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Official Halo 2 Thread
- Thread starter LukeSmith
- Start date
Synbios459
Banned
Any idea when/if the PC version of Halo 2 will be released?
Synbios459
Banned
Oh, BTW I think it's awesome how
On Delta Halo there are birds flying around and you can shoot them and blow them to smithereens
in retrospect it always did seem odd how in the first Halo they managed to create an entire eco system, yet there was no indigenous life to be found.
in retrospect it always did seem odd how in the first Halo they managed to create an entire eco system, yet there was no indigenous life to be found.Just finished the game about an hour ago.
I really wasn't too fond of Halo. Unlike a lot of other people, I wasn't blown away by the AI in the single player campaign. So while hardcore Halo fans could look past a lot of the game's shortcomings because of the fun they had fighting the AI opponents, I felt I was playing a competently-executed console FPS, but nothing more, at least from a gameplay perspective. The one thing I thought was outstanding was the story--while the individual elements were familiar (the coalition of alien religious fanatics pursuing a lone human starship, and their fixation on artifacts created by a long-vanished race, is right out of Startide Rising, the halos themselves are clearly inspired by Larry Niven's Ringworld novels, and the whole 'space marines vs. infectious alien parasites' thing screams Aliens, with a nod to John Carpenter's The Thing for the design of the Flood themselves), I happened to like those elements, and enjoyed seeing them skillfully combined to create an epic adventure. I went into Halo 2 with great anticipation for the story, but I wasn't really expecting to be wowed by the gameplay, not after my experiences with the first game.
I was very pleasantly surprised.
Halo 2 kicks ass.
Practically every problem I had with Halo has been addressed in the sequel. The backtracking that made the first game feel so monotonous in places is gone--environments feel a lot more varied, and without the forced backtracking, you're given the distinct sense that you're always moving forward, which I like. The vehicles feel much better to me now--the handling seems more responsive in general, and there isn't that weird 'heavy but floaty' feel to the Warthog anymore. (In the first game, driving the Warthog felt like moving a massive object around in low gravity or something. It just felt... strange.) There were even some 'bosslike encounters'
, which are something I'm very partial to in FPS's, and was sorely disappointed by the lack of in the first game. And maybe it's just my memory playing tricks on me (which is entirely possible), but MC feels more nimble to me now, where in the first game, I'd often feel myself getting frustrated at how slowly he seemed to be moving. (Or perhaps I'm just slowing down in my old age...)
As far as the whole texture pop-in thing goes, it's odd... I've seen it happen, but usually for about a half-second at most. Maybe more heavily-used Xboxes are suffering from slower read times when pulling those textures from the HD cache? Just curious as to why some people seem to be having a really noticeable problem with that, but I'm not. (Not that I'm complaining!)
In fact, the only real graphical nitpick that stands out in my mind is the use of bumpmapping to create the furry body texture on the Brutes. I wish they'd gone with regular texture maps instead, personally. They ended up looking more like sculpted brown plastic--the effect reminded me of those Chewbacca action figures. ^^;
Story and ending comments follow, so I'm spoiler-tagging the next stretch.
I haven't even touched multiplayer yet... I've got a few two-month XBL cards sitting here, so I'm thinking about getting online with this (though I'm debating whether or not I should just get a Live bundle first, mainly for the headset.) I definitely intend to play through the campaign again soon, this time on Legendary.
So yeah, waiting outside in the cold at midnight for this was more than worth it.
I really wasn't too fond of Halo. Unlike a lot of other people, I wasn't blown away by the AI in the single player campaign. So while hardcore Halo fans could look past a lot of the game's shortcomings because of the fun they had fighting the AI opponents, I felt I was playing a competently-executed console FPS, but nothing more, at least from a gameplay perspective. The one thing I thought was outstanding was the story--while the individual elements were familiar (the coalition of alien religious fanatics pursuing a lone human starship, and their fixation on artifacts created by a long-vanished race, is right out of Startide Rising, the halos themselves are clearly inspired by Larry Niven's Ringworld novels, and the whole 'space marines vs. infectious alien parasites' thing screams Aliens, with a nod to John Carpenter's The Thing for the design of the Flood themselves), I happened to like those elements, and enjoyed seeing them skillfully combined to create an epic adventure. I went into Halo 2 with great anticipation for the story, but I wasn't really expecting to be wowed by the gameplay, not after my experiences with the first game.
I was very pleasantly surprised.
Halo 2 kicks ass.
Practically every problem I had with Halo has been addressed in the sequel. The backtracking that made the first game feel so monotonous in places is gone--environments feel a lot more varied, and without the forced backtracking, you're given the distinct sense that you're always moving forward, which I like. The vehicles feel much better to me now--the handling seems more responsive in general, and there isn't that weird 'heavy but floaty' feel to the Warthog anymore. (In the first game, driving the Warthog felt like moving a massive object around in low gravity or something. It just felt... strange.) There were even some 'bosslike encounters'
like the battle with Tartarus and the bit with the Heretic and his holodrone
As far as the whole texture pop-in thing goes, it's odd... I've seen it happen, but usually for about a half-second at most. Maybe more heavily-used Xboxes are suffering from slower read times when pulling those textures from the HD cache? Just curious as to why some people seem to be having a really noticeable problem with that, but I'm not. (Not that I'm complaining!)
In fact, the only real graphical nitpick that stands out in my mind is the use of bumpmapping to create the furry body texture on the Brutes. I wish they'd gone with regular texture maps instead, personally. They ended up looking more like sculpted brown plastic--the effect reminded me of those Chewbacca action figures. ^^;
Story and ending comments follow, so I'm spoiler-tagging the next stretch.
Story-wise, I'm not disappointed at all, and I'm a little surprised by the complaints. IMO, what Bungie delivered was far cooler and more intriguing than an entire game built around the premise of 'Master Chief and the Marines defend Earth from the Covenant' could possibly be. I thought the Arbiter was fantastic--Bungie did a terrific job of making him a sympathetic character right from the outset, and the 'noble warrior' persona just resonates with me more than the character of Master Chief, to be honest. The fact that I tend to be partial to 'unreal' weaponry over the pseudo-realistic pistol/shotgun/SMG/rocket launcher stuff in general probably doesn't hurt matters either. And active camouflage plus an energy sword equals bliss.
The ending didn't disappoint me, either. Yes, it's a cliffhanger, and it leaves a lot unresolved, but that just has me awaiting Halo 3 that much more anxiously. To be honest, I think a lot of people complaining about it are too young to remember seeing The Empire Strikes Back in theatres--that ended on a similar cliffhanger note, and back then, you had to wait 3-4 years for a movie sequel to be produced. There was none of this Matrix/LotR 'we'll shoot two or three movies' worth of footage in one long stretch, edit it, and release to theatres every six months'. Kids today don't understand what it means to have to wait for anything anymore.
And active camouflage plus an energy sword equals bliss.The ending didn't disappoint me, either. Yes, it's a cliffhanger, and it leaves a lot unresolved, but that just has me awaiting Halo 3 that much more anxiously. To be honest, I think a lot of people complaining about it are too young to remember seeing The Empire Strikes Back in theatres--that ended on a similar cliffhanger note, and back then, you had to wait 3-4 years for a movie sequel to be produced. There was none of this Matrix/LotR 'we'll shoot two or three movies' worth of footage in one long stretch, edit it, and release to theatres every six months'. Kids today don't understand what it means to have to wait for anything anymore.
I haven't even touched multiplayer yet... I've got a few two-month XBL cards sitting here, so I'm thinking about getting online with this (though I'm debating whether or not I should just get a Live bundle first, mainly for the headset.) I definitely intend to play through the campaign again soon, this time on Legendary.
So yeah, waiting outside in the cold at midnight for this was more than worth it.
Uno Ill Nino
Banned
Yeah so go get a backrub then. Your opinion amounts to about as much with me as mine does to you.
WhippinSean
Banned
http://www3.telus.net/public/trobert1/halo2_whippinFX.wmv
New Whippin Sean Halo 2 MP Video
Watch me get first place in a rocket launcher only match near the end, I am probably the best player on this board... maybe...
New Whippin Sean Halo 2 MP Video
Watch me get first place in a rocket launcher only match near the end, I am probably the best player on this board... maybe...
So what's the story with the somewhat random checkpoints. Say your in one of the area's where you stay in that area and fight through a couple of waves of enemies.
Sometimes I get multiple check points, one in between each wave, and other times I don't get any check points until I leave the area. One time I got through to the last wave in an area and got killed; the next time I got a few check points before even getting back to that point. Not a huge deal but it can be annoying to get through a few waves with no checkpoint and then have to start over.
Is there a way to guaratee that you trigger the checkpoint?
Sometimes I get multiple check points, one in between each wave, and other times I don't get any check points until I leave the area. One time I got through to the last wave in an area and got killed; the next time I got a few check points before even getting back to that point. Not a huge deal but it can be annoying to get through a few waves with no checkpoint and then have to start over.
Is there a way to guaratee that you trigger the checkpoint?
boredJonathan
Member
Deku Tree said:
I do believe that this is part of the games somewhat flexible difficulty. It seems like it'll let you go for awhile if you are doing well, but if you fuck up, it'll take you back and then try and do it in little segments so that you don't pull your hair out.
So you play through and there is a long gap, but die during one last wave. Next time though, fi you die in that last wave, you'll only start a few waves back. Better than going through it all over again, I think at least.
(IIRC, the orginal Halo had a similar system.)
"On the level outskirts there is a hidden item at the begenning of the level. when you start the level you will notice a blinking passageway proceed through the passage way and turn directly around and look up and you will notice a light. jump and duck at the same time to get on top the light then turn to your right where you will need to jump and duck one more time to get on the roof. once on top the roof you will find a dark alley way to your left go down that alley and pick up the item as if it were a wepon. Have Fun : ) This may be the way to unlock something and it might not be the only hidden item
"
credit to Pirate 117 on bungie.net
it's pretty cool no hud, no indicators. in fact, you can't even see your own weapon or legs 
"
credit to Pirate 117 on bungie.net
it's pretty cool
no hud, no indicators. in fact, you can't even see your own weapon or legs 
Project Midway
Member
Everything has been said but I will say it once again; HALO 2 ROCKS!! I just drove over that bridge with tank...it was the most fun I have had with a videogame for a long time. Awesome feeling, blast those covenant scum with the mighty tank.
edit: So there arent any game demos on Halo 2 disc? I didnt want to read this whole thread in fear of major spoilers....
edit: So there arent any game demos on Halo 2 disc? I didnt want to read this whole thread in fear of major spoilers....
MightyHedgehog
Member
No demos...unless they are hidden extremely well.
I played single and multiplayer more yesterday for a couple of hours and I have come to my conclusion on which game is better: Halo1 or Halo2.
Halo 1 PC Multiplayer WORKS Halo2 mulityplayer in terms of gameplay/feeling. I do not know who the genius @ Bungie was who decided that you needed to hold a button to pick up the flag, but that just about ruined CTF for me and my friends. Then there is the fact that the Hogs do not feel the same anymore and are not as powerful. I could go on about the differences, but I think that you get my point.
Halo2 single player WORKS Halo1 single player. Just better story, action, gameplay, and music. The total package is fabulous and I would consider single player to be one of the greatest moments in my 25 years of videogame experiences. Bungie did screw up by not allowing Co-op mode on either Live or with some systems linked, but I guess that will be one of the selling points of Halo3. Two to sixteen players will hopefully be able to go through the single player experience and Microsoft can use that as a strong selling point for Xbox2 Live.
Overall, I love the single player game but hate the multiplayer on Halo2. Maybe if they decide to release Halo2 pc then I would give mulitplayer another go. If not, then I will wait for Halo3.
Halo 1 PC Multiplayer WORKS Halo2 mulityplayer in terms of gameplay/feeling. I do not know who the genius @ Bungie was who decided that you needed to hold a button to pick up the flag, but that just about ruined CTF for me and my friends. Then there is the fact that the Hogs do not feel the same anymore and are not as powerful. I could go on about the differences, but I think that you get my point.
Halo2 single player WORKS Halo1 single player. Just better story, action, gameplay, and music. The total package is fabulous and I would consider single player to be one of the greatest moments in my 25 years of videogame experiences. Bungie did screw up by not allowing Co-op mode on either Live or with some systems linked, but I guess that will be one of the selling points of Halo3. Two to sixteen players will hopefully be able to go through the single player experience and Microsoft can use that as a strong selling point for Xbox2 Live.
Overall, I love the single player game but hate the multiplayer on Halo2. Maybe if they decide to release Halo2 pc then I would give mulitplayer another go. If not, then I will wait for Halo3.
gunstarhero
Member
I mean, the entire game kicks ass - but I finally got to put in some online time, and wound up playing an 7 player match of King of the Hill for a few hours. Holy shat, this mode is good.
Almost every level is perfect for this mode. Acension, Ivory Tower and the Coagulator (new blood gulth) levels are my favorites so far - with Acension being the best because of it huge "hill" area. Coagulator is insane, as we had 5-6 destroyed vehicles on the "hill" within 1 minute.
Highly recommend this mode.
Any other modes you guys play that you like besides Slayer or Capture the Flag? Discuss favorite Halo 2 online modes here: (or DIE!)
P.S.
Only thing I dont like (and this is LIVE specific, not just KOTH) is the fact that the second headset on my Xbox (friend was playing as guest) does not work. Not sure if he needs to bring over his LIVE account on a memory card to get it to work, but it kinda sucked.
Almost every level is perfect for this mode. Acension, Ivory Tower and the Coagulator (new blood gulth) levels are my favorites so far - with Acension being the best because of it huge "hill" area. Coagulator is insane, as we had 5-6 destroyed vehicles on the "hill" within 1 minute.
Highly recommend this mode.
Any other modes you guys play that you like besides Slayer or Capture the Flag? Discuss favorite Halo 2 online modes here: (or DIE!)
P.S.
Only thing I dont like (and this is LIVE specific, not just KOTH) is the fact that the second headset on my Xbox (friend was playing as guest) does not work. Not sure if he needs to bring over his LIVE account on a memory card to get it to work, but it kinda sucked.
Halo 2 multiplayer is so much better. The only problem I have is that my little brother is the cheapest killer on the face of the planet once he gets behind the wheel of a ghost. Only way we can stop him is if we all try and gang up on him.
Anyone care to tell me how far I'm in the game:
Anyone care to tell me how far I'm in the game:
I just finished the level where Master Chief is chasing that Prophet of Retardedness through the Covenant place and killing everything in sight. I saw the Prophet and the evil Brute guy load the hot army chick and black army guy into some planes. Now I'm the Arbiter dude on the Halo (I think), fighting against the Brutes.
gunstarhero
Member
This an option or something? Didnt notice it.
WordofGod said:
you have to hold down the button... big deal.
and you are the ONLY person who doesnt like the change to how the warthog behaves. its definitely more natural now, i'd say you'r still just clinging to the funkyness of the original.
op_ivy said:
I play the PC version everyday for a couple of hours at a time (for many, many months now) and the gameplay is so much better on Halo1 for multiplayer. It is like playing Street Fighter Alpha2 and Street Fighter Alpha 3. Alpha 2, for me, just blows away Alpha 3. Alpha 3 is still good, but not as good as Alpha 2. Many players that I know feel the same way, but if you do not understand then I cannot explain it to you.
1 flag ctf is my favorite, but crazy king rocks too. especially in team games.
a really cool map to play regular king on is midship. the hill is in the center bottom of the map, and is constantly getting spammed by all the people respawning after deaths. tons of strategy as well as mad confusion as people are constantly rushing in to the "hill" and if your in control, its all about knowing when to get out of the death zone, take out competitors, then reenter to finish the stragglers or while others are spawning.
a really cool map to play regular king on is midship. the hill is in the center bottom of the map, and is constantly getting spammed by all the people respawning after deaths. tons of strategy as well as mad confusion as people are constantly rushing in to the "hill" and if your in control, its all about knowing when to get out of the death zone, take out competitors, then reenter to finish the stragglers or while others are spawning.
MightyHedgehog
Member
WordofGod said:
I understand this and agree. SFA2 is the better-balanced, and better-playing game. However, I don't agree with this where it concerns H1 and H2.
So far, I'd have to say that it was a little weird getting used to the new feel of multi in H2, but once you do...there's just no going back, IMO. The viewport seems a little more straight-on in H2, losing a little of what I imagined to be a slight fish-eye effect seen in H1...makes for some adjusting to the slightly more confined view...or at least, that's what it seems like, anyway. Otherwise, I didn't find anything to be less-attractive than H1's feel.
It'd be nice to see a Halo Classic DLC, keeping H1 gameplay and speed while adding in all of the other H1 maps, including the two new ones in the PC version.
How much time have you put into H2's multi, so far? I think, with enough time, it'll probably grow on you a bit better...then again, maybe not...
Anyway, all H2 needs, eventually, is a proper class-based mode of play, an endless stream of maps, and then, it's complete, IMO.
Crazy King was my favorite in the original game in system link and it's my favorite in this one too. I just love the hill movement and how that often leaves you high and dry. It nicely balances things for the people who aren't godlike with control. They always have a shot to get some time before everyone gets there.
One thing we've done that's a blast (offline) is to set a house rule of melee only once you're IN the hill. IOW, you can't fire a gun from inside the hill, only on your way there. Once inside, you can only melee. Adds a whole lot of strategy and it's very easy to get in the face of someone that doesn't follow the house rule so people just do it. It's pretty awesome.
One thing we've done that's a blast (offline) is to set a house rule of melee only once you're IN the hill. IOW, you can't fire a gun from inside the hill, only on your way there. Once inside, you can only melee. Adds a whole lot of strategy and it's very easy to get in the face of someone that doesn't follow the house rule so people just do it. It's pretty awesome.
Hey, yeah, it'd be like voting for whether Robin dies or not. Althougheso76 said:
I imagine the Elites would side with the humans, wouldn't they?
That'd be cool and all, but the possibility of it happening is probably near nil. Besides... I was all hyped up for the
big showdown with the Covenant on Earth
Ah well.
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