<!--QuoteBegin-|Saneity|+Nov 9 2004, 11:06 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (|Saneity| @ Nov 9 2004, 11:06 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> Screw the reptative mapping, you perfectionists, and just deal with what you get. <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd--> I can only remember two repetitive levels in Goldeneye 007, and that was because, well, they were supposed to be the same. (two snow levels and two bunker levels). If Rare can make unrepetitive levels for the N64, can't bungie do the same with the Xbox? It really is sad, to see so much potential wasted like that.
<!--QuoteBegin-Zig+Nov 10 2004, 02:59 AM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (Zig @ Nov 10 2004, 02:59 AM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> <!--QuoteBegin-Invader Scoot+Nov 9 2004, 02:16 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (Invader Scoot @ Nov 9 2004, 02:16 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> <!--QuoteBegin-TheMuffinMan+Nov 9 2004, 03:40 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (TheMuffinMan @ Nov 9 2004, 03:40 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> The mapping is awful, like the original. <!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd--> Did they really copy and paste again?
...
Well I'm glad I don't care about the game, HL2 is what counts. <!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd--> bs. <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd--> No, cold hard truth.
<!--QuoteBegin-Zig+Nov 10 2004, 12:48 AM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (Zig @ Nov 10 2004, 12:48 AM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> the level design is NOT repetetive at ALL in this game o_O!!! <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd--> The only place I've seen so far that got annoying was the third mission, the one with the twist (spoilerdodge!). That wasn't really repetitive, just everything looked the same texturally.
Zig...I am Captain Planet!Join Date: 2002-10-23Member: 1576Members
<!--QuoteBegin-JediYoshi+Nov 9 2004, 09:53 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (JediYoshi @ Nov 9 2004, 09:53 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> Sure it is Zig, in the future we uneffienctly build every single room different. <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd--> no it's really not.. the architectural texturing is uniform at times but the modelling, structure design, and level mapping is NOT repetetive in the least.
I agree with Zig. The textures are the same at times but the locales feel different. Honestly, ppl **** about 'repetitiveness' like Xbox ppl yell 'hardware'.
Besides, how many people bought Halo 2 just for the single player? Anyone? I wouldn't be surprised if there are people around who bought the game and haven't even bothered with single player, just multi.
This had to be the most over-hyped, over-talked about game of all time. I cut my last period class to go to a local walmart to get a copy. I got home and was like "oh ok, this is kind of cool" (once you get past the 20 minute suit ****). Within 30 minutes I was an alien? Well what the ****!. I am on level 11 now and I have only played as chief of four levels. This game is no longer about the humans but about the aliens. I feel that Master Chief is like Mr. Smith in the second and third Matrix movies. "There, but it doesn't really matter".
All in all, this game lacked what the first one gave - kill alien suns of a **** with whatever you could find. Now, you are the alien ... fighting other aliens.
Did anyone else pick up on "The Ark"? A Forerunner ship, now controlled by the Covenant. "The Ark" of the Covenant (horrible pun, but you know it was done this way on purpose) XD
<!--QuoteBegin-Zig+Nov 9 2004, 10:59 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (Zig @ Nov 9 2004, 10:59 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> <!--QuoteBegin-JediYoshi+Nov 9 2004, 09:53 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (JediYoshi @ Nov 9 2004, 09:53 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> Sure it is Zig, in the future we uneffienctly build every single room different. <!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd--> no it's really not.. the architectural texturing is uniform at times but the modelling, structure design, and level mapping is NOT repetetive in the least. <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd--> Glad to see you got my point.
Halo was boring and overhyped, but a solid shooter. Halo 2 was way overhyped, but a solid shooter. They're cash cows, and like EA games you can pretty much feel the shallow and uninterested attitude that was behind the game. It's just a way to make money, and all you people who rave about how great it will be [and even after you've played it.. which is odd..] are just giving them all the money they want, for a mediocre effort at a game, and will justify for them that they don't need to put effort into something to make a good game. Halo and Halo 2 were only fuin as co-op, and even then it gets tiring if you've already played it, or don't progress quickly enough through the boring and faceless levels. Treat it as a template for you and your buddies to make fun out of with good company; it's not a good game in itself.
And zig and others treat halo like a religion, in a sense. They base their love of the game off their faith that the game is 'amazing', and there's no use arguing with them, because they won't listen to or understand reason. So I'm going to treat them as I should treat christians - Halflife 2 is better than Halo/Halo 2, and logic agrees with me, but it doesn't matter because there's nobody to preach to.
In short; don't buy this game, you're just agreeing with Bungie and Microsoft when they make the statement that you don't need to put effort or love into something to make money.
Edit: Just a quick ninja edit, but I feel that i should probably clarify myself, and possibly redeem myself slightly for the religion comparison: The game is a solid co-op game, nothing more. The hype is Mohammed Saeed al-Sahaf style work. Bungie suck, and it's not worth the money by itself.
I liked Halo 1, but Halo 2 was just the same old same old, except when you play on Earth, but that was only for a short while then it went back to fighting on another Halo and same standard looking spaceships. The one thing I'm glad they added though was fire.
QuaunautThe longest seven days in history...Join Date: 2003-03-21Member: 14759Members, Constellation, Reinforced - Shadow
I myself enjoyed the game. If you buff up the difficulty to Heroic, the AI is downright stupendous- to the point that I actively go "Oh s***!" or realize that I should've watched that corner or this corner.
The weapons seem quite balanced, the only of which I don't think is the plasma pistol, but thats cause its hard to get those quick shots off like we should be able to.
The level design was absolutely great- sure, simple geometry, but good ideas- but still, repetitive. When I was **spoiler**going through the alien homeworld first mission(where you hunt down truth)**spoiler**, I went through the same winding corridor a minimum of 6 times. Also, as said, the textures are insanely repetitive, to the point of obtuseness- its almost impossible to tell rooms differently at all, which really irks me because I know the engine/the XBox can handle better.
The story, if you're keyed in and pay attention to detail(in the game itself) is pretty good, for a FPS. Best I've had so far, especially in the way its layed out.
The vehicles though, I gotta say, are horrendous. The Tank, while slow, is ungodly overpowered. The Wraith, while powerful, is God awfully easy to take down. The warthog is absolutely worthless. The ghost is powerful now for taking out smaller vehicles(ghosts/banshees/warthogs) but anyone with a grenade of any time can tear you easily. The vehicles were one of the coolest parts of the first- now I almost dread those parts because they just aren't as cool- there was nothing like in the first Halo going over a ridge on the 2nd level(Halo!), letting your gunner mow down tons of covenant bastards- it felt good.
Vehicle AI, is, as esuna said, pretty poor. Hell, I would've been just fine if they just put a routing system on these guys, but instead, they have the really bad tendancy to try and turn a warthog on a dime...at the edge of a cliff. Oh, but one thing Esuna: To get them out, you just have to press X when facing their seat(if their still going...okay, yeah, you're screwed).
Still going through it right now, but while its definately a fun game, its not the "OMG!" that its being wielded as. Man, my school today was almost obsessed with Halo 2. I'm gonna kill them on friday...
<!--QuoteBegin-<[POOP]> Akira+Nov 11 2004, 02:18 AM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (<[POOP]> Akira @ Nov 11 2004, 02:18 AM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> I love it how the Half-Life 2 fan boys swoop in and attack randomly.
Edit: Seriously, if your that bored, write and angry letter. <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd--> It's in the mail, love.
<!--QuoteBegin-eediot+--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (eediot)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin-->...you can pretty much feel the shallow and uninterested attitude that was behind the game.<!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Can you explain how you feel this? Through the support on the Bungie site and the game itself I doubt it was as weak an effort as you make it out to be.
<!--QuoteBegin-eediot+--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (eediot)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin-->It's just a way to make money... <!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->
What isn't nowadays? You think Half Life 2 and it's mods were made for anything else?
<!--QuoteBegin-eediot+--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (eediot)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin-->So I'm going to treat them as I should treat christians...<!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->
<!--QuoteBegin-eediot+--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (eediot)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin-->In short; don't buy this game, you're just agreeing with Bungie and Microsoft when they make the statement that you don't need to put effort or love into something to make money.<!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->
I don't see how you would know whether there was "effort" or "love" put in the game, as you weren't there during the development process. Any game developer studio will certainly try to make a good game and grow attached to their project, since they're practically using a few years of their lives for this project, and want something to show for it.
<!--QuoteBegin-eediot+--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (eediot)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin-->Bungie suck, and it's not worth the money by itself.<!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Personally, if you think that Halo 2 was not worth the cost of the game, I'm surprised you find anything worth the price. How much do you actually expect?
In any case, prehaps the console market isn't for you. People coming from the PC often expect things that simply cannot be there. Any modern game will have better graphics and more textures, since the console is vastly limited in it's power. For what Halo 2 was brought to, I find they did a very good job.
<!--QuoteBegin-Tequila+Nov 10 2004, 08:28 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (Tequila @ Nov 10 2004, 08:28 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> <!--QuoteBegin-<[POOP+--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (<[POOP)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin-->> Akira,Nov 11 2004, 02:18 AM] I love it how the Half-Life 2 fan boys swoop in and attack randomly.
Edit: Seriously, if your that bored, write and angry letter. <!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd--> It's in the mail, love. <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd--> Think we can be pen-pals?
<!--QuoteBegin-<[POOP]> Akira+Nov 11 2004, 02:31 AM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (<[POOP]> Akira @ Nov 11 2004, 02:31 AM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> <!--QuoteBegin-Tequila+Nov 10 2004, 08:28 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (Tequila @ Nov 10 2004, 08:28 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> <!--QuoteBegin-<[POOP+--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (<[POOP)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin-->> Akira,Nov 11 2004, 02:18 AM] I love it how the Half-Life 2 fan boys swoop in and attack randomly.
Edit: Seriously, if your that bored, write and angry letter. <!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd--> It's in the mail, love. <!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd--> Think we can be pen-pals? <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd--> Certainly!
<a href='http://nikon.bungie.org/misc/24hour_record/' target='_blank'>Halo 2's First 24 Hours Bring in $125 Million</a>
<!--QuoteBegin--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> </td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> "Halo 2" broke entertainment retail records in its first 24 hours on store shelves. Microsoft Game Studios today announced that the highly-anticipated game sold through 2.4 million units in the U.S. and Canada, driving cash register receipts to the $125 million mark. <!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->
HL2 probably won't beat it on it's first day, as many people have preordered in the month or so before it's release. It's not really comparable that way.
And you can't expect console gamers to understand PC gamers. They're different species of nerd. <!--emo&:p--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html//emoticons/tounge.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='tounge.gif' /><!--endemo-->
<!--QuoteBegin-eediot+Nov 10 2004, 07:35 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (eediot @ Nov 10 2004, 07:35 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> Esuna's was a fair post.
[Rant]
Edit: Just a quick ninja edit, but I feel that i should probably clarify myself, and possibly redeem myself slightly for the religion comparison: The game is a solid co-op game, nothing more. The hype is Mohammed Saeed al-Sahaf style work. Bungie suck, and it's not worth the money by itself. <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd--> In other words:
"My opinion is different than yours, therefore yours sucks."
Repetitive Level Design:
Not really, it just isn't pointed enough. You don't really know where to go some of the time, like when you have a long battle and you're running around the room and then you forget where you come in and where you went out. There's the occasional repetitiveness indoors (There's only 3 levels that really take place mostly indoors)...and those are the bad ones...Whenever you're outside it's great.
I'm a bit more concerned that it's "15 levels" and the first one is a big cut scene...
The ending:
It's not really that much of a cliff-hanger. Through plot points given through the game (especially the "The Covenent didn't expect humans to be on Earth?!" one - which is easy to figure out), you can figure out why it is the way it is...you're just not given the action.
I'm a bit more dissappointed that the Covenent themselves aren't really the enemy anymore; and it's just the prophet of truth and mostly anyone but the Elites that you'll be fighting against.
Worth $50:
Only if you've got a friend to play the game with on co-op, eventually. It's fun enough with SP (maybe playing 2-3 times through), but co-op is where the fun is at...especially at harder levels.
Multiplayer looks like it could pretty fun over live, too.
Other stuff: [Spoiler, and I suppose, responses to Esuna] <span style='color:#041E2D'> Yes, there are flood, but they actually have tactics now - they don't always run right for you (though, they're still pretty bad).
I'm not sure what you were expecting with the scarab...did you want to run inside and press the X button instead? I think fighting enemies off the top of it while you're running along the catwalks is climactic enough.
So, the AI has a hic-cough so it blatantly sucks? "Ooh, a grunt in HL walked in front of me and turned away instead of shooting me - the AI is the worst ever!"
Conversely to 343, the audio on Cortana at the beginning of the game is annoying because of how it's been recorded. 343 isn't nearly as annoying in this game...neither are the sentinels.
Aside from the changes to the hunters, jackal snipers and the jetpacking elites; there are now Drones (kind of annoying) and Brutes (...which basically half the game is about, and I'd sure as hell hope you noticed them). Along with the new weapons: beam rifle, sentinel beam, energy sword, brute shot, (along with the assault rifle being replaced by the SMG and Battle Rifle..both of which don't really fit the role well).
The worst fault of the game is that it was overhyped, but that doesn't mean it sucks or anything (I'd rather gave improvements (like dual wielding and tough to kill hunters) in the old Halo, though. Especially since it feels like the game isn't as detailed texturely. </span>
The game is about 7-11 hours long (it took me about 9). It does keep much of the feeling of Halo, I am missing my Banshee strafing runs though...can do that on Coagulation/Blood Gulch, though.
And: How can it not be a sequel? What the hell are you people looking for?
Continuation of story? Yes. Updated Graphics, AI, Weapons? Yes New Features? Yes
...So Half-Life 2 must not be a sequel either... <!--emo&;)--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html//emoticons/wink-fix.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='wink-fix.gif' /><!--endemo-->
<!--QuoteBegin-Transmission+Nov 10 2004, 05:30 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (Transmission @ Nov 10 2004, 05:30 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> Personally, if you think that Halo 2 was not worth the cost of the game, I'm surprised you find anything worth the price. How much do you actually expect?
In any case, prehaps the console market isn't for you. People coming from the PC often expect things that simply cannot be there. Any modern game will have better graphics and more textures, since the console is vastly limited in it's power. For what Halo 2 was brought to, I find they did a very good job. <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd--> So... its not the game's fault it isn't as good as it could be, its the platform's, despite the fact that it could be on a better platform, like the PC for instance.
I mean, thats like looking at a turd that looks like the Mona Lisa. Pretty good for a turd, but its still a turd.
<!--QuoteBegin-Mantrid+Nov 10 2004, 10:48 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (Mantrid @ Nov 10 2004, 10:48 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--><!--QuoteBegin-Transmission+Nov 10 2004, 05:30 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (Transmission @ Nov 10 2004, 05:30 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> Personally, if you think that Halo 2 was not worth the cost of the game, I'm surprised you find anything worth the price. How much do you actually expect?
In any case, prehaps the console market isn't for you. People coming from the PC often expect things that simply cannot be there. Any modern game will have better graphics and more textures, since the console is vastly limited in it's power. For what Halo 2 was brought to, I find they did a very good job. <!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd--> So... its not the game's fault it isn't as good as it could be, its the platform's, despite the fact that it could be on a better platform, like the PC for instance.
I mean, thats like looking at a turd that looks like the Mona Lisa. Pretty good for a turd, but its still a turd.<!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd--> It seems to me, Mantrid, that you dislike consoles in general, and that's understandable for a person coming from a PC game background.
Although your comparison is extreme, which is probably due to your bias, it is apt. Games will always have more potential on a PC than any console, but there are more factors to consider. Even though a game might not be as great as a PC release, a console release reaches an audience that isn't as hardcore as many PC gamers, and gains the sales. Halo 2's sales and the success of consoles in general show that even though the games would be better on PC in most cases, they are still fun games to play.
Also, consoles have certain advantages that PCs do not. They are easily portable, have better LAN support/multiplayer with friends (local, anyway), and certain game styles (fighters) only work on consoles.
Comments
I can only remember two repetitive levels in Goldeneye 007, and that was because, well, they were supposed to be the same. (two snow levels and two bunker levels). If Rare can make unrepetitive levels for the N64, can't bungie do the same with the Xbox? It really is sad, to see so much potential wasted like that.
Did they really copy and paste again?
...
Well I'm glad I don't care about the game, HL2 is what counts. <!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->
bs. <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
No, cold hard truth.
The only place I've seen so far that got annoying was the third mission, the one with the twist (spoilerdodge!). That wasn't really repetitive, just everything looked the same texturally.
no it's really not.. the architectural texturing is uniform at times but the modelling, structure design, and level mapping is NOT repetetive in the least.
All in all, this game lacked what the first one gave - kill alien suns of a **** with whatever you could find. Now, you are the alien ... fighting other aliens.
I'm only on level 2, when you beat down those 2 hunters near the beginning. Fscking snipers are giving me hell on Legendary...
no it's really not.. the architectural texturing is uniform at times but the modelling, structure design, and level mapping is NOT repetetive in the least. <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
Glad to see you got my point.
Halo was boring and overhyped, but a solid shooter. Halo 2 was way overhyped, but a solid shooter. They're cash cows, and like EA games you can pretty much feel the shallow and uninterested attitude that was behind the game. It's just a way to make money, and all you people who rave about how great it will be [and even after you've played it.. which is odd..] are just giving them all the money they want, for a mediocre effort at a game, and will justify for them that they don't need to put effort into something to make a good game. Halo and Halo 2 were only fuin as co-op, and even then it gets tiring if you've already played it, or don't progress quickly enough through the boring and faceless levels. Treat it as a template for you and your buddies to make fun out of with good company; it's not a good game in itself.
And zig and others treat halo like a religion, in a sense. They base their love of the game off their faith that the game is 'amazing', and there's no use arguing with them, because they won't listen to or understand reason. So I'm going to treat them as I should treat christians - Halflife 2 is better than Halo/Halo 2, and logic agrees with me, but it doesn't matter because there's nobody to preach to.
In short; don't buy this game, you're just agreeing with Bungie and Microsoft when they make the statement that you don't need to put effort or love into something to make money.
Edit: Just a quick ninja edit, but I feel that i should probably clarify myself, and possibly redeem myself slightly for the religion comparison: The game is a solid co-op game, nothing more. The hype is Mohammed Saeed al-Sahaf style work. Bungie suck, and it's not worth the money by itself.
The weapons seem quite balanced, the only of which I don't think is the plasma pistol, but thats cause its hard to get those quick shots off like we should be able to.
The level design was absolutely great- sure, simple geometry, but good ideas- but still, repetitive. When I was **spoiler**going through the alien homeworld first mission(where you hunt down truth)**spoiler**, I went through the same winding corridor a minimum of 6 times. Also, as said, the textures are insanely repetitive, to the point of obtuseness- its almost impossible to tell rooms differently at all, which really irks me because I know the engine/the XBox can handle better.
The story, if you're keyed in and pay attention to detail(in the game itself) is pretty good, for a FPS. Best I've had so far, especially in the way its layed out.
The vehicles though, I gotta say, are horrendous. The Tank, while slow, is ungodly overpowered. The Wraith, while powerful, is God awfully easy to take down. The warthog is absolutely worthless. The ghost is powerful now for taking out smaller vehicles(ghosts/banshees/warthogs) but anyone with a grenade of any time can tear you easily. The vehicles were one of the coolest parts of the first- now I almost dread those parts because they just aren't as cool- there was nothing like in the first Halo going over a ridge on the 2nd level(Halo!), letting your gunner mow down tons of covenant bastards- it felt good.
Vehicle AI, is, as esuna said, pretty poor. Hell, I would've been just fine if they just put a routing system on these guys, but instead, they have the really bad tendancy to try and turn a warthog on a dime...at the edge of a cliff. Oh, but one thing Esuna: To get them out, you just have to press X when facing their seat(if their still going...okay, yeah, you're screwed).
Still going through it right now, but while its definately a fun game, its not the "OMG!" that its being wielded as. Man, my school today was almost obsessed with Halo 2. I'm gonna kill them on friday...
Edit: Seriously, if your that bored, write and angry letter.
Edit: Seriously, if your that bored, write and angry letter. <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
It's in the mail, love.
Can you explain how you feel this? Through the support on the Bungie site and the game itself I doubt it was as weak an effort as you make it out to be.
<!--QuoteBegin-eediot+--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (eediot)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin-->It's just a way to make money...
<!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->
What isn't nowadays? You think Half Life 2 and it's mods were made for anything else?
<!--QuoteBegin-eediot+--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (eediot)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin-->So I'm going to treat them as I should treat christians...<!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Nice generlization. <!--emo&???--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html//emoticons/confused-fix.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='confused-fix.gif' /><!--endemo-->
<!--QuoteBegin-eediot+--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (eediot)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin-->In short; don't buy this game, you're just agreeing with Bungie and Microsoft when they make the statement that you don't need to put effort or love into something to make money.<!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->
I don't see how you would know whether there was "effort" or "love" put in the game, as you weren't there during the development process. Any game developer studio will certainly try to make a good game and grow attached to their project, since they're practically using a few years of their lives for this project, and want something to show for it.
<!--QuoteBegin-eediot+--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (eediot)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin-->Bungie suck, and it's not worth the money by itself.<!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Personally, if you think that Halo 2 was not worth the cost of the game, I'm surprised you find anything worth the price. How much do you actually expect?
In any case, prehaps the console market isn't for you. People coming from the PC often expect things that simply cannot be there. Any modern game will have better graphics and more textures, since the console is vastly limited in it's power. For what Halo 2 was brought to, I find they did a very good job.
Edit: Seriously, if your that bored, write and angry letter. <!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->
It's in the mail, love. <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
Think we can be pen-pals?
Edit: Seriously, if your that bored, write and angry letter. <!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->
It's in the mail, love. <!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Think we can be pen-pals? <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
Certainly!
Ive found no repetetiveness in any of the levels so far.
Singleplayer SUCKS. <!--emo&:p--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html//emoticons/tounge.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='tounge.gif' /><!--endemo-->
<!--QuoteBegin--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> </td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin-->
"Halo 2" broke entertainment retail records in its first 24 hours on store shelves. Microsoft Game Studios today announced that the highly-anticipated game sold through 2.4 million units in the U.S. and Canada, driving cash register receipts to the $125 million mark. <!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Well, the hype certainly worked. <!--emo&:p--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html//emoticons/tounge.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='tounge.gif' /><!--endemo-->
It's a shame though, how some people think that you can't aim with a mouse and "how do you use WASD? WTH?".
And you can't expect console gamers to understand PC gamers. They're different species of nerd. <!--emo&:p--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html//emoticons/tounge.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='tounge.gif' /><!--endemo-->
[Rant]
Edit: Just a quick ninja edit, but I feel that i should probably clarify myself, and possibly redeem myself slightly for the religion comparison: The game is a solid co-op game, nothing more. The hype is Mohammed Saeed al-Sahaf style work. Bungie suck, and it's not worth the money by itself. <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
In other words:
"My opinion is different than yours, therefore yours sucks."
Repetitive Level Design:
Not really, it just isn't pointed enough. You don't really know where to go some of the time, like when you have a long battle and you're running around the room and then you forget where you come in and where you went out. There's the occasional repetitiveness indoors (There's only 3 levels that really take place mostly indoors)...and those are the bad ones...Whenever you're outside it's great.
I'm a bit more concerned that it's "15 levels" and the first one is a big cut scene...
The ending:
It's not really that much of a cliff-hanger. Through plot points given through the game (especially the "The Covenent didn't expect humans to be on Earth?!" one - which is easy to figure out), you can figure out why it is the way it is...you're just not given the action.
I'm a bit more dissappointed that the Covenent themselves aren't really the enemy anymore; and it's just the prophet of truth and mostly anyone but the Elites that you'll be fighting against.
Worth $50:
Only if you've got a friend to play the game with on co-op, eventually. It's fun enough with SP (maybe playing 2-3 times through), but co-op is where the fun is at...especially at harder levels.
Multiplayer looks like it could pretty fun over live, too.
Other stuff:
[Spoiler, and I suppose, responses to Esuna]
<span style='color:#041E2D'>
Yes, there are flood, but they actually have tactics now - they don't always run right for you (though, they're still pretty bad).
I'm not sure what you were expecting with the scarab...did you want to run inside and press the X button instead? I think fighting enemies off the top of it while you're running along the catwalks is climactic enough.
So, the AI has a hic-cough so it blatantly sucks? "Ooh, a grunt in HL walked in front of me and turned away instead of shooting me - the AI is the worst ever!"
Conversely to 343, the audio on Cortana at the beginning of the game is annoying because of how it's been recorded. 343 isn't nearly as annoying in this game...neither are the sentinels.
Aside from the changes to the hunters, jackal snipers and the jetpacking elites; there are now Drones (kind of annoying) and Brutes (...which basically half the game is about, and I'd sure as hell hope you noticed them). Along with the new weapons: beam rifle, sentinel beam, energy sword, brute shot, (along with the assault rifle being replaced by the SMG and Battle Rifle..both of which don't really fit the role well).
The worst fault of the game is that it was overhyped, but that doesn't mean it sucks or anything (I'd rather gave improvements (like dual wielding and tough to kill hunters) in the old Halo, though. Especially since it feels like the game isn't as detailed texturely.
</span>
The game is about 7-11 hours long (it took me about 9). It does keep much of the feeling of Halo, I am missing my Banshee strafing runs though...can do that on Coagulation/Blood Gulch, though.
And: How can it not be a sequel? What the hell are you people looking for?
Continuation of story? Yes.
Updated Graphics, AI, Weapons? Yes
New Features? Yes
...So Half-Life 2 must not be a sequel either... <!--emo&;)--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html//emoticons/wink-fix.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='wink-fix.gif' /><!--endemo-->
In any case, prehaps the console market isn't for you. People coming from the PC often expect things that simply cannot be there. Any modern game will have better graphics and more textures, since the console is vastly limited in it's power. For what Halo 2 was brought to, I find they did a very good job. <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
So... its not the game's fault it isn't as good as it could be, its the platform's, despite the fact that it could be on a better platform, like the PC for instance.
I mean, thats like looking at a turd that looks like the Mona Lisa. Pretty good for a turd, but its still a turd.
In any case, prehaps the console market isn't for you. People coming from the PC often expect things that simply cannot be there. Any modern game will have better graphics and more textures, since the console is vastly limited in it's power. For what Halo 2 was brought to, I find they did a very good job. <!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->
So... its not the game's fault it isn't as good as it could be, its the platform's, despite the fact that it could be on a better platform, like the PC for instance.
I mean, thats like looking at a turd that looks like the Mona Lisa. Pretty good for a turd, but its still a turd.<!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->
It seems to me, Mantrid, that you dislike consoles in general, and that's understandable for a person coming from a PC game background.
Although your comparison is extreme, which is probably due to your bias, it is apt. Games will always have more potential on a PC than any console, but there are more factors to consider. Even though a game might not be as great as a PC release, a console release reaches an audience that isn't as hardcore as many PC gamers, and gains the sales. Halo 2's sales and the success of consoles in general show that even though the games would be better on PC in most cases, they are still fun games to play.
Also, consoles have certain advantages that PCs do not. They are easily portable, have better LAN support/multiplayer with friends (local, anyway), and certain game styles (fighters) only work on consoles.