Halo 2 (Xbox, 2004)

I have been playing video games since the days of Atari 2600. In fact, I played that console when it was referred to only as "Atari". I have been through hundreds, if not thousands of games in my life. To me, Halo 2 is one of the best, if not the best, games ever made. I have owned my XBOX and Halo 2 for almost a year and still play it just about every night.

If you were a fan of the original Halo, this one is a must have. The single player campaign is very similar to the original with a few additional weapons to play with. In particular, the sword is awesome! Also like the first Halo campaign, the story that is woven throughout the battle scenarios makes you feel like you're playing in an interactive movie as much as a video game.

I do think that the campaign (after 50 or so hours of gameplay) begins to get a little repetitive. That said, I still occasionally will go back and play it for a bit.

Probably the best feature of Halo 2 is Microsoft's Xbox Live! This allows you to connect, via a standard USB broadband connection, to the internet and game against others. This is where the fun really begins. With the headset (purchased separately), you can communicate verbally with other players on your team, as well as enemies if they are close to your position on the map.

Originally, Microsoft only released around 6-8 maps to play these games on, but they have since released another 2 batches. At this point, I think there are around 20-25 maps to play against other players. There are several different types of games ranging from 1v1 to 8v8, as well as team slayer (deathmatch) to capture the flag and zones.

A few notes about Xbox Live!

Fees - There is a monthly fee for the service (around $10/mth). I think I got 2 mths free with the purchase of the headset.

Parental Guidance - Halo 2 is probably rated M (mature) because of the violence, but I think the more important consideration for parents is some of the language and behavior from other players coming through the Xbox Live headset. It is actually a little disturbing to here some of these kids.

Wireless - I was able to purchase a wireless game modem on eBay for around $20. I don't have the make/model, but it should be pretty easy to find one if you are interested.

HALO IS ONE OF THE BEST VIDEO GAMES EVER. IF YOU HAVEN'T PLAYED IT THEN IT'S A MUST. LUCKY FOR YOU THERE IS EVEN A HALO 2 THAT IS A SGOOD AS THE FIRST. SEPTEMBER 2007 IS THE NEW RELEASE DATE FOR HALO 3. I CAN'T WAIT!

As a sequel to one of the best games ever on the Xbox, Halo, this game falls short. The single player game lacks an ending and the game is short with little to captivate. The game seems too similar to the first and using two guns at the same time doesn't a game make.

Yet, as a multiplayer game it ROCKS! If you want endless hours of enjoyment, then buy this game. Halo 2 by far dominates the console multiplayer world. The Retail store price holds strong at $39.99 but you can find it on eBay from us for well under that price (25% off) see our eBay store: eGameUniverse.

Xbox 360 improves this game via anti-aliasing and the game now truly looks amazing!

The first one was great, but this one was that much better. The graphics and online play were out of this world. Great game.....

The gameplay in Halo 2 is just stellar. It feels very tight and responsive. This game practicaly double the subscription base for XBOX LiVE when it debuted. With a decent array of guns and the ability to mix and match dual wielded guns adds a lot more strategy when it comes to combat. The campaign mode has an intriguing story line like the first, however the ending was to much of a cliff hanger making the story a little bit of a dissappointment for me. No the core of this game is on Live. Truly one of the best multiplayer games to hit the planet. With a bevy of game types to choose from you can go in solo or with a party of your friends. I don't know what it is about this game, but it's so well put together that you just want to play this game religiously and build up your stats. The match making is pretty good, you usually are paired up with people of the same relative skill. This game is just a must have, even if you're not the biggest shooting fan, it's an experience a gamer should not miss out on.

I enjoy Halo 2 though I don’t think it’s quite the beat-all game that many believe it is. That’s not to say isn’t fun, just that unless you have an internet connection and Xbox Live, you may feel a bit disappointed in the single player campaign. Halo 2 has to be experienced either through linking Xbox’s or logging onto Live. Otherwise, you’ll have yourself a better than average shooter but not much else.

The controls aren’t bad though they will take some getting used to. There’s a great selection of guns and vehicles to indulge in as well. Graphics work well and the soundtrack is also superior. Framerate is superb considering how many explosions and characters appear on the screen. Give that point to the Xbox’s processor and hardware.

Interestingly, Halo 3 is going to drop right when the Playstation Next hits the market. It will be interesting to see how the battle between Bill Gates and Sony transpires.

I'd have to say there are those like my wife that don't like this game (but she doesn't like shooters). If you even have the slightest interest in a shooter genre which was first crafted in games like Wolfenstein and Doom on the PC, then you simply must try this game. The controls are the tightest that I've ever had the pleasure of playing (and I've played a lot). Your character actually does exactly what you tell it to every time, when in some games, aiming and movement can be real issues. The graphics are simply stunning even though I'm not a big space person (actually I am, but almost all of the action occurs in space, and everyone likes variety), but regardless, the graphics are among the best for current gen systems and this game has been out over a year already. The sound is good (the music is top notch), and the sound effects are appropriate and sometimes hilarious (I love the noises the little grunts make). The single player/co-op mode is nice, I'd recommend the normal difficulty unless you are a seasoned veteran of the game, and the story mode in my opinion is long (especially just to complete an entire mission in a setting unless you have several hours at a time to play). The real beauty of this game lies in the multiplayer deathmatches, king of the hill and other variants of the game. The weapon variety and versatility is unmatched. I never used the blaster pistol (and probably won't just because I'm comfortable dual wielding weapons or relying on my trusty shotgun) but I had a new friend play it a week ago and showed me how lethal the blaster pistol can be when used correctly. Simply put there is no reason not to buy this game if you like the shooter genre at all or if you are considering the genre, this would be a great game to start with. I highly recommend you picking this game up, I didn't hesitate when it came out, and I haven't regretted the purchase since picking it up. The game is awesome, has a high replay value, and has already become a classic and a standard by which future shooters will always be compared to. The game absolutely rocks, and is one of my most played games of all time.

I love this game and play it as often as I can. There are many hacks and cheat codes for this game and I know some of them. That will be in my Guide to Halo 2.

I have been playing video games since the days of Atari 2600. In fact, I played that console when it was referred to only as "Atari". I have been through hundreds, if not thousands of games in my life. To me, Halo 2 is one of the best, if not the best, games ever made. I have owned my XBOX and Halo 2 for almost a year and still play it just about every night.

If you were a fan of the original Halo, this one is a must have. The single player campaign is very similar to the original with a few additional weapons to play with. In particular, the sword is awesome! Also like the first Halo campaign, the story that is woven throughout the battle scenarios makes you feel like you're playing in an interactive movie as much as a video game.

I do think that the campaign (after 50 or so hours of gameplay) begins to get a little repetitive. That said, I still occasionally will go back and play it for a bit.

Probably the best feature of Halo 2 is Microsoft's Xbox Live! This allows you to connect, via a standard USB broadband connection, to the internet and game against others. This is where the fun really begins. With the headset (purchased separately), you can communicate verbally with other players on your team, as well as enemies if they are close to your position on the map.

Originally, Microsoft only released around 6-8 maps to play these games on, but they have since released another 2 batches. At this point, I think there are around 20-25 maps to play against other players. There are several different types of games ranging from 1v1 to 8v8, as well as team slayer (deathmatch) to capture the flag and zones.

A few notes about Xbox Live!

Fees - There is a monthly fee for the service (around $10/mth). I think I got 2 mths free with the purchase of the headset.

Parental Guidance - Halo 2 is probably rated M (mature) because of the violence, but I think the more important consideration for parents is some of the language and behavior from other players coming through the Xbox Live headset. It is actually a little disturbing to here some of these kids.

Wireless - I was able to purchase a wireless game modem on eBay for around $20. I don't have the make/model, but it should be pretty easy to find one if you are interested.

Halo 2 has been called the "best game ever" and other colorful titles. Everybody in the world has probably played it at least once. Only a small minority can see it for the overrated 1st person shooter that it truly is because of all the hype. The single player is great, shorter than the first game but still a lot of fun. Gone are the days of cheat codes, even earning cheat codes is really out of the question. I miss those days. Modding is the new cheat code. This is what holds back the Xbox Live play. Bungie and Microsoft's inability to stop modders has ruined any goodness that the online play has and turned it into a lag of frustration. The game runs smooth yet it has a terrible inconsistency within the game design to not always do things a certain way. You could use the same weapon as an opponent as times but one of you will have a slightly more powerful weapon. It is not truly equal. Maybe it's the modding or the connection speeds but something still needs to be worked on to make this game worthy of any titles it has received. It has excellence in its veins but Bungie needs to find the right vaccine to fix the problem. Oh well, here's hoping Halo 3 fixes everything wrong with Halo 2 and earns my perfect score.

Anyone that owns an XBOX should have this game. It is simply the best game out there for this system. In fact, it is the main reason why most people purchase the XBOX over the PS2 or Gamecube.

Gameplay, graphics, music, and storyline are all excellent in this sequel. Once you finish the storyline, there is no replay value. However, the multiplayer and online modes should be used more frequently anyways.

The multiplayer mode has to be the best feature of this game. There is no other game on the market that is even on the same level as this when it comes to multiplayer features.

Overall, the best game on XBOX!!!

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

Simply put, Halo 2 is by far the greatest first-person shooter the console world has seen in the past. From the monster multiplayer (both off- and online) to the perfectly constructed single-player campaign, this game never lets up for a second.

If you have been following the Halo phenomenon, you already know that this sequel has introduced dual wielding, vehicle boarding, and a host of Xbox Live options including clans and the ability for four players on a single split-screened TV to all be online.

In college I majored in Halo 2 with a minor in Business Management. This game is by far one of Bungie & Microsoft's legendary front runners. Not only is the single player campaign mode amazing, you can also play cooperative with a friend! However, I think the best aspect of this game is its amazing multi-player setup. This game never gets old, because there are hundreds of games, thousands of players, and dozens of maps to explore! Join a clan or simply jump right into the action because this game is intense! Halo 1 & 2 are simply the best console games I've ever played, I can't wait to see what they have in store for us next when Halo 3 finally releases!

I have to say wow. This game is fanastically addictive and challening every day if you utilize the Xbox Live. This allows you to play people world-wide. Save some money and stay indoors. You can not spend your money away if you are absorbed in this game. It's already cheap enough on Ebay as is. Sure the violence is extreme to a certain sense, but remember it's a game. It's better to act out your rage through a video game and still have fun at the same time! You will not be dissapointed if you buy this game. Remember, the main feature of this game is to play people through-out the world!

Hi, I'm Bargainsforbucks3317, thanks for stopping by my corner of Ebay!

This is a Great FPS for the Xbox. This is by far the best game for the system. This has amazing graphics, gameplay, and a storyline too make it that way. This is a great game to own and I give it a High Replay value. You can't go wrong with this game.

ABSOLUTELY ONE OF THE BEST GAMES FOR THE WHOLE XBOX GAMING LINE! YOU CAN'T GO WRONG WITH THIS TITLE! THE MULTI-PLAYER IS ABSOLUTELY FANTASTIC BUT HIGHLY ADDICTIVE! DO YOURSELF A FAVOR AND BUY A COPY AND POSSIBLY A BACKUP COPY WHEN YOUR MAIN COPY BURNS UP FROM SO MUCH GAMEPLAY!!!

well.... if u like only shooters halo 2 is the way to go.. and remeber to bring ur trash talking for online :).. Multiplayer on this game hosts over 300,000 games a day at any hour u can pop into a game.. unlike the wait on some online games.. Halo is by far one of the best xbox games ever made.. its almost as though Halo is Xbox.. ha ha.. this game is a MUST OWN so lan up and play some freakin halo!

I really enjoyed beating this game, maybe even more than the first! If you're not sure, rent it, and you will be convinced! Thanks for reading my opinion, and if you'ld like to check out my store, I am permitted by ebay to provide you a link here:
http://stores.ebay.com/SellsEveryTime

http://www.toysnjoys.com/importxbox/halo2.jpg
Halo 2 review
by
CLOUDNICK91



Now of course if you are like me ...or anyother person for that matter...you will love this game..i love this game....i've been entrapted in the Halo universe since the first game came out..i thought what a phenomenal story ....it's so compelling.The game was not only a magnificent FPS game, it's story was in a whole universe by itself. Just plain put - AMAZING!.
Move Forward 3 years and now we have Halo 2 .Now you must be thinking hey it's HALO 2!","this game is going to be awesome!" you are right you shouldn't ever hesitate to buy this game if you don't already don't own it.But i will say this.
"This gaming age has been the age of FPS games".


REVIEW.

Story
The opening cutscene shows the two major plot threads that will progress through Halo 2: the fate of Master Chief, Sergeant Johnson, and the rest of the human forces, which includes Commander Miranda Keyes, the daughter of the late Captain Jacob Keyes, and Lord Hood, apparently a ranking official in UNSC; and the fate of an unnamed gold Covenant Elite we come to know as The Arbiter, who was in command of the Covenant forces at Halo installation 04 and is consequently disgraced, accused of heresy, and then secretly sent on a special mission by the three Prophet Hierarchs of the Covenant: Truth, Mercy, and Regret.The Covenant Finally Find earth and Launch an Assault on the outer Orbital MAC stationary guns and send Dropships to Earth,INVASION.The Covenant Use the Ground troops, to board the UNSC's orbital stations and ships as a distraction to Plant bombs on the ships.Once they realize it , the Covenant have already planted bombs on several of the UNSC's SHIPs,Few of them explode....The Master Chief decides to give the Covenant a little suprise, One of their own bombs.

I wouldn't want to spoil any more of the story than i have to . All i can say is that it's magnificent. The best Story in a video game i've seen in years.

STORY SCORE 10/10

Graphics
Why are some people complaining about the graphics? The character models have normal mapping everywhere. They look so much better. Clothes have realistic folds and look amazing. The facial animations have been improved, heck, the animations just in general have been improved. Characters move much more fluently. I really loved all of the death animations and rag doll physics. Some of the ways that enemies die look really cool and sometimes funny. The textures have got better. Not much better since Halo 1 still has, arguably, the best textures in any video game.The only real problem is the facial textures in cutscenes.This is truly the only flaw this game has.
SCORE.9/10

Sound.
I will only say a little about this.
"AMAZING!!.Marty Mc'Donald's soundtrack is simply amazing! It adds so much depth and emotion to the story of the game. If anyone deserves ALOT of credit for making this game amazing it's HIM.
score.10/10

Gameplay.
What bungie basically did with HALO 2 is take the HAVOC physics engine and turn it into something amazing,the weapons control is better than ever . and plus you get a little auto aimer for those people who have a hard time aiming at their enemies with their controllers.you get very presise controls, very tight, you press a button it happens like BANG! no button lag.The best part is ..........*drools* melee attacking.
score
10/10

overall
you should buy this game , if you like .
FPS games,great stories..and great graphics this game is for

I bought Halo 2 (Xbox) the day it came out. Halo 2 (Xbox) is an action packed game with an exellent campain mode and an exellent multi-player mode. This game never gets boring, they came out with new multi-player maps that are now all free if you have Xbox Live. Halo 2 (Xbox) is a game you can play with 1-4 people on one Xbox system, 1-16 people in an Xbox System Link game, and 1-16 people in an Xbox Live game. Halo 2 (Xbox) is 10x better than any GTA game. The graphics in this game are out of this world! Halo 2 (Xbox) is playable on any Xbox or Xbox 360 game console. Anyone who wants a spectacular first person shooter game, get Halo 2 (Xbox)!

Fair warning! This game has great graphix, great control, awesome online play, and great rating system. It can keep you going for hours...months even. I can not wait until they come out with a simular game for xbox 360!

Yeah this is a good game, its fun - but its definitely not a classic. Though, I'll probably have thousands of angry Halo fans (13 year olds) emailing me telling me how crazy I am.

I will say this, the graphics are very smooth. The game creators are amazing with their creativity, using vehicles, new weapons, and futurisitic ideas. The gameplay is tight and efficient.

The reason that this game did not receive 5 out of 5 is because of online play. The game tends to lag occasionally (and I have a great connection), and some online players use tricks like disconnecting their system and replugging it in to jump to somewhere else on the screen. Also, the fast play is exciting, but is a waste of time if you are looking for something that incorporates any strategy. Basically, its running around and shooting and being shot, with no idea of why you are doing things.

For kids under 18, this is a great game. The violence is futuristic and something that really cannot be incorporated into our own world. So don't worry about your kids carjacking your vehicle and attempting to run down people. What you can expect, is that they will be glued to the television for hours to come.

...Another review by Sublime Boutique.