11-11-2004, 02:57 PM
Hmm, well I hate to disagree with everyone (and I'm not totally disagreeing) but some of my friends (and myself, sort-of) are not pleased with Halo 2.
Do not get me wrong, Halo 2 is an amazing game, and by itself would be even more amazing, but it is hard for Halo 1 finatics to adjust. The subtraction of the pistol is the most notable change, but virtually everything was changed around from the basic, simplistic formula that made Halo 1 so great. No fall damage? WTF!
While the Campaign mode is probably 10 times better than in Halo 1, I have to disagree with someones comment of the rendering. It seems every cutscene has at least one major glitch, even if the rest of the graphics are much improved.
The multiplayer seems so different, tho. Halo 1 was all about precision, and making every shot count, while Halo 2's "duel wielding" style makes it a contest to see who can spray bullets the fastest. The strategy, precision, and simplicity are all now non-existent. Furthermore, the interface is much more complicated.
That said, there are so many sweet new features. I like duel wielding, but the fact that you can't throw grenades, and also that meleeing causes you to drop your left weapon are frustrating. Many of the new maps are awesome, and every campaign level is cool. Xbox Live is also sweet (no lag), even if it does take awhile to join games.
To answer someones question about Halo 1 online, yes you can play online, but not with Xbox Live. You need to download a program called Xbconnect, many non-live compatable Xbox games are on there (and Halo 2, if you're too cheap to sprout for Live), but lag has never been a bigger factor.
Halo 2 definitely adds a lot of cool features, and built upon Halo's legendary status, but as far as the multiplayer is concerned, I think it's a step "down", more towards other Helter-Skelter FPS's like Timesplitters or Red Faction. I believe in the near future, the craze will die down and I will find myself playing Halo 1 again with my friends.
Do not get me wrong, Halo 2 is an amazing game, and by itself would be even more amazing, but it is hard for Halo 1 finatics to adjust. The subtraction of the pistol is the most notable change, but virtually everything was changed around from the basic, simplistic formula that made Halo 1 so great. No fall damage? WTF!
While the Campaign mode is probably 10 times better than in Halo 1, I have to disagree with someones comment of the rendering. It seems every cutscene has at least one major glitch, even if the rest of the graphics are much improved.
The multiplayer seems so different, tho. Halo 1 was all about precision, and making every shot count, while Halo 2's "duel wielding" style makes it a contest to see who can spray bullets the fastest. The strategy, precision, and simplicity are all now non-existent. Furthermore, the interface is much more complicated.
That said, there are so many sweet new features. I like duel wielding, but the fact that you can't throw grenades, and also that meleeing causes you to drop your left weapon are frustrating. Many of the new maps are awesome, and every campaign level is cool. Xbox Live is also sweet (no lag), even if it does take awhile to join games.
To answer someones question about Halo 1 online, yes you can play online, but not with Xbox Live. You need to download a program called Xbconnect, many non-live compatable Xbox games are on there (and Halo 2, if you're too cheap to sprout for Live), but lag has never been a bigger factor.
Halo 2 definitely adds a lot of cool features, and built upon Halo's legendary status, but as far as the multiplayer is concerned, I think it's a step "down", more towards other Helter-Skelter FPS's like Timesplitters or Red Faction. I believe in the near future, the craze will die down and I will find myself playing Halo 1 again with my friends.