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Halo 2
PC
Microsoft Game Studios
Release Date:
Metascore
72
Based on
32 Critics
User Score
5.5
Based on
190 Ratings
Summary Back to top
The saga continues with Halo 2 the international award-winning sequel to the highly successful and critically acclaimed Halo: Combat Evolved. In this sequel, the battle comes to Earth, and Master Chief, a genetically enhanced super soldier, is the only thing standing between the relentless alien Covenant and the destruction of all humankind. Exciting Single-Player Gameplay: Experience first hand the epic struggle between Master Chief and the Covenant armada. Brandish dual-wield weaponsThe saga continues with Halo 2 the international award-winning sequel to the highly successful and critically acclaimed Halo: Combat Evolved. In this sequel, the battle comes to Earth, and Master Chief, a genetically enhanced super soldier, is the only thing standing between the relentless alien Covenant and the destruction of all humankind. Exciting Single-Player Gameplay: Experience first hand the epic struggle between Master Chief and the Covenant armada. Brandish dual-wield weapons Covenant arms and pilot human and non-human vehicles and aircraft to battle intelligent AI alien enemies. Halo 2 for Windows Vista taps into the power of Live Anywhere, a service similar to Xbox Live, to deliver online matchmaking for PC gamers. The service enables Windows Vista gamers all over the globe to connect via their PCs and play on an innovative and competitive online forum. New Multiplayer Map Editor: The game also features the all-new new Map Editor, guaranteeing additional new, fan-generated content in the future. The Halo 2 community can now tap their endless creative potential to develop an unlimited number of user-created multiplayer levels. Complete Community Freedom: Halo 2 for Windows Vista offers gamers the freedom to host their own dedicated servers for maximum multiplayer action. [Microsoft]… Expand
Starring: Steve Downes, Dee Bradley Baker, Dee Bradley Baker
Developer: Microsoft Game Studios
Genre(s): Sci-Fi
# of players: 1 Player
Cheats: On GameFAQs
Rating: M
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Critic Reviews Back to top
Positive:
14
Mixed:
18
Negative:
0
92
GameZone
Even two years later the game is easily one of the most exciting experiences in the gaming world. The online play upgrades and new fancy look will please even the staunchiest of PC elite players.
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86
GamingTrend
While the single player may end like a car crash, the multiplayer seems to live forever.
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78
ActionTrip
For those gamers that are already running Vista on a beefy enough system, have not yet experienced Halo 2 on the Xbox or are just looking for some fun multiplayer action on the PC, this would not be a bad title to add to your collection.
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70
GameSpot
Halo 2 for Vista is a solid game that probably won't appeal to anyone who's played any recent high-profile PC shooters.
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68
Gamers' Temple
I expected more of Halo 2 on Vista, and I suspect that you’ll feel the same way too.
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66
PC Gamer UK
Halo 2, you see, isn't truly awful, it's just achingly, repulsively mediocre, with a galumphing, clumsy story, poorly orchestrated action and bad music. It lacks bombast to the point where the nuclear destruction of a city on Earth doesn't seem all that dramatic. [June 2006, p.80]
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55
Game Almighty
Though Microsoft's Games for Windows Live is an interesting system, they shouldn't have used a poor port of Halo 2 to demonstrate it, and instead focused on creating a great new title for the PC.
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User Reviews Back to top
Positive:
22
Mixed:
10
Negative:
22
10
NorBdelta
Mar 22, 2012
Now my review is going to be based on when this was released and not what it is compared to the games of "now".

Halo 2 was one of thoseNow my review is going to be based on when this was released and not what it is compared to the games of "now".

Halo 2 was one of those games for me that I was addicted to; the totally immersing story, the enemies the vehicles and most certainly Master Chief.

Granted the graphics were not a good on the Xbox version but on the the PC version they were improved immensely. I have very fond memories of Halo 2, very fond memories indeed that probably set me onto my current gaming life.… Expand
9
AnonymousMC
Jun 11, 2007
Halo 2 Vista is definitely a great port of a great Xbox game. Though Games for Windows LIVE could work much smoother like its XboxHalo 2 Vista is definitely a great port of a great Xbox game. Though Games for Windows LIVE could work much smoother like its Xbox counterpart, it still offers many important and useful features. The graphics are improved massively, especially when running higher than 720HD (1280x720). The game plays very smooth, but does not include any of the major fixes the xbox does. Because of this there are still many problems that need to be worked out. Though the release date was very grey (esp. w/ delays) and there are some quicks with GFW Live, the game is still extremely fun and well worth playing.… Expand
9
OscarKesh
Aug 11, 2013
Released slightly late for the PC but its just as good as it was on the Xbox. An expanded weapons palette and new vehicle features are welcomeReleased slightly late for the PC but its just as good as it was on the Xbox. An expanded weapons palette and new vehicle features are welcome improvements from Halo CE. The single player experience was fantastic but doesn't measure up to the original. Multiplayer is addicting and fun as usual.… Expand
6
JayYau
May 12, 2007
(I just selected any rating by the way)

Just like to point out that PC Gamer UK gave Halo 2 on the PC an incredibly high 66%, citing its(I just selected any rating by the way)

Just like to point out that PC Gamer UK gave Halo 2 on the PC an incredibly high 66%, citing its problems as being
A) Generic gameplay
B) Poor graphics
C) Lack of notable changes from previous game
D) Windows Live! restrictions
E) Poor console translation (Xbox controls can be found on the screen instead of keyboard controls)
F) Vista only despite not being DX10-worthy
G) No 'emergent gameplay'
H) And probably a severe feeling of disappointment… Expand
4
RichardS
Jul 4, 2007
WOW! When this came out it had straight 100s. Yet I HATED it. Still do. I LOVE Halo, the best game ever, I play it all the time and love WOW! When this came out it had straight 100s. Yet I HATED it. Still do. I LOVE Halo, the best game ever, I play it all the time and love everything (except the boring Library level). I hated Halo 2 it ruined everything about Halo 1 - the weapons were horrid and too numerous, the weapons had lost their sheen and power and were now like toys, the graphics were small and ugly, the levels were diabolical - the first level is messy, dull, confusing and pointless. The clambouring over the big gun just sums up the ghastliness of it all. This was the only game I have pre-ordered. I got the special edition tin too. And from the first minute I thought it was ****. I am trying to replay it now but all the time I think "I hate this". Everytime I play Halo? I think "I LOVE THIS!". The second most over-rated game of all time second only to ... Gears of War which is total garbage. Bad mushy graphics, bad AI, bad weapons, no atmosphere, a pathetic non-story, no character and enemies that are the same as your colleagues. Eugh.… Expand
3
AlexD
Jan 20, 2010
Terrible gameplay, awful bland copy/paste level design, terrible graphics and laughably bad story. Even if you're a huge fan of the Terrible gameplay, awful bland copy/paste level design, terrible graphics and laughably bad story. Even if you're a huge fan of the first Halo stay well away from this train wreck.… Expand
0
firefox2
May 18, 2014
Poor man's quake. I liked Halo 1 a lot because it was balanced and every gun felt unique. Halo 2 removed a lot of the uniqueness with morePoor man's quake. I liked Halo 1 a lot because it was balanced and every gun felt unique. Halo 2 removed a lot of the uniqueness with more generic weapons. With no recoil and huge hitboxes the game basically plays itself and does not require any skill to aim. At least Halo 1 and Halo 3 had spread and projectiles forcing you to lead shots or aim with skill. This Halo also has the weakest storyline and campaign in the series. The music is the one great thing about this game, but a shiny turd is still a turd in the end.… Expand
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