- last post: 01.01.0001 12:00 AM PDT
Weapons
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.
There will be no Assault Rifle (replaced by Battle Rifle).
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.
Pistol will not be as powerful; no scope.
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.
The amount of needles required to make a super-detonation from the Needler has been lowered.
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.
Fuel Rod Cannon is usable. Powerful, but slow firing rate.
Plasma Grenade Launcher, Brute's main weapon is usable. You can also use the blade that is attached to it.
All Halo: CE weapons will be returning (except the Assault Rifle).
Unidentified Covenant grenade. Explodes with a mix of a Needler explosion and a Fuel Rod Cannon explosion.
Some grenades will cause a stun effect to those that are out of lethal range.
Weapons can be put away so that you can run faster.
Receive the new MJLONIR, Mark VI, near the beginning/middle of the game. With this upgrade, you will also receive new equipment.
Silencers can be used for small caliber weapons, such as the Sub-Machine Gun and the Pistol.
There are now human turrets. Can be moved.
New weapons that are anti-armor weapons. In response, there are certain weapons that do not work well on certain armor.
Battle Rifle fires three shot bursts, and single shots when zoomed in.
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.
Grenades cannot be used while duel wielding.
Both weapons can be reloaded while duel wielding.
Weapon trade with other marines is possible.
Depending on what weapon you use to melee attack with, different amount of damage would be inflicted.
Melee combos are possible.
Characters
There will be more variation in Covenant. Easier to indicate leaders and other high-ranking officials in Covenant squads.
Brutes are stronger than Hunters, faster than Elites. Not a simple creature either; the Brute is, if not more, stronger than the Master Chief.
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.
There will be more female soldiers. They take up positions as scouts, pilots, engineers, etc.
Engineers will also be seen. They do nothing other than repair broken things, and are no threat.
343 Guilty Spark, or The Monitor, returns.
Flood returns as well.
Specialty Marines, which include people like Medics, Snipers, etc.
Sergeant Johnson is back.
All marines will have their own unique personality and look. You can now tell the differences between one soldier and another.
Prophets; top of the Covenant caste system. Little is known.
Orbital Drop Shock Troops, or ODST's for short, will be plentiful.
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.
Possibility that Dr. Halsey, Kelly, Will, Fred, and Linda will be included.
Artificial Intelligence
Marines will act as a squad, rather than independents in the same area.
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.
Both Covenant and Marine forces will actually "think" before attempting any attack, meaning that battles will be more realistic.
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.
Enemies as well as allies can recognize what items can be used as protection; can also recognize its quality and act accordingly.
Marines can now pilot other vehicles other than the Ghost.
Marines can work together to create cover or flip vehicles, such as a Warthog.
New systems implemented to help identify threats, environment, and cover.
Larger range of vehicles can be used by Covenant over all.
Can set up traps or ambush points for enemies, and vice versa.
More opportunities to flank the enemy, and other combat maneuvers.
Higher ranking soldiers give orders and lower ranking soldiers actually follow them.
You can recognize real-world techniques used by soldiers.
Animalistic behavior can now be seen in Covenant.
Drop ships will not be an event, but something activated. For example, a drop ship can help box-in enemies.
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.
Vehicles
Banshee also has the Boost feature.
Warthog has a horn this time around.
All vehicles from Halo: CE will return.
Every vehicle is destructible, and does not get damaged the same way every time.
Almost all vehicles can be used.
The Phantom, which is the new Covenant drop ship. It also features an energy shield.
The Creep is a Covenant transport vehicle. Has a turret located on top, both the turret and the vehicle are independently destructible. This means you can destroy the turret and still claim the Creep for yourself.
Newest Covenant assault vehicle, otherwise known as the Shadow. Covenant version of the Warthog, complete with gunner in back.
Faster than the Ghost, the All Terrain Vehicle, or ATV, can be used along with a single-handed weapon.
Scorpion tank can now drive and aim in two different directions.
Four new Warthog variations, which include the Snowhog, JungleHog, and unidentified transport Warthog, and a Warthog with no gun in the back, but seats.
Pelicans are now armed this time around, and even have landing gear so they can land instead of hover. Pilot and co-pilot can now be seen, as well as a fully-detailed panel.
All have weak points. Warthogs can be slowed by shooting tired, Ghosts can be slowed or damaged by hitting wings, etc.
Wraith is now usable.
Plasma weapons for the Ghost and Banshee have been adjusted.
Ghost now has a secondary explosion, much like the Fuel Rod Cannon Grunts used in Halo.
All vehicles will reflect the damage they receive; more damage, the harder it is to drive.
Warthog now features an emergency brake.
Ghost features a new feature called "Boost" in which the Ghost goes double its speed. You cannot fire plasma weapons while boosting, and turning is quite difficult.
Environments
There will be larger areas to play and battle, which also means more things to do.
Never before touched areas of play, such as the moon, city, etc.
Everything can be interacted with, from walls and columns to the smallest plant pot.
Levels will not be repetitive, or be very little so. This means nothing like The Library.
Rather than taking one path designated by the game, you can choose which path you want to take to complete your objective.
Levels will link together more fluidly, unlike Halo's levels which take you from one place to another dramatically.
You can actually see the weather change. There are also new weather elements, such as rain, sleet, gusty, etc.
There are new elements as well, which also include low gravity.
Multiplayer maps, as well as single-player maps and content are about five times the size of Halo's.
Detail in the environments are quite noticeable, and has shadows that shift and change with what goes on around the area.
Xbox Live/Multiplayer
Blood Gulch and other maps from Halo will be returning.
There are several new levels, which include Zanzabar, Lockout, Burial Grounds, and Waterworks.
You can play as Elites or Spartans.
All vehicles in campaign mode, including flying ones, are playable.
All abilities in campaign mode can also be used in multiplayer.
All levels have some secret weapon, or area, for game advantage.
Can only have up to sixteen players max using Xbox Live, however, you can have up to thirty-two during a LAN Party.
Many old game modes will be returning, such as Capture the flag, as well as new and redone modes such as Single-Flag CTF.
You can customize your Spartan or Elites; meaning you can add custom logos, have two colors, etc.
Levels will be able to handle all weapons and vehicles. They can handle Banshees, Wraiths, Ghosts, Warthogs, etc. as well as offer excellent places for snipers.
Halo Clans will be supported through Xbox Live via Bungie.
Miscellaneous
Halo 2 will not be release on any other console, but may be released on PC.
Game is finished for the most part, which includes layout design, levels, etc. Adjustments and other things are still being made.
Flame thrower may not make it to the game unless code for catching things on fire has been made.
Faces will be more animated, meaning instead of the mouth moving, you will actually see facial expressions.
Master Chief's face will not be seen.
Game will end with some sort of closure, but will leave you to wonder a number of things.
Another Halo will come into play.
Game takes place after Halo (the game).
Detals on Covenant history will be explained, as well as information about Forerunners.
Most of the game plot will not be said in in-game dialogue rather than cut-seen movies.
First few levels deal with saving Earth.
Weapons sound and look more realistic.
Can now hear where a bullet came from, and even hear it bounce off walls.
You can now peak around corners of walls and ledges while still maintaining stealth.