Multiplayer

• Split Screen
• Up to four people can battle it out in an all for one custom game, or you and buddy can play through the entire story on a two-person co-op.
• You are able to create custom games including
• Slayer
• King of the Hill
• Oddball
• Juggernaut
• Capture the Flag
• Assault
• Territories
• System Link
• Able to play up to sixteen people on four Xboxs for amazing yet chaotic custom gaming
• Has the same option as the split screen as far as custom games and different variants of them.
• Xbox Live
• Quick match
• Will randomly select a game to put you in.
• Optimatch (matchmaking)
• Rumble Pit
• Team Skirmish
• Head To Head
• Big Team Battle
• May experience slow downs in this game mode due to the amount of players and their Internet connection speed.
• Clan Match
• Clan Matches are a new and big concept for Halo 2.
• Bungie allows you to create your own Clan and gives you control over who is allowed in.
• Multiple Clan members can partake in a battle against another clan to see who has the better skills in accuracy and sometimes even brute force.
• After the battle you are able to log onto Bungie.com and check out your stats for that battle.
• Create Party
• You are able to make your own game and customize your own type of play.
• You can create and customize your online appearance.
• Choose your online appearance from either the Covenant Elite, or the heroic Master Chief.
• You can also choose from an assortment of colors to paint your character and customize your own unique design.
• Able to check yours and other players statistics on Bungie.com
• Tells information regarding date and time when you played as well as what type of game it was (slayer, oddball, matchmaking, ect.)
• One annoyance would be, while in an online game, players on the other team are able to hear you through their headsets if they are close enough to you.
• It’s unlike other online games where only your team could hear you talk.
• Also whenever you want to talk you have to press the white button to talk, otherwise your teammates who are far from you will not hear you.
• Although anyone, friend or foe, can hear you when they are close to you.
• I personally don’t like having to push a button every time I want to talk.

Graphics

• Story mode is sometimes slow to load graphics during a movie section
• Unbelievably clear detailed graphics.
• Although Halo 2’s graphics are very detailed, they can be considered a little on the cartoon side rather than realistic.
• This is most likely because Halo 2 takes place in the future.
• There is also a lot of bright and vibrant colors used in most levels.
• The graphics are a little on the cartoon side, but there’s no denying the fact that vehicles, weapons, environments, and character models are extremely detailed. 

Sound

• Halo 2 incorporates into its game 5.1 Surround Sound.
• If you use surround sound, you are able to tell what direction you are being shot from or even if a vehicle is driving behind you.
• This is very useful in a multiplayer game as you are able to hear enemies approaching behind you.
• The sound effects are in this game are very clear and distinctive.
• None of the sound effects are out of place or sound like they don’t belong.
• Original Soundtrack composed by Marty O’Donnell.
• Voice acting done by:
• Master Chief – Steve Downs
• Cortana – Jen Taylor
• Miranda Keyes – Julie Benz
• Sergeant Johnson – David Scully
• 343 Guilty Spark – Tim Dadabo
• Arbiter – Keith David
• Heretic Leader – Miguel Ferrer
• Prophet of Mercy – Hamilton Camp
• Prophet of Truth – Michael Wincott

Captivation

• Unlimited hours of play on Xbox Live due to the vast amount of combinations of game types and variants.
• Some levels of the 1P campaign may be easier or more fun than others.
• The entire game could be played more than once, and on different levels of difficulties.
• Can take at least 12 or more hours to beat the Story mode on Normal.
• I found Halo 2 to be one of, if not the best, first person shooter on the Xbox console.
• With its integration of futuristic shooter, and some problem solving, it will keep you in your seat until you have reached the end of Master Chief's journey on his mission to save earth from the threat of destruction.

Final Thoughts

• Halo 2 offers more, and expands upon the awesome gameplay of the original.
• Despite some annoying pop-in of the graphics in the story sequences, Halo 2 displays some of the best looking graphics on the Xbox.
• With a solid story mode for one or two player co-op, and almost unlimited replay value via Xbox Live, Halo 2 is one of the best first person shooters of all time.

Bottom Line

• Halo 2 deserves to be in every gamer’s collection.