- last post: 01.01.0001 12:00 AM PDT
Well, at a Halo site I recently became moderator of, I've been keeping the site up-to-date with all the Halo 2 info going around as much as I can by posting an Official Halo 2 Thread, as some refer it to there.. I've been working hard at the 2.0 version, and managed to finish it, but something occured with another Halo site and ended up in serious problems between both sites.
So, not being able to contact Bungie personally through the links at the main site (most seemed to be to the Webmaster and other areas not for this), I decided to post it here in hopes anyone here can lend a helping hand in clarifying and approving the information below. It's in several parts, and rather than put it all in a string of posts and get someone confused, figured I'd go section by section. So, below is the first part (and I'd appreciate it, if anyone would like the official version of it, send be a message to my Inbox; want to know where, if the official version is used, and if its it's going and whether I myself could post it, or you could provide a link to the original version of it back at the site I come from).
Please, go over this information carefully and let me know anything that needs to be changed, edited, deleted, or added. I want to keep this up-to-date so far (meaning anything from E3 2004 and back; nothing that's from there to present). Thank you for helping. Hope i didn't break any rules in doing this...
[color=#0060ff]Weapons[/color]
* [color=#60c0ff]Needler has been upgraded, so that it actually shoots much like the Sub-Machine Gun, but still holds the same effect, and shooting rate has been quickened.[/color]
* [color=#00a0ff]There will be no Assault Rifle (replaced by Battle Rifle).[/color]
* [color=#60c0ff]Covenant Carbine; equivalent of the Battle Rifle. Includes a sniper scope and offers an excellent firing rate. Features bullet chambers that automatically eject when emptied.[/color]
* [color=#00a0ff]Pistol will not be as powerful; no scope.[/color]
* [color=#60c0ff]Dual wielding is now possible. Weapons that you can dual wield are the Sub-Machine Gun, Plasma Pistol, and Pistol for example; basically any single hand-held weapons. You cannot duel wield the Covenant Carbine, Plasma Sword or Battle Rifle, for example.[/color]
* [color=#00a0ff]The amount of needles required to make a super-detonation from the Needler has been lowered.[/color]
* [color=#60c0ff]Plasma Sword is now playable. There are two options you can use with it. First option is a melee attack, and the other is called Lunge Attack.[/color]
* [color=#00a0ff]Fuel Rod Cannon is usable. Powerful, but slow firing rate.[/color]
* [color=#60c0ff]Plasma Grenade Launcher, Brute's main weapon is usable. You can also use the blade that is attached to it.[/color]
* [color=#00a0ff]All Halo: CE weapons will be returning (except the Assault Rifle).[/color]
* [color=#60c0ff]Unidentified Covenant grenade. Explodes with a mix of a Needler explosion and a Fuel Rod Cannon explosion.[/color]
* [color=#00a0ff]Some grenades will cause a stun effect to those that are out of lethal range.[/color]
* [color=#60c0ff]Weapons can be put away so that you can run faster.[/color]
* [color=#00a0ff]Receive the new MJLONIR, Mark VI, near the beginning/middle of the game. With this upgrade, you will also receive new equipment.[/color]
* [color=#60c0ff]Silencers can be used for small caliber weapons, such as the Sub-Machine Gun and the Pistol.[/color]
* [color=#00a0ff]There are now human turrets. Can be moved.[/color]
* [color=#60c0ff]New weapons that are anti-armor weapons. In response, there are certain weapons that do not work well on certain armor.[/color]
* [color=#00a0ff]Battle Rifle fires three shot bursts, and single shots when zoomed in.[/color]
* [color=#60c0ff]Rocket Launcher now has a "target tracking" feature, which can only be used when zoomed in and locked on a target, similar to a homing missile.[/color]
* [color=#00a0ff]Grenades cannot be used while duel wielding.[/color]
* [color=#60c0ff]Both weapons can be reloaded while duel wielding.[/color]
* [color=#00a0ff]Weapon trade with other marines is possible.[/color]
* [color=#60c0ff]Depending on what weapon you use to melee attack with, different amount of damage would be inflicted.[/color]
* [color=#00a0ff]Melee combos are possible.[/color]
[color=#0060ff]Characters[/color]
* [color=#60c0ff]There will be more variation in Covenant. Easier to indicate leaders and other high-ranking officials in Covenant squads.[/color]
* [color=#00a0ff]Brutes are stronger than Hunters, faster than Elites. Not a simple creature either; the Brute is, if not more, stronger than the Master Chief.[/color]
* [color=#60c0ff]There are at least three secret characters Bungie has not said anything about that are a part of the Covenant armada. One of them has been said to flip a Warthog effortlessly.[/color]
* [color=#00a0ff]There will be more female soldiers. They take up positions as scouts, pilots, engineers, etc.[/color]
* [color=#60c0ff]Engineers will also be seen. They do nothing other than repair broken things, and are no threat.[/color]
* [color=#00a0ff]343 Guilty Spark, or The Monitor, returns.[/color]
* [color=#60c0ff]Flood returns as well.[/color]
* [color=#00a0ff]Specialty Marines, which include people like Medics, Snipers, etc.[/color]
* [color=#60c0ff]Sergeant Johnson is back.[/color]
* [color=#00a0ff]All marines will have their own unique personality and look. You can now tell the differences between one soldier and another.[/color]
* [color=#60c0ff]Prophets; top of the Covenant caste system. Little is known.[/color]
* [color=#00a0ff]Orbital Drop Shock Troops, or ODST's for short, will be plentiful.[/color]
* [color=#60c0ff]Certain Marines will know when to stay back from a battle. Snipers, for example, would stay off in the distance while ground troops go full force against Covenant troops.[/color]
* [color=#00a0ff]Possibility that Dr. Halsey, Kelly, Will, Fred, and Linda will be included.[/color]
[color=#0060ff]Artificial Intelligence[/color]
* [color=#60c0ff]Marines will act as a squad, rather than independents in the same area.[/color]
* [color=#00a0ff]Covenant members will be able to use there abilities. For example, Elites will climb, duck, and jump, while stronger units like Hunters or Brutes would plow through obstacles.[/color]
* [color=#60c0ff]Both Covenant and Marine forces will actually "think" before attempting any attack, meaning that battles will be more realistic.[/color]
* [color=#00a0ff]Along with A.I. improvements, Marines will now call for assistance (such as counter-sniping, vehicles), and call out threats; appropriately matched for what is going on.[/color]
* [color=#60c0ff]Enemies as well as allies can recognize what items can be used as protection; can also recognize its quality and act accordingly.[/color]
* [color=#00a0ff]Marines can now pilot other vehicles other than the Ghost.[/color]
* [color=#60c0ff]Marines can work together to create cover or flip vehicles, such as a Warthog.[/color]
* [color=#00a0ff]New systems implemented to help identify threats, environment, and cover.[/color]
* [color=#60c0ff]Larger range of vehicles can be used by Covenant over all.[/color]
* [color=#00a0ff]Can set up traps or ambush points for enemies, and vice versa.[/color]
* [color=#60c0ff]More opportunities to flank the enemy, and other combat maneuvers.[/color]
* [color=#00a0ff]Higher ranking soldiers give orders and lower ranking soldiers actually follow them.[/color]
* [color=#60c0ff]You can recognize real-world techniques used by soldiers.[/color]
* [color=#00a0ff]Animalistic behavior can now be seen in Covenant.[/color]
* [color=#60c0ff]Drop ships will not be an event, but something activated. For example, a drop ship can help box-in enemies.[/color]
* [color=#00a0ff]Soldiers of both species will actually use flashlight to look for each other in dark areas, or where light have been turned off or taken out.[/color]