Ok...I am really getting sick of these "halo 2.5" statements.....now its coming from NYTimes?
wtf
This is no way in any shape or form "Halo 2.5"
1. we have fucking replays that we can save and edit, not only in multiplayer but in the Campaign as well...and there are multiple camera options...hell, I've played a few car games that have less features than the Halo replays. For a FPS action game, that right there is innovative.
2. To those thinking this game is halo 2.5, please play halo 2 again. Seriously. I have been playing halo2 for the past 3 weeks up until halo3 came out to brushen up on my halo skills....and there is a major difference, not only in Graphics, but in Gameplay as well...Actually it was a mistake to play so much halo2 before halo3, because Halo3 is that much different(especially in the multiplayer department). So many little things were changed and nerfed and improved and it made alot of things different and made me have to adjust greatly to how halo3 is. Halo3 is a much different game than Halo2 gameplay wise, and those who truly played the two will see the differences. Graphic wise it is as well.
3. 4 player Co-op online. we pined for online Co-op since the first halo, and now we are getting it, but not only that, its 4 player.s
4. the matchmaking system and interface for the lobbies. Hey, you got a group and you are playing ranked multiplayer....but, you guys wanna now play Co-op campaign? Just switch lobbies to the Campaign....No need to exit out and remake the group. Want to watch the replays together? just switch the lobby to the theatre. now maybe you wanna try Forge? just switch the lobby. The interface itself, is innovative compared to all other online lobby interfaces. It pretty much makes it so you never have to remake a group technically. Bungie keeps stepping up thier matchmaking/lobby interfaces and I really wish they would share it with every other developer for a price just because if every game worked like this, it would make so many more online experiences that much better.
5. Enemy Ai is much more better (of course) from halo 2 and alot more enjoyable.
6. Enemy chatter = greatly improved. (not that it was bad before) And not only that, but it is very smart. Playing Co-op with a friend, my partner, who is the arbitor, dies and I didn't realize it but I hear a Brute yell out "the arbitor is dead." Or once my partner was on a turret picking them off and a Brute yelled "get the arbitar!"
things like that is attention to detail. The enemies are "aware" of you.
7. Sound in general is amazing. And the music, is sweet as ever.
Honestly, after typing this post, It might look like I am some halo fanboy. Trust, I am not. I love halo, but I am far from a fanboy. If I am a fanboy of any game this gen, it would probably be Bioshock and 2k sports games. But after seeing so many retarded comments about "halo 2.5" its starting to get real annoying and making me think these people who make these comments are either just bitter haters, or have never even played halo 2 and halo 3, or haven't played halo 2 in a long ass time to see the many differences in halo 3.
<edit> read some more posts in this thread bitching about graphics....again wtf....replay halo 2 and you will see you a huge difference. You also might wanna try taking the goggles off. I see the difference and I play on a SDTV.
