Halo 2 "Post your initial thoughts" thread!

[NavySEAL]

The ending is dissapointing... But looks like theres a chance there will be a halo 3.

[Jay_Jay]

Well I have to say that the single player is good, very short, but good. I'd have to say that I liked the ending, it pretty much says "Halo 3- Coming Soon" (BTW anyone beaten it on legenday- is there a different ending?) Best multiplayer I have ever seen, great new levels. I think it met my expectations.

[Gatorade Frost]

New weapons are taking time to get used to. I love the energy sword. I hate that you have to get closer to the enemy to punch them and sometimes it doesn't kill them. The campaign's way to short in my opinion.

So far though - Once I get some guys to Halo on the weekends with me it's going to be badass.

[pocon1]

How long to halo 3? Also, the graphics don't seem quite as crisp, and I miss having the marines around. They were all over the place in halo. Oh well, time to get the neighbor over for some coop and for me to work through on legendary.

[Carno]

You miss the Marines?? They've been in every level I've played so far.

[Lasereth]

This game is freakin AWESOME. I just played the first Arbiter mission...damn that was awesome.

-Lasereth

[FatherTed]

Amazing!!!!
I Love it!
Thank God it was worth the wait

[rapjo]

As someone who considers themself a die-hard halo fan, attended a midnight launch, and played till the wee hours of the first night of owning this game, I have very mixed feelings. I definately feel like halo2 was overhyped; the campaign is pretty boring to me thus far (2/3rds done with it), and I'd finished it by now if it had been more interesting. The multi is fun, the new maps are nice, but I'm still not entirely sure what my verdict will be.

Overall, I feel the weapons (new and old) are underpowered, with the notable exception of the Energy Sword.

[MontanaXVI]

buddy of mine got his on Tuesday and him and another mututal friend went at it on cmpaign for about 3 hours, and I came over after work the next day about 9 hours later we had reached the end.

I had never played Halo1 but this game is a blast, he is bringing the system over here to hookup and try it out online sometime in the next couple weeks. I am all for SONY and PS2 but this game would make me want an Xbox and has me looking for one used as we speak from the local GameStop and EBgames.

[twister002]

I'm getting a "Matrix Reloaded" vibe from this game. Like Halo3 is going to be very disappointing.

First, I'll echo the "What? I don't want to play as that guy" sentiment from above. Next;
Spoiler: Another Halo? uhmmm, OK. Hey, look it's our old friend "repeat the same map two or three times". We've even got a Captain named Keyes along.

About the only thing I haven't been able to kill in one hit with the energy sword has been the hunters, Bleh, I hate finding those things. Usually when I find them I have two grenades and a needler. wheee. The marines have gotten dumber? I'm trying to sneak into a room and the two that are with me go running in and start firing at the wall? So now, if I want to sneak, I take out the marines first. Or I hang back until the marines either take out the baddies or get taken out.

[Carno]

I guess all the good Marines died on the first Halo so now Master Chief has to deal with all the rookies....

[Stompy]

I've never played Halo.

Is it a traditional FPS, or is it more in the style of, say, Metroid Prime... where it LOOKS like an FPS, but really isn't?

[hulk]

Traditional. Very traditional. It pioneered the heavy use of vehicles, but other than that, it was nothing much to cry hom about, especially the single-player.

[The Cotb]

Just finished the single player and now wished I'd paid more attention to the movie cuts so I would know what exactly I did... heh. I feel like I kinda coasted through the last couple of stages, but that might have been my imagination. The Brutes were supposed to be the most badass, but I had a harder time earlier in the game against the flood when I didn't have swords lying around. I like double fistin' the SMG's against the flood, but I will agree with everyone else here who has praised the sword. Awesome stuff.

Multiplayer against three other buds on Tuesday night was fun if for no other reason than we were all on equal footing when it came to navigating the boards.

All of this should be taken with a grain of salt as I won't play the game on Legendary. I'll never be that good.

[Krycheck]

Most of my feelings about the game have already be expressed so I'll add something different.

You have to see this game in HD!! It looks so much better. When I first started playing it I realized that I was playing in regular mode for an hour. I had remembered that I had seen better screen shots on the internets so I reconfigured my video for my HDTV and WOW!! It's like going from 800x600 to 1280x1024. Simply amazing. Only problem: it seems to take a little longer to draw textures and models at this setting but worth it.

And remember guys, Xbox2 needs a killer app like the first one so of course you'll have a Halo3!!

/me thinks about a day off for HL2

[theguyondacouch]

Awesome. The single player is extremely intense, theres alot less walking around. I like how they have upgraded versions of the multiplayer levls, but I'm kinda dissapointed that they dont have a Hang Em' High type level. This game i sheer awesomeness.

[Carno]

Well I just finished singleplayer, and I feel like I got ripped off. Halo2 is just slightly upgraded Halo1 with new online multiplayer. It felt like a Halo3 teaser. Not to mention that the ending BLEW.

However, I have to admit that I didn't buy Halo2 for the singleplayer, so I am not all that disappointed. It is still the best FPS on Xbox. Fun as fuck when you have 16 people going at each other online. Or when you have 4 people on the same Xbox playing online. Multiplayer is badass. I just hope they get some new levels out pretty soon.

[RogueHunter65]

First though was that, I like the multiplayer maps for Halo 1 better. The ones in Halo 2 are way to big. They dont have any small ones like wizard or chill out anymore. And I dont like the pistol or the machine gun as much. But the rocket launcher is much better and using banchies.

After playing it for a while though I think that I like it alot though. I think that this game will be like how I feel about Goldeye and Perfect Dark. At first I like goldeye better but after a little I felt that Perfect Dark had just so many more options. They are almost the same game in many respects but you just get used to the update and when you play to origonal Its like i miss this and that.

So I think Halo 2 will go the way that Perfect dark did for me.

[Jeff]

I played the multiplayer for about 7 hours yesterday. I'm a little disappointed.
roguehunter65 made most of the major points. I expected a bigger change in multiplayer, the levels were disappointing, and the new weapons aren't great. I like the new stats system, though.

CTF sucks.

King of the Hill was the most fun I had.

[freddy b]

i love the game the graphics the music are great
a true master piece again
these guys at bungie know how to make a perfect game and than make it even better

halo3 on xbox2
hope not hope they will bring it faster this time
can't wait though

fred

[ziadel]

I hope they come out with a patch to remove the energy sword in online play...

its really too easy to whack people with it, I find myself using it too much and it's disappointing.

[tellumFS]

After just coming off playing through a good chunk of the game in cooperative campaign, I'd say it was really fun. The Arbitor level was a bit strange, though.

Took me a bit to get used to the controls, but then again I don't play console games, so that's an unrelated personal problem with the game.

[Jesus Pimp]

I think the game is overrated. It was more of the same. No innovation. Here are some things I liked and didn't like.

+ Better graphics than Halo 1. They're gorgeous.
+ Smoother improved controls both for your player and driving vehicles.
+ Awesome soundtrack except for the crappy bands.
+ Great voice acting.
+ Master Chief can jump higher

- No online or system link co-op play. I can understand not being able to do it online but no system link co-op? Lame.
- Split screen gaming still sucks.
- Multiplayer maps are too big. Unless you're playing with more than 8 people, it takes forever to find people.
- No running why? I think it would improve the flow and speed of the game.
- Why do I have to drop a weapon(instead of putting it away) to throw gernades when I'm wielding dual-weapons? Lame.
- Convulated story.
- Lame ending.

[flamingpeach]

I love playing online, but I have one big problem with it - from far away, its hard for me to tell who is on my team and who isn't. Why wouldn't they make red's names in red and blue's in blue instead of everyones in blue?

I'm a total n00b, and really have a hard time with distinguishing my team mates from across a map. What am I missing? :/

[hulk]

Just looking on GameRankings, and I'm absolutely astounded by how many perfect scores this game got, especially when you consider

a) It does nothing new
b) Apart from X-Box Live, it's basically an expansion to the first
c) It's a great game, but not perfect by any means.

What gives? I thought these guys were professional.

[Lasereth]

Originally Posted by hulk

Just looking on GameRankings, and I'm absolutely astounded by how many perfect scores this game got, especially when you consider

a) It does nothing new
b) Apart from X-Box Live, it's basically an expansion to the first
c) It's a great game, but not perfect by any means.

What gives? I thought these guys were professional.

Compare Halo 2 to every other game on the console market. It does what it does the best out of them all with ease. That's why it got perfect scores...it's the best of the best concerning console FPS. A "10" doesn't mean the game is perfect...it means the game is the definition of the genre.

-Lasereth

[Lasereth]

This game keeps getting better and better. You guys are crazy that say this game is disappointing...Halo 2 is way better than the first (and that's saying a lot) if ya ask me. All of the guns are freakin awesome, the control scheme somehow got better, and the graphics are unbelievable for a console. When I shoot it actually feels like I'm using two guns with Master Chief. Bungie really got the feel of the game downpat.

I haven't played multiplayer yet but the reason I liked the first Halo was the single player experience (not saying I wasn't obsessed with the multiplayer). Halo 2's story is crazy, the characters are awesome and playing as Master Chief never felt so good. This game is getting superb reviews and it deserves every bit of it. Anyone who says this game is disapppointing needs to take a look at the other console FPS out there. All of a sudden it makes sense why Halo is so popular...it's simply the best at what it does.

-Lasereth

[Captain Nemo]

Check out these guys review

http://www.somethingawful.com/articles.php?a=2481

[hulk]

Forgive me, but that sounds like blatant fanboy talk. From what I've played, the SP is more of the same. With two guns at once. The thing that gets me is, in most reviews, the authors point out things in the game that could have been better, yet give it a 10 seeming just for the hell of it. Now, I don't know about you lot, but if something is awarded a 10 it better be either so damn close to perfect that it is unthinkable to better, or so groundbreaking that nothing like it has been seen before. Halo 2 is neither, hell, it's a rehash of the first (as sequels generally are) and the MP plays a damn sight like UT2k4.

Honestly, after all these years, how can you be happy with the amazing lack of length in the SP scenario, especially with the ending purely designed to make you buy the sequal? If you've ever played _any_ of Bungie's older games, Halo 2 is the worst single-player experience they've ever done. Which isn't saying it's a bad thing, not by a long shot, it's just not as flawless and perfect and so damn amazing that it rates a 10.

[Lasereth]

Originally Posted by hulk

Forgive me, but that sounds like blatant fanboy talk. From what I've played, the SP is more of the same. With two guns at once. The thing that gets me is, in most reviews, the authors point out things in the game that could have been better, yet give it a 10 seeming just for the hell of it. Now, I don't know about you lot, but if something is awarded a 10 it better be either so damn close to perfect that it is unthinkable to better, or so groundbreaking that nothing like it has been seen before. Halo 2 is neither, hell, it's a rehash of the first (as sequels generally are) and the MP plays a damn sight like UT2k4.

Honestly, after all these years, how can you be happy with the amazing lack of length in the SP scenario, especially with the ending purely designed to make you buy the sequal? If you've ever played _any_ of Bungie's older games, Halo 2 is the worst single-player experience they've ever done.

I enjoy the single player because it's fun. I can't remember the last time I played a single player console FPS that was purely enjoyable. Halo 2 is a masterpiece of game making despite how long it is. Metal Gear Solid can be finished in four hours yet many still claim it's the best game ever made. Game length means nothing, it's the experience that matters.

Originally Posted by hulk

Which isn't saying it's a bad thing, not by a long shot, it's just not as flawless and perfect and so damn amazing that it rates a 10.

Like I said before, a 10 doesn't mean the game is perfect and it doesn't mean it's the best game of all time. It means it does its job better than the other games in the genre. If anyone thinks they can point out a better console FPS than Halo 2, be my guest.

-Lasereth

[Lasereth]

Originally Posted by Captain Nemo

Check out these guys review

http://www.somethingawful.com/articles.php?a=2481

Something Awful is an Irony site. They make mock-up reviews of movies, games, and music just to make fun of reviewers. It's blatantly obvious that in their Halo 2 review they're making fun of all of the bitching fanboys who say Halo 2 sux because they like Half-Life 2 better. Forget the fact the game is fun...forget that it has beautiful graphics and perfect controls. Forget that it has an awesome main character, great voice acting, and a cool plot. Forget it all and concentrate on one thing: WHERE'S THE INNOVATION!!! MY GOD IT'S A LOT LIKE HALO 1!!! JESUS THIS GAME SUXX!!!!

Some folks know how to review games and some don't. You don't rate videogames completely on innovation, you rate them on their experience and fun factor. I applaud Something Awful for making fun of those out there that do the former.

-Lasereth

[twister002]

Halo 2's story is crazy, the characters are awesome and playing as Master Chief never felt so good.

Well, don't get too used to playing as the Master Chief.

Spoiler: My gripe about the story is that I *don't* get to play as the master chief all the time. Plus playing as the Arbiter is exactly the same as playing as the master chief. No extra powers, no new guns, nothing. In fact in most of the Arbiter levels I end up using the earth weapons. I'm mostly playing through the levels so I can say I finished it. In Halo one I finished it because I wanted to know what would happen next. Big difference.

I've only played in the rumble pit online. Matchmaking takes too long. But it's pretty smooth once you get into a game. I was expecting it to be faster paced too, guess I'm used to Quake1/2/3 and counterstrike. I think that the perfect scores could be based more on the online play rather than the overall game. I think they are treating the single player game like Trent Dilfer on the Baltimore Ravens super bowl team. As long as it didn't screw up, the multiplayer wins the game.

[Lasereth]

Originally Posted by twister002

Well, don't get too used to playing as the Master Chief.

Spoiler: My gripe about the story is that I *don't* get to play as the master chief all the time. Plus playing as the Arbiter is exactly the same as playing as the master chief. No extra powers, no new guns, nothing. In fact in most of the Arbiter levels I end up using the earth weapons. I'm mostly playing through the levels so I can say I finished it. In Halo one I finished it because I wanted to know what would happen next. Big difference.

I've only played in the rumble pit online. Matchmaking takes too long. But it's pretty smooth once you get into a game. I was expecting it to be faster paced too, guess I'm used to Quake1/2/3 and counterstrike. I think that the perfect scores could be based more on the online play rather than the overall game. I think they are treating the single player game like Trent Dilfer on the Baltimore Ravens super bowl team. As long as it didn't screw up, the multiplayer wins the game.

I'm far enough into the game to know the spoiler. And there's actually a completely different set of guns to use the first time you play as the Arbiter. I like playing as the Arbiter as much as Master Chief if not more. This isn't Raiden from MGS2...the Arbiter is actually awesome and I personally care about his character. I think it's a great touch to the game.

-Lasereth

[Ripsaw]

Originally Posted by twister002

Spoiler: My gripe about the story is that I *don't* get to play as the master chief all the time. Plus playing as the Arbiter is exactly the same as playing as the master chief. No extra powers, no new guns, nothing. In fact in most of the Arbiter levels I end up using the earth weapons. I'm mostly playing through the levels so I can say I finished it. In Halo one I finished it because I wanted to know what would happen next. Big difference.

Minor correction: Spoiler: Do not ignore the cloak. I found it to be one of the most useful things about the Arbiter. In both single player and co-op, it allows you to take out the most dangerous enemy in a single blow, or it allows you to gain a positional advantage.

I just finished last night, and wow, was that a ride. I enjoyed this game thoroughly, and a combination of co-op through the first few levels and single through the last took me longer than I thought it would. No, I don't suck.

Spoiler: So when do ya'll think the Master Chief (Spartan 117?) is going to rescue Kerrigan. Oh wait, that's Cortana. Does anyone else see the possibility of a rogue AI?

[twister002]

Originally Posted by Ripsaw

Spoiler: So when do ya'll think the Master Chief (Spartan 117?) is going to rescue Kerrigan. Oh wait, that's Cortana. Does anyone else see the possibility of a rogue AI?

Actually, that would tie in with a lot of what I heard in the "I love Bees" game.

[Cynthetiq]

totally awesome! i am having alot of fun playing..

[BoltedDown]

Halo 2 is a great game. The role switching is an interesting addition.

Spoiler: Near the end of the game, while you are infultrating the Covinant installation, I found it better to just high-tail it thorugh the area, or let the Brutes and Elites battle it out and clean up the stragglers. Those brutes can really kick your ass, and with their ability to quietly charge at you -- even when you are driving a vehicle -- I was kept on edge for the remainder of the game.

It was definitely worth the wait. Go Bungie!

[Coppertop]

Played it. Thought it was so-so. Don't play shooters on consoles, too hard to get used to the dual sticks for movement/looking. Good game options for multiplayer though. Glad it wasn't merely simple deathmatch.

[freddy b]

Like I said before, a 10 doesn't mean the game is perfect and it doesn't mean it's the best game of all time. It means it does its job better than the other games in the genre. If anyone thinks they can point out a better console FPS than Halo 2, be my guest.

-Lasereth[/QUOTE]

hello,

there is no better fps out there period
at least someone who knows what he is talking about
halo was the best fps out there halo 2 gets the new spot
the story is great the music grabs you the graphics are freaking amazing the weapons are cool masterchief rules and the other characters also amazing
and the single-player mode is actually longer than halo i guess you just run through it quicker cause it's so freaking awesome
you just can't put the pad down at least i couldn't
a shame there is only one game that grabs me so much cause simply put there is no competition those ugly looking heads in half-life come on ...
doesn't grab me like halo(2) at all ...

just my opinion

fred

[Carno]

Originally Posted by flamingpeach

I love playing online, but I have one big problem with it - from far away, its hard for me to tell who is on my team and who isn't. Why wouldn't they make red's names in red and blue's in blue instead of everyones in blue?

I'm a total n00b, and really have a hard time with distinguishing my team mates from across a map. What am I missing? :/

Thing little detail you're missing is that your teammates have a HUGE box displaying their logo above their heads. You can even see the boxes through walls. Seriously, you can't miss it (or maybe you can??).

The box is extremely obvious.