|
 |
|
| | Title:
Halo 2 Multiplayer Map Pack
..............................................
System:
Xbox
..............................................
Genre:
First Person Shooter
..............................................
Publisher:
Microsoft
..............................................
Developer:
Bungie
..............................................
Release:
July 5th, 2005
..............................................
Online:
Yes
..............................................
ESRB:
Mature (M)
..............................................
 |
Halo 2 was released over a half a year ago and it still shows no signs of loosing its steam. Once the game was released, millions of gamers coughed up the $50 that the game was definitely worth. After a few weeks most gamers completed the single player campaign mode and the next best things to do was to jump online and play with others. The game featured twelve outstanding maps that took everyone a while to get used to and learn. Now Bungie has decided to add nine new maps to this list to spice things up a bit. The nine new maps are contained on a different disc that gamers must purchase (in addition to the Halo 2 game) to have the extra maps. The new disc also comes with a few extras and is priced at $20. If you are an active Halo 2 Xbox Live player, this is what you have been waiting for, or if you bought Halo 2 when it came out and since have stopped playing, this may be what makes you pick that controller back up again.
The New Maps
On April 25th the first four maps in the map pack were available online. Two, Containment and Warlock, were free for anyone to download, and the other two maps had to be purchased at $5.99 through Xbox Live. However, on June 28th the two extra maps were made available to everyone for free. Now that four of the nine new maps have been given away for free to everyone on Xbox Live, there are only five extra maps to get if you purchase the new map pack. Now let’s take a look at these intense new multiplayer maps.
Containment
Containment is a large, outdoor, icy beast. It contains two huge fortresses on each end of the map and an expanse of icy and snowy terrain separating the two bases. Each base contains a warthog and a scorpion tank (previously a banshee as well, but was later removed). Containment is only recommended for Big Team Battles due to its sheer size. If you happen to capture the enemy flag and don't have a ride, prepare for a long hike and for the enemy to be on your tail before you even make it half way. Each base offers a good amount of defense against attack. Vehicles can not enter the base unless the giant retractable door is open in the front of the base. The button to open the door is actually located in front of the base, so it is quite easy for intruders to open it themselves. There is also a teleporter inside of the base the will teleport you right above the door switch. This allows for an easy and swift escape should you happen you just take the enemy flag.
Warlock
Warlock is among one of the smallest of the new maps and contains four small bases tightly packed around a center structure. The map also contains two stores in a number of places. Whether you are playing capture the flag, assault, or just plain slayer, this map definitely won't have you walking long distances to accomplish anything. Action is always happening, grenades and bullets are flying everywhere, and a friend or foe is around every corner. The map also contains four teleports (or two sets) that will teleport you to the other side of the map. These teleporters are great if you are trying to capture a flag quickly or rush in a bomb. Each base contains an air lift to gain access to, or you can enter the base from the second floor of a near by platform. Also located in the center structure is an active camouflage and just below that on the first floor are some grenades and two Magnums.
Turf
Turf is an excellent map that resembles a small city block. It has a few different areas but really no distinguishable bases, everything flows together as one area. The map contains four different parts, an included building with a whole near the top, some sort of medical makeshift building that also has several wall barricades, a large and strange alien gate, and lastly an area that contains a warthog. If you decide to drive the warthog in this level, you better have some excellent driving skills and know where you are going or players will be complaining about your bad driving skills through the narrow streets and back allies in this map.
Sanctuary
Sanctuary’s environment looks like the ruins of ancient buildings build hundreds of years ago. The map is medium in size and contains two different bases with a center structure in the middle that contains the sword, a pool of water, and some other goodies that each base has equal access to. Each base has a total of four different entrances so you are always prone to attack. However, each base also contains a handy turret for defense. Snipers, rifles, shotguns, and pretty much every other weapon is scattered around the level so the battles will be intense, but the level is too small to be riding around in vehicles, so none were included.
Backwash
Backwash is a unique (and possible one of the best in the pack) map that is located in the middle of a lush forest. A combination of the tall trees, the green ground, the mist, and the constant rain all give you the feel that this place is different. Like most of the other maps, Backwash contains a center structure where most of the action will take place. The structure is round in shape and has a total of three different levels. There are also two small bases on each end of the map. Due to the fact that you are playing in the middle of a dense forest there are no vehicles of any kind in this map. However, every now and then you might notice a little robot (known as 2401 Penitent Tangent) zooming around the map. Backwash was designed around the swamp level in the first Halo, so if it looks oddly familiar, it probably is.
Relic
Relic is another very unique map to the new Halo 2 maps. It is actually an entire island with room to do whatever you want. It has tons of rocks, large tree parts, and small hills to navigate around or on top of. A large base structure takes up a good amount of area in the middle of the island. Located at the tail end and second story of the center base is the flag mount. It is extremely difficult to get to, due to its location, but once the flag is taken, even if they die immediately, the flag can easily be tossed off of the platform allow for easy access. Because this map is so huge it is only recommended for big team battles. The map also contains one warthog and ghost on one end of the island.
Terminal
The map terminal is interesting because it actually has a high-speed train built right into the middle of the map! No, you can't hitch a ride or run it off its tracks. If you happen to be in its way while it speeds by, you won't even have enough time to say a quick prayer. The train will obliterate anything from a marine to a full size scorpion tank. So if you have to cross the tracks, always make sure to look both ways first. Besides the high-speed train Terminal is a pretty large map with a number of different floors and places to go. The rather big map contains two Ghosts, a Wraith, and a Gauss Warthog. With this many vehicles to play around with and such open space, it is hard not to take the warthog for a little victory spin (even if your team happens to be loosing).
Elongation
Elongation takes place inside of some sort of shipping facility. There are a continuous string of boxes entering and leaving the building and are moved with a conveyer belt. The two conveyer belts are always running and are a great way to travel to the other side of the map. It is also very easy to use the two belts and boxes on them as cover against enemy fire or fast access to the other side of the level. Other than the two conveyer belts the rest of the map is somewhat plain.
Gemini
The map Gemini is most like Midship. It is complete with hi-tech beeping doors, a Covenant Prophet statue, two twisted trees in a small patch of grass, a jump pad and plenty of alien looking objects in the environment. In one area of the level you can walk around on a balcony and the view is absolutely amazing. In the distance you can see some sort of alien city and some other large structure. Although it looks awesome, there is not much to do on this balcony besides teleport back inside. The map is symmetrical but it is easy to get lost if you are new to the map due to the fact that almost everything looks the same. With no vehicles and no real distinguishable bases this map only seems good for the good old fashioned slayer.
Overall
If you are an online Halo 2 player this new map pack will be worth every penny. Even if you are not interested in a few extras that this disc has to offer, the five extra maps (in addition to the ones you can now download for free on Xbox Live) are well worth the money. However, if you don't play Halo 2 online, or at least often play split screen with a friend this map pack is useless. As stated earlier, Halo 2 doesn't seem to be loosing any steam, and this is just like adding more coals to the fire. We believe that loads of people will continue playing Halo 2 and all twenty-one total maps online for at least another year and well after the launch of the Xbox 360.
| The Core Score |
Overall
9.5 |
| Fun |
|
9.8 |
| Gameplay |
|
9.8 |
| Graphics |
|
9.7 |
| Audio |
|
9 |
| Replay |
|
9 |
|
| | | |
