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« on: November 07, 2004, 10:06:11 PM »
New on posting, old on reading...
I actually just got done playing Halo 2. A guy down my hall is friends with someone who works at EBgames and was able to somehow sneek out his copy. I will say that I really did like Halo 1---strictly for the multiplayer experience. My friends in our dorm building link up and play quite often and have a great time. I was really excited for Halo 2, and when given the chance to play it *gasp* a whole day earlier, I couldn't pass up the chance. I mean honeslty, it's supposed to be like the second coming >sarcasm<.
To be frank about it, I was deeply let down. What hit me right away, as soon as I saw the level we were playing at, was that it doesn't look like Halo. Then, to add another hit, once we started playing, it doesn't even FEEL like Halo. It's hard to describe, but my roommate and I best summed it up by saying, it's more like a Counterstrike feeling. Though it is in first person view, for some reason, it seems like I am looking over the shoulder of someone. It's also a lot less smooth than the original. It felt very jerk and frantic. But, we were playing on a moded XBox so hopefully that had something to do with it. Also, I didn't really know any of the levels or where things where, so maybe that had something to do with it, but still...it felt like a different game with a Halo theme.
Some of the little things that were annoying include the fact that you aren't hurt when you fall now, after duel weilding a weapong, if you get into a turret or vehicle and then get out, you are no longer duel weidling. Also, it's much harder to pick out characters on the field and even when you find them, if you manage to shoot them, they don't "glow" like they did before. Combat also felt like it was pushed to be more up close and in your face, because many of the weapons don't having aiming abilities (or completely lost all ability to aim, such as the pistol. I know Bungie didn't want it to be so dominating this time around, but honestly, no aiming at all?). Also, you can't kill people by running them over once with a vehicle anymore, it takes at least twice now. AND...one of the biggest let downs (even though it really doesn't make that big of a difference in game play, it's just something they promised and didn't deliver) was the fact that the environment wasn't destructible. I remember reading that you could reduce some of the buildings and such to shreds (though it would still stand). Not once did I see anything crumble, break, or explode. Maybe this was b/c of the Xbox again, I don't really know...
There were some positive things though. The vehicle destruction is great! Blasting a warthog or ghost while someone is on it and watching them exlode is hilarious. Some of the new weapons are awesome, mainly the Elite's sword (thought it is cheap with it's one hit kills and all). The levels are simply massive, which has it's negative side too. Hijacking a vehicle while someone is on it gives you a rush, especially when you turn around and gun them or run them down. The needler (my personal favorite from the original) has been improved. The rocket launcher has a slight "seeking" ability making it much more fun to play with also.
I had some more, but that's all I can think of for now. For the most part, it was a fun experience, not what I was expecting or really wanting either. I was let down plain and simple. Hopefully most of the negatives can be fixed when playing on a non-tampered with XBox (does anyone know if that can make a difference?) If, after playing it more often, I do not get used to the new way the game is played, then I will can say I will be extremely disappointed. It's like they added a lot of the things people wanted, yet took away everything I liked about it. After that, I am looking forward to Metroid Prime 2 EVEN more now, I know Ninty won't disappoint.
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