Halo 2 for Xbox

As usual, the hype for a new game coming out for the X-Box, just like any other Microsoft product, began when the Christmas shopping season officially began.....in about July. All kidding aside, the hype for the sequel to a very likeable game was huge. The promise of more possibilities, like arming your character with dual weapons as opposed to one-at-a-time, and the ability to drive/fly the Covenant ships and vehicles was very intriguing. Still, was the hype worth it? Well, partially.

The graphics on Halo 2 are just as impressive as the first Halo. The scenery and the detail are truly awe-inspiring. The game play is nearly seamless. There are very few bugs in the game, save for an occasional enemy disappearing into the wall or storage box. The sound of the game is very exciting, especially when connected to surround sound! (My German Shepherd was even reacting to the sounds!) The soundtrack for Halo 2 is awesome! There are levels in the game where you really want to put the controller down and rock out! I have not experienced the X-Box Live portion of the game, it was designed around that aspect, and my understanding is that it really enhances the experience of this game. Though this game is not intended (nor should be played) by younger family members, the game is very enjoyable on all levels.

Having mentioned the attributes to this outrageous game, let's now review the knocks on the game. The first is the biggest. The game itself has a pathetic ending. The "cliff-hanger" is clearly intended for the next installment, but this has all the effect of a visit to a strip club by a blind man. Pointless. I was truly shocked when I reached what I perceived to be the next level of the game, to suddenly see the credits flashing by on the screen! Talk about buzz kill! The next problem of this game is the fact that it took me only 8 total hours of playing to defeat the game on the normal level, and I am nowhere NEAR what a person would consider to be a serious gamer. I play only when my schedule (and my wife and dog) allows it, and that it not often. For a novice like me to beat this game that quickly on what is supposed to be a fairly challenging level is quite disappointing. The only other difficulty I have with this game is the split-screen option. Even on a large-screen television, there is still no game out there that can give you good enough vision on this setting. These are really the only drawbacks I have for Halo 2.

I have owned and played games from the Atari Pong game in the 70's to the latest and greatest in gaming, and I must say, this is the first time I have experienced anything near the arcade level of graphics, playability, and enjoyment. The PC's used to be the only way to get the quality of graphics and motion that made games realistic, but this game comes exceedingly close. If you are looking for a truly awe-inspiring experience for the X-Box, Halo 2 is the only way to go!