Halo 2

 Xbox
User Score
8.7

Generally favorable reviews- based on 2394 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 2,035 out of 2394
  2. Mixed: 192 out of 2394
  3. Negative: 167 out of 2394
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  1. turbo_dweeb
    Aug 24, 2023
    7
    this game is good but not as good as the first or third ones. that beind said it is definitely better than forespoken
  2. anykey_
    Jul 22, 2022
    5
    Halo 2 - in my opinion turned out to be very similar. Well, that is the problem of the first part. But, it seems that the Bunges did not find the path that they need in Halo 2. Not to say that it’s completely **** Exactly what is the same. Even when playing as the Arbiter. 5 out of 10.
  3. Rai-N
    Jun 29, 2022
    7
    Story was great. I loved how they gave us more info on the the Covenant and how I got to play as the Arbiter. The level design was good. With snow areas, grassy areas, and levels that are on space ships, there is a great variety.
  4. Harlew
    Apr 12, 2022
    5
    I have tried to love this game over the years so much. Throughout the past 10 years I have probably played through the whole series about 5 times and Halo 2 has always stood out to me as the weakest (other than 5). First of all the guns do not feel powerful at all and it doesn't have the same feeling heavy hitters as the first game like the godly pistol and shotgun. Furthermore, the levelI have tried to love this game over the years so much. Throughout the past 10 years I have probably played through the whole series about 5 times and Halo 2 has always stood out to me as the weakest (other than 5). First of all the guns do not feel powerful at all and it doesn't have the same feeling heavy hitters as the first game like the godly pistol and shotgun. Furthermore, the level design just isn't for me there are so many long corridors just full of enemies that will completely shred you if you don't play perfectly on heroic of legendary not to mention the jackal snipers. The landscapes are just so much more boring with no open levels that allow you to explore like in Combat Evolved or Halo 3 which severely hurt its enjoyment. Most of the game is you just standing in grey corridors as you shred through super aggressive flood that two shot you in endless waves. There is only one redeeming quality and that is the brilliant story which is probably one of my favourite in the series, seeing the war from the Covenants perspective was very exciting and seeing how there culture thrives on lies and the reasons for their actions completely changed the world of Halo and gave us brilliant World Building. In conclusion this is definitely just one that isn't for me because everyone else seems to like it, but I just do not understand why.… Expand
  5. B00tador
    Nov 28, 2021
    6
    Nonsense story, weakest of the mainline Halo games. Multiplayer isn't my bag so can't comment on that
  6. ElCosmoXD
    Nov 25, 2021
    6
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Is a good game but sometimes the gameplay is just stressful and the end of the story doesn't end the game at all.… Expand
  7. HeroicAge616
    Oct 25, 2021
    5
    Halo 2 struggles to recapture what made its predecessor great in terms of level and weapon design, but advances the Halo universe in creative and fun ways narratively.
  8. kvnd
    Oct 6, 2021
    5
    Yeah, what can I say? I wasn't a huge fan of Halo: CE and this is pretty much more of the same, but improved in some ways (not as many endless gray hallways). I played the whole campaign in couch co-op with a friend, just like with the first Halo and we groaned our way through it again. The story was incoherent and boring, unfortunately I think I just don't have any interest in the HaloYeah, what can I say? I wasn't a huge fan of Halo: CE and this is pretty much more of the same, but improved in some ways (not as many endless gray hallways). I played the whole campaign in couch co-op with a friend, just like with the first Halo and we groaned our way through it again. The story was incoherent and boring, unfortunately I think I just don't have any interest in the Halo universe. Even more unfortunately, I'm not a huge fan of the gameplay, which doesn't leave much for me with this game besides the amazing CGI and music.… Expand
  9. Torment3837
    Jul 12, 2021
    7
    While Halo 2 did improve some of the stuff from Combat Evolved and avoided the same gameplay mistakes like unbalanced weapons or repetitive level design; Halo 2 has its own kind of flaws. The multiplayer shines the most, it's slick, fun and various. The maps are memorable and so fun to play, the gameplay is a lot more balanced than the first game. Gameplay modes are great too and myWhile Halo 2 did improve some of the stuff from Combat Evolved and avoided the same gameplay mistakes like unbalanced weapons or repetitive level design; Halo 2 has its own kind of flaws. The multiplayer shines the most, it's slick, fun and various. The maps are memorable and so fun to play, the gameplay is a lot more balanced than the first game. Gameplay modes are great too and my favorite one is Zombies.
    Halo 2 had a somewhat disjointed campaign that felt rushed in every scene and moment but it did the job really well, but for me Halo 2's single greatest aspect is its fantastic multiplayer.    … Expand
  10. memus
    Jan 25, 2021
    5
    Meh. Quite a letdown after CE.

    Pros: + I played Anniversary edition. And it has two great advantages: the cutscenes are great and the level actually look better in the remaster (in CE I preferred the original mode) + The opening level is great. Both visually and gameplay wise. + The soundtrack is epic. As in any Halo game, I assume. Cons: - An awful encounter design. There are    Meh. Quite a letdown after CE.

    Pros:
    + I played Anniversary edition. And it has two great advantages: the cutscenes are great and the level actually look better in the remaster (in CE I preferred the original mode)
    + The opening level is great. Both visually and gameplay wise.
    + The soundtrack is epic. As in any Halo game, I assume.

    Cons:
    - An awful encounter design. There are too many enemies in small spaces. So in the second half of the game I preferred to run away instead of fighting enemies. And that's not a great review for a shooter game.
    - I didn't like Arbiter mission. They don't make the plot that much better (it's very similar to CE). But he's weaker then Master Chief and his stealth is lame.    … Expand
  11. frederik1478
    Mar 27, 2020
    7
    It has it's good moment but there is just too much bad levels you can really feel that they didn't have enough time
  12. coquedepor
    Dec 16, 2019
    6
    + multiplayer
    + weapons
    +playability
    + art
    - storyline hard to understand
    - Caotich combact experience
  13. Peter19
    Sep 16, 2019
    7
    Probably my favorite war shooter multiplayer game, i can't tell you how great the moment i got this game and looking at the graphics
  14. TatsMcGee
    Sep 8, 2018
    7
    Halo is an iconic series that I want to play them all and I will play them all. I played the first one a couple months ago, now I just played 2 and I plan on playing Halo 3 next month. I don’t want to burn out and play all of them back to back but I do want to play Halo 2, 3, ODST, 4 and 5 this year so I need to get busy.

    In case you don’t know what the Halo series is, it’s a    Halo is an iconic series that I want to play them all and I will play them all. I played the first one a couple months ago, now I just played 2 and I plan on playing Halo 3 next month. I don’t want to burn out and play all of them back to back but I do want to play Halo 2, 3, ODST, 4 and 5 this year so I need to get busy.

    In case you don’t know what the Halo series is, it’s a First-Person Shooter. The multiplayer is very popular but I have no interest in that, I care about the campaign which is very well done. I can confidently say that the Halo series is one of the best shooters that I have ever played.

    The First Halo didn’t have an overly interesting story but the 2nd one, they definitely took the time to come up with an interesting story to go along with the game. I played this on the Master Cheif Collection and it’s seems like a good port but I didn’t play the original so I don’t know.    … Expand
  15. Broyax
    Apr 11, 2017
    6
    Globalement une suite très honnête, (un peu) plus belle mais plus spectaculaire... mais sans réelles nouveautés non plus. Contrairement au premier, les niveaux sont assez variés et plus équilibrés. Le doublage VF est bon et l'ambiance inimitable et "curieuse" est toujours là (sans oublier la musique). Jouabilité Halo fidèle à elle-même certes maniable mais victime de ses choix discutablesGlobalement une suite très honnête, (un peu) plus belle mais plus spectaculaire... mais sans réelles nouveautés non plus. Contrairement au premier, les niveaux sont assez variés et plus équilibrés. Le doublage VF est bon et l'ambiance inimitable et "curieuse" est toujours là (sans oublier la musique). Jouabilité Halo fidèle à elle-même certes maniable mais victime de ses choix discutables (deux armes seulement, vie qui remonte toute seule). L'histoire réserve quelques surprises... pas toujours les bienvenues et la fin apparaît quelque peu bâclée.… Expand
  16. TheGamer31
    Sep 18, 2013
    7
    For me this was a massive disappointment from the original Halo coming out a few years earlier. But don't ignore this epic AAA title, it is still worth a purchase. But again I recommend the PC version over the Xbox version.
  17. shprea
    Jun 27, 2013
    6
    This is probably the weakest of the main series Halo games. It's not bad, it just doesn't do much. The story is far weaker than the first Halo, the combat isn't much different, and the graphics are only a little better. The only improvement here is the multiplayer, however that alone can't make a game good. All around, it was disappointing.
  18. zotune
    Feb 3, 2012
    7
    Halo 2 is a more versatile journey than the first game, and it comes with brand new characters, gameplay elements and weapons that improve upon the original. I encountered some bugs with a frozen image over the display when emulating the Original Xbox version on Xbox 360, but other than that the game performed very well. Although not up to par with the likes of Half-Life 2 technically, itHalo 2 is a more versatile journey than the first game, and it comes with brand new characters, gameplay elements and weapons that improve upon the original. I encountered some bugs with a frozen image over the display when emulating the Original Xbox version on Xbox 360, but other than that the game performed very well. Although not up to par with the likes of Half-Life 2 technically, it is still quite an impressive game in regards to the art design, pacing and music. The story has some interesting elements here and there as well, and the characters are more relatable than ever before. However, the narrative felt a bit stretched out, and went back and forth a lot. The gameplay also lacked something to look forward to after a while, and became very repetitive. And it didn't help that the developers, similarly to the first, rehashed a lot of the level design, in addition to tossing the same enemies at you over and over again. And although I didn't need a walkthrough, I wouldn't mind being given better directions, especially in areas where you are supposed to pass by enemy fire and trying to figure out where to go. Similarly to Halo: Combat Evolved, I didn't appreciate the flying and driving as much either, since the controls are quite clunky and getting through enemy fire alive in this particular type of combat can often be more of a coincidence than determined by skill. Furthermore, the enemy AI is not very impressive, and basically runs towards you or shots at you while waiting from a distance. In the end though, this is arguably one of the richest experiences on the original Xbox, but not a giant leap forward from an already remarkable game.… Expand
  19. spadenx
    Jan 13, 2012
    6
    A disapointing sequel. I didnt like the new look that the game had and it didnt really fit well with me. The story was a little too similar to the first game. It was interesting playing on the covenant side and it was easily the best part of the campaign. Multiplayer was fun but besides an updated look, It didnt really have much different from the first game's multiplayer.

    It was an ok    A disapointing sequel. I didnt like the new look that the game had and it didnt really fit well with me. The story was a little too similar to the first game. It was interesting playing on the covenant side and it was easily the best part of the campaign. Multiplayer was fun but besides an updated look, It didnt really have much different from the first game's multiplayer.

    It was an ok game but very disapointing.    … Expand
  20. grandpajoe6191
    Dec 31, 2011
    5
    So, I had the chance to play the multiplayer of "Halo 2" thanks to a lock-in from our church. All I can say is.....STICK TO REACH, MY ****
  21. steven14329
    Jun 12, 2011
    6
    Slightly better graphics and some online... almost the same game as Halo 1. I don't need more vehicles, and dual wielding on weapons I'm not going to use... I prefer the first game over this hyped fps.
  22. TheChiefOfCOD
    Dec 22, 2010
    6
    I think Halo 2 lost some of its score when they deactivated Xbox Original Live. The campaign still delivers, its epic but sometimes there are those "Where do i go?!?!" moments. Graphics are really good for Xbox, and the voice recording is good too. I think that they still could of worked on the graphics.
  23. williamwiggles
    Nov 13, 2010
    7
    Worst Halo. Multiplayer is OK, but it has the worst campaign, and a weird place balance. For the real Halo's, check out Halo: Combat Evolved, or Halo Reach. For something different, try out MW2 or Black Ops.
  24. DickSavage
    Jan 23, 2010
    5
    I despise halo for all of is bribed reviews and garbage game play. But the story of the Arbiter is actually epic. He is sent on suicide missions and they still cant kill him. This one is the best of the series, which isn't saying much. The 5 I give it is 5 points higher than what i gave the other two.
  25. HenryN.
    May 20, 2008
    6
    I'm really a fan of the first halo, and this game starts out delivering good gameplay, but after the first few levels the level designs become extremely repetitive (think library). The multiplayer is redeeming but many of the levels don't really feel balanced like halo1. This is a solid shooter but the first halo was superior. i would only check this out if you are a huge fan of I'm really a fan of the first halo, and this game starts out delivering good gameplay, but after the first few levels the level designs become extremely repetitive (think library). The multiplayer is redeeming but many of the levels don't really feel balanced like halo1. This is a solid shooter but the first halo was superior. i would only check this out if you are a huge fan of the series. Just don't go in expecting greatness.… Expand
  26. OliverC.
    Jul 13, 2007
    5
    Did the reviewers come up with their reviews for this game before it even came out? This game was a shameful sequel. The only welcome feature is the vehicle hijack. Despite how good it sounds, dual wielding is not a good feature, especially in multiplayer. It makes encounters really uneven. All this game does is make you want to go back to the original, and take out that pistol and blast Did the reviewers come up with their reviews for this game before it even came out? This game was a shameful sequel. The only welcome feature is the vehicle hijack. Despite how good it sounds, dual wielding is not a good feature, especially in multiplayer. It makes encounters really uneven. All this game does is make you want to go back to the original, and take out that pistol and blast away. I wont even talk about the single player.… Expand
  27. ApocalypseBrown
    Jun 9, 2007
    7
    After years of hype finally people can see this game is massively over-rated. The single player is shite. No bones about saying it either. Terrible in fact, with only the humor keeping you interested. Multi player is where it's at. I think in future this game should only be an multi player title. Single player score: 4. Multi player score: 10. Average 7.
  28. AlexA.
    Mar 16, 2007
    6
    Overall halo 2 was not as good as halo 1. the addition of ther sword was cool and the brute shot was nice but other than that all ther other covanant weapons were rip-offs of human ones. they also dithched the assault riffle and turned it into two useless weapons the battle riffle and the smg. the smg is weak it's only effective when dual wielded with a plasma pistal or plasma Overall halo 2 was not as good as halo 1. the addition of ther sword was cool and the brute shot was nice but other than that all ther other covanant weapons were rip-offs of human ones. they also dithched the assault riffle and turned it into two useless weapons the battle riffle and the smg. the smg is weak it's only effective when dual wielded with a plasma pistal or plasma riffle. compared to the assault riffle which could carry 660 shots the smg carries half that. the battle riffle is a 3 shot burst weapon with a scope it is pretty useless. the postol wich was god in halo 1 stinks now they got rid of the scope and it deos not do that much damage. dual wielding was cool but it's kind of annoying to use nades you have to drop one gun then throw the nade then find the gun again and pick it up. as for campaign i liked how you swithched between the master chief and the arbiter. liked how the elites unlike the marines had sheild generators and could carry swords. the story for halo 2 was ok except for the ending wich left me staring at the tv about 3 minutes after it ended expeciting some other cut scene to pop up, but in comparison to halo 1's story it was not as good. in halo 2 the sniper does not have the night vision scope it did in halo 1 and it carries a lot less ammo. the plasma riffles shoot faster in halo 2. in the levels you play as the arbiter you only fought other covanent and the flood, i thought you would fight marines but no. as for the rooms in pretty much the whole game one looks exactly like the other there is no vaiety within a level. also the vehicles explode a lot faster in halo 2 but you can hijack them. they also added the specter (the covanant warhog) and the wraith (the covonant tank). also in halo 2 your oversheild goes down over time regardless of if you've been shot or not so you opponent can just avoid you till it goes down. in comparison to halo 1 halo 2 was bad, but as a game on it's own not as a sequel it was pretty good. most people who play online can't except defeat if they lose they will make up bs exuses like oh i was taking a dump while playing thats the only reason you won. also on line the battle riffle and sniper are overused and once you get really high in rank they are pretty much the only waepons used. as for the super bounces which are really cheap people do it all the time and get places that let them snipe everyone on the level with ease. online play is fun the lower the rank you are. my final point about campaign is taking your allies weapons (or as I call them homies) you can take your allies weapons and give them yours. this gives you choices you can either give your homies good guns so they kick but or you can take the good weapons for yourself and your homeis will probobly get owned. the good thing is homeis don't use amo so you could give them a sniper with one shot and they could use it for the rest of the level. all in all halo 2 was a good game but not nearly as good as halo 1.… Expand
  29. DK
    Dec 20, 2006
    5
    Such a disappointment. They changed so much of what made Halo such a great game... WHY!? The developers themselves are disappointed with Halo 2. Hopefully they redeem themselves with Halo 3.
  30. JohnL.
    Nov 14, 2006
    5
    Halo was fun, not Godlike, but fun. Halo 2 was not fun. It's boring, short, and definately not up to the hype. The multiplayer? Sucks. I don't understand how being thrown into a game that you barely choose any specs on is fun? Gee, I can't wait to have a sniper match when I want a normal deathmatch.
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Awards & Rankings

1
#1 Best Xbox Game of 2004
1
#1 Most Discussed Xbox Game of 2004
2
#2 Most Shared Xbox Game of 2004

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
95

Universal acclaim - based on 91 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 89 out of 91
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 91
  3. Negative: 0 out of 91
  1. Xbox Nation Magazine
    100
    Microsoft and Bungie have created a gigantic bell that sounds like thunder and reverberates with a fury worthy of a gale-force hurricane. It's not perfect, but get in front of it, and wonderful things - wonderful destructive things - are bound to happen. [Dec 2004, p.72]
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  2. GMR Magazine
    100
    The digital surround sound is phenomenal (and the voice-acting peerless), and players with a good A/V system will enjoy hearing enemies approach from all sides due to the sharp positional sound.
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  3. Gamestyle
    100
    One of Halo 2 Online's best features - if not the best - is the statistics tracking system. [Online review]
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