- last post: 01.01.0001 12:00 AM PDT
For those who haven’t seen the newest OXM Issue pertaining to Halo 2:
PAGE ONE:
Warthog re-designed wik multiple gears (not manual, don’t worry) and with help from a fellow racing-game-oriented company @ Microsoft. Hand-brake, and increased control over stunts – especially the notorious fish-tail. Boost-feature to Ghost – harder turning / handling, no weapons fire, but almost doubles normal top speed. Damage done to vehicles ( ‘Hog struts falling off, Ghost’s wings dragging in the dirt) will force feedback into rumble controller. Armor rips off, tires wobble and go flat, electronics go haywire – dials will crack, wings will crumble, and a whole new game-type added: DEMOLITION DERBY. BOO-YAH!!! (just kidding. Maybe it will have it.)
PAGE TWO:
Weapons and vehicles in multiplayer: some weapons will tear the vehicle apart; others will need to be applied directly to the driver. Campaign: taking out the Wraith’s fuel tank cover, then sniping the tank itself, will prove effective. Vehicles constantly put against the enemy will eventually turn to no more than scrap.
IMAGES: Warthog and Ghost, “Before and After”: ‘Hog’s fenders are GONE, windshield’s all jagged, and the LAAG’s protective plates are gone and the barrel’s bent outta shape. Ghost’s wings are kaput; seats all charred, and engine housing spewing blue plasma.
PAGE THREE:
Dual-wielding will disable grenades, as predicted, and combos are yet to be determined (common sense applies here, people. No need to post about it any more – dual SPNKR’s? Come ON, people…). Mystery Elite weapon unveiled: Plasma Carbine. Uses…shells? Scope confirmed, and is compared to the new human Battle Rifle.
IMAGES: New SMG, Dual Plasma Pistols, and the new Covie Carbine.
PAGE FOUR:
Sequel estimated to be “Five times BIGGER.” HOLY CRABCAKES. Environments, in retaliation to the first Halo’s reviews, will be more complex and differing this time around. Animated Objects (boxes, crates, etc.) and individual sounds given to individual structures. Insane. Plus, “any given level” said to be at least FOUR TIMES AS BIG as Assault on the Control Room. Second order of Holy CrabCakes, table se7en, please? New animations for when the Chief’s running, crouching, or just trying to unload his port-a-potty. Also, players will control the speed @ which the Chief moves; he’ll slowly “ramp up to speed” and go into a sprint with different buttons.
IMAGES: New plasma grenade detonation (lookin’ sweet) and patrolling Covies showing off the new lighting.
PAGE FIVE:
Covenant will be more…diverse…in the sequel, acting and handling situations and weapons differently. Armor will differ as well, different types being specific to the type of weapons fire they’ll be up against. Brute’s render is near completion; new “Slug Gun” will be employed by these nefarious cross-breeds between the cunning of an Elite and the BEEF of a Hunter. They’ll rely on his armor and caving your chest cavity in, rather than on sheer speed. Example: Two rounds from your S2 AM will crack open his headgear, leaving his furry cranium…vulnerable. They’ll also employ the blade on their (backs? weapon?) to eviscerate the competition.
IMAGES: Brute render; orange Grunt, mohawk Jackal, Elite Swordsman& Prophet renders with captions.
PAGE SIX:
GTA meets HALO. Most every vehicle will have the ability to be forcibly liberated, whether by yourself, or the enemy. You can’t jus randomly hop on one going top speed – you must coax the driver into slowing; perform some rolls, get to the side or rear, and claim the pilot’s seat. Boarding the tank might even be doable by the TURRET. Beware: whatever you can do to the enemy, he can do to you. It seems Elites have grown fond of the re-vamped Warthog this time around – either that, or merely loathe getting tire treads laid out on their backs. Feature is also utilized in multiplayer.
IMAGES: Chief staring down the pilot of a Ghost – before he wrenches the bastard from the seat. Plus, what happens when you try to jack a Ghost when it’s going too fast. Elites will no doubt become even MORE an annoyance, being able to leap aboard the driver’s side of the ‘Hog and hauling you out. Also, very basic slide-show of a Red MC overtaking a blue one in MP.
PAGE SE7EN:
Outlines the point that the game is NOT FINISHED, and many things will undoubtedly change. MP levels include a barren, ruin-strew desert landscape, to a castle structure with numerous levels (with some “wicked” sniping positions), and a big colorful one ideal for vehicles, I guess. Big, open field between bases, with cool side-tunnels for the cunning, tactful player. No doubt MANY more surprises along the road, leaving these BURNING questions: Will we be able to play as the Covie horde in MP? Will we be able to pilot the Wraith in Campaign mode? Will online play support Clans? How many teams supported in MP? New modes to mess around with and customize?
IMAGES: Two Tan MCs in MP dual-wielding, and mostly-White-with-Blue-stripes color scheme for the MC…sorta like the Shelby Cobra…
Any coincidence there are se7en pages? I think not…
[Edited on 5/6/2004 5:26:45 PM]