HALO 2 ➢ Developer: Bungie ➢ Game type: First person shooter with 3 rd person elements ➢ Price: MSRP 49.99

Game Requirements: ● Basic Requirements – 1 Xbox Console – 1 TV set – 1 Controller per player ● For Online Play – A broadband Internet connection – 1 Xbox LIVE account per player for ranked games ● Recommended – 1 Xbox LIVE headset per player for communication

Additional Info ● Installation – There is no need to install the game, just insert the CD and play! – There are updates available through Xbox LIVE service, and they are only necessary for online play. ● User interface – The menus are simple and easy to use – The controls take getting used to for first-time players, but they are the most ideal setup possible for a console FPS.

Graphics and Sound ● Visuals – The graphics take full advantage of the Xbox's capabilities and provide realistic graphics that top even the almighty Halo – Textures and artwork create a feeling of really being in the game's world ● Audio – Immersive sound is crisp and believable. – 5.1 surround allows the player to hear enemies creeping up behind him. – Sound is so detailed, it is possible to tell what weapon an enemy has without seeing.

Story ● Takes place in the year ● Alien species have bended together to form an organization known as the Covenant. ● The Covenant are embarking on a holy crusade against mankind. ● The Covenant's primary objective seems to be the activation of the planet- sized rings built by the Forerunners, whom little is known about. ● The Covenant are led by a frail species known as “Prophets”, and there is an internal struggle over who shall be thier primary protectors between two other species: the Elites and the Brutes ● The humans have built genetically enhanced soldiers, known as SPARTANs, to help fight the Covenant, but all were destroyed except for one: SPARTAN 117, better known as Master Chief ● In the orginal Halo, Master Chief succeeded in destroying one of the rings. ● Halo 2 opens with an Elite - apparently the general of the fleet appointed to protect the ring from the oringinal Halo - on trial for his failure.

Campaign Mode ● Campaign Mode – Player assumes the role of Master Chief, and alternates with the role of the “Arbiter”. – This mode exposes the player to the game's story, and the player will fight against computer- controlled enemies. – 2 players may cooperate in the Campaign mode, splitting the screen one Xbox – Computer controlled characters will assist the player, simulating the experience of being in true combat.

Multiplayer ● Players will play against each other, and form teams as necessary. – No computer-controlled characters ● Custom Games – Players can set all game options and choose any game mode they wish – Split screen ● Up to 4 players may share one Xbox – System Link ● Up to 16 Xboxes on a LAN may join in a single game, so long that the number of players does not exceed 16. ● Xbox LIVE – Play opponents over the Internet – Matchmaking ● Game options and opponents are selected by the Microsoft server ● Rankings are held for matchmade games – Custom ● Players can invite people from their friends list and create custom games. ● To keep rankings accurate, these games will not be ranked.

Driver's License? ● Vehicular Combat – Players may use vehicles placed throughout the maps to accomplish objectives or kill enemies – Every vehicle has at least one mounted weapon – Teamwork ● Some vehicles have room designed for passengers. ● Some vehicles' mounted weapons can only be used by a passenger ● A player carrying the opponents' flag may only ride passenger in a vehicle. – Car-Jacked! ● Enemies on foot can steal your vehicle if they are in proximity and you are not traveling at full speed. ● Try to run over enemies at full speed to avoid getting jacked!

Look Ma, Two Hands! ● Weapons – Standard Halo design ● Players can carry one weapon in hand, and one in reserve. – Halo 2 ● Standard design, plus Dual wielding – If the weapon in hand is small enough for single hand operation, and a weapon near the player meets the same condition, the player may pick up the second weapon and operate both at the same time. (one in each hand) – The player does NOT lose any weapon held in reserve – The player may NOT throw grenades while dual-wielding – If the player performs a melee attack, the secondary weapon will be dropped.

Balanced Design ● BFG 9000? – There is no single weapon that is always desirable in every situation. ● Even powerful weapons like the rocket launcher have disadvantages that lead players to pass them up. – Slow reload time – Limited number of shots in clip – Too dangerous for close-range fighting ● Skilled players adapt their situation to their weapons, or change weapons to suit their situation ● Unlike some other FPS games, there is no clear evolutionary scale of weapons. – I.E. Mighty Boot, poor, okay, good, better, BFG 9000

Review ● Fun? – Campaign mode ● Immersive story, limited replay – Legendary mode offers the most replay in campaign mode, due to its insane challenge – Multiplayer ● The number of options available give an insane level of replay value – The original Halo was still the most played Xbox game three years after its release. Halo 2 has even more options than Halo ● Xbox LIVE – Voice compatibility offers an increased level of player interaction – Online play allows players to team up any hour of the night ● Vs. games in the same genre – Halo is one of the most balanced FPS games ever relased – Vehicular combat offers a refreshing aspect to the game ● OOPS! – Some gameplay details were tweaked in an update patch available free online. Updated elements include ● Weakened pistol ● Stronger grenades