find there are also alot more elites all over the game (on Heroic).

 

[GashPrex]

love the game, just incredible.

Every aspect is amazing, the levels are so much larger and detailed than the first. The vehicle combat is soo sweet and I love the new weapons. Dual weilding is fun and the gameplay is improved over the original.

The music deserves a special mention as it is beyond amazing. Some of the most beautiful music I have heard, even outside of videogames. Heavy Price Paid(#16 on soundtrack, also menu music) is my favorite. So sad but so beautiful.

I haven't got to multiplayer but I am excited to play over live very soon. Hopefully join the GAF clan.

 

[Prine]

I dont understand how people say it looks like the first, because it doesnt. Go play Halo right now, seriously, Halo 2 is a huge jump over the original. I just finished level 5 (was fun but not as great as the other levels) but the architecture, lightnig and effects are outstanding. Im not a tech wizard, so i dont know whats going on, but one thing im positive about is that is looks much better. The smoky hallways are very atmospheric.

You have a lot going on also, combine all that with fucking top notch animation you get a great visual picture. Good enough to be one of the best looking games on Xbox.

everything is sooooooooooooo smooth

Edit: Level 5 was HUGE, took me 2 hours to complete

 

[GashPrex]

I am so used to dumb ai, that Halo 2 really suprised me last night playing. I got out of a warthog, and was cleaning up some stragglers hiding. Next thing I know a Elite has mounted the gunner position on the warthog and laying into me with the gatling gun. I just about shit my pants...thankfully i didn't.

 

[Prine]

And

Spoiler

when the flood get infested with those ticks, is a sight to behold as they come back to life. Wiggling away snaping their legs back and forth, i love it

dont think i've played a more polished FPS. Detail, detail, detail in almost everything you do.

 

[Coin Return]

The AI is kicking my ass on Heroic...

 

[GhaleonEB]

I am so used to dumb ai, that Halo 2 really suprised me last night playing. I got out of a warthog, and was cleaning up some stragglers hiding. Next thing I know a Elite has mounted the gunner position on the warthog and laying into me with the gatling gun. I just about shit my pants...thankfully i didn't.

Ha - that's awesome. I just had my first encounter with the AI driving, and it was pretty good. Mind you, we were just driving straight down the tunnel in Old Mombasa, but the guy made some good strategic decisions. I'm reaming the back of this huge carrier, and I'm thinking, 'I wish he'd just pull up so I can tear into the driver.' And *bam* the driver hits the gas, pulls up to the side and five seconds later a screaming Elite drops out, bringing the carrier to a halt.

It was beautiful.

I just crossed the bridge into New Mombasa - that was insane! I'm on Heroic, and must have taken down over 40 vehicles. Wonderful carnage.

 

[SomeDude]

I won't be getting the game until next week. Can't wait!

 

[Hitler Stole My Potato]

God damnit I can't even connect to XBL. I bought a new home a couple of months ago and I haven't had the desire to hook my Xbox up to XBL until I got Halo 2 but now my router and Xbox aren't communicating with eachother and it worked perfectly fine in my old place. Is it a new IP address that's fucking things up here? Is there a XBL support line or e-mail address I can contact?

Fuck this sucks.

 

[Prine]

About the game revealing things you might have overlooked in Halo

Spoiler

I used to think the flood were another species becuase their heads looked unlike anything i've seen in Halo. So playing it today i zoomed into a fallen flood soldier to checkout the upgrade it recieved, I notice his head looks like a slug, like the arbitor. I was like "ooooohhhhhh, so these were covenet soldiers!"

thought that was pretty cool

 

[GhaleonEB]

God damnit I can't even connect to XBL. I bought a new home a couple of months ago and I haven't had the desire to hook my Xbox up to XBL until I got Halo 2 but now my router and Xbox aren't communicating with eachother and it worked perfectly fine in my old place. Is it a new IP address that's fucking things up here? Is there a XBL support line or e-mail address I can contact?

Fuck this sucks.

Ask around on this board:

http://forums.xbox.com/ShowForum.aspx?ForumID=25

That's the XBox Live board on XBox.com - I had some router questions the other day and had them answered in five minutes.

 

[Saturnman]

My problems with Halo 2 are that they screwed up the Banshee, you can't do melee attacks with Elites (they hit you, you die, which is ridiculous) and the pacing of some levels and the variety/scale of some others has been GREATLY overstated.

I give the game a 8.5 so far.

 

[BuddyC]

...you can't do melee attacks with Elites (they hit you, you die, which is ridiculous)...

Could you elaborate on that?

 

[Lakitu]

Hey guys, I'm going to pick up the game tomorrow (EU), really looking forward to it! I have a question though, what difficulty setting do you recommend I play it on first time? I want it to be a challenge and at the same time, fun, so what do you say? I've completed the original Halo about twenty times.

 

[Nerevar]

Could you elaborate on that?

elites are pretty much one-hit kills now. One solid melee attack from them wipes you out. It's annoying, but more balanced. Makes them a bit more dangerous. At least, this is the case on heroic, not sure on normal.

 

[Iceman]

I'm only on level 2 but the elites are brutal... and I think I unloaded several hundred bullets into a Hunter in the second level. I think the weapons are just weaker all around... But I've only just started running into the new covenant weapons (sniper).. maybe they're stronger?

 

[shibbs]

Anyone else finding the xbox live menu very frustrating? I mean, finding games, joining your friends etc.

 

[DaCocoBrova]

Just popped the game in...

The campaign mode intro isn't real-time is it?

The Covenant part...

 

[Iceman]

yeah, the covenant intro is real time. At least, it was apparent to me.

 

[Saturnman]

Could you elaborate on that?

Are you familiar with Halo 1? Did you play in the aliens' faces on Legendary? Getting hit by an Elite was painful, but unless your shield was down with limited health, you survived. This is not the case in Halo 2 so an Elite with guns is more dangerous than an Elite with a plasma sword because a melee attack sans plasma sword is just as deadly if you are on the receiving end.

It's possible Bungie made the change to limit the effectiveness of the plasma sword in your hands. I've noticed the Arbiter seems able to withstand a melee attack whereas the MC can not.

 

[Sp3eD]

Anyone else finding the xbox live menu very frustrating? I mean, finding games, joining your friends etc.

Believe me, you are not alone in this regard. The matchmaking system is a pile of trash that should have been axed well before launch. Any computer First person shooter fan would have been up in arms in the testing faze due to the lack of customizability. Why do I have to play Slayer with only 2 or 8 people? What if I wanted to play 4 player?

It is kinda frustrating when the get so much right in this game, and it is pretty much spoiled for me because of them trying to baby us into games like we can't find them on our own....

 

[Lakitu]

Hey guys, I'm going to pick up the game tomorrow (EU), really looking forward to it! I have a question though, what difficulty setting do you recommend I play it on first time? I want it to be a challenge and at the same time, fun, so what do you say? I've completed the original Halo about twenty times.

Anyone?

 

[Ramirez]

Heroic.

 

[drohne]

the hunters are a pain in the ass if you don't have the sniper rifle or beam rifle. those will still drop them in one shot. oh, i guess the rocket launcher and fuel rod gun work too.

 

[Sp3eD]

Is the fuel rod in multiplayer? Haven't seen it yet. It was my favorite gun in Halo 1 PC

 

[Sai]

No.

It'll probably be added in through DLC later though.

 

[dorio]

I just about shit my pants...thankfully i didn't.

:lol

 

[OG_Original Gamer]

I watched my cousin and brother play the game on co-op and seemed boring in normal difficulty. Legendary is the only way to me, I love the challenge. I'm dissapointed with the lack of scope on the pistol, and I think some of the multiplayer levels are a little cluttered though, other than that its great.

 

[Fixed2BeBroken]

Am i the only one who never really cared about the story in halo 1 and kinda dont really care about it in part 2?

its like this is a rpg to people....and all they talk about is the story instead of the actual game. its a GAME...you PLAY...not a Book you read.

i mean damn....i dont know.

my friends and I just enjoyed the gameplay...co-op / multiplayer....none of us ever really cared about the story or talked about it. we would discuss stories of other games sometimes, but Never halo.....whenever halo was brought up, it would be about some funny or cool shit that happenned while we played...

i dont know, maybe people play action games for the story nowadays?

if thats the case, play silent hill 2 bitches.

peace

 

[WHOAguitarninja]

Am i the only one who never really cared about the story in halo 1 and kinda dont really care about it in part 2?

its like this is a rpg to people....and all they talk about is the story instead of the actual game. its a GAME...you PLAY...not a Book you read.

i mean damn....i dont know.

my friends and I just enjoyed the gameplay...co-op / multiplayer....none of us ever really cared about the story or talked about it. we would discuss stories of other games sometimes, but Never halo.....whenever halo was brought up, it would be about some funny or cool shit that happenned while we played...

i dont know, maybe people play action games for the story nowadays?

if thats the case, play silent hill 2 bitches.

peace

Agreed totally. The complaints about story don't bother me at all.

 

[Sp3eD]

I'm dissapointed with the lack of scope on the pistol

After how overpowered the pistol was in Halo 1, this is actually a much, much, better balance decision. The pistol in Halo 1 Multiplayer was probably the only weapon within any decent FPS that was godlike from short, mid, or long range. It was sickly overpowered thus they listened to the fans and changed it