Halo 2

Added April 22nd, 2004 by James Bolan

Here we are a few weeks before E3 and still months away from Halo 2. In the expectance that new screenshots and movies will be released, we’re doing a Halo 2 preview before the hype train takes on a few more cars in the coming weeks. As most of you know Master Chief is back and looking better than ever. The Covenant are still determined to destroy the human race and now they’ve found Earth, lucky us. Of course Master Chief, the Marines, and the other Earth forces aren’t going to let that happen without a fight. Fighting takes place on Earth cities such as New Mombasa, a new Halo structure, and other yet to be revealed environments.

New Features and upgrades- It’s got that new car smell.

• Graphics

The first thing you will notice about Halo 2 is how much better looking it is than Halo. Models, lighting, environments and animations we’ve seen all look great. Everything has a bump map now, and the designers can control how much depth each texture has. The cut-scenes also look fantastic so far. We haven’t seen too much yet but we’re already drooling. If you haven’t watched the E3 demo, you don’t know Halo 2. Watch it in motion and mark your calendar.

• Sound

The monks are back baby! Marty is of course back on the scene for Halo 2. New sounds for gunfire, music, cinematics and vehicles are being developed. New sound for Ghosts and the new “Battle-rifle” for example. Marty is really obsessing over details this time around. Now if a battle is raging nearby in an outside environment, when you go into a nearby structure the sound of the battle will be toned down. Scripted Marine comments after they’re gunned down an enemy have been increased, and what they say depends upon the situation. Surround sound is being used more and apparently for some special game events too.

• New weapons and vehicles

New game, new arsenal. Makes sense doesn’t it? Sub-Machine Guns and Battle-rifles have been confirmed, along with Plasma Swords (Master Chief would make a good Vader don’t you think?). New vehicles include an ATV, Phantom (Covenant aerial troop transport) new Warthog versions, and last but not least “?”(Covenant shade vehicle).

• Melee combinations

Humiliate your friends and single player enemies in a new way. Don’t just use the same melee attack constantly, now you can follow up with a chain of attacks. Enemies may be able to do the same. Bone-crunching goodness!

• Dual weapons

You can now fire two one-handed weapons at once with the corresponding trigger! But you’ll have to put one away to throw a grenade. Plasma gun in one hand, and a Sub-Machine Gun in the other. Can you say Elite ownage?

• Improved A.I.

That’s right, it looks like the NPCs have been given an extra helping of brains. What does this mean? The Covenant is more efficient at killing you and your friends. Marines are more efficient in making some purple, blue, and orange blood fly. You know what that means? You sick individuals shouldn’t want to kill them for ammo anymore. You know who you are. Enemies and Marines can now drive and fly intelligently. No more Marine chauffer duty for Master Chief.

• Xbox Live and Multiplayer

Now you can bring your l337 skills to Xbox Live! Halo 2 will be the showcased game for the latest XBL version 3.0 (April 21st). Play with up to 16 of your friends and trash talk all you want now without a huge crowd of people in your living room and noise complaints flowing into your local police department. Not to mention inexplicably sticky controllers after they leave… Your favorite game modes and some maps are making a comeback from Halo along with new material such as Assault (where you bring a bomb into your enemies base to score points!) Vehicle damage will be implemented. Four teams in multiplayer likely, along with four player online co-op. Banshees and human flying craft are expected. Elites have also been confirmed to be in at least 1 multiplayer mode.

Rumors: The best of the worst:

• Staff member Jman is sleeping with Bungie employees to get Halo 2 information.

• Destructible environments.

• More than one Covenant class to be available in multiplayer.

• 24 players on Xbox Live

• MJOLNIR armor takes visible damage such as scarring and bullet holes

• Ability to call in air-strikes

• 720p support

• Custom Soundtrack

• Voice Commands

Halo 2 is shaping up to be an incredible game from what we’ve seen so far. I have no doubt that Bungie will make our jaws drop again at E3. But sorry kids no playable demo of any kind will be released. You’ll have to wait until Fall 2004 to get your hands on it.