Halo 2 (X-Box)

Halo 2 is probably the most hyped game ever.

If you don’t know what I’m talking about, you’ve probably just woken from a coma. The original Halo helped launch Microsoft’s X-Box, and helped put the GameCube in a distance third place in the consol wars.

With Halo being the best selling game on X-Box, Halo 2 was a sure thing, and expected global sales are projected at 10 million units. But what makes Halo 2 so good?

Having never played the original, I can’t comment on improvements, but what I can say after my first two hour session last night, is that it’s huge in scale.

Stunning cinematic cut scenes and movie like musical scores set the scene and create an atmosphere of expectation. And the game delivers on this expectation.

Microsoft won’t score any points on original gameplay – this is no Fable – it’s the tried an tested first person shooter, but there’s something about it that makes it special. It’s the feeling that you are a part of something – the game play draws you in. The environments are beautifully rendered, and the ambient noises add to the sense of being there.

The tone is definitely futuristic, with the first level being on a space station, but when you get down to Earth, it soon looks like Full Spectrum Warrior with the decaying and battle scarred urban settings.

Unlike Full Spectrum Warrior, you are in control and it’s up to you to dispense of the hoards of alien invaders, and they’re not dumb. You can expect them to come at you from behind, beside or even above you, so look out. You do have a couple of buddies on your side, but from time to time you’ll find it’s just you, and you’ll have to think – and move – fast to make it through.

All in all, Halo 2 was worth the hype – it’s a very enjoyable game, packaged in great visuals and sound.