Title:Halo 2 Platform: Windows Vista MSRP: $49.99 Editor: Nicholas 'bapenguin' Puleo
Halo 2 for Vista
An interesting thing happens when reviewing a two and a half-year old game. The first thing you realize is two and a half years isn't quite long enough for that game to fall into the retro category. The second thing you realize is that two and a half years is a long time in terms of gaming and graphics.
Halo 2 for Windows Vista is such a game. Microsoft's 10 million copy seller makes it's way to the PC, or more specifically makes it's way to Windows Vista almost 30 months after the XBox release.
Look ma, no popins!
The first question PC gamers ask themselves is "Why is this game Vista only?" The first answer you'll most likely read is its to sell copies of Vista. That's just plain silly though, and that's definitely not the reason Microsoft intended, though I'm sure if it DOES sell a few copies of Vista you won't hear any complaining from Redmond. The reason this is on Vista is because it requires DX10, even though it doesn't take full advantage of it. The game also utilizes Games for Windows Live, which will require Vista.
Enough with the politics. Lets get down to the goodies. In the box you'll get the same Halo 2 game found on the XBox (with the same disappointing ending), as well as 2 new multiplayer maps and a map editor. You also have the ability to host your own dedicated servers for multiplayer.
Something new to Windows Vista, and something that I hope becomes standard, is called Tray and Play. What Microsoft heralded as Auto Play back with Windows 95 makes its return in Windows Vista 13 years later. Pop in the game disc, hit play and within minutes you'll be taking down Covenant baddies. But does it work? From the time I put the disc in, to the time I was actually controlling the Master Chief took 1 minute and 35 seconds. Color me impressed. As you continue to play, the game will be installed in the background to further help loading times.
Graphics have come a long way since November 2004, and it shows with Halo 2 for Windows Vista. While Hired Gun Studios did an excellent job of upping the texture resolution; the player models, especially human ones, look low resolution and lack significant detail. This is extremely prevalent in the cut scenes when there are close ups on the faces. Speaking of cut-scenes the infamous detail popping issue is no longer prevalent. Perhaps I'm just spoiled by next-gen graphics.
The Arbiter is still here.
The story and presentation of Halo 2 still holds up very well. The pacing is excellent, and the worlds have lots of personality. The AI is solid, and the enemies remain interesting throughout. In fact, I think I've heard quite a few more lines of dialog from enemies than I previously remember. It was refreshing to have baddies have such personality, rather than just the cannon fodder like most FPS now-adays.
The game controls are excellent, with the mouse and keyboard controls feeling very natural. The original Halo on PC never quite felt right with the controls, but Halo 2 seems to have nailed it. You are free to play the game with your XBox 360 controller as well, and you can seamlessly play with BOTH at the same time if you so wish. I found myself wanting to drive the Warthog with the gamepad rather than the mouse and keyboard, even though the mouse and keyboard worked very well for this.
Achievements. Achievements. Did you just perk up a little bit? If you did, lean closer...closer. I want to tell you something. This game has achievements. Yes, a PC game with achievements for your Gamercard. The SAME Gamercard that your XBox 360 games are on. While I don't doubt some hackers will figure a way to cheat the achievement system, I hit a few snags with it. I had the game lock up once or twice on me. And when I went back into the game I was warned that I would no longer get any achievements unless I restarted the level since my gamestate on Live didn't match the one on my PC. A minor annoyance, but a comfortable annoyance for those people concerned about achievements andGamerscore.
One of the new maps: Uplift
I wasn't able to test multiplayer, as there hasn't been anyone playing. What I can tell you is the game retains the still awesome party system. Halo 2 for Vista all features dedicated servers, as of the time of writing Bungie/Microsoft has around 30 dedicated servers running for the game. Individual users are also able to run their own dedicated servers using the software included on the DVD. The game ships with all the maps available for Halo 2 on XBox (not the recently released map pack) as well as two new bonus maps.
Overall Halo 2 is still a solid title. While the graphics don't necessarily hold up well, the gameplay is fun and the story is engaging. If you've never played Halo 2, I recommend you try it sometime, I just don't recommend you pick up Windows Vista for it.
Score:
3.5 out of 5 Evil Eyes
The Good:
+ It's Halo
+ Tray and Play works well
+ Map Editor Included
+ The Music rocks
+ Solid Controls
The Bad:
- Models are lacking detail
- Some quirky Live things
The Ugly:
- Vista only
Last edited by bapenguin; 05-02-2007 at 06:03 PM..
I would have thought they would have updated the graphics to something more consistent with today's standards... Of course stealing Halo 3's thunder might have become a problem. Glad to hear they smoothed the rough edges.
Awesome review. I'd pick this up if only to play with the mouse/kb but I have no intention of installing Vista (again) anytime soon.
Slightly OT: I absolutely love EvAv in-house reviews. They are always informative and really give me a good idea if I should buy/rent/steer clear of both hardware and software. You know what, it is about time I change me hue to orange. Thanks bap, evil and the crew for all the great work.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by TrackZero
Ugh, that's such a pet peeve of mine. "People in quotes must be respected and right, because a quote of someone who's dead or famous must mean something." - Some other guy getting quoted.o.O
This is possibly a stupid question, but never mind. Did your video card run DX10 or DX9, and what kind of card was it?
I ask partly because the game seemed to work ok for you, so maybe the card/driver combination could be considered a known good one, at least for Vista and this game.
There are so many driver woes for Vista and experience with it is very useful to report back. We be nosy gits
C'mon, join us. All the cool kids are doing it... I just did, but I miss the fact that my name stood out more as a yellow.
FEEL MY ORANGE HUED TENTACLE OF LOVE
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Quote:
Originally Posted by TrackZero
Ugh, that's such a pet peeve of mine. "People in quotes must be respected and right, because a quote of someone who's dead or famous must mean something." - Some other guy getting quoted.o.O
My only beef is that you state Halo's graphics and models appear dated. I'd counter saying that they never looked very good to begin with, even in 2004 they were a letdown.
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Graphics matter only when gameplay can't fully deliver an experience. Otherwise they're simply frosting - violentp
This sounds like they've done an OK job of converting it to PC unlike Halo 1. Is the game actually out now or is this a sneak preview? I saw the acheivements Bap unlocked coming through on the 360 which is pretty damn cool. Hopefully all games using the gamertag are like this.
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Gamertag: Scrambl3
R.I.P Xbox 360#1. 6/9/07
My only beef is that you state Halo's graphics and models appear dated. I'd counter saying that they never looked very good to begin with, even in 2004 they were a letdown.
Maybe for PC they were, but they were pretty upper tier on Xbox at the time. Not as good as Riddick or Ninja Gaiden, but good.
Good review, but I have issues with the game. Requiring Xista is a pathetic attempt by MS to force adoption, nothing more. The game was written using DX10, when the original was over 2 years old? If they actually used DX10 features to make the game look better, okay, but they did not. Even if I were the biggest Halo fanboy, I would not buy this.
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"Come for the easy anal; stay for the hordes of children raised in strict obedience to the Pope!" - Oxonian
Halo 2 seems like an odd choice for the first fully Games for Windows branded Vista exclusive until you realize that:
1. it is still one of the most popular online games on 360
2. achievement whores will pick it up and play it regardless
3. alot of people will want to play Halo 2 (again) before Halo 3 comes out and this spruced up version with achievements may be pretty compelling
4. its is a dead safe investment for MS to work out the inevitable bugs in the Live system
This is a Beta test for Games for Windows and Live, a money grab riding in on the back of Halo 3 hype (is it a coincidence that the Halo 3 beta opens a week after this game comes out?) and a pretty fun game, especially in LAN, if you have not bought it yet
