Halo 2

 PC
User Score
6.2

Mixed or average reviews- based on 310 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 148 out of 310
  2. Mixed: 69 out of 310
  3. Negative: 93 out of 310
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  1. Jaidenbrkl1
    May 5, 2023
    9
    While it does not look as good as the Xbox original version, the reason for why it got mixed reviews at the time is that it came out during a time when the Xbox 360 was REALLY booming HARD at the time. Overall, it’s a solid port for a fantastic game with it being a letdown when you compare it to Xbox 360 games around the time.
  2. Dudeman15
    Mar 30, 2023
    9
    Took everything from the first and improved on it. Great FPS, should play in coop with some friend it makes it even better.
  3. PepperPlay5
    Dec 7, 2022
    9
    It has stunning music and great storytelling. One of the most epic Halo game ever.

    To me, Legendary difficulty is unplayable[-1]. Similar opinion for Heroic with certain skulls as well.

    Halo 2 has its moments of awkward/poor physics from time to time[-1]. However, they're sort of amusing, so... There is that[+1].
  4. qbangamer98
    Nov 20, 2022
    6
    fun and challenging , the epic breaking benjamin music always comes to my mind and all but definetely halo 2 is not as good as the first halo combat evolved
  5. petrkozak13
    Dec 13, 2021
    8
    Great sequel to the Combat Evolved with some improvements and slight changes.
  6. Woolee
    Oct 9, 2021
    8
    The first Halo's roots shined through on the first port of the series, and once again the controls are tight and exemplar
  7. joe_rogan
    May 23, 2021
    10
    Cortana has a fat ass...............................................................................................
  8. baisyaanirban1
    Apr 28, 2021
    0
    The game is part of the infamous Halo series. I played the first game many times and absolutely loved it!
    After the success of Halo: Combat Evolved, Bungie set out to develop their most ambitious project: Halo 2 for the pc. this game stands the testament of time. Amazing gameplay, great level design and a deeper story makes this game a must play for a Halo fan or any FPS fan for that    The game is part of the infamous Halo series. I played the first game many times and absolutely loved it!
    After the success of Halo: Combat Evolved, Bungie set out to develop their most ambitious project: Halo 2 for the pc. this game stands the testament of time. Amazing gameplay, great level design and a deeper story makes this game a must play for a Halo fan or any FPS fan for that matter.
    The only complaint I had about this game is it's cliffhanger ending. It does not complete the story the game has started and it makes it necessary to play Halo 3 to completely experience Master Chief's journey. But that in no sense is a deal breaker.

    PROS

    ✓ Fantastic first-person shooting action

    ✓ Terrific, overhauled graphics

    ✓ Excellent sound design

    CONS

    - Visual stuttering makes the game jittery and disorienting at times

    - Multiplayer suffers from odd glitches

    - Occasionally lethargic enemy Al

    Bungie has truly set a standard for FPS games. This is a game that deserves at least one play through.

    Score: 9.5/10    … Expand
  9. MatiX759
    Apr 15, 2021
    5
    I love the story in this game, but that's really the only good thing about the campaign. Also, don't get me started about Microsoft Live... My father and I got this game for PC all those years ago just to be disappointed. Story is arguably the best in the franchise, AI is bad, very aggressive and bullsh*t on legendary. Graphics are underwhelming, gameplay boring (always taking cover beforeI love the story in this game, but that's really the only good thing about the campaign. Also, don't get me started about Microsoft Live... My father and I got this game for PC all those years ago just to be disappointed. Story is arguably the best in the franchise, AI is bad, very aggressive and bullsh*t on legendary. Graphics are underwhelming, gameplay boring (always taking cover before shields regenerate). At least there is a huge expansion to the sandbox (weapons, vehicles etc.) but other than that, it really is underwhelming. Characters were amaizing, story was fantastic and that's it. Multiplayer is also really f*cking good but I won't go into dephts about it.… Expand
  10. FabioFisher
    Nov 16, 2020
    10
    Amazing history and cutscenes, the best artificial inteligence tha i ever see in a game, nice playability. Beatiful universe an planets.
  11. elolugo
    Jul 1, 2020
    4
    The campaing is not as fun as the first game. Probably it is praised for its multiplayer
  12. AstiX
    Jun 8, 2020
    7
    Singleplayer review only

    An improvement from its predecessor. Combat is more varied and there's more focus on the storyline. And the graphics are looking sweet. Yet, just like the previous title, though not as bad, it suffers from repetitiveness. First half of the game is fun, but then it's just more and more of the same - running and gunning endlessly with nothing in between to take a    Singleplayer review only

    An improvement from its predecessor. Combat is more varied and there's more focus on the storyline. And the graphics are looking sweet. Yet, just like the previous title, though not as bad, it suffers from repetitiveness. First half of the game is fun, but then it's just more and more of the same - running and gunning endlessly with nothing in between to take a breather. No surprises, no change in the flow of the game, nothing, just and endless bullet spamming fest until it becomes annoying, all the way to the end.    … Expand
  13. FlippinSnip3r
    Sep 15, 2019
    8
    I managed to fix all problems with this game. including mouse lag (turn on vsync on nvidia control panel) and mouse acceleration within just 10 minutes of web browsing for solutions and fixes, and oh boy this game is so goddamn fun. the graphics still hold up pretty well (except for the faces) the weapons are so fun. except for the covenant weapons. they're sh#t including the energy sword.
  14. CheeseLord
    Nov 16, 2018
    5
    it's a good game and all but the pc version is just too late and broken to be as good as on xbox
  15. kheman1317
    Nov 8, 2018
    7
    The PC Port of Halo 2 is relatively worse than the Xbox one. The controls are sluggish and the game doesn't feel balanced. The campaign doesn't seem as gripping and exciting as the ones in Halo:CE.
  16. nonaste
    Feb 27, 2016
    7
    I think it's a great game. Good plot. Good voice acting. Great graphics. I enjoyed it as much Halo 1 and more than 3 and 4. I absolutely refuse to buy an xbox 1 just so I can play Halo 5. The reason that I didn't give it a 10 score is because of the mouse control, which absolutely sucked until I found a player who figured out how to make mouse control smooth in Windows 7 Thanks forI think it's a great game. Good plot. Good voice acting. Great graphics. I enjoyed it as much Halo 1 and more than 3 and 4. I absolutely refuse to buy an xbox 1 just so I can play Halo 5. The reason that I didn't give it a 10 score is because of the mouse control, which absolutely sucked until I found a player who figured out how to make mouse control smooth in Windows 7 Thanks for nothing Microsoft. But once you cure that annoying and game wreaking problem this game becomes thoroughly enjoyable and replayable. This is my third time.… Expand
  17. Marick
    Apr 15, 2015
    2
    Halo 1 was totally different. It not only manages to be very bad, but one with many problems. Since the frame rate to control mouse and a graphic of all embarrassment.
  18. firefox2
    May 18, 2014
    0
    Poor man's quake. I liked Halo 1 a lot because it was balanced and every gun felt unique. Halo 2 removed a lot of the uniqueness with more generic weapons. With no recoil and huge hitboxes the game basically plays itself and does not require any skill to aim. At least Halo 1 and Halo 3 had spread and projectiles forcing you to lead shots or aim with skill. This Halo also has the weakestPoor man's quake. I liked Halo 1 a lot because it was balanced and every gun felt unique. Halo 2 removed a lot of the uniqueness with more generic weapons. With no recoil and huge hitboxes the game basically plays itself and does not require any skill to aim. At least Halo 1 and Halo 3 had spread and projectiles forcing you to lead shots or aim with skill. This Halo also has the weakest storyline and campaign in the series. The music is the one great thing about this game, but a shiny turd is still a turd in the end.… Expand
  19. SirMarty
    Apr 16, 2014
    10
    Great game! A must have. Halo 3 outdid Halo 2, but that was something expected as with each Halo from 1 to 3 Bungie set the bar higher. Get this game and be impressed. The story is great and the multiplayer is addicting.
  20. Thatweirdguy
    Nov 27, 2013
    5
    KInda old for the series but still a good game except the graphics still not use to it i really hate the games for windows service is like rubbish it this can have the halo 1 severs its great
  21. OscarKesh
    Aug 11, 2013
    9
    Released slightly late for the PC but its just as good as it was on the Xbox. An expanded weapons palette and new vehicle features are welcome improvements from Halo CE. The single player experience was fantastic but doesn't measure up to the original. Multiplayer is addicting and fun as usual.
  22. ZxZ
    Jun 5, 2013
    6
    halo basically is the original, same gameplay, same game modes and it does not feel like a new experience, this is a sign that better graphics do not make a good game
  23. arthur666
    Dec 12, 2012
    1
    awful graphics, stupid story, disgusting sounds and more... after the first halo this game is shame(microsoft) my 1 point for the chief . really heart breaker...
  24. The-Crow
    Oct 3, 2012
    9
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. I must confess to being very dissapointed with Halo when I finally got it on Xbox all those years ago. It was an xbox exclusive, a game that had originally been planned for PC release and was going to be a large open world game where as the masterchief you roamed the Halo hooking up with ragtag bands of marines and took the fight to covenant while trying to uncover the secrets of the halo, no 2 playthroughs would play the same if you made different decisions and they even hinted at allowing "drop in" co-op in the early interviews.

    What we got was fairly much that story but on rails and towards the third quarter of the game it was quite repetitive. Sure it had all the beauty we knew to expect from the early videos but the single player was just... ok. Co-op was great fun 2 plyayer on xbox and if not for that I probably never would have completed the game on the console.

    Then halo 2 arrived and it started off very cool, it let you play as the MasterChief to begin with fighting the covenant on earth in some very memorable battles. Then you got to play as the fallen Arbiter on the Covenant side which was also cool.

    **SPOILER AHEAD**

    Here the game took a turn for the worse, back in the master chiefs shoes you are transported to another halo like the first one... ugh. It was at this point in H2 on xbox that I stopped playing, recalling how horribly repetitive the areas in the later halo game had been. Being that I do not like the concept of paying my ISP and then paying for Xboxlive service I never took either game online.

    Since then Halo 1 came to PC and was since upgraded to Halo CE or the Halo Custom Edition which is a lot of fun, the fact that the CE allows custom maps and mods (theres even a halo 2 weapon mod and the community is still active with new maps) has kept it alive far past where I though it would exist and the Vs gameplay with vehicles is actually a lot of fun.

    Eventually Halo2 also appeared on PC but only for Vista users. I bought it a year or two back for about $10 in the clearance bin at JB Hifi alongside copies of Shadowrun (that other Vista only games for windows launch title) with the intent of seeing if the online community was any good for it. I installed it and sat down to play a little single player to tweak my settings and get a feel for the weapons.....

    OMFG the mouse even at speed 10 (Max) felt like I was trying to turn in a tub of concrete, keyboard was permenantly mapped and you couldnt edit it (not a big deal I guess if you like WASD standard settings) and general game performance was pretty lousy. I stopped playing the game but didnt uninstall it.

    Recently I was reading some gufff about the next Halo installment in passing & one of the user comments was that Halo 2 is hard to surpass as the best of the series which I found surprising, more surprising were other comments by quite a few people who agreed that Halo 2 was the best of the series thus far. Hmm I thought, maybe I should give it another chance ? ugh but the controls were horrible and the game performance terrible.... well sort of.

    After a bunch of tweaking in nvidia control panel & maxing out all my halo 2 graphics options the mouse is actually quite responsive and the gameplay not choppy. Turns out the game tries to limit itself to 30fps capped, if your system exceeds this (especially if you have vsynch off and are pre-rendering frames) then the game starts dropping frames which makes it look choppy and interferes with your mouse control. long story short I am 90% happy with how it feels now.

    So I played through the first Masterchief section & the Arbiter section, and arrive back on the fourth Halo where I abandoned the game on xbox. Oh dear how wrong I was, after a slightly slow start to this section there are some extremely exciting shootouts and vehicle gameplay to enjoy. The environments look a little dated (low res textures by todays standards) but the player/creature/vehicle models were always incredibly detailed in the halo games & got a lot of love to the point they still look exceptional IMHO.

    My recommendation, if you havent tried Halo 2 on PC and you can find it someplace cheap grab it. The Story and single player gameplay are well worth it (sadly no co-op in PC version), multiplayer seems dead with Halo CE being the far more active title for multiplayer (no doubt due to the modding options). That said the Ingle Player portion of Halo 2 is really good and worth a look for FPS fans, though I am not sure how available it is in 2012, a recent stroll through some local games retailers showed me they are still stocking Halo (probably because people need the game keys for Halo CE) for PC but no sign of Halo 2.    … Expand
  25. kane148
    Aug 6, 2012
    6
    This game is a mixed bag, for while it does some new and very good things, it also does some rather lamentable ones too. The story is about as good as the first game's, but because of the split narrative it becomes more confusing. The ability to control the Arbiter, who has a nifty cloak, is fun at first, but eventually it just becomes a drag to frequently switch between characters. IThis game is a mixed bag, for while it does some new and very good things, it also does some rather lamentable ones too. The story is about as good as the first game's, but because of the split narrative it becomes more confusing. The ability to control the Arbiter, who has a nifty cloak, is fun at first, but eventually it just becomes a drag to frequently switch between characters. I liked the levels where you are on earth fighting alongside the Marines against Covenant forces, but was fairly bored with those against Flood or Rebel forces. In the end, if you liked the other Halo games, this is probably worth playing, but it's more significant for what carried over into future games than for what it did itself.… Expand
  26. Wormboy
    Jul 1, 2012
    0
    For those who loved the original, Halo 2 was a disappointment. The single player plot was very disjointed and confusing, and at some point it didn't really matter what was going on, the point was just to frag more. But doesn't that make it just a souped-up Doom-like shooting gallery? Game play was fairly good, but still put to shame by its predecessors like the Unreal Tournament series.For those who loved the original, Halo 2 was a disappointment. The single player plot was very disjointed and confusing, and at some point it didn't really matter what was going on, the point was just to frag more. But doesn't that make it just a souped-up Doom-like shooting gallery? Game play was fairly good, but still put to shame by its predecessors like the Unreal Tournament series.

    On the plus side, the colors and textures were improved and even more lush than the original. A couple new weapons, new aliens and truly beautiful level architecture helped redeem the game and keep the score in the "good" range. The cut scenes were interesting, but the disjointedness of the plot made those insufficient. Overall, well worth playing, but don't expect it to be particularly memorable.    … Expand
  27. Anonypuss
    Jun 17, 2012
    9
    Well, Halo 2 for PC is a fantastic game although with a few minor setbacks. I don't know why people say "It's the worst game ever!!" Its just like Halo 2 on Xbox, just a few things missing. Its odd how it only got a 5.2 score.
  28. Globox
    Jun 13, 2012
    8
    Probably my favorite game in the series besides the first one. Played it for PC and Xbox, and the PC version is much smoother and better. The only thing it lacks is a multiplayer base since it's an older title. If you can run at 120fps, it looks great even though the textures and engine are older. Still overall a great game in the series. Just wish the multiplayer had actual people in it :/
  29. NorBdelta
    Mar 22, 2012
    10
    Now my review is going to be based on when this was released and not what it is compared to the games of "now".

    Halo 2 was one of those games for me that I was addicted to; the totally immersing story, the enemies the vehicles and most certainly Master Chief. Granted the graphics were not a good on the Xbox version but on the the PC version they were improved immensely. I have very    Now my review is going to be based on when this was released and not what it is compared to the games of "now".

    Halo 2 was one of those games for me that I was addicted to; the totally immersing story, the enemies the vehicles and most certainly Master Chief.

    Granted the graphics were not a good on the Xbox version but on the the PC version they were improved immensely. I have very fond memories of Halo 2, very fond memories indeed that probably set me onto my current gaming life.    … Expand
  30. WhiteFire37
    Sep 4, 2011
    6
    Sadly this one did not deliver... The campaign was uninspires, the graphics were dated (for the xbox version) and the gameplay was just not as fun. However, the multiplayern was amazing! this game would have received a 2 from me if it were not for the multiplayer! Luckily this time round there are acheivements but you will need an internet connection if you wish to gain them. The campaignSadly this one did not deliver... The campaign was uninspires, the graphics were dated (for the xbox version) and the gameplay was just not as fun. However, the multiplayern was amazing! this game would have received a 2 from me if it were not for the multiplayer! Luckily this time round there are acheivements but you will need an internet connection if you wish to gain them. The campaign is full of un-needed levels that feel as if they are only there for the sake of it, but playing as the other side is actually alright!

    Campaign: 2/10
    Graphics: 7/10 (2/10 for the xbox version)
    Multiplayer: 9/10    … Expand
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Awards & Rankings

78
#78 Best PC Game of 2007
26
#26 Most Discussed PC Game of 2007
45
#45 Most Shared PC Game of 2007

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
72

Mixed or average reviews - based on 32 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 14 out of 32
  2. Mixed: 18 out of 32
  3. Negative: 0 out of 32
  1. GamingTrend
    86
    While the single player may end like a car crash, the multiplayer seems to live forever.
    Read full review
  2. GamerNode
    90
    The first Halo's roots shined through on the first port of the series, and once again the controls are tight and exemplary for use in PC or console style controls.
    Read full review
  3. GameDaily
    70
    Although the game received a significant facelift with high-resolution textures to provide a sharper look, the graphical progression of more recent shooters leaves this improved Halo 2 feeling like a 2004 game.
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