Halo 2 [E3 2004]
- May 13, 2004 17:49 PM PST
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Halo 2 wowed ?em at the Microsoft press conference on Monday, and the proof is in the pudding...
Halo 2 wowed ?em at the Microsoft press conference on Monday, and the proof is in the pudding: The hype is warranted, the quality is there, and the game plays like a dream.In a private, appointment-only theater, Microsoft is repeating the same demo given to the public on Monday--the desert stronghold level Zanzibar in the year 2552 on an Earth occupied by Covenant forces, the demonstrations of dual-weapon wielding, the boarding of occupied vehicles (known commonly among Halo fans as ?Ghostjacking?), the armor color and insignias that can be selected, the rockets that lock on to a passing target if you zoom in on it, and the upgraded Ghost (now with a speed boost that can run over enemies) and Warthog (with an unlimited-ammo rocket launcher in the gunner position). However, after the show and tell, it?s a matter of do or die?attendees are invited to swivel their chairs around and put their hands on a Controller S to try a 5-on-5, single-flag CTF game for themselves.
Zanzibar features a flag inside a base, and a team that spawns around it to defend; the attacker start on the beach with two Ghosts and a Warthog. As in the original Halo, new weapons are picked up by holding the X button; if it?s a pistol-based weapon (like a Needler) you can hold Y to wield a weapon in each hand. Each trigger fires that hand?s weapon--the left-hand weapon is fired with the L trigger; the R trigger, as normal, fires your right-hand weapon. When wielding two weapons, you cannot throw grenades, so it?s something of a strategic decision as to whether you want to Woo your enemies.
Hijacking an occupied Ghost is wicked easy and frighteningly fast. Just approach the Ghost from the front or the rear and hold the X button; in a flash, the driver is kicked or punched out of the way and you?re in control. However, don?t dawdle; they can recover and re-steal the car.
Ghosts and Warthogs can also be destroyed; a few shots to each wing on the Ghost will ground it, and a few more will destroy its power core, damaging or killing anyone too close to the explosion. Warthogs blow up too; its rocket turret will explode on its own after the rest of the car collapses. And yes, you can move the wheels around and shoot off the hubcaps.
The sample games were quick three-minute skirmishes where teams flipped constantly; each group got about 20 minutes of hands-on play. The controls, as expected, were just as solid as those from the original--instant comfort and lightning response. Jumping into a Warthog feels pleasantly, comfortably responsive.
The multiplayer already has the look and feel of a finished, polished product; it?s clear Bungie has been working on this for a long time, and it?s making sure every single detail is in place before the game?s November 9 release.
