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  • Subject: Strategic Innovations
Subject: Strategic Innovations
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Alright, for anyone who hasn't read the two reviews made by the Halo 2/Mt Dew contest winners need to check out these sites:

Review 1
Review 2

These are, by far, the most in-depth reviews of the Zanzibar demo and provide key knowledge that others reviews haven't. That is to say: the new recoil created by a sniper shot is included along with a detailed definition of the map layout, etc.

After reading the reviews I wondered how the changes may alter strategic factors of the game. For one, the snipers are going to have to step it up a notch with do-or-don't headshot kills. Also, the new frag grenade system gave me ideas on a one-bounce explosion in mid-air. The boarding system and tracking addition of the rocket launcher are both sounding to be more and more less critical to actual gameplay, but a more off-hand addition if such cases do arise. Dual-wielding has always worried me due to the fact that grenading and melee attacks are out of the question, and the fact that reloading takes longer only deepens my fears. Now that melee attacks require the player to be in closer range, I doubt they will play such a big factor anymore.

These are just a few of my opinions. I would really be interested in hearing from the rest of the community. Thank You.

[Edited on 7/30/2004 1:03:39 PM]

  • 07.30.2004 12:36 PM PDT
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Thought I'd add to a decent thread (hard to find) before I left for the day.

I'm really looking forward to destructable environments. This could really come into play when trying to find a good position. It would be awesome to see that debris from a blast could kill you. High ground would be at an advantage (as it should be) due to falling rocks and such. I'm really not too interested in the energy sword (watches for flames) but I'm glad to hear the battle rifle is as effective as I thought it'd be. Would have liked to hear more about the plasma rifle. SMG's sound killer if you're a tight corridor type of person. Bouncing grenades sounds like it could produce some very funny moments. Bounce one off a rock into a warthog on accident and it looks like you're a pro. The negatives were almost non-existent which is a great thing. Well, can't wait to play. I'm out for now.

It is nice to see a good post. Don't feel bad when the kiddies don't respond.

  • 07.30.2004 1:02 PM PDT

i really really really like how it's shaping up to be very dependant on teamwork. it'll be impossible for one sniper to view the whole field, it takes a driver to transport the flag fast, and stuff like that makes it cool.

about powerups, i liked them in halo during big games (at least 3v3) because they made you more powerful, but the enemies could still take you down easily enough, but in small games and especially 1v1, the whole game turned into who could control powerups better. when losing in the situation, things are very close to hopeless. when winning in that situation, it becomes very methodical and repetative and therefore less aweomse. the halo powerups were very unbalanced in small games, but in halo 2, balance doesn't look like much of a problem anymore. hopefully they will either take out powerups, or have a way to make them less overpowering in small games and less underwhelming in huge games.

  • 07.30.2004 1:15 PM PDT
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There's no doubt that Halo 2 will incorporate the use of more strategic games. And, with the new balanced system, everyone will have a piece of the action. One question I have is how well will the new shield system work if you don't know when your low on heath? How will this effect single player?

  • 07.30.2004 1:24 PM PDT
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I would say that hud isn't final.

  • 07.30.2004 1:30 PM PDT
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Yes, that could be true. Also, what did the first reviewer mean by "The old hud in the bottom right"? What part of the hud is there?

  • 07.30.2004 1:33 PM PDT
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for all you people whining about the pistol, here ya go

Battle Rifle - Found a few places in the wall, and I think on the second level of the base. Three shot burst owns. No recoil, minimal spread on the shots, and 3 three shot bursts will lay an opponent out. I really liked this weapon. Everything from rate of fire, to accuracy, to reload speed, to stopping power; THIS IS THE NEW PISTOL. It's a pretty reliable weapon to have with you. The only problem was the zoom mode. It's nice to zoom in and shoot, but the rate of fire drops to one shot. I think the least amount of shots I fired while zoomed in for a kill was 6. I think there's minor recoil when zoomed in, but it's very minimal. Trust me when I say that this gun still rules.


[Edited on 7/30/2004 1:37:21 PM]

  • 07.30.2004 1:36 PM PDT
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How do they know it's the new pistol?? All they played was the Zanzibar build, which is still practically a beta. They don't know anything, so those guys who played it should shut up because they dont know if Bungie's putting in a pistol variant or not, oh, and guess what?? The battle rifle replaces the MA5B, not the M6D

  • 07.30.2004 1:38 PM PDT
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Posted by: DarkHellfire
How do they know it's the new pistol?? All they played was the Zanzibar build, which is still practically a beta. They don't know anything, so those guys who played it should shut up because they dont know if Bungie's putting in a pistol variant or not, oh, and guess what?? The battle rifle replaces the MA5B, not the M6D

How would you know this, have you played ANY build for halo 2?

  • 07.30.2004 1:41 PM PDT
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Hmm.. Maybe because I've read OXM, they clearly stated in one of their older issues that the BR replaces the AR. Not the pistol. And I doubt Bungie would have told them if they were putting in the pistol or not, they're just saying it's not in there because they havent played with it, which is called an assumption, not a fact.

  • 07.30.2004 1:43 PM PDT
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Posted by: DarkHellfire
Hmm.. Maybe because I've read OXM, they clearly stated in one of their older issues that the BR replaces the AR. Not the pistol. And I doubt Bungie would have told them if they were putting in the pistol or not, they're just saying it's not in there because they havent played with it, which is called an assumption, not a fact.

Exactly OLDER.
its sad how you cant let the pistol go

[Edited on 7/30/2004 2:02:56 PM]

  • 07.30.2004 1:53 PM PDT
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Even though I've never played any form of Halo 2 , only seen videos and pictures I can already tell I'm not going to be a huge fan of dual wielding. Sure it will initially be fun but I think it will be more of a novelty. Of course I have no idea about what secrets weapons Bungie has in store for us, maybe it will be an actual viable alternative to melee and grenades.
What I'm more excited about are new grenades and melee combos since they play an integral role in my Halo multiplayer strategies. I'm fairly new here and haven't been following Halo 2's development as closely as some of you obviously are so I'll ask you fine fellas some questions.
1. Are there any new types of grenades? One of the few things I didn't like about Halo was there was no way to pick which type of grenade you wanted to use, you were stuck with one until you ran out. Is there going to be a feature letting you select grenade type?
2. Do certain weapons do more melee damage than others?
3. The new rockets only lock onto vehicles, not players, right?
4. Where do babies come from?

  • 07.30.2004 1:58 PM PDT
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Posted by: Heylowfan
Even though I've never played any form of Halo 2 , only seen videos and pictures I can already tell I'm not going to be a huge fan of dual wielding. Sure it will initially be fun but I think it will be more of a novelty. Of course I have no idea about what secrets weapons Bungie has in store for us, maybe it will be an actual viable alternative to melee and grenades.
What I'm more excited about are new grenades and melee combos since they play an integral role in my Halo multiplayer strategies. I'm fairly new here and haven't been following Halo 2's development as closely as some of you obviously are so I'll ask you fine fellas some questions.
1. Are there any new types of grenades? One of the few things I didn't like about Halo was there was no way to pick which type of grenade you wanted to use, you were stuck with one until you ran out. Is there going to be a feature letting you select grenade type?
2. Do certain weapons do more melee damage than others?
3. The new rockets only lock onto vehicles, not players, right?
4. Where do babies come from?


the black button switched grenade types durr

  • 08.01.2004 9:28 PM PDT