Halo 2

Halo 2

I just finished the game (easiest difficulty setting, of course). What can I say, except awesome. The movie segments between each level add greatly to the enjoyment, and I was very impressed with the storyline (they even left themselves a giant hole of a conclusion, ensuring customer demand for Halo 3). Too bad there's not a way to just play the video segments like a regular movie.

One thing I noticed about the story, and this has to do with sci-fi stories in general, is that each new story builds on the traditions of the past great sci-fi stories. In the story of Halo 2, I was reminded of stories from the great books (Ender's Game, Starship Troopers, The Forever War, Dune) as well as the great movies (Aliens, Blade Runner, Star Wars, Predator). I don't feel like explaining myself in detail about what exactly reminded me of those books and movies, but you get the point. It seems to me that these stories take the accepted view of what is "plausible" and what is not, from a sci-fi point of view, and keep the best traditions and get rid of the flunky's. Of course, one element of what makes all these stories similar is just good story telling. Believable enough to make us care, and strange enough to make us wonder.

As far as the improvements in the game itself, its amazing. Halo was, ans still is a great game, but the graphics and detail put into Halo 2 just blew my mind. During the little video segments, the character you play even has the correct weapons that were just being used. During the game, if a character speaks to you, he always turns his head to look in your direction, no matter how much you dance around. When a weapon is held at the ready, it cocks to the side and shakes a bit, revealing the strain in the characters hand from gripping the gun tightly. This is just the top of the list. The ability to carry and operate two weapons at once is incredible, and the range of vehicles available for use is amazing. The best part of using the vehicles has got to be the ability to jump on an enemy operated vehicle and beat that alien down like a worthless dog, and then shoot him with his own weapons system. Incredible.

Well, at least that is out of the way, so now I can move on with my life. It really was enjoyable, and I understand why others will waste years of their lives devoted to becoming expert spartan warriors.

(Don't let anyone tell you that playing video games will make you fat; my neck is extremely stiff, probably from the stress of fighting off hordes of aliens, my thumbs have never had a better workout, my back is sore from leaning against Isaac's bed frame for numerous consecutive hours, and my legs no longer have any feeling from being crossed so long. Its really not a game for the faint hearted, or weak bodied.)

Anyway, I enjoyed the game, and I hope the guys who spent years of their lives making such a praiseworthy masterpiece of storytelling and gaming make loads of money for many years to come.

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Thanks to the boys from bungie for making a great game, and thanks to the x-men, makers of x-box, for raising the bar in what consititutes a good gaming system.