Spirit Bomb
Cartoon Pony Wrangler
#DeathToAmerica #DeathToTheAmericas #DeathToChristianity #DeathToFascism
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Post by Spirit Bomb on Jul 10, 2016 6:53:01 GMT
So I recently started playing through Halo 2's campaign for the first time, and it got me wondering what you guys here think of it? How does it compare to Halo CE-Reach? (we shall not mention 4 & 5. They are not true Halo games)
My thoughts?
It's terrific! Honestly, I am surprised by how well it plays. It controls much better than I remember, and now that I've gotten used to the dual-wielding mechanic, I think it is a great addition that, in fact, doesn't feel over-complicated like I previously stated on these boards. Graphically the game is outstanding. Sure, it isn't quite as colorful as CE was, but the resolution received a major upgrade in this sequel, which is the main reason why I think it has, graphically speaking, aged better than CE. The framerate is good, too, but definitely not as solid as I expected it to be. But still, so far it hasn't been as bad as CE's, which would lag from a mere plasma explosion. And this is true when also taking into account that Halo 2 has an actual physics system (Havoc), unlike CE. Honestly, for an original Xbox game I think it's a technical marvel. I can't think of another original Xbox game that pushed the Xbox so far to its technical limits as Halo 2 did.
So what don't I like about Halo 2? Not much, but if I have a complaint, it's that the vehicles are generally not as fun to drive as they were in CE, especially the ghost, which is easily my least favorite vehicle in Halo 2. It no longer floats above the ground like it did in CE, can no longer preform tricks, and handles completely differently. I hate it! And the warthog was another vehicle that was funner to use in CE, because of CE's moon-like gravity which allowed for some serious air-time. But these are only minor gripes. Overall I think Halo 2 is great.
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Balder
Supreme Overlord
Trying to cut down the amount of movies I watch
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Post by Balder on Jul 10, 2016 13:41:43 GMT
What can I say about Halo 2? It's my least played Halo title in the main series. Not because it's worse than the others, but I played it so close to when Halo 3 came out. It really deserves a lot of praise for being a sequel to the killer app of Microsoft. It did everything right and is an overall improvement of the original game. Even though it hasn't got the same quality of tone as the original has, it's level design still amazes me to this day.
If you ever get a Xbox One and XBL Gold Maestro, I would gladly play all of the Halo's with you on Co-Op.
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Post by lilchillbil on Jul 10, 2016 20:24:53 GMT
It's possibly the best in the series, I like how the campaign changes between the Chief and the Arbiter which keeps it fresh. However I prefer Halo 3 ODST's depressing campaign any day.
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Spirit Bomb
Cartoon Pony Wrangler
#DeathToAmerica #DeathToTheAmericas #DeathToChristianity #DeathToFascism
Posts: 3,651
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Post by Spirit Bomb on Jul 10, 2016 21:20:39 GMT
What can I say about Halo 2? It's my least played Halo title in the main series. Not because it's worse than the others, but I played it so close to when Halo 3 came out. It really deserves a lot of praise for being a sequel to the killer app of Microsoft. It did everything right and is an overall improvement of the original game. Even though it hasn't got the same quality of tone as the original has, it's level design still amazes me to this day. If you ever get a Xbox One and XBL Gold Maestro, I would gladly play all of the Halo's with you on Co-Op. Honestly I can't say Halo 2 is a better game than CE is. I generally much preferred CE's multiplayer maps over 2's, and the vehicles in CE just controlled better in general. On the other hand, Halo 2's engine is technically superior (as well has having a better framerate), it has better weapon & vehicle variety, and superior LAN capabilities. Based on what I've played so far, I'd say they're evenly matched, even though I personally prefer CE. That's a nice offer, Balder. I'll keep that in mind.  BTW I picked up ODST today for $5, which means I now own all of the Bungie Halo games (my brother has Reach in his possession and says he'll sell it to me in the near future). Jealous?  |
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Balder
Supreme Overlord
Trying to cut down the amount of movies I watch
Posts: 6,838
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Post by Balder on Jul 11, 2016 17:06:02 GMT
@lilchillbill hey cool to see new people enjoying their Halos. It's my favorite franchise. Spirit Bomb I much prefer CE, don't get me wrong. But it was a though act to follow up on, and Halo 2 did a pretty good job all things considered. And why would I be jealous when I own all the Halo games? I'm just glad that you enjoy the series so much too. |
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Spirit Bomb
Cartoon Pony Wrangler
#DeathToAmerica #DeathToTheAmericas #DeathToChristianity #DeathToFascism
Posts: 3,651
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Post by Spirit Bomb on Jul 13, 2016 6:59:09 GMT
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leaon79s
Ace Bomber
Dishonorable Miscreant
Posts: 721
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Post by leaon79s on Jul 13, 2016 9:04:01 GMT
Played it when it first came out in the day. Was my 2004 birthday present actually, which I spent the whole day playing.
All I remember about it now was the 'abrupt' ending...
But since I played it nonstop until the end it must've been pretty fun I suppose..
On whether it's better than the original Combat Evolved...
I have to say I never bothered to replay 2, but I replayed 1 over and over on the first XBOX...
Although I thought the Arbiter to be a very kewl character (I'm a big fan of Keith David and his role as Goliath on Gargoyles), I found giving the covenant their own infighting story was a bit detrimental to the mythos, as it took away from the mystery of fighting a supposedly vastly superior alien race.
-The introduction of the sword was amazingly kewl though, I have to give it that.
So 343's 4&5 aren't worthy successors? They've got to be better than Destiny at least...
Would be a real shame since Halo is one of the main reasons I'm considering an X1 slim this year (as I go for a new console almost yearly).
The last Halo I played was 3 before my X360 red ringed on me. Missed out on Reach, ODST etc...
Just want to finally do some catching up.
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Balder
Supreme Overlord
Trying to cut down the amount of movies I watch
Posts: 6,838
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Post by Balder on Jul 13, 2016 11:21:27 GMT
I feel like it gave more depth than it ruined the Sangheili leaon79s. I feel like Halo 4's campaign is in the top 3 of my favorite campaigns while Halo 5 is in dead last. |
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spooie
Authority Wing
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Post by spooie on Aug 15, 2016 17:23:27 GMT
I thought the actual campaign was a step down from the first game, likely for no other reason that the original was such an epic and eye-opening experience that nothing would compare to it again. That said, the online component was my Xbox experience from mid-2005 and onward. That was basically all I played at that point.
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Spirit Bomb
Cartoon Pony Wrangler
#DeathToAmerica #DeathToTheAmericas #DeathToChristianity #DeathToFascism
Posts: 3,651
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Post by Spirit Bomb on Aug 16, 2016 6:24:39 GMT
I thought the actual campaign was a step down from the first game, likely for no other reason that the original was such an epic and eye-opening experience that nothing would compare to it again. That said, the online component was my Xbox experience from mid-2005 and onward. That was basically all I played at that point. It's true, the campaign in Halo 2 isn't nearly as fun for some unknown reason (not taking story into consideration). Honestly if it weren't for the sensational multiplayer component I would say there isn't much reason to even play Halo 2, despite the gameplay and graphical upgrades. |
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spooie
Authority Wing
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Post by spooie on Aug 17, 2016 0:11:32 GMT
Part of the problem I think is that the game was promoted as taking the fight to earth, but that played little in the final result. Then it was back to space, and jumping between the Arbiter. I didn't mind that so much, but the game just sort of stops at the end with no resolution at all. The first game you have a definitive BEGINNING, MIDDLE, END and the journey along the way. That feeling was missing from the second one.
Of course, I thought the 3rd game was actually the worst. It went from this giant, open, expansive game... to what was essentially a corridor shooter. And that one stage toward the end of Halo 3... ugh. You all know the one.
Still, online was awesome. I actually found a VHS I must have recorded back in 2005, 2006 or so, of my playing Halo 2 Online recently. Watched about an hour of it just to take it in again. Good times, indeed.
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Spirit Bomb
Cartoon Pony Wrangler
#DeathToAmerica #DeathToTheAmericas #DeathToChristianity #DeathToFascism
Posts: 3,651
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Post by Spirit Bomb on Aug 17, 2016 5:20:10 GMT
spooie Do you think that Halo 2's gameplay was more competitive than CE's? I noticed that Halo 2 gives you a lot more customization options when it comes to multiplayer, like turning off grenades at spawn for example, which helps reduce grenade spamming and puts greater emphasis on gunplay. I also noticed that the gamelpay was noticeably faster, and the weapons generally seemed more balanced than CE's, too. Also, what did you think of Halo 3's multiplayer?
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Balder
Supreme Overlord
Trying to cut down the amount of movies I watch
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Post by Balder on Aug 18, 2016 15:25:47 GMT
Halo 3 had the best campaign, and corridor shooter? Have you played The Ark, Tsavo Highway, Halo, The Covenant missions spooie? |
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spooie
Authority Wing
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Post by spooie on Sept 26, 2016 0:34:11 GMT
spooie Do you think that Halo 2's gameplay was more competitive than CE's? I noticed that Halo 2 gives you a lot more customization options when it comes to multiplayer, like turning off grenades at spawn for example, which helps reduce grenade spamming and puts greater emphasis on gunplay. I also noticed that the gamelpay was noticeably faster, and the weapons generally seemed more balanced than CE's, too. Also, what did you think of Halo 3's multiplayer? I did not really play much of Halo CE's multiplayer, so it's hard to comment on that. The Single Player campaign was better for Halo CE, but I thought Halo 2 had the best Xbox multiplayer going at the time. People use to grenade spam at launch form what I recall, but if anyone betrayed a teammate, you kicked them. I didn't particularly care for Halo 3's multiplayer. Seemed like a step back for me for the most part. Thankfully, I thought Reach fixed a lot of what Halo 3 did. |
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spooie
Authority Wing
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Post by spooie on Sept 26, 2016 0:35:54 GMT
Halo 3 had the best campaign, and corridor shooter? Have you played The Ark, Tsavo Highway, Halo, The Covenant missions spooie ? Halo 3 just reminded me of "go from here to here. Shoot something. now here. Shoot something else. now here. Drive to the next point. now here." Halo CE and Halo 2 felt like you could explore and take alternate paths wherever. I honestly don't recall any specific mission names, so I can't respond on that front. Sorry. |
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