- last post: 01.01.0001 12:00 AM PDT
Another step towards balance is the new assault rifle, tentatively called the Battle Rifle. It’s a much more efficient variant of the MA5B, with a scope and heavier ammunition. It appears this may be the most popular weapon in terms of availability and use as it covers both short and long range attacks. The new Submachine Gun is more than likely to steal the thunder from the missing MA5B, having a similar rate of fire and accuracy. It’s a one-handed weapon, which as you read on becomes and important factor in a new feature introduced in Halo 2. The other famous human weapons appear to be on their way back, the Sniper Rifle, Shotgun and Rocket Launcher respectively. Although the traditional fragmentation grenade will also appear, there are rumors of other human-originating grenades. The aforementioned Halo novel, “First Strike” includes a new ranged mortar referred to as the “Lotus Anti-Tank Mine.” It’s a flat disk with spikes protruding from both sides that sticks to walls and the ground, detonating on a timer (the human answer to the sticky, but sexy Plasma Grenades?). Whether this or others like it will appear in the final build has yet to be seen, but it is likely there will be some more diversity when it comes to grenade-based weaponry.
But you liked Covenant weapons too? Well, there are plenty of them in Halo 2 as well, with the inclusion of more balancing acts by Bungie. The, now-labeled, Covenant Carbine is a slim-hilted rifle only seen in the hands of the Elite warriors. It’s said to have an interesting reloading feature as well as a scope, the Covenant’s choice opposition against the human’s new rifle. This weapon, although not yet seen in action, is fabled to be a fan-favorite, not only because of its practical application but also because of its entertaining animation and visual effects. The Plasma Pistol, Plasma Rifle and Needler are said to return, with little modification save for the latter mentioned. The new Needler has a longer snout, its barrel dual-pronged, and reports indicate that this will be another must-have-weapon in multiplayer. Although its legacy was a pathetic one (many would rather die than attack with a Needler, as it was the weapon of choice for mothers everywhere), information has emerged stating that it packs a much more powerful punch than before, making it severely lethal. Expect to see the plasma grenade back, but variations of that are unseen and unmentioned at this point. The Halo PC game also included the dreaded Fuel-Rod Gun, only carried in the Xbox version by certain Grunt warriors. The new Halo 2 version will be quite scaled down, not obscuring the players view as much as the PC version did.
A new Covenant warrior, called the Brute, has its own precious device of disaster. This little nasty weapon is a single-handed rifle which during the E3 demo shot a white-hot plasma bolt, has been recently reported to shoot actual “slugs.” Whether this means actual tangible ammo or another form of concentrated plasma, no one has said, however “First Strike” displays the gun having another unique feature: a built in grenade launcher. Though nothing from Bungie has confirmed this, the current pictures of the weapon do appear to have a second barrel for such a need. This coupled with a Weekly Update (written by Frank O’Connor of Bungie’s official website) citing the “beefing up” of a certain rifle, seems to suggest the possibility of a ranged, grenade-launcher being a part of the Covenant arsenal. And then there’s the melee blade on the hilt of the weapon, adding a third dimension to the Brute’s weapon, something no other weapon in Halo has offered yet. Three ways to kill and opponent with one weapon.
And you’ve heard of the stationary weaponry haven’t you? Confirmed is the return of the Shade, the stationary Covenant turret that came in handy in certain situations. It will be accompanied by a human version, as seen during the E3 demo last year. This one fires apparently .50 caliber rounds at your enemies, shredding them and anything around them into pieces within mere seconds. It appears to be more effective than its Covenant predecessor which yields the question: Will there be an enhancement to the existing Shade? More than likely yes, and if you did in fact see the E3 2003 demo, than you saw the massive Covenant turret firing into the New Mombasa cityscape. Rumor says that this will be in the game, but it seems extremely unlikely since the scope and possibility would require a fringe story accessory and a new aiming system. It doesn’t seem practical, but it can’t be ruled out.
Now if you’re a driving fanatic, then there’s a lot of fanfare in Halo 2 for you. Not only will its new damage system feature a whole new dynamic to the game play, but the new and returning vehicles are simply amazing, as well as something called “Vehicle Boarding.” To articulate the damage system further, it should be understood that even during multiplayer games, vehicles can be damaged to the point of not being able to use them. Whether this feature will be customizable per game type or not is unknown, however it is known that the vehicles when assaulted by certain weapons will react differently, taking on location specific damage and will visually show very dramatic changes in their appearance. This damage won’t affect the handling but will be reverberated into the force-feedback on the controller, indicating your vehicle is inching closer to destruction and eventually claiming the ability to use it. This will change the face of multiplayer games and some elements of the single player (notice how human vehicles never could be destroyed in the first Halo, but every Covenant one could beyond use). If you want to gain a vehicle against an opponent, perhaps in Halo 2, instead of firing a rocket at him, you’ll try headshots instead, leaving the vehicle intact.
Of the human vehicles returning we have a cavalcade of Warthogs and new inset features for the same. There will not only be the standard Warthog with the chain-gun mounted, but also Halo PC’s rocket launcher equipped vehicle, and several environment specific variations (i.e. snow and jungle). The Warthog, as well as every other vehicle, will have impressively enhanced interior graphics making the experience of driving the vehicles seem much more immersive. Another new feature is the sound and elements of driving the actual Warthog, as now it shifts independently between gears, its acceleration dependant on the gear as well as the driver. And with the new AI, you don’t have to worry in single-player about having to drive your fellow Marines around. They now can drive you around, giving you extra time for target practice.
There will also be the introduction to another balancing scenario, the human answer to the Ghost, an All-Terrain-Vehicle. Apparently you’re able to sling a gun over the dash and fire it directly at oncoming enemies, but in-game use is yet to be seen. It was a sorely needed vehicle that was missing from the original game; this will become an excellent addition to the human arsenal in tight, enclosed areas where the Warthog couldn’t fit before. The Scorpion Tank will return with the ability now to control the driving and aiming on separate axes, another addition requested by frustrated players of the first game. There is a very prominent rumor, however not necessarily likely, that there will be other operable human crafts, specifically a flying one. No evidence of this has been shown yet. If one were to be released, expect it to be opposite, but extremely similar to the Covenant’s Banshee. And although, O’Connor has confirmed that we will not fly the human drop-ships called Pelicans, the E3 demo did showcase a nice, rear-mounted gun on the back of one which would definitely be an entertaining facet of a level. Since the AI is sufficient enough for close-quarters maneuvering, then it would seem likely that the Chief being able to fire from a swooping Pelican above as a noteworthy inclusion in the game.
As for Covenant vehicles, there are quite a few improvements, as well as some new ones on the way. The two returning crafts, the Ghost and Banshee have undergone some similar aesthetic enhancements to their physique as well as their animations and interior graphics. They also sport a new feature which allows the player to hold down on a trigger and rocket the vehicle past enemy encampments at more than double the normal speed. They can’t fire or turn sharp during this maneuver, but there’s little need for that when you’re clipping the heads off your unsuspecting foes at record breaking speed. And as you could expect, the Banshee will be available within multiplayer, the lost element of the original game that was probably the chief frustration Xbox multiplayer Halo fans the most.
Rumors have emerged of the possibility of being able to use the Wraith mortar-tanks, and although there have been statements indicating such, little information has surfaced on when and how they could be used. Never fear though, the Covenant have several new vehicles. As seen in the E3 2003 demo there is a Covenant Transport, some are calling the “Creep” which has mounted plasma-cannons. There’s no indication that we will be able to operate this vehicle, or the new Covenant dropship called the Phantom (which will now take damage and fall when hit enough), however it is a possibility seeing how the game is already pushing its limits and expectations that one of them will be operable. One guaranteed drivable vehicle is the new Covenant answer to the Warthog, the Shadow. Early concept art showed it as a hovering craft with a driver and passenger seat and a rear-turret, similar to the physical layout of the Warthog. This will defiantly be a factor in both single and multiplayer campaigns, especially in terms of co-op in the later stages of the game when we find ourselves with only alien creations in our possession, light years from Earth.