I must discuss the multiplayer aspect of Halo 2; because there is no doubt in my mind that this is the game's largest draw-in. Obviously. I doubt there will ever be another multiplayer game on this console that has the same impact as Halo 2. It is simply too much fun, and should be illegal.
This game features all your standard deathmatch and CTF gametypes, and even throws in a few other types for good measure. Most of the maps are well designed and accommodate pretty much any game you want to play. The larger maps are played with Big Team Battle, a 16 player mode for Halo 2 which focuses on everything from deathmatches to Assault games. When you join a game you won't have to worry about playing a large map with a small amount of people because of matchmaking, the primary way to join a multiplayer game in Halo 2. Matchmaking is a good feature because it pairs you up with players in your rank, so generally they have your skill. There are also unranked game modes to join if you are one of those people that worry constantly about your precious rank. Unranked games allow you to bring guests via splitscreen, so you can have up to 3 other players sitting in your living room fighting off bad guys with you. If you have a large TV screen, you and your friends will spend dozens of hours having good old times with this feature.
Generally there is not much lag to be seen in Halo 2, especially when compared to Gearbox's port of the original Halo for the PC, which suffered from a poor netcode. It's amazing that Bungie got this game running so smoothly with all the excellent special effects and large environments found in Halo 2's maps. There is some lag, of course, but mostly that just happens when the host drops out of the game or when you're playing Big Team Battle, and even then it's not a major issue. Otherwise, you should find comfort in knowing that because of this game's superb netcode, there's much more skill involved rather than just luck in hoping that you're going to hit someone.
Of course the multiplayer has problems. One major issue is cheating. Granted, every online game features cheating of some sort, but Halo 2's cheating is just ridiculous. There are two kinds of cheaters: standbyers, and glitchers. The former uses a special modem exploit that allows them to freeze everyone on the map while they go around killing people or capturing a flag, etc. It's very annoying and sometimes can totally ruin someone's game. As I said, this game is very glitchy. There are just so many exploits and little problems with the game and that can sometimes ruin the fun. People can literally grab a flag through a wall if they're close enough. Things like this keep Halo 2's multiplayer from being as great as it could have been, but there's certainly no denying how addictive it is.
The maps in Halo 2 are excellent. Much more memorable than the ones in Halo, in which I can only remember a bunch of grayish colored metal walkways. You�ll see locations ranging from an enormous cavern to an African beach. They�re beautiful, fun, and they make almost every gametype a memorable experience. So yes, Halo 2�s multiplayer causes me to do everything from jump in excitement to turn off my Xbox in disgust. But Xbox Live is arguably the game�s best feature, and it�s easily the best XBL game available. For better or worse, I�m addicted to Halo 2.
Visuals and Audio
Graphically, Halo 2 looks absolutely stunning, but not perfect. There is this distracting cutscene pop-up in which the environment will literally pop up when a scene changes. It is very disappointing because otherwise, the cutscenes are beautiful. So yes, the game's visuals have a small lack of polish in a few areas, but overall this is easily one of the best looking games this year. The levels all look beautiful and the art direction is some of the best I've seen in a shooter. Bump mapping gives the game a nice look and the lighting effects are jaw-dropping. Normal mapping gives some of your foes an incredibly realistic look to them, and it also makes the environments you fight in utterly amazing looking. Bloom lighting makes everything look very impressive and the game's framerate holds up well. In fact, I can't recall ever seeing any slowdown. Best of all, you can play through the entire game with only one real load time at the beginning. The rest of the game goes smoothly through minor checkpoint load times where the game will only freeze up and load for a split second, just like in the original game. Overall, the graphics are a little rough around the edges, but they still are filled with detail and they really do push the boundaries of the Xbox hardware.
The audio portion is one of Halo 2's greatest strengths, with some truly great voice work and acting. Every cutscene has been directed flawlessly with superb sounding characters and a truly amazing soundtrack. Every weapon in the game sounds unique and powerful, from the crackling of the SMG to the "woosh" of a rocket flying by you. The game supports Dolby 5.1 and makes excellent use of it. If your speakers support it, you may actually have an advantage online because you can actually hear a person sneaking up behind you, which helps with those multiplayer games where radar is disabled.
Halo vs. Halo 2
So, which is better? Halo or Halo 2? It�s a constant debate that reminds me of the old �Goldeneye or Perfect Dark� argument. There is a surprising amount of hate for Halo 2. Many people hated the cliffhanger ending, and I don�t understand them. If the biggest reason to hate a game is because it left you craving more, then I fail to see how that can be a bad thing. Yes, Halo 2 has some notable blemishes such as the graphical pop-up and LOD problems, as well as some balancing issues in the multiplayer. But it doesn�t matter to me at all. Halo 2 is awesome, time and time again.
I think Halo had the greatest impact on me because of its originality and charm, which Halo 2 lacks but makes up for in other ways. But I do think that Halo 2�s campaign is better structured than that of its predecessor. After all, there�s no level in Halo 2 where you have to go through it again in reverse! I think I may have liked Halo�s story better. Characters? Halo 2. Multiplayer? Tie. Halo�s was more balanced but Halo 2�s use of Xbox Live has had me hooked since day one.
Whatever the case, this is the best $50 I�ve ever spent in my life. This may even be the best first person shooter that consoles have seen in years. That�s not an easy feat considering the competition, but Halo 2 pulls it off with its consistently well-designed combat that provides memorable moments throughout its campaign and multiplayer modes.