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When I finally gave in to fatigue after 5 straight hours of playing the Campaign for the first time, I couldn't believe that I was only at the sixth level. And while I can't really say anything about the story, it's really either a love or hate situation. Yes, the uneasy cliffhanger of an ending is in very heated debates everywhere, and some people cursed Bungie because of that, but really, you have to try the game for yourself to truly give your word. Four difficulty levels are still at your disposition, whether you want a challenge or an easy run, the difficulty respectively goes from Easy, Normal, Heroic, and yes, Legendary. Having finished the game twice, once each on Normal and Heroic, I can say that they're completely different experiences.
Normal feels a tad easier then it did in the first Halo, and Heroic feels a lot harder then Hard did. What's impressive about each of the four difficulties is the fact that certain weapons become available/unavailable, the Marines tend to give more interesting remarks, and the Covenant, as well as the other enemies in Halo 2 give off more of a challenge. I doubt I could finish Legendary, since Heroic wasn't that much a walk in the park, but it's the type of hard that makes you want to get better.
But really, the most redeeming feature of Halo 2 would easily be its online service. Xbox Live pushes Halo 2 to be more of an online experience then just a solo affair. Many players know that I've been focusing mostly on multiplayer modes and haven't really bothered with the single-player campaign. Yes, it's that addictive. Regardless, both modes are a true joy. Bungie has gone out of its way to create a service that's simple and enjoyable. Players can check out their stats of recent battles, including Xbox Live player profiles, exclusively available at Bungie.net; perfect for when you may want to rub that Kilimanjaro you got in your friends or opponents' faces. I dare all who try to find an online FPS that comes as close to being as perfect as Halo 2. The experience is one of a kind. A handful of the maps available from the first Halo installment were slightly redone, such as Blood Gultch map, colorfully renamed to Coagulation, provided me with hours of fun playing CTF; and I was only playing offline split screen with 3 people! Honestly, when a franchise is good enough to have an approximate of 40,000 players on simultaneously days after launch, the only way to show how excellent the game is would be to apply numbers to theory.
In the end, Halo 2 certainly lived up to most of the hype it created. From the moment the opening title screen hymn begins, the game just feels right. Despite a few minor flaws, most loyalists are bound to overlook them and enjoy the game regardless. It's safe to say that the multiplayer is where you'll find the heart of the game. Halo 2 could easily be compared to a fine cuisine dish you enjoy every weekend. While you know there's other meals on the menu that are just as satisfying, you've grown to love the same ol' stuff not to bother with anything else for a long time.
-- Patrick Butler
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