So I see it a lot. "Halo > Halo 2" I'm sure you have as well. Now, as far as gameplay is concerned, it's a matter of opinion. But, it just mind boggles me when I see someone claim that Halo's story is more in depth than Halo 2's. Now, I don't care about whether or not they like it or not. If they enjoy the simpler story Halo has to offer, that's fine. But I really can't see how someone can say that Halo 2's story is simpler than Halo's.

First of all, I want to try and address why people are turned off by Halo 2's story to begin with. It's because Bungie was really secretive about the story of Halo 2. However, they needed to show something during their marketing campaign. Thus the decision to only show the Earth related levels. They didn't want to reveal that you'd be visiting another Halo. They defintely didn't want to reveal you'd be playing as an Elite. Thus their choice. This made everyone assume that the entire game would be about stopping the Covenant invasion of Earth. When In Amber Clad went after Regret, a lot of people became really upset, and even cheated that the game didn't focus on the Earth invasion. Therefore a lot of people became turned off from the story, and in my opinion, didn't give it much of a chance.

Some people were even turned off by the concept of playing as an Elite. While many found this concept to be very cool, many were turned off by "playing as the alien." One thing people need to realize, is that war is not as black as white as movies and television makes it out to be. As you can tell from some of my icons, I'm a huge Gundam fan. What I loved about Gundam, is how it really showed there really is no "good guys vs bad guys." Before Halo 2, that's what the Halo universe really seemed to be. Just, good guys versus bad guys. The books kind of blurred that line a bit, showing some corruption within many Navy officials, but to people who just played the game, it really was Good vs Bad. So now, all the sudden you're seeing that the bad guys, aren't really that bad at all. That many of them are being manipulated by their leaders into a war that they really have no idea about. While I'm sure many, including myself, found this new point of view fascinating, some were confused and was turned off by the very concept of it.

Which kind of leads me to my next point. The main plot line to Halo 2, was the Civil War of the Covenant. Everything else, really is just build up to Halo 3. And the only way to show the Civil War, was through the eyes of the Arbiter. I'm sure you've heard rumors that "The Arbiter was thrown in last minute" and really, that's just nonsense. There is no other way to show the Civil War. It had to be seen from the Covenant's point of view. The main story really does revolve around the Civil War. So, if you were turned off by the Arbiter, or by anything after the Earth levels, then the game really will seem lack luster.

Master Chief's side of things really wasn't deep at all. If anything, his side of things were just build up to Halo 3. Which, is probably why so many people think Halo 2 "didn't have an ending." Master Chief's ark was not resolved. He was given an objective that he didn't accomplish. People relate Master Chief to the main character, so now that this side of things were left unfinished, it seemed like the game itself was incomplete. But this all goes back to Halo 2's story centering around the Civil War. The Arbiter's objective was resolved. His objective was to stop Delta Halo from activating, which he accomplished. In the meantime he rallied his brethren against the pawns of the Hierarchs. While he still has plot lines left unresolved, the immediate threat was dealt with.

Halo's story was pretty simple. Master Chief, as bad ass as he is, is one-dimensional. It's how he was programmed. Sure, if you've read the books you'd know there's more that meets the eye, but in terms of the story of Halo, it was pretty simple. I'll admit, the original Halo was a great experience, but I'm just trying to point out that the story of Halo was simple in comparison to Halo 2. Does that mean Halo had a simple story? Compared to other FPSs, no, which is one of the many reasons Halo was such a hit to begin with. But in the end, it was centered around a very one dimensional character. Halo's story is good, but was straight forward and didn't need much to interpretation.

I also think Halo 2 had more character. I mean, I actually felt attachment to the Marines in Halo 2, when in Halo I felt they were nothing more than ammo supplies, besides Sarge of course. It even gave a character to Master Chief himself, showing that he has a connection with Sarge (case in point, the orbital drop to Delta Halo scene.) It was also great to see the interaction of all the different species within the Covenant. Seeing the prejudice between the different species along with seeing their hierarchy structure. Plus, not to mention Half-Jaw, whose bad assery reaches Spartan level. In Halo, the only characters that actually got any development were Cortana, Sarga, Guilty Spark, and Keyes, and it can be argued just how much development they received.

In the end, Halo's story really was simpler than Halo 2's, but I think people still just don't give Halo 2 a chance and can't really see the true point. People need to realize that Master Chief is not the main character anymore. It can even be argued that the Arbiter was more of a main character as Master Chief, but I personally feel it was split both ways. Halo 2 was about the Civil War, and a build up to events that will be concluded in Halo 3. Keeping this in mind, if you were originally turned off by Halo 2's story, I ask to give it another chance. There's a lot there to understand, and it runs very deep. Don't just rush through the Arbiter levels, but actually live in the moment. Don't just turn yourself off from the character because he's an alien. Try to see it from his point of view, and try to understand the plot. There's even key points about the Civil War that's shown within Master Chief's final levels.

So again, if you were one of the ones that was turned off from Halo 2, do me a favor. Play it again. Keep in mind the points I make, and pay attention. You may be surprised. Now, I understand there are a lot of people who completely and 100% understand the Halo 2 story and still don't like it, and that's fine. Everyone is entitled to their opinion. But I believe there are a lot of people who made their opinion on somewhat false pretenses, and want them to reconsider.