Just wondering.

I've heard so much about it and my recent copy of Computer Graphics was talking it up, so now I'm interested. Will I enjoy it as much as TT? Is 16 player mode just as cool as TT on-line? Is it really the...poop? :)

YES! It is by far one of the best FPS' available...but Half-Life 2 is better. Halo 2 is for run-n-gun people, Half-Life 2 is for those who like puzzles and graphics more than just randomly shooting. Since I like puzzles and graphics more, I would suggest Half-Life 2, but Halo 2 is still a great game.

Rabban, I am sorry but you are not allowed to play any other games! ;)

At MacWorld I watched part of an Unreal Tournament set up with 10 players on a LAN with large screens. Awesome sight to behold! But the action seemed so random and frenetic compared to TT! I'm not familiar with Halo 2, though.

Halo 2 is nice as a change of pace. The problem is the control combos you must master. With Think Tanks, you can get skilled enough to survive in quick order, but a Halo 2 Elite in melee is unstoppable until you really dive into the techniques and control usage. Otherwise, you better get the sniper gun and hide.

With my time-frame, Think Tanks allows me to be "out of action" for awhile, yet still be useful when I come back.

Frankly, I'm more interested in Battlefront: Star Wars. Keep the controls simple, and just rely on teamwork!

- Bomb…James Bomb

Unfortunately I was kind of disappointed with Halo 2. Maybe I was looking forward to it so much I got my hopes up way to high. Anyway, the multiplayer and game are okay but you might try renting it first. Just to try it. I actually prefer Halo's multiplayer to the second, but if you can get a big LAN party going, it's pretty awesome. The campaign got me pretty mad with that ending, Halo 3 had better be incredible.

If you're talking about Halo for the computer then I guess you can't rent it. But there's a simple solution... Get an XBox. ;)

I personally can't wait for GTA: San Andreas to make it to the XBox

Me either...

Halo is a much faster paced game than TT which can sometimes be very entertaining and at other times be very irritating. Also, if you played Halo and followed the story Halo 2's campaign will be a big dissapointment as baklava said above. It is an overall fun experience though so my advice is rent it first and see if you like it.

P.S. 16 player CTF and Assault games are a blast especially if your teammates know the map and can show you some good strategic points.

Last edited: Wednesday, January 19, 2005 at 4:17:02 PM

Hmmm, not quite as decisive as I might have thought. Thing is, I have to agree with James concerning Battlefront. I played it with my brother on his PS2 and loved it. Of course now I have to convince the little woman that buying a game console is a good idea...for our son. ;)

Halo 2 and star wars b-front r awsome online xbox live realy gives u advanced gaming experience because u cn actually cht to ppl not saying u cnt on pc or mac but more ppl have headsets wid xboxs
Kris

Battlefront: Star Wars is already out for the PC, and it is coming for the Mac.
None the less, I highly recommend a console game system. The money and trouble that goes into keeping a computer updated enough to play the latest games isn't worth it. With a console, it is up to the DEVELOPER to make sure the game fits within the specs of the console. WIth computers, the developer can just throw in a bunch of sloppy, bloated code and then demand the GAMER to upgrade his hardware to compensate. Think Tanks is a rare breed of a good computer game that doesn't over-tax the hardware.

- James Bomb (Happy owner of PS2)

I agree with James ALOT, but there are alot of good sides to halo 2. The campain has a unquice story behinde it, BUT u must have played halo 1 inorder to get it otherwise its really confusing
Another good side is that u can play as a Spartin or a Elite, meening there are to campains going on at once.
The bad sides:
Ok if u get X box live I REALLY must warn u that u must be over like 15 to play it due to:
Foul Lauguege:(
Bad Names :(
And Skill (not really bad but ur team will not like it)
I am 13 and I play it, but I leave as soon as I see sometime that loks like trouble.
Bungie is working on this problem B)
Still its really fun cause u challenge a higher Skilled person, and u get better.
Over all I would give halo 2 a 8
The xbox live of Halo too would be a fair
I still love the game and yes there are alot of bottons to remeber but once u get em down ur a lean meen killling machine B)
And the consol go to Game stop they have them for like about 130$ < is cheep cause when they first came out they were 175$ and up lol
Hope u get the game its really cool
-Ice

So then the next question is, Xbox, PS2 or the Cube?

I'd like the Gamecube since I want to play Metroid and Zelda games (I enjoyed their Nintendo forerunners), but seems people talk more about the Xbox and PS2. Somehow I'm not sure about the box since a) its relatively new and b) its from Microsoft. I guess the PS2 is leading, especially since my sister (29yo) and brother (24yo) each have one.

Last edited: Friday, January 21, 2005 at 5:41:21 AM

Yes,get Half Life 2,Great game,great graphics.

That's IF your computer can handle it. ;)

<JB puts on his kevlar>
Let the Holy Wars begin!

On this side, we have the XBox fanatics! They cry out about the included hard-drive and network adapter (don't have to get the kit) and their higher-resolution progressive-scan output. Their flag shows that the XBox is the ONLY console with Halo!

On the other side, we have the seasoned PS2 warriors! They show off their nearly obscene number of game selections (plays both PS1 and PS2 games, and the only console developers who DON'T develop for the PS2 are owned by either Microsoft or Nintendo). No Halo? Who cares! We have Battlefront, Grand Theft Auto, Final Fantasy, and the list goes on!

Then, as if pretending to be Switzerland, there are the pacifist GameCube Elite. Strangely, they don't seem too vocal about their system, because its generally a given that the hoard of Mario fans will come. The ultimate in supreme graphical power in a compact size with the ability to interface with the gameboy. This system is living the life of a Dreamcast: it really IS the superior hardware, but it lacks the game selection to compete. Like Sega, Nintendo never maintains any backwards capability, so I think most developers are fed up with them. What games that DO exist are top-notch, though. Almost all Gamecube owners have a second console system (PS2 or XBox) to expand their game collection.

So, there you have it. Choose wisely. As an RPG-lover, the PS2 was a no-brainer for me. Also, there are a great wealth of PS1 classics that I still enjoy and can play on it. Being able to use my standard USB keyboard for chat is an added bonus, and I like who you can store it on its side to save space. Unless you have a big HDTV, you will not see any difference in resolution between the PS2 and the XBox.

However, your needs may be different. There are plenty of comparison reviews on the web.

- Bomb…James Bomb

What is wrong with Halo's ending? Just curious. I won't buy it. Can't feed too many addiction at once, lest I would perish@! XD

If you don't want to know how Halo 2 ends stop here.

Here it is: you've just boarded the Covenant ship to have the biggest, baddest, Earth savingest shootout ever. When suddenly...
BAM!
"to be continued..."
I just about threw my TV out the window when I read this.

As for game consoles, well, XBox is by far the superior machine. PS2 has a larger game selection, and GameCube... Well... GameCube just plain sucks. I even hear this from GameCube owners .

My brother-in-law loves his. He has all three consoles (which makes it easy for me to compare them).
Reviews of Gamecube (it is more popular in the UK, as you can see):
http://www.whatconsole.co.uk/gamecube.php
http://www.dooyoo.co.uk/electronic-gaming-accessories/gamecube-console/421356/

Frankly, the only thing that XBox has going for it is that the hard-drive and network adapter are included. Don't get me wrong, that's a heck of a bonus! But otherwise, it seems that the PS2, although slightly less resolution on a progressive HDTV, actually has a better frame-rate and less "jitters" than similar games on the X-Box. There is also a much better selection of controllers, games, and hardware for it.

HOWEVER, the new redesigned PS2 Slim has ethernet built into it! Internet-play ready from the box. Granted you can't install the hard-drive (which....2 whole games use, so who cares). You can get a refurbished unit from Ganestop for $130: http://www.gamestop.com/product.asp?product%5Fid=909075&Section=#PROD
Or, you can get a brand new PS2 Slim family bundle with an extra controller, memory card, and the Need for Speed: Underground game (HIGHLY recommended) for $250: http://www.gamestop.com/product.asp?product%5Fid=B020245I

If you don't want the game, then EBGames has the same PS2 bundle (without the game) for $200: http://www.ebgames.com/ebx/product/520682.asp

EBay is an option as well, but most people are usually selling their console because it is starting to glitch, so I don't suggest it.

Frankly, higher resolution is pointless if you don't have the TV to support and the system can't keep up the frame-rate anyway. The hard-drive is an okay feature when a game supports it, but those are the minority. I'm pretty dang happy with my PS2.

- Bomb…James Bomb

I am the pround owner of a Gamecube, a PS1, two NES's, an Atari 2600, and a PC.

Of all, I LOVE my little purple Cube, but I have to hand it to you, the Atari is a close runner up. It has top of the line graphics and a high resolution. (20 x 30 pixels)

The NES and PS1 are fun, but wear out over time. However, timeless classics keep it going, like Gran Turisimo, Ridge Racer, Spyro, Crash Ban-me-coot for the PS1, And Super Mario Bros. 1/2/3, Zelda games, Metroid ect for the NES.

Above all, GET A PC OR MAC AND STOP DEBATING. ;)

BTW I own Atari Combat. ;)

Ah yes, Combat . Who knew I was training for Think Tanks those many long years ago?

Come to think of it, Activision's Robot Tank was good training too.

But back to topic, I think PS2 may be the best for me. I also like that I can play DVDs on it.

U cn play dvds on xboxs 2 and on ur pc duh!
Kris