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The Halo 2 Map Pack In-Depth

Posted by Zonk on from the more-master-chief-than-you-can-shake-a-stick-at dept.

1up.com has an in-depth look at the Halo 2 Map Pack released by Bungie. Besides details and strategies for all of the new maps, they also include screenshots and footage to make sure you get the feel for the new playing area. From the article: "Halo 2 carries the same name, characters and clever design from Bungie, but the rebalancing, retooling and re-imagining the multiplayer mode received has resulted in a game that remains true to Halo: CE, but for competitive play, Halo 2 is a totally different game. Instead of focusing on individual skill, Halo 2's map design, weapon sets and game types demand a cohesive unit functioning on all cylinders for success. From symmetrical maps designed to pit flat-out skill versus flat-out skill to asymmetrical maps created for objective-driven multiplayer content, Halo 2's online modes and maps require as much teamwork as any console FPS available. So here's a head start on getting together your strats for the recently released Halo 2 Multiplayer Map Pack."

46 comments

  1. No matter how many maps they release... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Insightful

    No matter how challenging and wonderful they might be...

    You'll STILL find a bunch of 12-year olds screaming obscenities and racial slurs if you refuse to engage in plasma sword duels being the "noob" you are.

    1. Re:No matter how many maps they release... by hollismb · · Score: 2, Insightful

      True dat. Those annoyances are why I refuse to play anything other than custom games (thank god for the friends list) in Halo 2, and my ranking stays at a whopping zero.

    2. Re:No matter how many maps they release... by HarvardFrankenstein · · Score: 5, Insightful
      Yeah, I can't stand the 12-year-olds either, but I find that I tend to have more good experiences than bad once my level starts holding steady. I'm a measley 10, and most of the people I get matched up with are at least not complete idiots.

      And if anyone really is a problem, I usually just mute them and make note of their name so I can leave feedback after the match. Of course, I'm making a rather optimistic assumption that Bungie actually pays attention to feedback.

    3. Re:No matter how many maps they release... by Saige · · Score: 1

      Actually, feedback left doesn't go to Bungie, but to Xbox Live itself, to be combined with feedback from other games.

      And yes, the feedback does get noticed, and actions are taken against people who get significant amounts. Heck, I think if someone gets ENOUGH feedback quickly enough, that there might even be automated methods to handle it.

      --
      "You know your god is man-made when he hates all the same people you do."
    4. Re:No matter how many maps they release... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Insightful

      Paying for a map pack? losers.

      If Halo 2 was for the PC it would be free.

      Then again if Halo 2 was for the PC, no one would play it.

    5. Re:No matter how many maps they release... by Kawahee · · Score: 0

      Damn right. But they usually STFU after me and my buddy tag team their ass with Sniper/Energy Sword and Battle Rifle/Shotgun on Lockout.

      --
      I'll subscribe to Slashdot when I see a month without a dupe, a typo, or an article the "editors" didn't read.
    6. Re:No matter how many maps they release... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      wh4t d0 j00 m43n, l0z3r? h4l0 2 is teh b3s7 g4m3 3v4r!

    7. Re:No matter how many maps they release... by hunterx11 · · Score: 1

      You mean like despite being released in an awful state, and eventually being split into two incompatible versions, Halo PC did so remarkably well that Doom 3 only beat it in sales for a month?

      --
      English is easier said than done.
    8. Re:No matter how many maps they release... by AvantLegion · · Score: 1

      Thank goodness for the mute feature. Give it a try!

    9. Re:No matter how many maps they release... by jericho4.0 · · Score: 2, Insightful
      As a (mostly) mature adult who thinks that multiplayer gaming is one of the funnest things since sex, I would offer a few suggestions for anyone scared of by idiots.

      Different games have different cultures. Halo (that I've never played) is pretty famous for being full of idiots. Games that are more team based (et, BF1942) have less.

      Different servers have different cultures. The quickest path to a better server is too find one that automutes swearing. Or find a clan that stresses good behaviour and play on their servers. One thing that's becoming more common is servers where many players are given basic admin privileges.

      Lastly, remember that the casual use of insults is simply part of the culture. Little of it is hateful, even if it rarely includes a smiley. Don't take anything too personally.

      On the whole, this is a problem that game producers are taking seriously, as they know how many people are being kept from going online by it. Multiplaying gaming belongs in the living room with the whole family. The situation has been improving and will continue to do so, with better server management tools and browsers that allow the grownups to find each other.

      --
      "A language that doesn't affect the way you think about programming, is not worth knowing" - Alan Perlis
    10. Re:No matter how many maps they release... by bigman2003 · · Score: 2, Informative

      Well, with a *little* bit of research, you would find that the map-pack(s) are free.

      The plan is that they release the map-pack, and charge for it initially. So anyone who *really* wants it NOW can pay for it.

      But about 2 months later, it is released for free.

      Personally, I paid for both map-packs, because I want to support the creation of the maps, and $20 (or whatever) isn't a big deal.

      But, if I had wanted to wait a few months, it would have been free.

      In my mind, this is the best of both worlds. They get an income, and people who 'refuse' to pay, don't have to.

      --
      No reason to lie.
  2. Halo 2 is not that much different by oskard · · Score: 4, Insightful

    From TFA:

    Halo 2 is a totally different game. Instead of focusing on individual skill, Halo 2's map design, weapon sets and game types demand a cohesive unit functioning on all cylinders for success.

    Many FPS gamers will probabaly argue the same truth: Individual skill will only get you so far. Team cooperation, practice, and coordination are what it really takes to win. This is true for any first person shooter.

    --
    Sigs are for Terrorists.
    1. Re:Halo 2 is not that much different by xXBondsXx · · Score: 2, Insightful

      I've played 16 people games where half the people quit on one team, but with communication and teamwork they have completely destroyed the other team. This is what makes playing against a clan so much harder; communication REALLY makes a difference.

      --
      The voice of the next generation. "In this tower, in my mind..." Babble - Tower
  3. Attn: Zonk by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    We have known for quite a while that you like Halo 2. Lots of people do. We've also known of the existence of the multiplayer map pack, and I'm sure most of us have seen it in depth already.

    Enough, please. I'm not trying to bash Microsoft here in any way, shape, or form - I'm just simply sick of Halo 2 articles. Thank you for your time.

    1. Re:Attn: Zonk by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I see it differently. Zonk is simply a 1up.com whore who posts everything he sees there. Frankly, I'm just going to get the RSS feed from 1up.com and skip reading the drivel that comes from Zonk.

      Seriously, Zonk talks about "original content" and trying to make this section special according to his journal, but he's utterly failed. There's a reason there's a mantra of "Die Zonk Die" that forms the undercurrent of this section.

    2. Re:Attn: Zonk by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Yeah, all the crap stories in the game section come from Zonk. Whenever you actually see something interesting it's posted by CmdrTaco, CowboyNeal, Samzenpus, etc...

    3. Re:Attn: Zonk by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I think the small amount of people posting in this story is proof enough that most people are sick of Halo 2 articles...

    4. Re:Attn: Zonk by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      It's been nice the last week or so while he's been away. He's taken time out from his honeymoon to spew once or twice. If only it would last!

      I would tolerate Zonk more if he would excersize restraint once in a while.

  4. Still playing this? by Momoru · · Score: 2, Interesting

    Ok i played a lot of Halo 2 there for a while, got up to level 25 or so before the first reset, so i'd consider myself a decent Halo player...took a few months break, came back and tried to play the new maps, and got schooled over and over and over again by little kids. It sucked. Its hard to tell how much is cheating and how much is people just playing sickening amounts of Halo, but I just can't enjoy it online with random people anymore.

  5. I've played Halo 2: by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Insightful

    Can someone please explain the appeal of a matchmaking system that:

    1. Doesn't let you choose the specific gametype.
    2. Doesn't let you choose the map.
    3. Doesn't let you choose the guns available.

    Granted, I'm always playing in "training mode" because I don't own the xbox live account, but it seems they'd make shit like this easier.

    I remember buying Halo:CE for the PC, and I could chose map, number of players, ping, etc, and it was great. Am I missing something when I play Halo 2?

    1. Re:I've played Halo 2: by HarvardFrankenstein · · Score: 1
      It was done for the sake of ease of use. Allowing the user to set all of the parameters they want will lead to confusion for people who don't understand online multiplayer gaming. "What's a host?" you'll hear them say. So by automating the whole thing, even making the distinction of who is hosting completely transparent, you make the multiplayer experience much more streamlined and easy to use.

      And you can still set any parameters you want. It just requires that you host a game, and invite your friends to join in. It's not much unlike hosting a game on the PC.

    2. Re:I've played Halo 2: by AlexMax2742 · · Score: 1

      And 99% of them were Blood Gulch 24/7. Matchmaking forces players to play more maps and more gametypes so people don't get bored to tears. Essentially, it's a way to control mob rule in games.

      --
      I'm the guy with the unpopular opinion
    3. Re:I've played Halo 2: by hunterx11 · · Score: 1

      Mostly, not being able to whore one gametype. That, and the more factors held constant, the harder it actually is to make a match. That's why they made different playlists.

      --
      English is easier said than done.
    4. Re:I've played Halo 2: by C0rinthian · · Score: 1

      It is easier.

      It's beautiful to simply select the game style you want and never have to worry about digging through a server list. I truly appreciated Bungie's matchmaking solution when I purchased Battlefield 2. Now THAT is a horrible implimentation out of the box. (No buddy list? No favorites??)

    5. Re:I've played Halo 2: by RoadDoggFL · · Score: 1

      Sure, ease of use is great and all but what about us people who know what we want to play and are denied that ability? I can count the number of CTF matches I've had on Containment on one hand, that map has potential but Bungie, in its infinite wisdom, has seen fit to keep me from enjoying it without risking ANOTHER neutral bomb on Coagulation.

      --
      "This is considered plagiarism."
    6. Re:I've played Halo 2: by KDR_11k · · Score: 1

      Apparently the code for all that is in BF2 but some executive decision made them remove it and promise it with the expansion.

      --
      Justice is the sheep getting arrested while an impartial judge declares the vote void.
    7. Re:I've played Halo 2: by bigman2003 · · Score: 2, Informative

      Halo 2 matchmaking is the BEST on-line system I have played. The number of crap games vs. good games leans very heavily toward the good games.

      And if I am ever itching to play a specific map or gametype, I can always host the game and invite a few friends...(whose friends will come in, and bring their friends, etc. etc.) Getting 16 people together is rarely a problem.

      And when the host leaves...someone else takes over.

      --
      No reason to lie.
    8. Re:I've played Halo 2: by nekoes · · Score: 1

      You're supposed to take the spoon full of shit that Bungie hands you and eat it.

      That's what the rest of the Halo 2 community does.

      You should read the article over at Bungie's site trying to justify it, you'll probably laugh about as hard as I did.

      --
      Hey, it's my OPINION that dogs have eight legs and make a sound like a car horn every time they take a piss.
  6. Yeah... by kaellinn18 · · Score: 3, Insightful

    Halo 2's online modes and maps require as much teamwork as any console FPS available.

    But is that really saying much?

    --

    --------
    This isn't the sig you're looking for. Move along.
    1. Re:Yeah... by slicenglide · · Score: 1

      Socom 1, 2, and even the beta for 3 beats Halo hands down for teamwork required. The Halo fansboys just take more time off from playing their favorite to post about it.

      --
      John Walsh once found me while looking for some other kid. He was not amused.
  7. When is Halo 2 due for the PC? by mildness · · Score: 1
    Subject says it all

    --
    bamph
    1. Re:When is Halo 2 due for the PC? by Blakey+Rat · · Score: 1

      Never. It's never been slated to have a Windows release. (Or Mac, for that matter.)

      --
      Comment of the year
    2. Re:When is Halo 2 due for the PC? by mildness · · Score: 1
      Thanks for the input guys. I guess I'll be playing it on the Xbox 360.

      Cheers yo!

      BillyBob

      --
      bamph
  8. Never. by ben0207 · · Score: 0

    Halo 1 was only released on PC and Mac because Bungie promised them it before the MS buyout. Halo 2 is never coming to PC or Mac.

    --
    cmd-q.co.uk - some sort of stupid fucking internet bullshit
  9. Well, a few things. by tacroy · · Score: 1

    One you always get to play a game... in seconds. Try that in pandora tomorrow: after searching for 10 minutes you'll finally get in a game with people that are impossibly more or less competent than you. Add's to variety. In halo:ce the only map anyone played was BG. With MM you get to play them all, like them or love them. It forces you to be skilled across a wider range of game types and maps. Compared to playing against the group that plays ONLY lockout, carbine only, double shields, jugernaught with pickles. While if you WANT to play that you still can (custom games) It really does end up being more fun for the most people. Staying away from extremes but encouraging variety.

  10. Halo 2? by dogzilla · · Score: 1

    Does anyone really play Halo 2? Besides the guys making Red Vs. Blue? Judging by the number of responses on this thread, doesn't seem like it. I'm guessing maybe MS/Bungie should have released it on Mac & PC. I still play Halo on my Mac, but never even considered buying an XBox for Halo 2.

    And what is new about Halo 2? Near as I can tell it's shinier. And has some more moving parts. And...um...a sword?........Sorry, fell asleep for a minute there.

    --
    The crimes of eBay are a disgrace to it's pig latin heritage!
    1. Re:Halo 2? by MMaestro · · Score: 1
      Judging by the number of responses on this thread, doesn't seem like it.

      In the past, pro-Halo (1 or 2) posts have generally been karma bombed. Throw in the anti-Microsoft and "damned Bungie is a sellout" complaint, and VERY few people admit to being fans here anymore.

    2. Re:Halo 2? by xgamer04 · · Score: 1

      This is probably a games-specific thread. Most people won't ever see it.

      --
      When you look at the state of the world, how can you not become a radical, liberal anarchist?
    3. Re:Halo 2? by Wyatt+Earp · · Score: 0

      I bought it, played some of the single player, that was cool.

      Logged on to Xbox Live and wasn't really excited by the multiplayer. All my friends who played Halo alot are back to Halo 1 on the Xbox, Halo2 is dead to them.

    4. Re:Halo 2? by Prophet+of+Nixon · · Score: 1

      Halo has, on average, much better multiplayer maps than Halo 2. I was quite disappointed that Halo 2 didn't include all of the Halo maps. I particularly liked "Hang Em High" and "Damnation", neither of which has any equivalent in Halo 2.

    5. Re:Halo 2? by Prophet+of+Nixon · · Score: 1

      Not to mention that Halo 2 is less shiny... go look at the awful pistol and compare it to the wonderfully shiny unique looking pistol in Halo.

  11. Poor old console gamers by trawg · · Score: 1

    I wonder if they know that if they were playing a PC FPS, they'd get all those levels for free. And keep getting them for free. And that they could make their own levels. For free.

    Long live PC gaming and the mapping and modding communities that keep them alive and vibrant!

    1. Re:Poor old console gamers by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I havent played an PC FPS in many years that is as fun as Halo 2 multi. Well, BF2 is good, but there wasnt one before that. Halo 2 was a lot more fun than UT2004.

      And I dont think I ever played extra maps as good as the Halo 2 map pack ones in any PC FPS. Most of the officially released ones are lacking (especially the Valve maps for CS and TFC), and usermade are mostly terrible. I cant count how many horrible maps were forced on me when I tried to join UT2004 servers.

      Not saying that PC FPS games are bad, just saying Halo 2 is a lot of fun and measures up and even exceeds the majority of them.

    2. Re:Poor old console gamers by apoc06 · · Score: 1

      amen to that. its a shame that consoles are so locked that its nearly impossible to get new content without shelling out more cash. examples: ninja gaiden [xbox] and wipeout pure [psp]

      if the console platforms werent nearly as locked in terms of modding, im sure we would still play alot of older titles that have fallen by the wayside. as console games slowly begin embracing in game advertisements and harddrives, i can see them loosening up on userbased modding.

      from an marketing standpoint, if the publisher is getting paid by the length of time they can keep you exposed to an ad in a game, it would make sense that they would give you the tools to extend the life of games. the model in use today is, they make their money off the top. who cares if you play the game longer or not, they got your money already [subscription games excluded of course]

    3. Re:Poor old console gamers by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I'm sure most of "them" (I'm assuming you mean console gamers) do know that, yes.

      I'd like to point out that the maps are free, released by Bungie and downloadable over xbox live at a rate of 2 every month. Only if you want to get them sooner than that do you have to pay for them.

      No big deal, really. In fact, releasing them slowly over xbox live means you don't get bombarded with new maps all at once - you get time to learn the new ones at a reasonable pace.

      As for the making their own levels, I'm not quite sure how suited the xbox controller would be to that application, but nice suggestion.