Halo 2

In Halo 2, Master Chief continues his battle against the Covenant and the Flood. Familiar and new allies alike join him during this battle. The game features updated graphics, new game mechanics, and a brand new multiplayer component. Without a doubt, Halo 2 is a groundbreaking achievement for first-person shooters. Halo 2 makes revolutionary advancements, even compared to its predecessor, Halo: Combat Evolved.

As a first-person shooter, Halo 2 offers an immersive campaign and frenetic multiplayer action. The game's matchmaking system revolutionized online multiplayer at time of release, and its impact remains visible today. Gameplay and mechanics work smoothly without any hiccups. For instance, dual-wielding is an exciting new feature that ups Master Chief's firepower with various combinations.

Halo 2 includes updated graphics and looks noticeably better than its predecessor. For its time, the graphics are top notch, and gameplay remains enjoyable to this day. Voice acting and audio within the game enhance this AAA title from Bungie. Minimal issues are present within the game, and major bugs are difficult to find. Perhaps the only downside relates to better optimization on consoles compared to PC.

Many of today's greatest games owe a lot of credit to the Halo franchise. Halo 2 in particular accomplished what other games couldn't at the time. In the end, Halo 2 provides countless hours of singleplayer story and online action. Few games withstand the test of time, yet Halo 2 can remain an excellent game for years to come. Graphical updates in The Master Chief Collection only improve the game today.

Pros

• Excellent graphics and smooth gameplay.
• A thrilling albeit short campaign.
• Groundbreaking matchmaking features and online play.

Cons

• Runs better on consoles than PCs.