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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."

11 of 46 comments (clear)

  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 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
    4. 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. 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.

  4. 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 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.
  5. 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?

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