Reviews for Microsoft Halo 2
Full Product, DVD-ROM, PC - MPN: U2800002
Halo 2 Review
Strengths: Fun gameplay
Weakness: Nothing really new
Halo 2 is now released on the PC after enjoying major success on the original Xbox years ago. Basically it is still the same game it was back then, not to say that is a bad thing. It remains a very fun game, even if it doesn't offer anything new. It looks good running on my computer in high resolution and is probably overall a better version then the XBox version. Recommended to fans of FPSs everywhere,
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TopHalo 2 - a lot of hype with little substance
Strengths: Popular (with the kids), solid multiplayer community
Weakness: Vista only, no DX10, mediocre graphics (for DX9), low-res textures, bland environments, simple AI with glitches, flat story (single player), loooong cut scenes
Against better judgment, I bought the Vista version and I am still disappointed, despite the fact that screen shots already gave it away that this is not DX10. Worse yet is that this is hardly a respectable use of DX9 technology. Environments look bland and textures are very low resolution. I guess it's set up for online multiplayer, but disappointing nevertheless.
Enemy AI is plain dumb and often you have to run into them to get noticed while if you choose the "correct" route everybody is fully alert. The story is lame and a mere excuse to sell the multiplayer that made the XBox title a hit. The cut scenes are a bit longish, and a few of them clearly way too long. Multiplayer gets all the hype, but I am old-fashioned and prefer to have at least the illusion of a purpose. The interface is terrible (straight conversion from XBox?), and confusing with the mouse/keyboard.
The hype will carry this title enough to make sales not a complete failure, but I wish I could have my $37 back (glad I found this special at Circuit City). In all honesty, it's probably a solid $30 game, but the MSRP of nearly $50 does not match the quality of the game.
Regarding Vista, well I think it's wrong to do what Microsoft has done (I guess to push their "Live" service.), but would be okay with it if I -- as a singleplayer -- would get something for it. I mean, I have a healthy graphics card (hd2900xt) and processor (Opteron 185). Vista with Catalyst 7.5 is fully capable of DX10 and here is a game that's restricted to Vista and it doesn't even use it. Grrrr!
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TopHalo 2
Halo 2 is a decent First Person Shooter for the PC. You take on the role of Master Chief as you fight on the alien invasion of the Covenant. The single player campaign mode is pretty good, but the real fun is this game is within the multiplayer mode. There are 23 multiplayer maps that you can battle on with your friends. My only complaint about the game is that you need Windows Vista to operate this game. Overall, this is a decent FPS for the computer, but there are much better and prettier games out for the PC.
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TopHalo 2 You either love it or hate it by now
Strengths: It's the same Halo 2 that was on the Xbox around two years ago with a few additional maps for multiplayer. No more no less. Achievements are okay.
Weakness: Vista only for starters. There isn't really anything new added to the game from the original release.
If you love Halo and need a different fix before Halo 3 comes out or you never properly tried Halo or Halo 2, give it a shot. Otherwise, you aren't going to be pleased by the oldened graphics and the game overall.
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TopHalo 2
Strengths: tight story line, more weapons than Halo PC
Weakness: Vista only but not DX10...
I loved both Halo PC's story and game. So I bought Halo 2. It is still fun to play and its story is interesting. However, it is Vista only but not DX10. It means that it does have any advantage of graphic quality than XP DX9. Why did MS make this Vista only then? To make people buy Vista? might be...
Stiil, however, I like this game.
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TopHalo 2 Review
Strengths: Good continuation of original halo with more options
Weakness: Running it using VISTA requires a lot of computer power.
When starting the game the following message appears."The base score on this computer is too low to run Halo2 for windows Vista". It states it requires overall index of 5 or higher. My computer base score is 4.2. The game works okay but does load up during complex situations. My computer is a 3.2 gig dual core pentium with 2 gig of ddr2. Microsoft takes a lot of power from the computer for VISTA. Overall not happy with the power robbing graphics required to run VISTA.
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TopHalo 2 (Vista)
Strengths: It's Halo.
Weakness: Poor graphics.
I have not played the Xbox version, so I cannot compare. But this new Windows Vista version is a big disappointment. The graphics is very poor, comparing with Xbox 360 games. Even the 360 launch game Perfect Dark Zero has better graphics, not to mention Gears of War.
This puts me in great doubt on the Halo series, especially Halo 3. I think nothing beats Gears of War.
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TopMicrosoft Halo 2
Strengths: Good gameplay, lots of weapons
Weakness: For Vista only, not XP
Great story to the game, and great gameplay. Graphics look great. Lots of weapons and action. Only problem is it will only run on Vista, not XP (what's up with that). So, I bought this, but had to wait until I got my new PC with Vista later. In spite of that, I'd recommend this game if you're looking for a really good FPS game with a good story line.
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TopHalo 2
Strengths: Interesting storyline and good gameplay
Weakness: Vista required without having DX10...
Since I enjoy playing Halo PC, I bought this Halo 2 PC. For me, it is not a big deal that there is no difference between PC and Xbox360 versions, because I don't have Xbox360. I think its storyline is very good and game is fun to play. But I don't like that fact that it requires Vista without DX10 working. It means that there is no better graphic quality than in XP DX9 and only Vista needed for giving MS a big profit... I cannot recommend people to buy Vista to play this game, even though I like this game...
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TopHalo 2
Testseek.com has collected 26 expert reviews for Halo 2 and the average expert rating is 66 of 100. The average score reflects the expert community’s view on this product. Click below and use Testseek.com to see all ratings, product awards and conclusions.
TopHalo 2
Halo 2 receives an overall TopTenREVIEWS rating of 2.98 out of 4.00. It is ranked the #2,793 game of all time and #739 PC game of all time. The rating and ranking is based on an average of 20 critic scores, awards and other criteria. To see a breakdown of the game ranking, read individual critic reviews, or see how other games ranked, click on the link below.
TopHalo 2 for Windows Vista
What can I say about Halo and Halo 2 that hasn't been said before? Well, I'll say it anyway, knocking the gaming community on it's ear, the Halo series is a perfect example of solid game making. A sci-fi plot that introduces characters and situations in an almost movie-style way. Villains that are as vile and despicable that nothing other than their entire disintegration will suffice. A hero who,...
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Not directx10... yet
Strengths: Great game, graphics are way better than Xbox graphics, even using a 360 to upscale.
Weakness: Requires Vista, not much added content (same game though, who can blame them).
There will be a patch released that will update Halo 2 to directx10!! There is an official list of DX10 games, and Halo 2 appears under the (patch) section. This game will likely have better graphics on PC with DX10 than Halo 3 will have on Xbox 360. I can't say that for sure, because it hasn't happened yet.
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