Still the toughest Native American I know.

HALO 2
(Microsoft/Bungie, November 9, 2004)

We all waited a long time for this but here it is. Halo 2 finally came out in 2004. I remember that day well. After standing in my first 30 minute line up for a video game and 80 bucks later, I was finally able to get my Limited Edition copy of Halo 2. Was it worth it? You better believe it was! The special Limited Edition has a bonus DVD with some well done behind the scene information, developer stories, bonus art, and much more. The game originally comes in a cool looking silver coloured plastic case and not the standard green DVD one most Xbox games come in so be sure to look out for this if you buy it used. As for the game itself, if you are a fan of the first Halo you need to get part 2! The game's story expansion, online features, and new weapons and vehicles upgrades just have to be experienced. Even the new multi-player stages have secrets to unlock. Halo 2 isn't perfect but it is still pretty darn close.

Halo 2 begins right after the events in last game http://www.epinions.com/content_161485983364. The Covenant alien race had just failed in their attempt to wipe out the human colonist thanks to the heroic efforts of the enhanced super soldier simply known as Master Chief. When the Master Chief and his crew return home to earth for a celebration, their worst fears are realized when the Covenant have discovered your home planet and are starting an aggressive invasion. Although the humans are desperately fighting for survival, the Covenant themselves are having their own internal problems and in a cool twist there are missions where you get to play as one of these Elite alien warriors complete with special cloaking abilities.

If you are familiar with the first game then you will feel at home with the 3D first person perspective and the controls. Remember Halo 2 uses the both analog sticks for movement and it is going to take a bit of time to master all the game's button lay out so you can do all the game's moves and techniques but once mastered they all work great. On the surface the game doesn't look or play too different but there are few new notable changes. One big new addition is you can now hold two small weapons (not guns like snipers or rockets) at once. You can now use this to not only get more power from the game's weaker weapons but you can also perform special combinations like you use a Needler to home in on enemies and a Plasma Rifle can be used for power. The bad news is you can't throw a grenade when you dual wield but you can easily go back to one gun at any time. The game also has many cool new weapons like Swords and Laser beam guns to play around with the other weapons like guns, snipers, and shotguns.

The multi-player only games have almost an endless supply of options and features. You can compete in Team fights, Tags, Free for all, Capture the Flag, certain weapons and vehicles can be edited out or just leave them in, and much much more.

Like the original Halo the graphics are downright gorgeous. The characters look better then even with impressive real time lighting effects and the game's bosses and warship have to be seen to believe. Sadly it looks like developers tried to push the game too hard the game feels a bit slower then the first Halo and there are a few texture and pop up issues so it doesn't quite measure up to the visuals in a game like Half Life 2 for the PC. Like the graphics the sounds are incredible. There are a lot of moments where there is no music at all but some cool background music will kick in when something important happens.

Since the only thing different between the standard and limited edition of the game is a DVD and fancy case, you shouldn't beat yourself if you can't get the other. Just get one and don't be a nerd. If for some reason you didn't like the first Halo game then this isn't going to change your mind. Both FPS games are still very similar in design, lots of action, great futurist graphics, and who can forget the vast variety of weapons and vehicles. Of course if you don't love that stuff then there is something wrong with you.

Halo 2 Limited Edition overall rating: 96/100

For 1 to 16 players
Rated (M) for Mature
graphics: 9/10
sounds: 9/10
gameplay: 9/10
features: 10/10
replay: 10/10

-StarSoldier 2005 (Ryan Genno)
www.videogames101.com