So what do you guys think of Halo 2?

Has anyone here bought Halo 2 yet? I saw it at the store today and was considering it, but I already played it on my Xbox and even though I have Vista, I still don't have a DX10 card yet and likely won't until sometime next year. So for those who own (bought, not pirated) the PC version, what do you guys think of it?PikaPichu

It's pretty good and the graphics are really good. It looks a lot better than most of the current FPS games. I bought it to check out the new vista features and so far i am really impressed. I even plugged in my xbox controller and it works really well. It really made no difference if I used a mouse or controller. I like the rumble in the controller though.

By the way it's not DX10 and you better off asking in the Halo 2 board because you wouldn't get a proper response here. Look at the previous response for example.

[QUOTE="PikaPichu"]Has anyone here bought Halo 2 yet? I saw it at the store today and was considering it, but I already played it on my Xbox and even though I have Vista, I still don't have a DX10 card yet and likely won't until sometime next year. So for those who own (bought, not pirated) the PC version, what do you guys think of it?Deihmos

It's pretty good and the graphics are really good. It looks a lot better than most of the current FPS games. I bought it to check out the new vista features and so far i am really impressed. I even plugged in my xbox controller and it works really well. It really made no difference if I used a mouse or controller. I like the rumble in the controller though.

By the way it's not DX10 and you better off asking in the Halo 2 board because you wouldn't get a proper response here. Look at the previous response for example.

Why would you buy a 3 year old port for $50? I doubt the graphics are better than todays FPS. 

[QUOTE="PikaPichu"]Has anyone here bought Halo 2 yet? I saw it at the store today and was considering it, but I already played it on my Xbox and even though I have Vista, I still don't have a DX10 card yet and likely won't until sometime next year. So for those who own (bought, not pirated) the PC version, what do you guys think of it?Deihmos

It's pretty good and the graphics are really good. It looks a lot better than most of the current FPS games. I bought it to check out the new vista features and so far i am really impressed. I even plugged in my xbox controller and it works really well. It really made no difference if I used a mouse or controller. I like the rumble in the controller though.

By the way it's not DX10 and you better off asking in the Halo 2 board because you wouldn't get a proper response here. Look at the previous response for example.

Why would you buy a 3 year old port for $50? I doubt the graphics are better than todays FPS. 

[QUOTE="PikaPichu"]Has anyone here bought Halo 2 yet? I saw it at the store today and was considering it, but I already played it on my Xbox and even though I have Vista, I still don't have a DX10 card yet and likely won't until sometime next year. So for those who own (bought, not pirated) the PC version, what do you guys think of it?Deihmos

It's pretty good and the graphics are really good. It looks a lot better than most of the current FPS games. I bought it to check out the new vista features and so far i am really impressed. I even plugged in my xbox controller and it works really well. It really made no difference if I used a mouse or controller. I like the rumble in the controller though.

By the way it's not DX10 and you better off asking in the Halo 2 board because you wouldn't get a proper response here. Look at the previous response for example.

^ This guy thinks Halo 2 is one of the best FPS ever and Far Cry was total crap. Make what you will of that.

[QUOTE="Deihmos"]

[QUOTE="PikaPichu"]Has anyone here bought Halo 2 yet? I saw it at the store today and was considering it, but I already played it on my Xbox and even though I have Vista, I still don't have a DX10 card yet and likely won't until sometime next year. So for those who own (bought, not pirated) the PC version, what do you guys think of it?coolmonkeykid

It's pretty good and the graphics are really good. It looks a lot better than most of the current FPS games. I bought it to check out the new vista features and so far i am really impressed. I even plugged in my xbox controller and it works really well. It really made no difference if I used a mouse or controller. I like the rumble in the controller though.

By the way it's not DX10 and you better off asking in the Halo 2 board because you wouldn't get a proper response here. Look at the previous response for example.

Why would you buy a 3 year old port for $50? I doubt the graphics are better than todays FPS. 

WHy?

It's not exactly the same. The graphics are improved, it has widescreen support and the multiplayer will be awesome. Windows Live is also impressive and I bought it for $40.00 which is nothing. I cannot think of much recent FPS games that look as good. Maybe just Battlefield 2142 but even that is nothig special.

I dunno. I like most FPS games and that includes Halo 2. I'm just wondering what incentives there are for shelling out another $50 for this game if I've already bought and played the Xbox version a year or so ago. For some reason I thought that Halo 2 had special updated DX10 graphics, but I guess that isn't the case here.

I checked out the Halo 2 boards as coolmonkeykid suggested. It's a scary place... I think it combines the GS forums with the forums from GameFAQs and I don't know if our beloved GS mods have any power over there.

It has anti-aliasing and level of detail. My system is a core 2 e6600 and a 7950Gt and i was able to play at max with 1680 x 1050 resolution. You can actually play the single player campaign coop with an online buddy which is good. The sound is also superb.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uHBGWi8aiRA#umT2xwmLL1k

It has anti-aliasing and level of detail. My system is a core 2 e6600 and a 7950Gt and i was able to play at max with 1680 x 1050 resolution. You can actually play the single player campaign coop with an online buddy which is good. The sound is also superb.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uHBGWi8aiRA#umT2xwmLL1k

Deihmos

Wow, my system is very similar to yours! I have an || e6600 | 7950GT | 2GB RAM | X-fi || If you can run it at that resolution, then mine should be capable of that too. (I have a 22" LCD with a 1680x1050 native resolution)

Does coop play online require a subscription to MS Live too? I remember that the box advertised that it included 1 month's free subscription.

You can actually play the single player campaign coop with an online buddy which is good. Deihmos

Cool, but LAN? Or only via Live/internet?

"So what do you guys think of Halo 2?"

what i think?

halo 2 = old run n gun for add kids

vista = total garbagejoykills

i agree. not only are the graphics outdated (PC Gamer said that they could see the blocks on screen, and it's even more noticable in their review screenshots) but you also have to buy Vista in order to play.

Microsoft made a horrible mistake by making it only for the Vista. They have lost about 80% of the PC gaming population, and now they wont want to buy it becuase its on Vista.

I will only buy it if they:
1. Make it for the XP
2. Make Vista around $60-$90
3. (which also goes with 2) Fix the horrible gaming bugs with Vista.

Face it, Halo 2 is about 2 generations behind the current PC games. If they wanted to make money off of it, they should have released it about 2 years ago.

[QUOTE="Deihmos"]

It has anti-aliasing and level of detail. My system is a core 2 e6600 and a 7950Gt and i was able to play at max with 1680 x 1050 resolution. You can actually play the single player campaign coop with an online buddy which is good. The sound is also superb.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uHBGWi8aiRA#umT2xwmLL1k

PikaPichu

Wow, my system is very similar to yours! I have an || e6600 | 7950GT | 2GB RAM | X-fi || If you can run it at that resolution, then mine should be capable of that too. (I have a 22" LCD with a 1680x1050 native resolution)

Does coop play online require a subscription to MS Live too? I remember that the box advertised that it included 1 month's free subscription.

Sorry I made an error, It does not have any co-op modes. Windows Live sub is only required for matchmaking with friends, true skill matchmaking, multiplayer chievements and hosting games. Everything else is included with silver membership. You get a common gamertag, single player achievements, gamer profile, chat/voice etc

When I pop the disc in I was able to play right away while the game installed in the background. Suppose to be one of the new vista features.

It has to the best multiplayer options I have ever seen in a PC game and it would be good if more PC games use it. 

It does not have any co-op modes. Windows Live sub is only required for matchmaking with friends, true skill matchmaking, multiplayer chievements and hosting games. Everything else is included with silver membership. You get a common gamertag, single player achievements, gamer profile, chat/voice etc

When I pop the disc in I was able to play right away while the game installed in the background. Suppose to be one of the new vista features.

It has to the best multiplayer options I have ever seen in a PC game and it would be good if more PC games use it. 

Deihmos

Does that mean if you just want to play against random people, it's free to play online? As for being able to play while it's installing, didn't that slow down the gameplay as it was installing? If not, then that's an awesome feature that I'd like to see more of too.

[QUOTE="Deihmos"]It does not have any co-op modes. Windows Live sub is only required for matchmaking with friends, true skill matchmaking, multiplayer chievements and hosting games. Everything else is included with silver membership. You get a common gamertag, single player achievements, gamer profile, chat/voice etc

When I pop the disc in I was able to play right away while the game installed in the background. Suppose to be one of the new vista features.

It has to the best multiplayer options I have ever seen in a PC game and it would be good if more PC games use it. 

PikaPichu

Does that mean if you just want to play against random people, it's free to play online? As for being able to play while it's installing, didn't that slow down the gameplay as it was installing? If not, then that's an awesome feature that I'd like to see more of too.

You can still play with friends. Matchmaking is a bunch of options that basically match you with the right game and trueskill matches you with players in your skill level. It comes with one month free Gold but I already have a Gold sub.

No it did not slow down gameplay and it installed in around 30 seconds or less. It's called "tray and play" and "rapid install" and has something to do with the design of Vista. It activates similiar to Vista and you do not need the DVD to play.

Where did you guys buy it or did you torrent it?  Because most sites say it hits the stores 5/25/07 and others say 5/22/07.Bi0HaZaRD_15

I got it in Circuit City today. It was the last copy.

Where did you guys buy it or did you torrent it?  Because most sites say it hits the stores 5/25/07 and others say 5/22/07.Bi0HaZaRD_15

I specifically mentioned in my original post that my question was only for those who've bought the game. Like I said, I saw it at a store earlier today. I dunno if they broke the street date or anything, so I don't want word to get out and have them put it back away for the official release date.

Wow, able to play the game WHILE you're installing it? That's awesome!

Now if only they could get in some optimization for high end systems, then I'd get it.

Sorry I made an error, It does not have any co-op modes.Deihmos

So there isn't any coop gameplay in Halo 2 PC after all?

Ugh, you had me interested for a while :P but I'm going to pass, and wait for a better game!

[QUOTE="Deihmos"]

[QUOTE="PikaPichu"]Has anyone here bought Halo 2 yet? I saw it at the store today and was considering it, but I already played it on my Xbox and even though I have Vista, I still don't have a DX10 card yet and likely won't until sometime next year. So for those who own (bought, not pirated) the PC version, what do you guys think of it?Erlkoenig

It's pretty good and the graphics are really good. It looks a lot better than most of the current FPS games. I bought it to check out the new vista features and so far i am really impressed. I even plugged in my xbox controller and it works really well. It really made no difference if I used a mouse or controller. I like the rumble in the controller though.

By the way it's not DX10 and you better off asking in the Halo 2 board because you wouldn't get a proper response here. Look at the previous response for example.

^ This guy thinks Halo 2 is one of the best FPS ever and Far Cry was total crap. Make what you will of that.

Halo 2 multiplayer is freaking awesome, second only to Unreal Tournament and CS 1.6

Far Cry is good for benchmarking, it looks amazing and has great AI, but the game sucks.

If you don't have a Halo 2 already for Xbox then you need to buy it.

[QUOTE="Deihmos"]

[QUOTE="PikaPichu"]Has anyone here bought Halo 2 yet? I saw it at the store today and was considering it, but I already played it on my Xbox and even though I have Vista, I still don't have a DX10 card yet and likely won't until sometime next year. So for those who own (bought, not pirated) the PC version, what do you guys think of it?Erlkoenig

It's pretty good and the graphics are really good. It looks a lot better than most of the current FPS games. I bought it to check out the new vista features and so far i am really impressed. I even plugged in my xbox controller and it works really well. It really made no difference if I used a mouse or controller. I like the rumble in the controller though.

By the way it's not DX10 and you better off asking in the Halo 2 board because you wouldn't get a proper response here. Look at the previous response for example.

^ This guy thinks Halo 2 is one of the best FPS ever and Far Cry was total crap. Make what you will of that.

i never onced said Halo is the best FPS. Battlefield 2142 is currently my favorite and I don't see where far cry came in. maybe you looked at the rating I gave the game. Far Cry has a pathetic online multiplayer and the single player is nothign special hence the reason I gave it a low rating. I think it's one of the most over rated games on the PC.

I have not played Halo 2 in over a year and bought it for the PC mainly to check out the new vista features and Live for windows. So far i am impressed.

[QUOTE="Erlkoenig"][QUOTE="Deihmos"]

[QUOTE="PikaPichu"]Has anyone here bought Halo 2 yet? I saw it at the store today and was considering it, but I already played it on my Xbox and even though I have Vista, I still don't have a DX10 card yet and likely won't until sometime next year. So for those who own (bought, not pirated) the PC version, what do you guys think of it?Deihmos

It's pretty good and the graphics are really good. It looks a lot better than most of the current FPS games. I bought it to check out the new vista features and so far i am really impressed. I even plugged in my xbox controller and it works really well. It really made no difference if I used a mouse or controller. I like the rumble in the controller though.

By the way it's not DX10 and you better off asking in the Halo 2 board because you wouldn't get a proper response here. Look at the previous response for example.

^ This guy thinks Halo 2 is one of the best FPS ever and Far Cry was total crap. Make what you will of that.

i never onced said Halo is the best FPS. Battlefield 2142 is currently my favorite and I don't see where far cry came in. maybe you looked at the rating I gave the game. Far Cry has a pathetic online multiplayer and the single player is nothign special hence the reason I gave it a low rating. I think it's one of the most over rated games on the PC.

I have not played Halo 2 in over a year and bought it for the PC mainly to check out the new vista features and Live for windows. So far i am impressed.

It's not even worth arguing with these people. A minority on this forums believes that anything for a console sucks. IMHO, they are not true gamers, they are PC fanboys.  Those type of people only hurt our community. 

Anyway, thanks for the short review. 

wait, so no matter what if u get this game your going to have to pay for online??0_Wii_Man_0

I think playing online like most every other PC game is free. But if you want ranked matches and acheivement points and stuff, you'll have to pay for Microsoft Live.

You do not have to pay to play online. The free features is a lot more than you will ever receive with any PC game. The online setup is also the best I have ever seen on any PC game. I just wish more games will use it.

You must pay 49.99 for a year for online acievements, matchmaking with friends and trueskill matchmaking. Right now i would say it is not really worth it since not that many games will use the service but I really hope more will catch on.

can u install this on more than one system and play lan? or do you need multiple copies? and do you need gold to host lan?theshadowhunter

Good question. Someone mentioned something earlier about 'activating' the game so I'd like to know too. It may be like the Steam games where you can only play it on one system at a time.

can u install this on more than one system and play lan? or do you need multiple copies? and do you need gold to host lan?theshadowhunter

I doubt it can be installed on multiplae PCs because it uses something smiliar to Vista activation. You can host dedicated servers but cannot host in game servers with silver membership.

can u install this on more than one system and play lan? or do you need multiple copies? and do you need gold to host lan?theshadowhunter

[QUOTE="theshadowhunter"]can u install this on more than one system and play lan? or do you need multiple copies? and do you need gold to host lan?anshul89

It does support lan.

PPL PPL PPL PLEASE! It does not matter wht you think becauseit keeps oh so many gamers on consoles,all it matters is this: a great game, one of the very few xbox has, and i mean really great, has come to us. face it, even the xbox gamers prize game has come, and halo  3 will come soon. so, i see this as not an omen, but a sighn. a sighn of the fall of all consoles (cept maybe nintendo, i kinda like the wii every now and agaiin at my friends, Super Smash Brothers!!!!!) but i will always be a loyal pc gamer.

PPL PPL PPL PLEASE! It does not matter wht you think becauseit keeps oh so many gamers on consoles,all it matters is this: a great game, one of the very few xbox has, and i mean really great, has come to us. face it, even the xbox gamers prize game has come, and halo  3 will come soon. so, i see this as not an omen, but a sighn. a sighn of the fall of all consoles (cept maybe nintendo, i kinda like the wii every now and agaiin at my friends, Super Smash Brothers!!!!!) but i will always be a loyal pc gamer.

snipercomplete

i always wondered why anyone says that. I really do not consider a PC a gaming system especially since everyone has one.

[QUOTE="snipercomplete"]

PPL PPL PPL PLEASE! It does not matter wht you think becauseit keeps oh so many gamers on consoles,all it matters is this: a great game, one of the very few xbox has, and i mean really great, has come to us. face it, even the xbox gamers prize game has come, and halo 3 will come soon. so, i see this as not an omen, but a sighn. a sighn of the fall of all consoles (cept maybe nintendo, i kinda like the wii every now and agaiin at my friends, Super Smash Brothers!!!!!) but i will always be a loyal pc gamer.

Deihmos

i always wondered why anyone says that. I really do not consider a PC a gaming system especially since everyone has one.

People consider PC a gaming system only if it has fairly new parts and can play most, if not all, of the games recently released. I played Halo 2 on xbox with a friend. We beat it 4 times on co-op on all difficulty levels and I played a fair amount of time online at his place. So even if I had the system to run it, I would not get it anyway.  

The multiplayer is really good. Just got done playing a game of Capture the flag and their are a good amount of people online. You can use the mouse or the 360 controllerwith mic  and it plays just as good with both and you can switch between them anytime. I prefer the controller when in vehicles and while shooting but the mouse when I have a sniper.

The graphics are nice enough but the multiplayer is just so much fun and Live for Windows makes everything so simple.

Here are some screenshots with 2xAA. CLick to enlarge.

So how much better than the origianal Xbox game you think?  :)dunamistheou

I have not played it on the original xbox in years so i wouldn't know but that came out almost 3 years ago. I saw conparisons and it looks a lot better plus it supports higher resolutions. Dosn't look nearly as good as Halo 3 though.

Never played the console version, but the Halo 2 on the PC is pretty frikkin sweet.  Not the Best Game Ever (tm), but pretty frikkin sweet.

Haha u payed full price for a 3 year old game!!timma25

I paid $40.00 which is pocket change to me.  Didn't get it so much for Halo 2 but to check out the new Vista features and Windows Live. The game is really fun online though so I may be playing it for a while. Also love those achievement points.