HALO 2

1
HALO 2

• Developer Bungie
• Game type First person shooter with 3rd person
  elements
• Price MSRP 49.99

2
Game Requirements

• Basic Requirements
• 1 Xbox Console
• 1 TV set
• 1 Controller per player
• For Online Play
• A broadband Internet connection
• 1 Xbox LIVE account per player for ranked games
• Recommended
• 1 Xbox LIVE headset per player for communication

3
Additional Info

• Installation
• There is no need to install the game, just insert
  the CD and play!
• There are updates available through Xbox LIVE
  service, and they are only necessary for online
  play.
• User interface
• The menus are simple and easy to use
• The controls take getting used to for first-time
  players, but they are the most ideal setup
  possible for a console FPS.

4
Graphics and Sound

• Visuals
• The graphics take full advantage of the Xbox's
  capabilities and provide realistic graphics that
  top even the almighty Halo
• Textures and artwork create a feeling of really
  being in the game's world
• Audio
• Immersive sound is crisp and believable.
• 5.1 surround allows the player to hear enemies
  creeping up behind him.
• Sound is so detailed, it is possible to tell what
  weapon an enemy has without seeing.

5
Story

• Takes place in the year 2552.
• Alien species have bended together to form an
  organization known as the Covenant.
• The Covenant are embarking on a holy crusade
  against mankind.
• The Covenant's primary objective seems to be the
  activation of the planet-sized rings built by the
  Forerunners, whom little is known about.
• The Covenant are led by a frail species known as
  Prophets, and there is an internal struggle
  over who shall be thier primary protectors
  between two other species the Elites and the
  Brutes
• The humans have built genetically enhanced
  soldiers, known as SPARTANs, to help fight the
  Covenant, but all were destroyed except for one
  SPARTAN 117, better known as Master Chief
• In the orginal Halo, Master Chief succeeded in
  destroying one of the rings.
• Halo 2 opens with an Elite - apparently the
  general of the fleet appointed to protect the
  ring from the oringinal Halo - on trial for his
  failure.

6
Campaign Mode

• Campaign Mode
• Player assumes the role of Master Chief, and
  alternates with the role of the Arbiter.
• This mode exposes the player to the game's story,
  and the player will fight against
  computer-controlled enemies.
• 2 players may cooperate in the Campaign mode,
  splitting the screen one Xbox
• Computer controlled characters will assist the
  player, simulating the experience of being in
  true combat.

7
Multiplayer

• Players will play against each other, and form
  teams as necessary.
• No computer-controlled characters
• Custom Games
• Players can set all game options and choose any
  game mode they wish
• Split screen
• Up to 4 players may share one Xbox
• System Link
• Up to 16 Xboxes on a LAN may join in a single
  game, so long that the number of players does not
  exceed 16.
• Xbox LIVE
• Play opponents over the Internet
• Matchmaking
• Game options and opponents are selected by the
  Microsoft server
• Rankings are held for matchmade games
• Custom
• Players can invite people from their friends list
  and create custom games.
• To keep rankings accurate, these games will not
  be ranked.

8
Driver's License?

• Vehicular Combat
• Players may use vehicles placed throughout the
  maps to accomplish objectives or kill enemies
• Every vehicle has at least one mounted weapon
• Teamwork
• Some vehicles have room designed for passengers.
• Some vehicles' mounted weapons can only be used
  by a passenger
• A player carrying the opponents' flag may only
  ride passenger in a vehicle.
• Car-Jacked!
• Enemies on foot can steal your vehicle if they
  are in proximity and you are not traveling at
  full speed.
• Try to run over enemies at full speed to avoid
  getting jacked!

9
Look Ma, Two Hands!

• Weapons
• Standard Halo design
• Players can carry one weapon in hand, and one in
  reserve.
• Halo 2
• Standard design, plus Dual wielding
• If the weapon in hand is small enough for single
  hand operation, and a weapon near the player
  meets the same condition, the player may pick up
  the second weapon and operate both at the same
  time. (one in each hand)
• The player does NOT lose any weapon held in
  reserve
• The player may NOT throw grenades while
  dual-wielding
• If the player performs a melee attack, the
  secondary weapon will be dropped.

10
Balanced Design

• BFG 9000?
• There is no single weapon that is always
  desirable in every situation.
• Even powerful weapons like the rocket launcher
  have disadvantages that lead players to pass them
  up.
• Slow reload time
• Limited number of shots in clip
• Too dangerous for close-range fighting
• Skilled players adapt their situation to their
  weapons, or change weapons to suit their
  situation
• Unlike some other FPS games, there is no clear
  evolutionary scale of weapons.
• I.E. Mighty Boot, poor, okay, good, better, BFG
  9000

11
Review

• Fun?
• Campaign mode
• Immersive story, limited replay
• Legendary mode offers the most replay in campaign
  mode, due to its insane challenge
• Multiplayer
• The number of options available give an insane
  level of replay value
• The original Halo was still the most played Xbox
  game three years after its release. Halo 2 has
  even more options than Halo
• Xbox LIVE
• Voice compatibility offers an increased level of
  player interaction
• Online play allows players to team up any hour of
  the night
• Vs. games in the same genre
• Halo is one of the most balanced FPS games ever
  relased
• Vehicular combat offers a refreshing aspect to
  the game
• OOPS!
• Some gameplay details were tweaked in an update
  patch available free online. Updated elements
  include
• Weakened pistol
• Stronger grenades