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Halo 2 News & Notes

post #1 of 73
11/7/04 at 4:37pm
Thread Starter 
Not sure where to put information like this, so a new thread was started...

This just from IGN.com:
November 04, 2004 - According to posts on Gaming Age, the final box copy of Halo 2 is now in the hands of a few fortunate gamers. Meijer, a retail chain in Kentucky, has apparently begun selling copies of Halo 2 early, despite the very real potential of a lawsuit from Microsoft.

Photographs have appeared on Gaming Age and other message boards showing gamers with opened box copies in their Xboxes. Yesterday saw a Wal-Mart receipt from Alberta Canada which appeared to prove Halo 2 was selling early. However, this receipt was quickly debunked and proven to be false. Unfortunately, it appears today's rumored early release is indeed accurate.

Stores selling any product prior to its street date are subject to lawsuit. Though Microsoft has not commented on reports of early sales, the Washington-based company is aware of the rumors and is investigating. Those who purchase a copy of Halo 2 early should not worry. It is the sellers responsibility to the respect the street date and so long as a buy makes a legitimate purchase, it is the seller who is at fault.

History has shown that when one store breaks street date, others follow. However, this does not seem likely to be the case for Halo 2 as Microsoft is actually treating the release more seriously than the launch of a console.

We'll have more on this story soon.


Very intersting... I live in Akron, OH so I am a few hours away from a Meijer strore... But if you are close, I would check it out..

Ohh and starting 11/9 the Halo 2 Live experience begins, whose with me!

XBOX Live Gamer Tag: wayward1
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post #2 of 73
11/7/04 at 4:39pm
Thread Starter 
Also from IGN.com:

November 05, 2004 - Monday night thousands of eager gamers will begin lining up outside video game stores across the country. With upwards of two million preorders, Halo 2 is the sensation of 2004. It may not end up the best selling game of the year, but no other game launch is an event like Halo 2.

Being the most important game it has ever released, Microsoft is sponsoring specific stores in five different locations. If you're near one of these places, be sure to stop by before midnight to catch the festivities. Though there is no official statement as to the possibility of prizes, since these are official Microsoft events, it's safe to assume they will offer more for gamers than any other store in the US.
Along with the LA Citywalk, you can find Microsoft-sponsored launch events at the following places:

Seattle, WA - Electronics Boutique
400 Pine Street

Chicago, IL - Best Buy
1000 W North Ave

Dallas, TX - GameStop
6109 Greenville Ave

San Francisco, CA - EB
151 Powell St.
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post #3 of 73
11/7/04 at 5:15pm
Gamespot review is up- 9.4. Over here [SPOILER WARNING].
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post #4 of 73
11/7/04 at 5:19pm
Thread Starter 
Gamespy review up - 5 stars... Read now

IGN 9.8 Read here
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post #5 of 73
11/7/04 at 5:21pm
Thread Starter 
You know Halo 2 will get good reviews.. But both reviews point out some flaws..

So here is my question. It is possible for a game with this much hype to be considered the best game ever? It has movie theatre ads, TV commercials, LARP (I think that is what is called..), and every XBOX owning gaming geek's panties wet (mine are now after reading these reviews)... but you know people will hate on the game. They always do...

Well come Tuesday 12:01 am I guess I'll find out..
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post #6 of 73
11/7/04 at 5:28pm
Thread Starter 
1UP.com review - 10 Enjoy
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post #7 of 73
11/7/04 at 5:31pm
Thread Starter 
Team XBOX review 9.9 Get tired of reading reviews here
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post #8 of 73
11/7/04 at 5:33pm
Be careful with that Gamespot review. The fuckface told me more than I wanted to know.

On the whole, I'm happy with what I'm hearing. The short length and the possibly disappointing storyline are buzzkills for sure, but at least that's not a unanimous gripe...maybe that particular reviewer is just off the mark.

Thirty-four hours...
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post #9 of 73
11/7/04 at 5:35pm
Thread Starter 
I haven't read every single review yet, but I agree with Slater.. There are sure to be spoilers in the reviews.

YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED......
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post #10 of 73
11/7/04 at 5:39pm
Is it just me or has IGN died. The demand for this is unbelievable.
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post #11 of 73
11/7/04 at 5:41pm
Yup, IGN is AWOL.
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post #12 of 73
11/7/04 at 6:07pm
Regarding the Gamespot Review, if your worried about spoilers simply skip the first 2 paragraphs of Page 2. The rest is fine.
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post #13 of 73
11/7/04 at 6:18pm
Everybody check out the multiplayer stuff? Ninjanaut sounds great. I can't wait until tomorrow night.
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post #14 of 73
11/7/04 at 6:21pm
Nades and Swords, baby. Nades and Swords.
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post #15 of 73
11/7/04 at 6:56pm
I'm looking through these reviews and can't find the one piece of info I'm most curious about: Does the game support higher-def than 480p?
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post #16 of 73
11/7/04 at 7:06pm
Someone was kind enough to loan it to me. Haven't played singleplayer, but multiplayer is everything we need.
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post #17 of 73
11/7/04 at 8:12pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by ryoko_the_guerrilla
I'm looking through these reviews and can't find the one piece of info I'm most curious about: Does the game support higher-def than 480p?
According to Bungie.net the game supports only 480i and 480p.
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post #18 of 73
11/7/04 at 8:27pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Nick Nunziata
Someone was kind enough to loan it to me. Haven't played singleplayer, but multiplayer is everything we need.
In regards to the feature we've all been waiting for: more than eleven-character names?
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post #19 of 73
11/7/04 at 8:33pm
Strange that they critisize the short length and/or easy difficulty. Halo was a breeze on normal, so much so that I changed to herioc after the first 2 levels. ..after that it all took MUCH longer....about 15/18 hours on legendary. I'm sure that'll be the case for Halo2 aswell. I can't wait =)
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post #20 of 73
11/7/04 at 9:58pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Matt Goldberg
In regards to the feature we've all been waiting for: more than eleven-character names?
12345678910111213141516!
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post #21 of 73
11/7/04 at 10:03pm
That's all I needed to hear.
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post #22 of 73
11/7/04 at 10:54pm
Widescreen support?
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post #23 of 73
11/7/04 at 11:32pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Chest Rockwell
Widescreen support?
Yeah. Saw that mentioned in a review today, which makes me happy.

In late 2004, there's no excuse for ANY game not featuring widescreen support.
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post #24 of 73
11/8/04 at 12:06am
Nice.

EDIT: Found some info regarding the widescreen presentation at Team XBOX. Sorry if it's old news/been posted already elsewhere...

One encouraging detail regarding Halo 2’s offline co-op mode is widescreen support. Being that Halo 2 fully supports 16:9 aspect ratio, the game will automatically play in a vertical split-screen so both players will essentially have a full screen to look at. Those gamers using the standard 4:3 ratio will play the co-op mode in a horizontal split-screen just like the original Halo. According to Bungie there is little to no graphical sacrifices in the split-screen co-op mode.
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post #25 of 73
11/8/04 at 12:25am
Well the numbers for the reviews sure sound nice. I haven't read any of them yet but I'll get to them soon enough. I'm really looking forward to picking my copy up on tuesday... I just hope I make it. I've been kind of sick all weekend. I'll most likely head off to work tomorrow, but who knows. I just hope I make it to tuesday. Oh well. I'm sure I will. I'd probably have to be in a coma to miss this. I usually don't geek out over video games, but Halo has me.
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post #26 of 73
11/8/04 at 12:42am
I just read all the reviews...they all loved it. Its pretty much critic proof.

Gamespot still gets my respect for actually saying some negatives...although fanboys are quick to call them haters.

Anyway, as far as the length. I would rather play a enjoyable shorter single player experience than a drawn out one that I get bored of. I am really anxious to see how the story plays out, but more anxious to jump on LIVE tomorrow night.


I know you Atlanta buggers will have the game 3 hours before me, but if you guys are up around 3 am ish...the west coast will be jumping on.
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post #27 of 73
11/8/04 at 3:18am
I tried to get the word of the people I know at the videostore [who said they were gonna rent it out early for themselves Friday] and he told me that they got an email saying they couldn't rent it out early, ALSO, theyy would FUCK with anyones XBOX live account if they went on early.

Just a word of warning, I guess that dosn't apply to review staff and stuff [Gamespot/IGN/EGM/etc.]
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post #28 of 73
11/8/04 at 3:31am
A lot of rumors going around about that. There have been 600 ppl logged into LIVE with the game and no consequences have been had yet.

Anyway, dumb question, but after reading the reviews I am curious as to what the final multiplayer map list is? I thought I saw them all, but now there are supposed to be 14 according to one of the reviews? 11 normal, 1 unlockable, and 2 you have to figure out how to find or something to that extent.
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post #29 of 73
11/8/04 at 3:52am
IGN said 1 hidden map and 2 that were from the first Halo.
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post #30 of 73
11/8/04 at 3:56am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Fazer
A lot of rumors going around about that. There have been 600 ppl logged into LIVE with the game and no consequences have been had yet.

Anyway, dumb question, but after reading the reviews I am curious as to what the final multiplayer map list is? I thought I saw them all, but now there are supposed to be 14 according to one of the reviews? 11 normal, 1 unlockable, and 2 you have to figure out how to find or something to that extent.

Apparently 2 are unlocked once the single player campaign is finished. I would assume you can't get onto an online game offering those maps until you beat the game then. Which is an interesting choice, but a potentially frustrating one.
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post #31 of 73
11/8/04 at 4:03am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Fazer
Gamespot still gets my respect for actually saying some negatives...although fanboys are quick to call them haters.
anyone who reads Gamespot would know that they are always very harsh reviewers, it's very tough to get even just a 9.0 with them generally, and I'm just pointing this out because a 9.4 with them is practically a 10 anywhere else, so there shouldnt be any hate
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post #32 of 73
11/8/04 at 4:08am
By the same token, though, Gamespot is also notorious for bitching for the sake of bitching. Out of all the major gaming sites, I generally agree with their reviews the least.

Not saying they're wrong about Halo 2, but hey...if somebody had to be slightly letdown by the game, I'm glad it was Gamespot.

They're still assholes for ruining one of the plot twists, too...
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post #33 of 73
11/8/04 at 4:18am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Slater
They're still assholes for ruining one of the plot twists, too...
When I read the review earlier in the day, I skipped the paragraphs that had the spoilers. About 30 mins ago, I downloaded their video review and completely forgot about the spoilers they put into their written review... needless to say, I'm an idiot and yes... they're assholes.
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post #34 of 73
11/8/04 at 4:38am
Hate to pile on Gamespot, their criticisms of the story may be valid (how the hell would I know, haven't played the game). BUT I've always had two problems with their review policies. First, they have a real hang-up with sequels. If a game is too different from the original, they bitch that it's missing the "magic" from the first game. If it's too similar to the first game, they bitch because it's "the same game, just re-packaged". And sometimes they make both complaints about the same game(!) Their attitude seems to be "The sequel must be superior to the original in every way just to earn the same rating." Why? As a result, I add a couple tenths of a point to every sequel review they do.

(I should note that their bias against sequels doesn't always extend to franchises. Why? Who the hell knows.)

My other problem with their review process is a small thing, but it chafes... They always, always, ALWAYS comment on a game's framerate for some reason. Games with so-so graphics get a big boost if the framerate is "rock-solid". Of course it's rock solid, the game has 8-bit textures and could run on my calculator. On the other hand, a game could have tech out the wazoo, rendered-on-the-fly geometry that puts Pixar to shame, created by a 100-man artistic team built from ILM burn-outs... but if the framerate slows from 60 to 55 when 125 enemies simultaneously burst into flames, they'll make an issue of it.

On the plus side they're pretty fair. They're equal-opportunity bitch slappers (unless the game has "Tony Hawk" somewhere in the title.)
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post #35 of 73
11/8/04 at 6:00am
i hope microsoft doesn't clamp down on monday users of Halo 2 for xbox live purposes. I finally loaded it up and played on xbox live for a good 3 hours. intense. I can't wait until its fully operational and hooked up with bungie.net's new online scoreboards.
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post #36 of 73
11/8/04 at 10:37am
I'm more inclined to believe Gamespot on this one. I'll use San Andreas as an example. It was a brilliant game, but IGN's 9.9 was way off. Gamespot's 9.6 was much closer to the mark.

So, I am a little dissapointed to hear Halo 2's single player campaign is more of the same. I won't be rushing out to get an Xbox for it (I played through the original on co-op at a friend's, and on PC). I was really hoping they got over the repeating identical hallway thing. Even IGN's review admitted to this problem.

To me, the original had a few absolutely brilliant levels (Halo, then the one on the beach, and a few other spots in other levels) and then the rest were fairly tedious. It sounds like this formula has been repeated for the most part. I still look forward to playing it at a friend's house, though.
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post #37 of 73
11/8/04 at 11:49am
Halo 2's story and level design may/may not be great, but to be honest, I'm going to initially plow through it so I can unlock all of the multiplayer goodness because that is where the game's value is at for me. And there, repetetive hallways and such cease to become a concern. Only Steve Murphy's sniper rifle and pistol are problems in this world.
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post #38 of 73
11/8/04 at 12:06pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Micah Robinson
I'm going to initially plow through it so I can unlock all of the multiplayer goodness because that is where the game's value is at for me.
Micah gets to the crux of this issue. Due to the fact that I have been denied my day off tomorrow by DA MAN, I will now not be enjoying my Halo until 6:00pm EST. Now I want to get up and running on Live (wayward1) but... I would like to two additional maps (plus a little refresher in all things HALO)

So here is the question.... Do you burn through the single player mission before going on Live so you are cool and can say things like "I already beat the game" or do you go straight to Live and attempt to not get fragged by some 10 year old uni-bomber in training living in Montana?

I am not sure if I can run through the single player campaign tomorrow night, so it could be the weekend before I get on Live if I need to beat single player first... What is a geek to do?
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post #39 of 73
11/8/04 at 12:34pm
I have been looking at the stats website on bungie, and people are playing all of the stages. I don't think you have to unlock the maps to play them on live.

I get the feeling you will have to unlock them to play them split screen multiplayer. It would be a bit frustrating and a bit stupid to force people to play through the single player experience (which I am still looking forward to) just to get the full Live experience. I am paying for live, they better let me play all the maps monday night.
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post #40 of 73
11/8/04 at 1:02pm
Well you lucky American bastards, after 3 long years today is the day your dreams come true. Get as much practice as you can, because us Brits will be following on Wednesday to show you how it's done.
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post #41 of 73
11/8/04 at 1:15pm
Thread Starter 
I have read the reviews posted on this thread and they are all pretty positive. Has anybody seen a bad (or I should say negative)review yet? So far it looks like the only beef is short single player mission. I wonder if that is on normal. The original Halo wasn't all that difficult on normal but as you increased the difficulty it got pretty friggin hard...

Also in preparing for some serious XBOX Live playing this weekend, let me conduct a mini-poll.

Favorite type of multi-player mission
1. deathmatch (everyone vs everyone)
2. team deathmatch
3. CTF
4. goal based mission (escort, disarm the bomb, etc.)

I always favor goal based mission or CTF. I love working as team trying to get the goal done (although when you play with morons sometimes a deathmatch is fun just so they shut up...)
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post #42 of 73
11/8/04 at 1:22pm
I saw a pretty negative review which gave it 8/10, from a paticuarly dubious site called Gamers Europe. Put it this way, he didn't play multiplayer (in a very multiplayer-centric game), I have very serious doubt that the copy reviewed was even legitimate, and the whole thing smacks of attention-grabbing controversy. Not unlike the Ninja Gaiden review which got 4/10.

Oh and for some perspective, this site gave Brute Force 9/10. Yeah, Brute Force a higher score than Halo 2. Go figure.
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post #43 of 73
11/8/04 at 1:22pm
So, are any Best Buy stores doing midnight releases? Trying to decide whether I should venture out tonight to redeem my preorder, or just wait until after work tomorrow.
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post #44 of 73
11/8/04 at 1:27pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by eyeball kid
So, are any Best Buy stores doing midnight releases? Trying to decide whether I should venture out tonight to redeem my preorder, or just wait until after work tomorrow.
Some Best Buy's are doing midnight sales but they are case by case (I believe), you'll have to check with your particular store.

While the though of going out after midnight (on a work night) and getting Halo 2 (because you know when I get home I'm going to want to tear that sucker open and play till dawn) doesn't sound fun... Hanging out with fellow gamers at midnight does sound interesting... Especially if you like to people watch..
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post #45 of 73
11/8/04 at 1:34pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by eyeball kid
So, are any Best Buy stores doing midnight releases? Trying to decide whether I should venture out tonight to redeem my preorder, or just wait until after work tomorrow.

http://www.xbox.com/en-US/halo2/storelocator.htm just type in your zip code and it will tell you the stores closest to you that are participating in the midnight maddness sale.
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post #46 of 73
11/8/04 at 1:48pm
so if you don't play online, is Halo 2 worth it?
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post #47 of 73
11/8/04 at 1:52pm
Is there co-op on-line play?
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post #48 of 73
11/8/04 at 1:54pm
No co-op online.
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post #49 of 73
11/8/04 at 1:58pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Straight Edge
so if you don't play online, is Halo 2 worth it?

If you don't have any friends then after single player there may not be much more for you.
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post #50 of 73
11/8/04 at 2:00pm
If anybody else ordered from EBgames with the Monday overnight shipping option, has your order shipped yet? I'm getting antsy...
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