HALO 2
➢ Developer: Bungie
➢ Game type: First person shooter
with 3rd person elements
➢ Price: MSRP 49.99
Game Requirements:
● Basic Requirements
– 1 Xbox Console
– 1 TV set
– 1 Controller per player
● For Online Play
– A broadband Internet connection
– 1 Xbox LIVE account per player for ranked
games
● Recommended
– 1 Xbox LIVE headset per player for
communication
Additional Info
● Installation
– There is no need to install the game, just insert
the CD and play!
– There are updates available through Xbox LIVE
service, and they are only necessary for online
play.
● User interface
– The menus are simple and easy to use
– The controls take getting used to for first-time
players, but they are the most ideal setup
possible for a console FPS.
Graphics and Sound
● Visuals
– The graphics take full advantage of the Xbox's
capabilities and provide realistic graphics that
top even the almighty Halo
– Textures and artwork create a feeling of really
being in the game's world
● Audio
– Immersive sound is crisp and believable.
– 5.1 surround allows the player to hear enemies
creeping up behind him.
– Sound is so detailed, it is possible to tell what
weapon an enemy has without seeing.
Story
● Takes place in the year 2552.
● Alien species have bended together to form an organization known as the
Covenant.
● The Covenant are embarking on a holy crusade against mankind.
● The Covenant's primary objective seems to be the activation of the planet-
sized rings built by the Forerunners, whom little is known about.
● The Covenant are led by a frail species known as “Prophets”, and there is an
internal struggle over who shall be thier primary protectors between two
other species: the Elites and the Brutes
● The humans have built genetically enhanced soldiers, known as
SPARTANs, to help fight the Covenant, but all were destroyed except for
one: SPARTAN 117, better known as Master Chief
● In the orginal Halo, Master Chief succeeded in destroying one of the rings.
● Halo 2 opens with an Elite - apparently the general of the fleet appointed to
protect the ring from the oringinal Halo - on trial for his failure.
Campaign Mode
● Campaign Mode
– Player assumes the role of Master Chief, and
alternates with the role of the “Arbiter”.
– This mode exposes the player to the game's
story, and the player will fight against computer-
controlled enemies.
– 2 players may cooperate in the Campaign mode,
splitting the screen one Xbox
– Computer controlled characters will assist the
player, simulating the experience of being in true
combat.
Multiplayer
● Players will play against each other, and form teams as necessary.
– No computer-controlled characters
● Custom Games
– Players can set all game options and choose any game mode they wish
– Split screen
● Up to 4 players may share one Xbox
– System Link
● Up to 16 Xboxes on a LAN may join in a single game, so long that the
number of players does not exceed 16.
● Xbox LIVE
– Play opponents over the Internet
– Matchmaking
● Game options and opponents are selected by the Microsoft server
● Rankings are held for matchmade games
– Custom
● Players can invite people from their friends list and create custom
games.
● To keep rankings accurate, these games will not be ranked.
Driver's License?
● Vehicular Combat
– Players may use vehicles placed throughout the
maps to accomplish objectives or kill enemies
– Every vehicle has at least one mounted weapon
– Teamwork
● Some vehicles have room designed for passengers.
● Some vehicles' mounted weapons can only be used
by a passenger
● A player carrying the opponents' flag may only ride
passenger in a vehicle.
– Car-Jacked!
● Enemies on foot can steal your vehicle if they are in
proximity and you are not traveling at full speed.
● Try to run over enemies at full speed to avoid getting
jacked!
Look Ma, Two Hands!
● Weapons
– Standard Halo design
● Players can carry one weapon in hand, and one in
reserve.
– Halo 2
● Standard design, plus Dual wielding
– If the weapon in hand is small enough for single hand
operation, and a weapon near the player meets the same
condition, the player may pick up the second weapon and
operate both at the same time. (one in each hand)
– The player does NOT lose any weapon held in reserve
– The player may NOT throw grenades while dual-wielding
– If the player performs a melee attack, the secondary weapon
will be dropped.
Balanced Design
● BFG 9000?
– There is no single weapon that is always
desirable in every situation.
● Even powerful weapons like the rocket launcher have
disadvantages that lead players to pass them up.
– Slow reload time
– Limited number of shots in clip
– Too dangerous for close-range fighting
● Skilled players adapt their situation to their weapons,
or change weapons to suit their situation
● Unlike some other FPS games, there is no clear
evolutionary scale of weapons.
– I.E. Mighty Boot, poor, okay, good, better, BFG 9000
Review
● Fun?
– Campaign mode
● Immersive story, limited replay
– Legendary mode offers the most replay in campaign mode, due to
its insane challenge
– Multiplayer
● The number of options available give an insane level of replay value
– The original Halo was still the most played Xbox game three years
after its release. Halo 2 has even more options than Halo
● Xbox LIVE
– Voice compatibility offers an increased level of player interaction
– Online play allows players to team up any hour of the night
● Vs. games in the same genre
– Halo is one of the most balanced FPS games ever relased
– Vehicular combat offers a refreshing aspect to the game
● OOPS!
– Some gameplay details were tweaked in an update patch available free
online. Updated elements include
● Weakened pistol
● Stronger grenades