Halo 2 Multiplayer Map Pack
A handful of the stages have been put on the download content roster on Xbox Live for free, but for five of the new stages you’ll have to shell out some cash to cover the admission. If you don’t feel like downloading each of these you can pick up the Halo 2 Multiplayer Map Pack which includes all nine new maps, updates and even a few special features. The kicker is that the disc costs roughly $19.99 and at the end of the summer the paid upgrades are going to be freebies, so you have to ask yourself if you want to pay the cover charge to play these a little earlier.
Gameplay:
While the bulk of the gameplay remains the same as it has always been for Halo 2, some of the upgrades that you may have missed have tweaked a few minor things. For one thing the damage for grenades and melee attacks has been improved; Bungie also worked on fixing some bugs from the original build and updates to crack down on cheating. If you’ve been playing online all along, chances are that you already have these upgrades but if not, this is your chance to catch up.
The obvious main focus with the Multiplayer Map Pack is the subsequent nine locations that have been added for all your fragging needs. Every map that has been added feels as if it were tailor made for a specific game mode and even though you can play them with any game type, there are just some they are better suited for. Sure some of these are freebies and the rest around going to be free at the end of the summer, but who wants to wait that long!?
Backwash
This stage may remind you of the 343 Guilty Spark level from the original Halo thanks to the thick atmosphere and swampy trappings. This is one of the smaller stages, but it’s also one of the more cluttered with trees, roots and objects jutting out everywhere. There is also a thick green fog that lies over the ground so it can become very difficult to track down your prey accurately. After playing every game mode, the map feels more directed towards Slayer matches, but is also good for CTF and territories.
Containment
Containment is easily one of the largest maps in Halo 2 now and is ideal for games with 16 players running amuck. There are a lot of compounds, caves and wide open spaces, so have Warthog, will travel. It’s rather easy to get lost on this map considering the shear scope of its size, just keep that in mind if its only going to be you and a couple of buddies. CTF and Slayer are the best modes for this map, but Bomb Assault can be pretty fun too.
Elongation
If this stage is looking familiar to you Halo 1 vets, it’s probably because it’s a reworked version of the hallway level, Longest. I really didn’t like this map as much and it’s probably my least favorite out of the new batch, mostly because of the tight corridors, intersecting hallways and multi-tiered environments means you have to constantly watch your back. The stage has been made more maneuverable with some more open spaces and paths to explore, so it’s really ideal for some crazy Slayer matches and CTF.
Gemini
Now this is a stage that I really liked. It’s similar to Midship, but has a lot of hallways for close quarters fighting, some balconies that go outdoors and a multi-tiered atrium with a huge tree and pond. Despite the indoor nature of the stage there are some great sniping spots and hunting grounds with the Energy Sword. I absolutely loved this stage for Slayer and King of the Hill, but found it not to be too suited for some of the other modes.
Relic
This is another huge stage, but it is not nearly as vast as Containment is. It’s a tiny island surrounded on all sides by beaches with a Marine drop ship on one side and a large structure on the other. If you have a lot of people playing this stage is a safe bet, but if you’ve just got a few in your party be prepared to do a lot of walking while you’re looking for a fight. This is another great stage for snipers and both Covenant and human rifles can be found on the map. The stage is great for CTF, Assault and Slayer as long as you have eight or more people playing.
Sanctuary
Sanctuary is a wide open mid-sized level with crumbled buildings, bridges, jutting rocks and a lot of water. A sniper will do well on this stage since it’s possible to get a good view of everything from a few vantage points. This map is ideal for smaller parties, but can accommodate larger ones just as nicely and has a good mix of weaponry for standard placement. Slayer, CTF, Territories and Assault are all good here, since the stage has a good balance of size and structure.
Terminal
Terminal is another one of my favorite stages that have been added to Halo 2. There is enough variety in its design and access points that there are a few ways to get to every area. A clever addition is a train that runs through the center of the map so if you want to get the Energy Sword you have to risk getting splattered since it’s placed right no the tracks. This is one of the more smartly designed stages and lends itself well to all types of gameplay, but is better suited for eight or more players.
Turf
Assuming everyone reading this has beaten the game, do you remember when Master Chief took down that Covenant Scarab? This is a similar environment and takes place in an urban environment surrounding a fallen Scarab. I love this stage and feel it lends itself well to all game types with its various alleyways, buildings and ledges. Campers will be able to find some pretty rude hiding places though and can get the drop on you easily if you aren’t careful.
Warlock
If you think of Warlock as the Foundation stage with a jungle coat of paint, dark setting and no rooms, then you pretty much hit the nail on the head. It’s a circular level with a center structure and ledges, but plays like a very wide open environment. Slayer, CTF and Oddball find a good home here, but the rest of the modes don’t feel that good on the stage.
After taking a look at all of the maps it’s clear that they had a lot of thought put into their designs. I personally liked some stages more than others, but then again everyone is going to have their personal preferences depending on their playing style and the type of modes they enjoy. The bottom line is that these maps are definitely worth a download for anyone who still plays Halo 2 or has taken a break from it like I had.
If you don’t want to wait and you happen to bite on the Multiplayer Map Pack, there are some special features as I had mentioned. There is a rather cool cut scene called Another Day at the Beach that features a troop of marines squaring off with some Covenant forces. It’s only a couple of minutes, but there are a few cool bits that got a chuckle out of me. The other feature on the disc is one called Killtacular. In this video the development teams of the new maps talk about the intricacies of their stages and what it was like to design them. It’s a very interesting inside look behind the maps with some key strategies and quips that any Halo fan will enjoy watching.
Graphics:
The graphics obviously run off of the same engine, but with the new environments come some new textures and lighting. Unlike some other game’s download content, there is a great sense of style and attention put into Bungie’s work. These levels are instantly distinguishable from the maps that came with the original Halo 2 game and you’ll want to take your time to explore them to their fullest to catch the smallest details that have been added.
Audio:
The audio is the same that’s in the Halo 2 game; the only difference here is that there are some environmental effects in some stages that were added as well as some voices, like in the Terminal. Also on the Multiplayer Map Pack there is a rather funny Audio Test for your surround sound system that’s worth checking out for a laugh.
Conclusion:
Considering that Halo 2 is the most popular game on the Xbox, Xbox Live and is considered one of the best FPS games on a home console, Bungie needed to do right with this Multiplayer Map Pack. In my opinion they hit the ball out of the park and if you don’t want to wait for the free download, you should definitely check this release out. Halo 2 is one of the most addicting online action games to date and the installment of these new maps only ensures that it will rope you back in and breath new life into the game. Highly Recommended