Halo 2 by Original Video Game Soundtrack (CD, Nov-2004, Sumthing Else Music)

The Good

* Some of the best first-person shooter gameplay in the business
* Outstanding multiplayer features--tons of fun modes and customization options
* Incredible audio--music and sound effects both major highlights
* Impressive artificial intelligence
* Co-op mode tons of fun.

The Bad

* Disappointing story
* Short campaign
* Some unsightly graphical issues
* No co-op online.

Halo 2, the long-awaited sequel to one of the most widely praised, most influential first-person shooters ever created, has a very tough act to follow. Fortunately, it's built on a foundation that's as strong as they come. The game's success was preordained--publisher Microsoft tallied more than 1.5 million Halo 2 preorders in the weeks leading up to the game's release, which demonstrates just how confident Halo's fans are in the sequel's quality. But how is it, really? The good news is, the sequel to the Xbox's defining action game is an absolutely superb, fully featured game, boasting an excellent presentation, a highly replayable campaign, and the greatest, most complete online multiplayer component in a console shooter yet. A surprisingly disappointing story and a fairly short single-player portion are noticeable shortcomings, but there's just so much breadth of content in Halo 2, and the action itself is so outstanding, that there can be no denying its quality. Overall, it's one of the very best action games available.


It's good to see you, Master Chief.

There are several reasons why the original Halo ranks up there with a very small number of other first-person shooters as one of the definitive games in the genre. For one thing, Halo succeeded at establishing a cohesive, memorable, and original science-fiction universe. For another, the Master Chief, Halo's cybernetic protagonist, made a great hero. A fearless, enigmatic man, the Chief could succeed where pure flesh-and-blood humans could not, and guiding him to victory against the alien menace known as the Covenant, as well as the parasitic creatures called the Flood, made for a gripping story and an intense and satisfying gameplay experience.

Halo's gameplay was amazing in that it seamlessly integrated top-notch first-person shooting with incredibly fun third-person vehicular sequences and outstanding friendly and enemy artificial intelligence. The game's subtle innovations--the tactical consequences of such things as having recharging energy shields, being able to carry only a couple of weapons at a time, the ability to throw powerful grenades in between shots, and the option of dishing out fierce melee attacks--also did a lot to differentiate Halo from other shooters, and proceeded to influence subsequent games. Halo's multiple, well-balanced difficulty settings, two-player cooperative campaign option, and assorted multiplayer modes also ensured that the game had tons of lasting appeal. All these factors contributed to the game's well-deserved success, and they're all back in Halo 2. For the most part, the sequel takes an "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" approach to its gameplay--everything that you loved about Halo's action is back in full effect here. At the same time, the handful of new additions in Halo 2 are well thought out and well implemented, enriching the gameplay and making it seem fresh but still familiar.

Everything that you maybe didn't love about Halo is pretty much back, too.
Overall Rating: 10 out of 10

I could give a better review, if I ever recieved my purchase. It's been a full 35 days, (with 3-5 day delivery promised) I've written multiple times to the seller, with no response. I am completely disappointed. I could have went to Walmart, and got the product for $4 cheaper, and walked out of the store with it - same day. I'm not trying to be excessively negative, but I am extremely disappointed for losing my money, and faith in the seller. This is ridiculous! No one is assisting in the recovery of my money or product, and this is what causes/discourages people from buying online. If this review can enlighten another to do their research on the buyer, or cause the buyer to actually respond to emails such as mine, and resend the product - I feel that the last month and a few days of calling, emailing, and expecting without result might be worth it. I am completely disappointed.

I LOVE IT BECAUSE IT SOUNDS JUST LIKE THE MUSIC IN THE GAME.I'VE ALWAYS LOVED THAT MUSIC,SINCE I FIRST HEARD IT.

This was so quick and simple with this transaction,will look forward to any dealings with this e-bayer.Great job,thanks again.

buy this now!!! a great deal, and be sure to pick up both volumes!!! also pick up #1 as well... you will like them all if you are into the Halo games...

An absolutely epic compilation of musical talent and fast-paced songs. Worth the buy just for Breaking Benjamin's "Blow Me Away."

I was relunctent to buy this soundtrack at first. I mean this was the first game soundtrack I have ever considered and wondered if it would be worth it. It was really worth it for sure. One of the best opening songs to any video game is on this album, The Halo Theme. The song just plain rocks out, hard. Probably the best song on the entire album is Breaking Benjamin's song. The song really gets you pumped up and ready to play the game to kill some covenant. The only bad parts of the entire disc, might be some of the Incubus songs, but they aren't horrible. Definitely recommended.

finalmente una recensione in italiano !!!!

devo dire che trovare il cd di halo in italia e' impossibile, e come ho avuto l'opportunita' di comprarlo su ebay ne ho approfittato subito, e in effetti, considerata la mia passione riguardo al gioco, ascoltare le musiche di questo cd e' stato fantastico. specialmente per chi ama le traccie sonore in stile " soundtrack " ascoltarlo traccia per traccia mentre magari si sta guidando e' super rilassante e in altri casi stimolante, in poche parole........e' una libidine. compratelo a pacchi e diffondetelo, yyyyyyyyeeeeeaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhh