all games

Well, well, Halo 2. Very nice looking game with okay graphics, but not exceptional, for the Xbox but only a slight graphical improvement from the original (bump-mapping and other effects). Still not even close to being on-par with the graphical capabilities of PCs. Check out Unreal 3 for mind-blowing graphics.

Okay new feature with the dual wielding of weapons even though it is a little uninnovative and overhyped. Some new weapons and features help make this a good buy.

The storyline of the original Halo was great so expect lots. Half-Life was better than it though. The levels were too repetitive but still was extremely fun.

Multiplayer is ok for the Xbox, though 16 players is small compared to the PC where you can have up to 128 players in Battlefield 2. You also have to pay for Xbox LIve, but its worth it.

The replay value is also okay compared once again to the PC with only multiplayer to boot and no ability to mod it at all.

The community is pretty good and I had a nice time at their forums. The guys at Bungie really support their game, but it still doesn't match up to the community at Half-Life 2 which seems more adult and professional. Also, the guys at Valve have released Softimage|XSI for Half Life 2 for modders which is worth over a thousand dollars for free. Talk about community support.

Overall, Halo 2 is a nice buy for Christmas for kids (nevermind its stupid mature rating). However, it seems mainly geared for kids with its "tricks" (see previous reviews) and all even though they do get boring after awhile. If you want more serious/hardcore games get Half-Life 2 or Doom 3 which are supposedly coming out this summer. The mods for those games make it worth much more than Halo 2.

Halo, one of the best games of 2001, changed the way gamers play in the gaming industry. Eye-numbing graphics, finger-twitching controls, and gamer-pleasing gameplay. As fun as Halo was, Halo 2 should keep you playing for many more hours. With more enemies, weapons, vehicles, etc. to choose from, you will not be displeased with Halo 2 if you were a true fan of Halo. The folks at Bungie have totally redone the lighting system, making Halo 2 a whole new experience to play.

You start out as Master Chief (of course), a cyborg who has to save the human race. The story takes place in a super-natural city known as New Mombasa, which is over-run by new and improved Covenant. Brutes, a new alien race that hinders your attempt to retake Earth, makes an arrival in Halo 2 as the side-kicks for the Covenant. As you proceed through the game, you meet up with improved AI, the Covenant and the Marines have all be improved in some way or another. Marines will drive Warthogs while you man the gunner and Covenant will take into hiding if you kill a nearby enemy. Covenant Prophets are also new in Halo 2, besides the fact that they are Covenant leaders, I do not know much about them, except that they float on circular chairs. Remember taking over an enemy turret? Well now's your chance to man a mounted Marine turret. The Marines have a turret of their own now, a .30 caliber machine gun. There is also a technique for you and the Marines, the double gun feature. Although when you have the two fully-automatics, you're unable to use grenades for the meantime. New vehicles also help you out in your quest to save New Mombasa. An ATV is available by the Marines and you're able to lean forward to use your weapon. A few more versions of the Warthog can be used, too. The Phantom, a new Covenant drop ship, also plays a new role in Halo 2. The new and exciting "jump on your enemies vehicle" feature is excellent. So getting a Ghost with an Elite in it will never be easier. Be warned, though, that your enemies can jump onto your vehicles too, which makes the gameplay even better. Although we have to wait until first quarter of 2004, Halo PC should keep you busy for the long-awaited Halo 2.

I am here to talk to you about Halo 2. Now, you have heard many things about Halo 2- that you can duel wield, you can go up to a slow moving Ghost or Warthog and knock the driver out- but there are more than just those features. The Master Chief will be fighting alongside of Marines, not in space but on Earth. He will also fight on Convenant home worlds, against the Brutes, Hunters, Elites, Grunts, and Jackels, with new weapons like the battle rifle and many more. And with the Master Chief with new Mark VI battle armor those Covenant don't stand a chance. So buy one today- heck, buy two! Just kidding. But really, buy one. That's an order, solider.