Overall there are different things about this game I consider pros and cons, and to put them into words would take too long. If you thought HALO was overrated, please don't blame your disappointment on those of us who enjoyed the game - it does not mean we don't know anything about FPS games. It was a unique experience and blew everyone away - myself included. I thought it had a solid lead character, good graphics, fairly good villains, and overall excellent gameplay. Frankly, I loved the endless abilities HALO provided - the intense gameplay, the freeroam, etc. Bummer.) Admitting to loving HALO does not mean I have "not played" any other FPS'es. I've played tons of FPS games over the years - Doom, Unreal Tournament, AvP, Unreal, Goldeneye, etc. Oh, and here's one more thing: The whole FPS snobbery thing is getting old. I don't mind having linear gameplay, because it's still a lot of fun. If it had been identical to the original, we'd all be complaining. I'm glad Bungie went somewhere new with this.
It's the ALIENS of the ALIEN series - it's meaner, faster, and different than its predecessor - for better or worse. It's NOT very much like the original HALO when it comes to actual gameplay. It's got a very dark story going on and the gameplay (including weapons, etc.) reminds me very much of the old N64 game. I used to own it and play it all the time, but it's been years since I've laid eyes on it!). The gameplay of HALO 2 reminded me of that N64 game with the female protagonist (wasn't it DARK something? I can't remember. The game is not as freeroam as the original (as others have pointed out). The opening montage shows a space ship gliding through space and it's much more realistic than the original HALO in which many battleships seemed to just be still images being screened in front of a back projection. The movies are great - I don't like the new/remapped characters such as the Covenant creatures in the opening sequence.but they look amazing and character details (faces in particular, and body movements) are more realistic than anything we've ever seen before. If I had played this first, would I feel the same? 2. I agree that the weapons aren't as good in HALO 2 but that's probably got to do with the fact that I enjoyed HALO so much. If HALO 2 had been released first, people would be saying HALO "sucked" because they changed the weapons, etc. The high expectations are what cause people to dislike this more so than the game itself. Or is it? Okay, here's a few things to consider: 1. Well, okay, it's not the masterpiece we expected. The new graphics engine was supposedly "kick-a$$," and nothing we had ever seen before. HALO 2 is the first bit of HALO we've had since 2001.
It was "the" highly anticipated game - more so than GTA San Andreas, which has had its predecessors close behind (2001, 2002, 2004). HALO 2 has disappointed many videogamers.