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Ash Offerings *SP*
Posted By: Socrates <fuel4freedom@yahoo.com>Date: 11/18/04 7:55 p.m.

In Response To: My Thursday morning BBQ (just add flames) *long (Ducain)

I understand and share many of your frustrations. Throughout the first time I played through the game, I was waiting for the story to really get going. Just before I hit the credits, I thought I'd reached maybe level ten or eleven, and was looking forward to a particularly tasty, meaty ending to the game. In finding a cliffhanger, I was dissapointed; others with me, at the time, were outright furious.

The with the story does not, I suspect, stem from the plot itself as it does from the setup to the plot. Two Halo novels and an immense amount of hype--not half of which came out of Bungie or Microsoft, to be fair--set up those of us who were looking forward to playing Campaign mode all the way through as soon as we had that lovely box of brushed aluminium (or plastic) in our hands for a story which would have matched any of Homer's works in length, breadth, and depth. I and others I knew were expecting Shakespeare, and we received T. S. Eliot, instead; through the work of truly excellent authors, the first Halo team, and the actions of the Halo community itself (including those involved in marketing Halo 2, and by extension hyping it), we expected a great bit more than what we got, and I think most of us are dissapointed for it.

I've played through the game twice, now, once on heroic and once on legendary; I'm currently dabbling in Normal and Heroic. Through these latter two experiences with Halo 2, I've gained more appreciation for the story. Because I was waiting for the end of the Halo story the first time through, I missed much of the actual plot of Halo 2. What we, the players, face in the Halo 3 story is much, much different than what we thought we would face with the Halo 2 story. For one, the Covenant, though they are apparently in the middle of assaulting Earth with nearly their entire fleet, are simultaneously in the middle of a civil war--this civil war, if played out, will rend the Covenant apart into two lesser factions, if not to the point where each individual species in the Covenant is at war or no longer allied with every other species in the Covenant. For another, we now have the Flood in a position to engage in interstellar travel with Covenant ships, and maybe one Human ship (the In Amber Clad), and we've met what would be the Flood's equivalent to the "Command Form" of the Vang.

There are more changes, of course, but I'll leave them for you to discover at your will.

As for gameplay, I personally think that Halo 2 is an improvement over Halo, though I agree with your sentiment that there seems to be an unusual but subtle emphasis on easter eggs and "tricking," this time around; if it is there at all, as I think it is, it is likely a response to the surges in interest surrounding the discovery, hunt for, and displays of easter eggs and tricks within the first Halo. There are only three other faults I can find with Halo 2's gameplay, and two of them are weapon-related; the first is that we, the players, spend more time as the Arbiter than as the Master Chief (or so it seems). I cannot overstate my appreciation for seeing this conflict from the Covenant's point of view, or for the chance to experience the major changes in the plot that I can experience through playing the Arbiter, but I think I might have been a little more content with the gameplay if I'd been able to play an equal amount of the game as the Master Chief. As for my two weapons related complaints: I wish that we were able to pick up those ceremonial staffs and use them, and I wish that the ratio of Human to Covenant (to Other) weapons in the game were a little more equal. (Currently, that ratio stands at 6:8:1 by my count.)

The music I can barely find any fault with at all; one of the tracks sounds like Enya composed and performed it; this isn't a problem, except for the fact that Enya puts me to sleep, something that isn't exactly well-matched with an adrenaline-pumping first-person shooter. Even the inclusion of music not made by Marty O'Donnell and crew I am learning to overlook, to the point where I'm now open to considering placing the first volume of the soundtrack on my "wish I could have, if I had more money" list.

The visuals are spectacular, at least on the screens I've been playing the game on. The "popping in" of characters and scenery can get rather annoying, but I understand the limitations of the xbox and their ramifications upon the cutscenes in Halo 2.

Overall, I like the game. I do wish that the Campaign mode experience was a little better, but I still think that the Campaign mode alone is worth the high price I paid to have the Halo 2 LE shipped to my residence such that it arrived on the morning of the 9th.

Honestly, Ducain, I advise that you play through it again. But this time, clear your mind of the pre-release hype expectations and play it as it is, a sequal to Halo. Like I said at first, I understand and share many of your frustrations, and I have shared your disappointment. It is not the "fanboi" in me which brought me to make my first post here in months, only to offer my differing opinion; part of it is that I wanted to share my opinion, even though it is different, and another part is that I want you to find yourself able to fire up the Xbox and play Halo 2's Campaign mode without feelings of remorse, disappointment, or anger. This I do because I think I understand why you hold those feelings you mentioned now, and I think that you might not have to hold them for a very long time.

At any rate, I've probably posted too much text at this point. Use my email address if you want to discuss this further with me, Ducain.

Pax Vobiscum,

Socrates


Message Index




Replies:

My Thursday morning BBQ (just add flames) *longDucain 11/18/04 10:12 a.m.
     Re: My Thursday morning BBQ (just add flames) *sp*N1NJ4 11/18/04 10:29 a.m.
     Re: My Thursday morning BBQ (just add flames) *lonICDedPpl 11/18/04 10:35 a.m.
           Re: My Thursday morning BBQ (just add flames) *lonjazo 11/18/04 10:43 a.m.
                 Re: My Thursday morning BBQ (just add flames) *lonIsh 11/18/04 10:46 a.m.
                 Re: My Thursday morning BBQ (just add flames) *lonGladius 1000 11/18/04 7:20 p.m.
     Re: My Thursday morning BBQ (just add flames) *lonCaptain Spark 11/18/04 10:50 a.m.
     Re: Me agrees *NM*thunderhawk555 11/18/04 11:17 a.m.
     Re: My Thursday morning BBQ (just add flames) *lonWalshicus 11/18/04 11:22 a.m.
           Re: My Thursday morning BBQ (just add flames) *lonCount Zero 11/18/04 11:33 a.m.
                 Re: My Thursday morning BBQ (just add flames) *lonWalshicus 11/18/04 11:46 a.m.
           Er...bigass spoilers on this sub-thread? *NM*Andrew Nagy 11/18/04 12:56 p.m.
                 More like the whole thread. *NM*Andrew Nagy 11/18/04 12:58 p.m.
     Re: My Thursday morning BBQ (just add flames) *loncyberg4 11/18/04 11:22 a.m.
           I must say, I was not disappointed...stan 11/18/04 9:34 p.m.
                 Re: I must say, I was not disappointed...-more earthe armsman 11/19/04 1:24 a.m.
                 Not really Bungie anymore.Mangler 11/29/04 4:27 p.m.
                       Re: Not really Bungie anymore.grunt killer 11/29/04 4:31 p.m.
                             Oh, pleaseJillybean 11/29/04 4:37 p.m.
                                   Re: WTHeck?Wado SG 11/29/04 5:31 p.m.
                             OMG! My evil twin! ^^ *NM* *NM*GruntKilla 11/29/04 5:18 p.m.
                       Re: Not really Bungie anymore.Count Zero 11/29/04 4:54 p.m.
                       Re: Not really Bungie anymore.Anton P. Nym (aka Steve) 11/29/04 5:07 p.m.
                             I'd have to agree FULLY!SYSTEMS 11/29/04 5:53 p.m.
                       Re: Not really Bungie anymore.Ross Mills [subnova] 11/29/04 5:39 p.m.
                       Re: Not really Bungie anymore.Andrew Nagy 11/29/04 7:14 p.m.
     Re: My Thursday morning BBQ (just add flames) *lonCount Zero 11/18/04 11:24 a.m.
           Re: My Thursday morning BBQ (just add flames) *lonWarbinger 11/18/04 11:41 a.m.
           Re: My Thursday morning BBQ (just add flames) *lonE.T. the Extremely Tired 11/18/04 11:56 a.m.
                 Re: My Thursday morning BBQ (just add flames) *lonSep7imus [subnova] 11/18/04 2:55 p.m.
                       Re: My Thursday morning BBQ (just add flames) *lonE.T. the Extremely Tired 11/18/04 3:48 p.m.
                             Re: My Thursday morning BBQ (just add flames) *lonDruff 11/18/04 5:23 p.m.
           Re: My Thursday afternoom BBQPico 11/18/04 1:39 p.m.
           Re: My Thursday morning BBQ (just add flames) *lonFriendlyFire 11/18/04 3:30 p.m.
                 My reaction *sp* longMC vince 11/18/04 6:14 p.m.
                       Re: My reaction *sp* longTarrsk 11/18/04 7:08 p.m.
     Re: My Thursday morning BBQ (just add flames) *lonCabanaguy25 11/18/04 11:36 a.m.
           Re: My Thursday morning BBQ (just add flames) *lonWalshicus 11/18/04 11:55 a.m.
                 A matter of preference?Beoren 11/18/04 1:49 p.m.
                       Re: A matter of preference?Micrometalus 11/18/04 2:06 p.m.
           Re: Damn, now I'm hungry *SP* *long*C Hunter X 11/18/04 9:47 p.m.
     Re: My Thursday morning BBQ (just add flames) *lonE1337 11/18/04 11:44 a.m.
           Re: My Thursday morning BBQ (just add flames) *lonResponsible Jon 11/18/04 11:47 a.m.
                 Re: My Thursday morning BBQ (just add flames) *lonIsh 11/18/04 11:52 a.m.
                       Re: My Thursday morning BBQ (just add flames) *lonTy4Lom 11/18/04 12:14 p.m.
                 Re: My Thursday morning BBQ (just add flames) *lonE1337 11/18/04 11:59 a.m.
     Re: My Thursday morning BBQ (just add flames) *lonLothar Hex 11/18/04 11:54 a.m.
     Re: My Thursday morning BBQ (just add flames) *lonClefton Twain 11/18/04 11:55 a.m.
     This is a great summary *opinion, spoilers*gspawn 11/18/04 11:55 a.m.
           Re: This is a great summary *opinion, spoilers*Th3 Guns1inger 11/19/04 1:55 a.m.
     Re: My Thursday morning BBQ (just add flames) *lonDruff 11/18/04 11:57 a.m.
     I hesitantly, but wholeheartedly, agree *NM*HK HUNTRKILLR 11/18/04 12:01 p.m.
     How to respond....Saint [lpn] 11/18/04 12:07 p.m.
           Oops... *SP* ^^ *NM*Saint [lpn] 11/18/04 12:08 p.m.
           Re: How to respond....ShadowRanger 11/18/04 12:23 p.m.
           Re: How to respond....Narhl'Lar 11/18/04 5:07 p.m.
     couldn't agree more *NM* *NM*Mr_McMurder 11/18/04 12:15 p.m.
     Re: My Thursday morning BBQ (just add flames) *lonSep7imus [subnova] 11/18/04 12:17 p.m.
           Re: My Thursday morning BBQ (just add flames) *lonphlux 11/18/04 12:50 p.m.
                 Re: My Thursday morning BBQ (just add flames) *lonDucain 11/18/04 1:11 p.m.
                       Re: My Thursday morning BBQ (just add flames) *lonSep7imus [subnova] 11/18/04 1:28 p.m.
                       Re: My Thursday morning BBQ (just add flames) *lonCaptain Spark 11/18/04 1:30 p.m.
                       Why what you feel is right...and why it will fadeJamirus99 11/18/04 2:54 p.m.
                             Re: Why what you feel is right...and why it will fRed Loser 11/18/04 5:35 p.m.
                                   Re: Why what you feel is right...and why it will fwraith7n 11/18/04 6:58 p.m.
                                   Re: Why what you feel is right...and why it will fvector40 11/29/04 6:17 p.m.
                                         Re: Why what you feel is right...and why it will fDjof 11/29/04 8:49 p.m.
                                               Re: Why what you feel is right...and why it will fSep7imus [subnova] 11/29/04 8:56 p.m.
                       Stfu, nub. :) *NM*Blitzwolf 11/29/04 3:41 p.m.
           Re: My Thursday morning BBQ (just add flames) *lonsKribbler 11/18/04 1:06 p.m.
           Re: My Thursday morning BBQ (just add flames) *lonClefton Twain 11/18/04 1:11 p.m.
                 Re: My Thursday morning BBQ (just add flames) *lonsKribbler 11/18/04 1:24 p.m.
           Bring your own flames... *SP*axman 11/18/04 2:46 p.m.
                 Re: Bring your own flames... *SP*klurejr 11/18/04 4:59 p.m.
           Re: My Thursday morning BBQ (just add flames) *lonTh3 Guns1inger 11/19/04 2:11 a.m.
     I also can't agree morePhatcorns 11/18/04 12:25 p.m.
     Text is too smallpoena.dare (not.dead.yet) 11/18/04 1:07 p.m.
           Re: Text is too small I AGREEwraith7n 11/18/04 7:02 p.m.
                 Re: Text is too small I AGREEragereset 11/20/04 4:35 p.m.
     A game is only new once.ragereset 11/18/04 1:24 p.m.
           Re: A game is only new once.sKribbler 11/18/04 1:29 p.m.
                 Re: A game is only new once.Druff 11/18/04 1:40 p.m.
                       Re: A game is only new once.sKribbler 11/18/04 1:44 p.m.
                             Re: A game is only new once.Druff 11/18/04 1:46 p.m.
     Totally agreed *NM*fartman 11/18/04 1:29 p.m.
     Re: Foundation: MarathonDr. Blake 11/18/04 1:41 p.m.
           Marathon, Halo, Hardware salesKanen Faud'r 11/18/04 6:40 p.m.
                 Holy crap...Louis Wu 11/18/04 8:13 p.m.
                       Re: Holy crap...Kanen Faud'r 11/18/04 10:15 p.m.
                             Re: Bungie's next project?ThorsHammer 11/19/04 12:40 a.m.
     My feelings exactly...Someone 11/18/04 1:44 p.m.
     Another agreement and some more opinionsMicrometalus 11/18/04 1:59 p.m.
           Re: Another agreement and some more opinionsMicrometalus 11/18/04 2:01 p.m.
                 If you can spoil lack of an ending, then *SP*sKribbler 11/18/04 2:12 p.m.
                       Re: If you can spoil lack of an ending, then *SP*HK HUNTRKILLR 11/18/04 3:25 p.m.
                             I'll agree, with a note about musicDalan Galma 11/18/04 4:24 p.m.
           Re: Another agreement and some more opinionswraith7n 11/18/04 7:06 p.m.
     Re: My Thursday morning BBQ (just add flames) *lonXLNC 11/18/04 2:00 p.m.
     OMG U n00b H4L0 2 is t3h suXX00rz!!!111oneretsamolah 11/18/04 2:07 p.m.
     Re: My Thursday morning BBQ (just add flames) *lonZaknafein 11/18/04 2:28 p.m.
     Re: My Thursday morning BBQ (just add flames) *lonXenos 11/18/04 2:30 p.m.
     More fuel for the flames. And who's fault is it?Infantier 11/18/04 2:31 p.m.
           Re: More fuel for the flames. And who's fault is iFire 11/18/04 2:52 p.m.
           Re: More fuel for the flames. And who's fault is igodfath3r24 11/18/04 3:04 p.m.
     Conspiracy Theoryterm 11/18/04 2:57 p.m.
           Re: Conspiracy Theory? Yes Indeed!Spartan39 11/18/04 3:08 p.m.
                 Conspiracy Theory Evidence?term 11/19/04 1:38 p.m.
     I agree *spoilers*Sith 11/18/04 3:14 p.m.
     Re: My Thursday morning BBQ (just add flames) (SP)number302079 11/18/04 3:23 p.m.
     Another point of view, for your considerationGil-Galahad 11/18/04 3:24 p.m.
           Re: Another point of view, for your considerationDucain 11/18/04 4:14 p.m.
                 *SP*, huge *SP* - even Star Wars *SP*'sE.T. the Extremely Tired 11/18/04 4:59 p.m.
     I feel the same way, thanks for standing up *NM*marleybadger 11/18/04 3:30 p.m.
     Re: My Thursday morning BBQ (just add flames) *lonxSIVELx 11/18/04 3:45 p.m.
           Re: My Thursday morning BBQ (just add flames) *lonMoose 11/18/04 4:10 p.m.
     -_-Sanj 11/18/04 3:53 p.m.
     Re: My Thursday morning BBQ (just add flames) *lonJohnnie H. 11/18/04 3:58 p.m.
     Agree and Disagree *spoilers*Stanford101 11/18/04 3:59 p.m.
           In conclusion, happySiLvEr 11/18/04 4:05 p.m.
           Re: Agree and Disagree *spoilers*Captain Spark 11/18/04 4:57 p.m.
     Re: My Thursday morning BBQ (just add flames) *lonDarkshot 11/18/04 4:02 p.m.
     Re: My Thursday morning BBQ (just add flames) *lonAllAmerican 11/18/04 4:14 p.m.
     Ooooooooooh DISAGREE!!!!! (some spoilers)Jillybean 11/18/04 4:16 p.m.
           Re: Ooooooooooh DISAGREE!!!!! (some spoilers)Pico 11/18/04 4:49 p.m.
                 theereazeDucain 11/18/04 4:54 p.m.
                       Re: theereazeJillybean 11/18/04 5:00 p.m.
                 Okay - I have a theoryJillybean 11/18/04 4:58 p.m.
                       Re: Okay - I have a theory (good theory!)Pico 11/18/04 6:25 p.m.
                       Re: Okay - I have a theoryRampant Cowboy 11/18/04 6:51 p.m.
                       Re: Okay - I have a theoryFuzzyWhisper 11/18/04 7:08 p.m.
                       Re: Okay - I have a theoryBOLL 11/19/04 6:27 a.m.
                             Only maybe?Jillybean 11/19/04 8:03 a.m.
                                   Re: Only maybe?BOLL 11/19/04 1:55 p.m.
     Re: My Thursday morning BBQ (just add flames) *lonFuzzyWhisper 11/18/04 4:18 p.m.
           More of my Thoughts (Minor *SP*)Moose 11/18/04 4:28 p.m.
     Re: My Thursday morning BBQ (just add flames) *lonVadcol 11/18/04 4:22 p.m.
     My Thursday evening opinion-soup. *SP*Chester the Destroyer 11/18/04 4:28 p.m.
     Re: My Thursday morning BBQ (just add flames) *lonklurejr 11/18/04 4:31 p.m.
           Yes, UnfortunatlyBlueWizard 11/18/04 4:54 p.m.
                 Notice How Bungie is Quite???Vadcol 11/18/04 5:18 p.m.
                       check yo facts! yo!FrogBlast 11/18/04 5:28 p.m.
                       peoplegrunt killer 11/29/04 4:29 p.m.
                             Re: peopleMr. Mister 11/29/04 5:02 p.m.
                             Re: peopleGladius Dei 11/29/04 5:15 p.m.
                             Re: people343winks 11/29/04 5:39 p.m.
     AMEN! Couldn't have said it better myself! *NM*Eric Smith 11/18/04 4:56 p.m.
     Re: My Thursday morning BBQ (just add flames) *lonJHG 11/18/04 5:16 p.m.
     Re: My Thursday morning BBQ (just add flames) *lonLysergicide 11/18/04 5:26 p.m.
     Re: My Thursday morning BBQ (just add flames) *Dee23 11/18/04 5:39 p.m.
     What I think of halo 2timboh56 11/18/04 5:45 p.m.
     Negative Remark/Opinion About Halo 2Kinotrica M 11/18/04 6:25 p.m.
           Re: Negative Remark/Opinion About Halo 2Narhl'Lar 11/18/04 6:45 p.m.
           Did I miss something?FuzzyWhisper 11/18/04 7:01 p.m.
           Re: Negative Remark/Opinion About Halo 2timboh56 11/18/04 7:59 p.m.
     Re: My Thursday morning BBQ (just add flames) *lonwraith7n 11/18/04 6:36 p.m.
     Thursday night BBQ*SP*FrogBlast 11/18/04 6:39 p.m.
           Hear, hear. Couldn't agree more. *NM*FuzzyWhisper 11/18/04 7:04 p.m.
           But think about how long halo 3 will be.Hawaiian Pig 11/18/04 8:35 p.m.
     All The More Strategyjewelskull 11/18/04 6:54 p.m.
     Has anyone played Halo 2 and NOT Halo 1?wangboy 11/18/04 7:45 p.m.
     Ash Offerings *SP*Socrates 11/18/04 7:55 p.m.
     I ASOLUTELY AGREE *NM*wood the great 11/18/04 8:00 p.m.
     You're absolutely right *Spoilers*Toby Dillman 11/18/04 8:37 p.m.
     Re: My Thursday morning BBQ (just add flames) *lonRockhard 11/18/04 8:43 p.m.
     Unfortunately, you're right. *SP?* *semi-long.*Coleus 11/18/04 8:45 p.m.
           Whoops!Coleus 11/18/04 9:08 p.m.
           Re: Unfortunately, you're right. *SP?* *semi-long.Rockhard 11/18/04 9:17 p.m.
                 Re: Unfortunately, you're right. *SP?* *semi-long.Tarrsk 11/18/04 11:20 p.m.
                       Warning, uninformed opinion withinAndrew Nagy 11/19/04 6:42 p.m.
     Re: My Thursday morning BBQ (just add flames) *lonGladius Dei 11/18/04 9:01 p.m.
     I don't agree...stan 11/18/04 9:16 p.m.
     Re: My Thursday morning BBQ (just add flames) *lonGunny343 11/18/04 10:08 p.m.
     Re: My Thursday morning BBQ (just add flames) *lonCody Danna 11/18/04 10:30 p.m.
           Re: My Thursday morning BBQ (just add flames) *lonFuzzyWhisper 11/19/04 4:28 a.m.
                 Re: My Thursday morning BBQ (just add flames) *lonTh3 Guns1inger 11/19/04 2:32 p.m.
                       Re: My Thursday morning BBQ (just add flames) *lonRvB Church 117 11/19/04 9:10 p.m.
     Re: halo is nothing like Halo 2RvB Church 117 11/18/04 10:48 p.m.
     Re: Do you not remember? *spDark_Angel 11/19/04 8:59 a.m.
           heheDucain 11/19/04 9:29 a.m.
                 Halo 3?haloplyr 11/19/04 10:23 a.m.
                       Well, considering Halo 2's ending...FuzzyWhisper 11/19/04 1:39 p.m.
           Dark Angel is, like, a ripoff! *NM*Andrew Nagy 11/19/04 2:03 p.m.
                 Re: Dark Angel is, like, a ripoff!Dark_Angel 11/20/04 1:37 a.m.
                       Re: Dark Angel is, like, a ripoff!Ducain 11/20/04 5:42 a.m.
     You know...Snickles 11/19/04 10:56 a.m.
     Re: My Thursday morning BBQ (just add flames) *lonKevin Bullock 11/19/04 11:25 a.m.
     Re: My Thursday morning BBQ (just add flames) *lonTh3 Guns1inger 11/19/04 1:03 p.m.
     Re:(just add flames)Skavenger_s7 11/20/04 9:33 a.m.
     Re: My Thursday morning BBQ-hmmmvshields ash 11/20/04 12:53 p.m.
     I Enjoyed it!!!Reflux-Anarchy 11/22/04 11:31 a.m.
           Bungie.netMcSplatterGuts 11/22/04 11:36 a.m.
     Re: My Thursday morning BBQ (just add flames) *lonUser 11/23/04 2:03 p.m.
     My long reply Re: My Thursday morning BBQEpyon 11/29/04 4:55 p.m.
     Re: YOU ARE SPOILED SIRAdham Nu'man 11/30/04 9:50 a.m.



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