Multiplayer is equally satisfying as single player. Not lacking in the options department, it has seven different game variants and multiple sub-variants of those. Split screen, system-link and Xbox Live are the different multiplayer modes, with the two aforementioned representing a truly fun multiplayer experience. The mass of customisation available is immense - and welcome for the extended playability it provides.
There's a new range of kickarse weaponry available, but when it comes to nuking a group of Brutes, one of the new enemies, nothing equips better than the old rocket launcher. The new weapons are pretty powerful, but surprisingly your standard MA5B Assault Rifle has been taken out.
There is a wide selection of weapons with which you can arm yourself two at once, aka akimbo. This doesn't just look cool and fun to play with; dual weapons can sometimes be tactically wise. There is quite simply nothing like slicing and dicing with both arms blazing - John Woo eat your heart out.
The visuals are stunning and a cut above the original Halo. This sometimes comes at a cost however; because of the transparent loading of new textures, geometry and levels we occasionally noticed loading oddities when you step into a room and objects load in front of you. To be fair no other game has pushed the Xbox so far, so it's not surprising, but it does show just what the hardware is capable of.
Halo 2 is easily the hottest title to hit the Xbox platform to date. Even if you weren't a fan of the original, chances are you'll love this beast. A truly epic experience. Nice one, Bungie.
Issue: 137 | June, 2012