Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #8823 in Computer & Video Games
• Brand: Microsoft
• Released on: 2006-05-26
• Rating: Parental Guidance
• Platform: Xbox

Amazon.co.uk Review
The original Halo was one of that rare breed of games that was so compelling it persuaded millions of people to go out and buy a new console just to play it. Without Halo the Xbox would probably have failed instantly, which gives this long awaited sequel an incredible amount to live up to. So far relatively little has been seen of the game but what has been revealed seems to surpass the original with startling ease.

Widely regarded as the best first-person shoot-'em-up ever made for a home console, Halo 2 follows in its forebear's footsteps with a perfect blend of single and multiplayer action. The former offers far more variety than the first game as the battle is brought to Earth and the incredible advances in the game's AI, as well as just its graphics, become immediately obvious. There are now a lot more friendly troops to help you out and the evil Covenant invaders have become even more organised and intelligent.

In the all-important multiplayer mode, the most significant change is that you can now play the game online on Xbox Live against anyone in the world. This is the feature fans have been clamouring for and it's supplemented by new gameplay features such as the ability to steal vehicles, man fixed gun emplacements and play as the bad guys. If you don't yet own an Xbox, Halo 2 is all the reason you need to change that.—Harrison Dent

Customer Reviews

Halo 2
The fact of the matter is, you don't need to read this review. If you have an xbox, you have Halo 2; it's the rules. If you don't have an xbox, you've probably played Halo 2, or certainly heard of it. Halo: Combat Evolved was the best game of it's day. Halo 2 is the best game on the xbox. It went platinum before its release due to pre-orders, and is the fastest-selling media project in history, including motion picture and records. Despite the opinions of some that it is 'just another shoot-'em-up', 7 million copies sold worldwide within 1 year of it's release, and its elusiveness in second-hand games exchange shops is due to the fact that when you buy this game, it's for life. Super fun throughout, stunning graphics, a variety of diffculy levels (from the casual Easy mode, to the controller-smashingly difficult Legendary mode), a wide range of fully customizable multi-player games, and a deep storyline, shown through the perspectives of both sides of the war you are fighting, all combine to make this the most popular video-game in history, not to mention the immense replayability factor. Composer Marty O'Donnel adds a flavour to this game, musically, like no other, ranging from mysterious chants, to high-octane rock in firefights where the odds are stacked maliciously against you. Overall, this game is the best game in history, end of. But you knew that already, didn't you...?

Fantastic, beautiful... but not perfect
I played this all the way through over a six hour period at a friend's house. That's it. Boom. Six hours. That's the only problem with this game. IT'S TOO SHORT DARN IT! The ending (i won't spoil it for the few of you that haven't played it yet) leaves you hankering for more, high and dry. Kind of like a certain film that came out last year! (Yes Dead man's Chest, that's you i'm talking about.) But otherwise this is a wonderful game. Beatufilly rendered, well thought out, and wonderfully scripted. The voice acting is better than in some films!

If you play this game on a half decent TV with surround sound, you will be swept away. Forget the gameplay mechanics for a moment. Because admittedly that is just pure simple FPS. But the music, the AI and the rendering will (if your heavily into this sort of thing) move you. I also highly reccomend the halo books series. Many people thought that the Halo games were lacking in storyline. But read these and that should fill in any blanks.

Thanks for reading and enjoy.

A great follow up to a very good game.
Halo 2 is a very concise, well designed game. The story follows on very well from the original Halo to the extent that cutscenes, dialogue and plot twists are one of the most captivating parts of the game. The gameplay has been altered and upgraded slightly, dual wielding is now an option and certain aspects of the shield recharge/health and other spartan features have been tweaked or changed. The game is also Xbox live compatible with great multiplayer.
Halo 2 is a very good follow up to Halo: Combat Evolved. If you've yet to play this game and enjoy first person shooters then it's worth playing and it would be a good idea to catch up on the plot before Halo 3.