- last post: 01.01.0001 12:00 AM PDT
HALO 2: THE AWFUL TRUTH
Weapons: The Shotgun: Halo 2’s Shotgun compared to Halo 1’s Shotgun has been dramatically reduced as far as damage radius. Direct frontage shot must be used in order to successfully kill a player. The range of its blast spreads out enabling only minor damage to any player within a ranged distance preventing this weapon from being a choice of weaponry. Halo 1’s Shotgun was very effective. The only disadvantage was its radius or range was too far enabling quick kills even when a player was significantly away from the blast. Many players argue that the Shotgun couldn’t punch through shields. However, we must all remember we are in the future of weaponry, and by the year set in Halo its Shotgun would be more realistic given the understanding the advancements, and enhancements made would indeed result in high blast damage with armor piercing, or shield piercing rounds. Therefore, to resolve the entirety of the Shotgun within Halo it’s safe to say that Halo 1’s Shotgun would have to be implemented only carving the range of blast radius moderately by 20% or so.
The Plasma Pistol/Plasma Rifle: The Plasma Pistol in Halo 1 was very well designed. The only disadvantage was it wouldn’t lock on very effectively, which really wasn’t a disadvantage only a nuisance when you were close enough to the other player. The Plasma Pistol in Halo 2 however, has too high of a lock on advantage. I have seen this gun turn corners, as well as hit just about anything in front of it without having to turn the reticle red for potential lock-on. If used properly in combination with the Battle Rifle it makes for instant kills, which becomes a nuisance. Therefore, to resolve the Plasma Pistol in Halo 2 you would have to implement Halo 1’s Plasma Pistol moderately increasing the lock on capability fully eliminating Halo 2’s Pistol from locking on so easily, as well as having such distance to its lock. Another disadvantage to both the Plasma Pistol and the Plasma Rifle in Halo 2 are there abilities to freeze, or lock the opposing player up simply by continuously firing bursts into them, which made these weapons significant within Halo’s universe. The Plasma Rifle in Halo 2 is fine only given the fault of the absence of stun by it.
Sniper Rifles: The Sniper Rifles in Halo 2 are quite fun early on because they have been somewhat enhanced. However, they appear to be too easy to get a kill with if the opposing player is far away, and the reticle is not even on the player suggesting the only way to resolve the rifles would be by implementing the original Halo 1 Sniper Rifle, which at times could be hard to hit the targets.
Rocket Launcher: All in all the Rocket Launcher in Halo 2 is nice. I do like the implementation of locking onto enemy vehicles. The blast radius from Halo 1’s Rocket has been reduced, which I’m not sure if I like at this point however, I am learning to live with it. Therefore, this weapon is descent when used properly. However, firing a rocket off right in from of a players foot, and then dieing, and not seeing my rocket kill the player is really starting to annoy me. After death kills appear to be rare or have been eliminated.
Submachine Guns: The Submachine Guns compared to Halo 1’s Assault Rifle are descent. However, I do like Halo 1’s Assault rifle better. I do think dual wielding submachine guns should be the only guns you’re allowed to dual wield taking half the time to kill a player if you were using only one. Dual wielding in general never worked well in past video games, and unfortunately I don’t feel it’s working well with Halo as well. The reason being is the kills are quick, and survival is next to impossible.
Pistol: Where’s my Halo 1 pistol when players are using the Plasma Pistol Battle Rifle combo on me, seriously. The Pistol in Halo 2 is destroyed plainly put. The only time, it even stands a chance is within dual wield.
Sword: The Sword is a very nice weapon in general. However, it’s been made a bit too strong, and seems to only work better for the opposing players than it does for me. The lunge attack in my opinion is too far, and there are no ways to block or defend yourself against it if confronted by it appropriately. All in all I want to see the Sword exist, however, I think the lunge attack should be shortened to 5 feet, or no lunge attack at all with the hopes of reaching a player within distance dealing a one death swing blow. The possibility of a block button would be nice as well.
Brute Shot/Carbine: These weapons are irritating, and should be taken out with the hopes of newer better weapons to take their spot. I don’t know how many times I can shoot the carbine at a player and not kill him yet players have used it against me and instantly kill me within a few shots, very irritating. The Brute Shot doesn’t appear to have any significant abilities other than looking cool in my hands.
Battle Rifle: At first I despised this gun, and now I am starting to appreciate it. I do tend to know that players have taken me out quite easily with 3 shots instead of the initial 4 that it takes to get a kill (Is there a weak spot I’m missing folks?)
Grenades/Bashing: At first Grenades were horrible until the patch was released making them even more like the grenades I fell in love with in Halo 1. I must say I like the grenades now. However, it appears Halo 2 is slowly starting to turn more towards Halo 1, which is a good thing. Eventually the Shotgun will hopefully be put back on the charts. Bashing was even more horrible before the patch was released. However, I think they got this one right on the money. 2 bashes seems significant unlike the 1 bash it took once the enemy was slightly weakened, which I loved as well.
Vehicles: The Banshee is hard too shoot down unless you have a Rocket. I would really like to see something other than a Rocket take down a vehicle easier. I think regular weapons should be able to take down a vehicle if hit enough by them, or possibly a weak point enabling an explosive impact.
Overall Halo 1 is still my favorite simply because the weapon balance, and its uniqueness holds true. Halo 2 however, needs to start slowly making its way towards the weapon performance, and playing performance of Halo 1 if it ever wishes to stand a chance at becoming the greatest game of all time. However, I don’t think your going to find dual wielding, plasma weapon combos, shotguns that irritate, and no health survival, as well as no after death kill potentials, and no damage falling from high above being the game that takes greatest game of all. In order for the greatest game of all time to exist they would have to take Halo 1, and turn its lethal pistol into 4 head shots for a kill, 6 shots to the body, and implement what everyone wants to see artificial bots. The shotgun in Halo 1 would have to be reduced by 20% range, or so. Online play would have to exist. The online playmaking in Halo 2 is phenomenal, which in my opinion is the best I’ve ever seen. New levels would have to be made for Halo 1, or Halo 1.5, and not just 5 new levels you need like 20 or so new levels with all the old favorites like Chill Out, Damnation, Longest, Derelict. I’ve seen enough, “Blood Gulch” I want to puke blood. I like the ranking system Halo 2 uses. However, I think it should use kills versus deaths point system; A point for a kill minus a point for a death, and then tally the score as a +16 kills versus –8 deaths giving you +8 points to be distributed towards your next experience level needed. I also feel certain levels should only be allowed only after you’ve reached a certain level or rank. As in you can’t play, “Syphon Canyon” until you’ve attained level 21. There, needs to be like 10-15 levels restricted to only those who have attained certain level ranks enabling them only to play them then. A Map Editor would also cause this believed game to be even that much more great. Online would consist of only designed playable levels, and LAN or System link could play the newly created levels. Also a 8 player cooperative campaign game would increase the value of the greatest game of all. You could have 8 players enter into an online coop game and if a player died they could then spectate or leave the match attempting to enter into another. Artificial bots would increase the value ever so significantly. The bots could range from poor to great levels, whatever. Online Multiplayer could offer rewards such as Your team has achieved 5 winning games in a row, redirecting you to map, “Prism” for championship match with team, “Omnicron”. A Hall of Fame would be a nice feature. Perhaps instead of connecting to Download Content there could be another section enabling Hall of Fame enabling the character to simply walk around well designed hallways viewing statues of the top players within certain areas of skill below their feet showing their highlights they way they appear in the game. Maybe an alien weapon that takes two weapons in order for it too connect into one weapon of some type of significance which can only be used once both pieces have been found and connected. Anyways in no way am I attempting to put the developers down or the Producers, I’m simply stating the importance of Halo, and its very close possibility of being the, “GREATEST GAME OF ALL TIME”. Thanks for your time, and sorry if I offended any plasma battle rifle combo players out there.
AKA STRYKER
XBOX LIVE AKA Stryker0
[Edited on 5/12/2005]