Editing Halo 2

{{Era|H2|RW}}
{{Ratings}}
{{Game Info Box
|name = ''Halo 2''
|image = Halo 2 box art.jpg
|imageSize = 200
|Developer = [[Bungie Studios]]
|Publisher = [[Microsoft Game Studios]]
|US Date Released = November 9, 2004                
|UK Date Released = November 11, 2004                
|PC US Release Date= May 8th, 2007               
|Genre = [[First-person shooter]]
|Game modes = [[Campaign]], [[Multiplayer]]
|ESRB= Mature (M) for Blood and Gore, Language, Violence                 
|Platform = [[Xbox]]<br />Xbox360 (original disk works with newer console) <br />[[PC (realworld)|PC]] - Windows Vista Exclusive.
|Media = DVD, PC-DVD                                   
|Website = [http://www.bungie.net/Projects/Halo2/default.aspx '''Bungie.net''': ''Halo 2 Project Page'']
}}

'''''Halo 2''''' is a [[first-person shooter]] video game developed by [[Bungie Studios]] for the [[Xbox]] video game console and is forwards-compatible with the [[Xbox 360]]. It is the sequel to ''[[Halo: Combat Evolved]]'' (and the second installment of the Halo game series) and features a newly built graphics engine with the addition of new elements to the game. ''Halo 2'' develops the struggle between the [[United Nations Space Command]], [[Covenant Empire|Covenant]], and the [[Flood]] during the [[Human-Covenant War]] in the fall of [[2552]].

The game was also [[Halo 2 Vista|released for the PC]], and is one of the most successful and actively played video games for the original Xbox console, with 8.46 million copies sold as of November, 2008. Despite this, the game's online servers, along with all other original Xbox LIVE services, will be discontinued after April 15, 2010.

==Campaign==
The campaign in ''Halo 2'' does not pick up directly after the events of ''Halo: Combat Evolved'', but rather after the events depicted in the novel ''[[Halo: First Strike]]'', taking place in ''Halo: Combat Evolved'' with the events explaining [[Master Chief]]'s return to [[Earth]] not featured in any game so far. The story dives deeper into the society of the Covenant, their goals, beliefs, and alliances as well as continuing Master Chief's story to put an end to the Covenant threat on Earth as well as another Halo ring.

The player can play the campaign alone on a single-player mode or on a split-screen co-operative mode. The game follows a linear series of episodes that differ from ''Halo: Combat Evolved'' because you will play as both the Master Chief and a new character, a troubled Covenant Elite known as [[The Arbiter]]. The player has an adjusted arsenal of weapons, some of which have been altered or removed from ''Halo: Combat Evolved'', and new weapons being introduced. One of the biggest alteration to game-play is perhaps the ability to [[dual wield]] small weapons; this allows for twice the firepower at the expense of being unable to throw grenades or [[melee]] without dropping the left weapon. In terms of vehicles, all vehicles from the first game remain except the M12A1 Warthog LAAV (rocket warthog) from the PC version, and the Spirit Dropship. Also, a few new vehicles are introduced. In ''Halo 2'', however, the previously indestructible vehicles can now be destroyed and the player is able to "[[Boarding|board]]" an enemy vehicle by climbing on and knocking the driver out, as well as planting [[grenades]] to further damage the vehicle. The same can be done by an enemy to the player when driving.

As the Arbiter, the player is not equipped with a flashlight and instead a rechargeable [[Active Camouflage]] that lasts for ten seconds, giving the player a preemptive advantage on unsuspecting enemies.

You can have a variety of allies; if you are the Master Chief, you are accompanied by [[UNSC Marines]], occasionally [[Orbital Drop Shock Trooper|ODSTs]], and Sergeant Johnson and you battle all Covenant species and in one instance, the Flood. But if you are the [[Arbiter (Character)|Arbiter]], you are joined by [[Grunts]], [[Jackals]], [[Hunters]], and other [[Elites]], but you never fight humans; instead, you combat the [[Heretics (Faction)|Heretic]]s, [[Brutes]], [[Drones]], [[Jackals]], the Flood and occasionally [[Sentinels]].

The [[Campaign]] consists of 15 levels, of which 14 are playable. They tell the story of ''Halo 2''.

#[[The Heretic (Level)|The Heretic]] (video)
#[[The Armory (Level)|Armory]] (tutorial)
#[[Cairo Station (Level)|Cairo Station]]
#[[Outskirts (Level)|Outskirts]] 
#[[Metropolis (Level)|Metropolis]]
#[[The Arbiter (Level)|The Arbiter]]
#[[The Oracle (Level)|Oracle]]
#[[Delta Halo (Level)|Delta Halo]]
#[[Regret (Level)|Regret]]
#[[Sacred Icon (Level)|Sacred Icon]]
#[[Quarantine Zone (Level)|Quarantine Zone]]
#[[Gravemind (Level)|Gravemind]]
#[[Uprising (Level)|Uprising]]
#[[High Charity (Level)|High Charity]]
#[[The Great Journey (Level)|The Great Journey]]

===Plot===
[[File:Pain.png|thumb|right|The [[Chieftain of the Jiralhanae|Brute Chieftain]] [[Tartarus]] about to brand Thel 'Vadamee, who was once a Supreme Commander, with the [[Mark of Shame]].]]
It begins with the trial and punishment of the former [[Supreme Commander]] of the [[Fleet of Particular Justice]], [[Zealot|Commander]] Thel 'Vadamee, who later becomes the future [[Arbiter (Rank)|Arbiter]] and is branded with the [[Mark of Shame]] by [[Tartarus]] due to his failure to protect the [[Installation 04|Sacred Ring]] during the events of Halo: Combat Evolved. 

The story then turns to Earth's [[Orbital Defense Platform]] [[Cairo Station|Cairo]] Station, where SPARTAN-117 receives the new [[MJOLNIR Mark VI]] armor from the [[Master Gunnery Sergeant (Armory)|Master Gunnery Sergeant]]. He then meets [[Admiral]] [[Terrence Hood]] for an award ceremony held for the dual purposes of awarding meritorious acts and boosting the morale of the surviving human population and noted as a war hero (John-117 has already received all medals except for the "Prisoner of War" medal). The festivities are soon interrupted by [[Cortana]] reporting "15 Covenant Capital Ships holding position just outside the kill zone", signaling the start to the Covenant Siege of Earth. UNSC Marine forces along with SPARTAN-117 protect the station from the invading [[Covenant Navy|Covenant Naval infantry]] but other stations were destroyed by the Covenant. After sending the bomb that the Covenant had placed on the ship back into space (destroying several ships) he landed on a UNSC ship and then they head to the surface of Earth to [[New Mombasa]] to fight off the [[Covenant Army]], led by the [[High Prophet of Regret]]. After the Covenant invasion force is halted by the UNSC defenses, the Prophet of Regret flees Earth with [[Miranda Keyes|Keyes]] and her detachment in pursuit on the ''[[UNSC In Amber Clad|In Amber Clad]]''. The hasty in-atmosphere jump devastates the city of New Mombasa, epecially by destroying the [[Space Elevator]] and scattering its wreckage for miles around.

The story then turns back to the disgraced Sangheili Commander, Thel 'Vadamee, who is given the chance of redemption by taking up the mantle of Arbiter, along with the imminent mortality of the task. The new Arbiter accepts and becomes the will of the Prophets, seeking to complete the impossible task assigned for redemption from his crimes. Thel 'Vadamee is tasked with the assassination of a [[Sesa 'Refumee|Heretic Leader]], who is disillusioned with the Covenant following the events of Installation 04 up to its destruction. Thel 'Vadamee tracks the Heretic Leader throughout the gas mine (battling the Heretics and the Flood) where the [[Heretics]] sought refuge. When Thel 'Vadamee is finally able to face the Heretic Leader, 'Refumee asserts his belief that the Prophets have lied about the [[Great Journey]], punctuating this with the entry of a [[343 Guilty Spark (Monitor)|Monitor]]. Before Thel 'Vadamee could learn more of the claims, the battle resumes, and the Heretic Leader is killed before any meaningful discourse taking place. Tartarus appears to extract him and Guilty Spark, preventing Thel 'Vadamee from learning any information from Spark. He leaves not knowing what caused the Heretics to betray their sacred oaths to the Covenant. 

[[File:MC attacks Regret.jpg|300px|thumb|right|[[Master Chief]] battles the [[Prophet of Regret]].]]
Turning back to the SPARTAN-117's story, Keyes exits slipspace in her ship undetected with the Prophet of Regret unaware that he had been followed. To the surprise of the pursuers, they discover that Regret led them to another [[Installation 05|Halo Ring]]. Keyes soon determines that their objective is to Capture the Prophet of Regret and stop the Covenant from firing the Halo Rings; [[SPARTAN-117]] is dropped onto the surface of Installation 05 with ODSTs to remove Regret. In the course of pursuing Regret, SPARTAN-117 discovers with the aid of Cortana that the Prophet intends to personally activate Halo. Keyes decides that the new revelation about Regret's intentions warrants his death, which [[SPARTAN-117]] successfully achieves. But before being able to make his escape, the Covenant and High Charity, which has just arrived, attempt to kill [[SPARTAN-117]] by glassing the area, and he jumps into the lake surrounding Regret's location. Incapacitated from the shock of the Covenant bombardment, SPARTAN-117 is last seen being dragged into the depths of the lake by the tentacles of the [[Gravemind]].

The story now shifts back to Thel 'Vadamee on the [[High Charity]], in orbit around the ring. The Hierarchs had declared Regret's death to be the Elites' failure, and they were removed as the [[Honor Guard of the Covenant|protectors of the Prophets]], who bestow the role to the [[Jiralhanae|Brutes]], causing more tension between the Brutes and Elites who are already at odds with each other. Despite this Thel 'Vadamee is given a new mission to recover a [[Activation Index|Sacred Icon]] from the Library, having not died in his previous mission as all had expected. Making his way through the [[Quarantine Zone]] facing scores of [[Flood]] and [[Sentinels]] on the surface of Installation 05 seeking the Activation Index, Thel 'Vadamee makes his way into the [[Library]] and captures the Index along with Keyes and Johnson after they recovered it from its protective housing. Before he can take possession of the Index, Tartarus again intervenes in Thel 'Vadamee's task. After taking the Index into his own personal possession, Tartarus then reveals that the Hierarchs intended for his death to oust the Elites. His treachery revealed, Tartarus knocks Thel 'Vadamee unconscious down a shaft in the Index chamber to the abyss below.

Beneath the Library, SPARTAN-117 finds himself in the clutches of the [[Gravemind]], the creature that acts as the sentient intelligence of the Flood. Although Thel 'Vadamee had fallen from a great height, he is saved from plunging to his death by the Gravemind's tentacles. It is within the [[Gravemind]]'s chamber where Thel 'Vadamee and SPARTAN-117 meet. In addition, the Prophet of Regret is infected and assimilated into its mass. Also introduced is [[2401 Penitent Tangent]], Monitor of Installation 05. Both characters act as exposition to Thel 'Vadamee, as Regret remains steadfast to his faith, and the Monitor is fully aware of its status as a weapon. Thel 'Vadamee is further led to question his faith by both the SPARTAN-117 and the Gravemind itself, as they both try to convince the Elite that the Covenant's belief on the Halos is a lie, revealing that the Halos destroy life, not save it. This information, as well the information of the imminent genocide of the Elites lead Thel 'Vadamee reluctantly joining SPARTAN-117 in the mission to stop the ring from being activated. The Gravemind sends both the SPARTAN-117 and Thel 'Vadamee to different locations to help stop the Index from reaching its destination. SPARTAN-117 was sent to High Charity to retrieve the Index while Thel 'Vadamee was sent to the area where the Control Room of Installation 05 to halt the Covenant from activating the rings.

SPARTAN-117 then enters the middle of a conference of Truth. The Prophet of Truth, after escaping assassination, flees to the [[Forerunner Dreadnought|Dreadnought]]. John-117 chases him, killing many Covenant troops on the way. He also witnesses the conflict between the [[Sangheili|Elites]] and [[Brutes]]. SPARTAN-117 saves a few Marines along the way. Meanwhile, the Flood, under the control of the [[Gravemind]] crash into [[High Charity]] using the ''[[In Amber Clad]]''. When John nearly meets Truth, he finds Mercy being infected by the Flood; the Prophet tells the Spartan that Truth is going to Earth to "finish what [[Hierarchs|we]] started". In his efforts to reach the [[Forerunner Dreadnought]], he has to fight his way through the Flood and the Covenant. After boarding the Dreadnought, he leaves Cortana behind while he gets on the ship by boarding it through an energy conduit. 

Meanwhile, Thel 'Vadamee is teleported to near Halo's control room. There, he finds many dead Elites, which were, no doubt, killed by the Brutes. With the help of a few deployed Elites, he fights his way to meet Rtas 'Vadumee, who is surprised to hear that the Brutes murdered the [[Councilors]]. They fight their way to a [[Scarab]], where Sergeant Johnson is held. Johnson takes control of the Scarab and forcefully initiates an uneasy alliance between the humans and the Elites. With the combined efforts of Johnson and 'Vadamee, the Scarab breaches the Control Room doors by using the main energy cannon of the Scarab, and 'Vadamee enters the Control Room to confront Tartarus. In the Control Room, he hears the truth of the Halos directly from [[343 Guilty Spark]]. Still blinded by faith, Tartarus forced Miranda Keyes to activate Halo. Many [[Zealots]] and [[Councilors]] aid 'Vadamee in his final fight against Tartarus, and eventually after a long and tough  fight managed to kill him. Once Tartarus is defeated, Miranda grabs the Index just in time to stop Halo from firing, only putting it on a standby status, as said by Guilty Spark. He informs them that all the remaining Halos can now be activated remotely from [[Installation 00|the Ark]].

The Forerunner Dreadnought arrives at Earth with SPARTAN-117 onboard. He alerts Admiral Hood of his presence, and tells him that he is "[[Halo 3|finishing this fight]]".

In a scene after the credits, it appears that ''High Charity'' has been completely taken over by the Flood, as thousands of Flood spores are visible throughout the air, floating along the view. The Gravemind speaks of satisfaction of being free of his "empty grave", and suddenly Cortana appears as a hologram on a pedestal in the room. The Gravemind then states that there are questions that linger in his mind, which Cortana must answer. Cortana replies, "Alright... Shoot." The screen then turns black before any question is heard. 

====Characters====
{{col-begin}}
{{col-2}}
=====Major Characters=====
'''[[UNSC]]'''
*[[Master Chief Petty Officer]] [[John-117]]
*[[Cortana]]
*[[Sergeant Major]] [[Avery Junior Johnson|Avery J. Johnson]]
*[[Lieutenant Commander]] [[Miranda Keyes]]
*[[Fleet Admiral]] [[Terrence Hood|Sir Terrence Hood]]

'''[[Covenant]]'''
*[[Arbiter (Rank)|The Arbiter]] [[Thel 'Vadam|Thel 'Vadamee]]
*[[SpecOps Commander|Commander]] [[Rtas 'Vadum|Rtas 'Vadumee]]
*[[Chieftain of the Jiralhanae|Chieftain]] [[Tartarus]]
*[[High Prophet of Truth]]
*[[High Prophet of Mercy]]
*[[High Prophet of Regret]]

'''The [[Heretics]]'''
*[[Heretic|Heretic Leader]] [[Sesa 'Refumee]]

'''[[Forerunner]] Constructs'''
*[[343 Guilty Spark (Monitor)|04-343 Guilty Spark]]

'''[[Flood]]'''
*[[Gravemind]]
{{col-2}}
=====Minor Characters=====
'''UNSC'''
*[[Fleet Admiral]] [[Harper]]
*[[Major]] [[Easley]]
*[[Gunnery Sergeant]] [[Pete Stacker (Marine)|Pete Stacker]]
*[[Staff Sergeant]] [[Marcus Banks]]
*[[Corporal]] [[Perez]]
*[[Lance Corporal]] [[Jones (Marine)|Jones]]
*[[Private]] [[Butkis]]
*[[Private]] [[O'Brian (ODST)|O'Brian]] 
*[[Private]] [[Parsons (Marine)|Parsons]]
*[[Private]] [[Walpole]]
*[[Unnamed Lieutenant (Halo 2)|Unnamed Marine Lieutenant]]
*[[Master Gunnery Sergeant (Armory)|''Cairo Station'' Armorer]]

'''Covenant'''
*[[Prophet of Disdain]]
*[[Prophet of Objection]]

'''Forerunner Construct'''
*[[2401 Penitent Tangent|05-2401 Penitent Tangent]]
{{col-end}}

==Features==
===[[Weapons]]===
These are the weapons in the game:
{{col-begin}}
{{col-2}}
====[[United Nations Space Command]] Standard====
*[[BR55 Battle Rifle]] 
*[[M6C Magnum Sidearm|M6C Personal Defense Weapon System]] (Pistol/Magnum)
*[[M7 Caseless Submachine Gun]] (SMG)
*[[M9 High-Explosive Dual-Purpose Grenade]] (Frag Grenade)
*[[M41 Light Anti-Aircraft Gun]]
*[[M19 SSM|M19 SSM Rocket Launcher]] 
*[[M68 Gauss Cannon]]
*[[M90A Close Assault Weapon System]] (Shotgun)
*[[M247 General Purpose Machine Gun]] (Machine Gun Turret)
*[[SRS99C-S2 AMB Sniper Rifle]]

====Forerunner Weapons====
*[[Sentinel Beam]]
{{col-2}}
====Covenant====
=====Standard=====
*[[Type-1 Antipersonnel Grenade]] (Plasma Grenade)
*[[Type-1 Energy Weapon/Sword]] (Energy Sword)
*[[Type-25 Directed Energy Pistol]] (Plasma Pistol)
*[[Type-25 Directed Energy Rifle]] (Plasma Rifle)
*[[Type-26 ASG|Type 26 Anti-Infantry Stationary Gun]] (Shade)
*[[Type-33 Guided Munitions Launcher]] (Needler)
*[[Type-33 Light Anti-Armor Weapon]] (Fuel Rod Gun)
*[[Type-50 Sniper Rifle System]] (Beam Rifle)
*[[Type-51 Carbine]] (Covenant Carbine)
*[[Type-42 Directed Energy Support Weapon]] (Plasma Cannon)
*[[Scarab Gun]] ''([[Easter Egg]])''

=====Jiralhanae=====
*[[Type-2 Energy Weapon/Hammer]] (Gravity Hammer/[[Fist of Rukt]])
*[[Brute Plasma Rifle|Type-25 Directed Energy Rifle (Jiralhanae)]] (Brute Plasma Rifle)
*[[Type-25 Grenade Launcher]] (Brute Shot)
{{col-end}}

===[[Vehicles]]===
{{col-begin}}
{{col-2}}
====UNSC Vehicles====
=====Usable=====
*[[M12 Warthog LRV]]
*[[M12G1 Warthog LAAV]]
*[[M808B Scorpion MBT]]

=====Non-Usable=====
*[[D77H-TCI Pelican|D77H-TCI Pelican Dropship]]
*[[Albatross|Albatross Heavy Dropship]]
*[[Longsword|C709 Longsword Interceptor]]
*[[UNSC Frigate]]
*{{UNSCShip|In Amber Clad}} (FFG-142)
*{{Class|Marathon|Cruiser}}
*[[Orbital Defense Platform]]
*[[Cairo Station|ODA-142 ''Cairo'']]
*[[Malta Station|ODA-143 ''Malta'']]
*[[Athens Station|ODA-144 ''Athens'']]
{{col-2}}
====Covenant Vehicles====
=====Usable=====
*[[Spectre|Type-?? "Spectre" Infantry Support Vehicle]]
*[[Type-25 Wraith|Type-25 "Wraith" Assault Gun Carraige]]
*[[Type-26 Ground Support Aircraft|Type-26 "Banshee" Ground Support Aircraft]] 
*[[Type-32 Rapid Assault Vehicle|Type-32 "Ghost" Rapid Assault Vehicle]]

=====Non-Usable=====
*[[Assault Carrier]]
*[[CCS-class Battlecruiser]]
*''[[High Charity]]''
*[[Seraph-class Starfighter]]
*[[Shadow|"Shadow" Troop Carrier]]
*[[Type-47 Ultra Heavy Assault Platform|Type-47 "Scarab" Ultra Heavy Assault Platform]]
*[[Type-52 Troop Carrier|Type-52 "Phantom" Troop Carrier]]
{{col-end}}

==Halo 2 Multiplayer==
[[File:HAVsmall.jpg|thumb|right|320px|Halo 2 Vista Multiplayer.]]
Unlike its predecessor, ''Halo 2'' allows players to compete with each other over the [[Xbox Live]] online service, in addition to the originals support for split-screen and System Link multiplayer. ''Halo 2's'' Xbox Live mode offers a unique approach to online gaming that is intended to alleviate some of the problems that have plagued online first-person shooters in the past. Traditionally, one player sets his or her computer or console up as a game server (or host), specifying the game type and map and configuring other settings. The game software then uses a service like Xbox Live or GameSpy to advertise the game to the world at large; other players choose which game to join based upon criteria such as the map and game options each host is offering as well as the [[wikipedia:ping|ping]] times they are able to receive.

In ''Halo 2'', Xbox Live players do not choose to host games, and they do not get to specify individual maps and options to search for. Instead, players sign up for "playlists" that are geared to different ''styles'' of play. For example, the "Rumble Pit" playlist offers a variety of "free-for-all" game types, primarily Slayer or variations there of; "Team Skirmish" offers a number of 4-on-4 team games, which are primarily objective-based games like Capture the Flag; "Big Team Battle Skirmish" is similar to Team Skirmish but allows teams of up to 8 players. Other playlists allow various things such as matches between different [[clans]]. The Xbox Live servers create games automatically from the pool of players that have signed up for each playlist, choosing a game type and map automatically and selecting one player to serve as the game's host. Players can create small "parties" with their friends and enter games together as teammates or, in Rumble Pit, adversaries. They can also play custom gametypes like regular multiplayer. Unranked gametypes allow people on the same Xbox console without an Xbox Live account to play with them as "guests". If the Xbox console hosting the game drops out, the Xbox Live service automatically selects a new host from among the remaining players so the game can continue. 
Note: It appears that the host has some advantages over other players during the game due to lag (giving him the ability to move/react faster than the other players, and for certain glitches to work), resulting in a form of cheating called bridging in which somebody uses their PC to get host.

Since launching in November 2004, the service has been very popular with gamers. While some players resent the loss of individual control inherent in ''Halo 2''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s approach to online gaming, others feel it provides a significantly improved gaming experience compared to more traditional online first-person shooters. Bungie's servers match players up by skill level, which tends to eliminate the kind of severely imbalanced games that less-skilled players often consider unfair and not enjoyable. The automatic host selection process also eliminates the ability of the host to exert outsize control over the parameters of the game.

''Halo 2'' players with [[wikipedia:Microsoft Passport|Microsoft Passport]] accounts can log on to [http://www.bungie.net bungie.net] and obtain extremely detailed statistics on their performance, including level maps for several hundred of the player's most recent games that indicate graphically where and when the player scored a kill or was killed him- or herself.

On April 15th 2010, all Xbox Live Access from Halo 2 ceased and the online capabilities no longer work. Microsoft has awarded the players who stuck with Halo 2 all the way with Microsoft Points and an Xbox Live Membership. This is expected to result in a slight increase in sales of Halo 3, from the ex-Halo 2 players.

====Maps====
=====Standard Maps=====
*[[Lockout]]
*[[Ascension (Level)|Ascension]]
*[[Midship]]
*[[Ivory Tower]]
*[[Beaver Creek]]
*[[Burial Mounds]]
*[[Colossus]]
*[[Zanzibar]]
*[[Coagulation]]
*[[Headlong]]
*[[Waterworks]]
*[[Foundation]]

====Bonus Map Pack====
{{Main|Bonus Map Pack}}
The Bonus Map Pack is a downloadable content package for ''Halo 2''. It was released on April 25, 2005 as a free download sponsored by Mountain Dew. The maps included in this Map Pack are:
*[[Containment]]
*[[Warlock]]

====Killtacular Pack====
{{Main|Killtacular Pack}}
The Killtacular Pack is a downloadable content package released on April 25, 2005 for $4.99, and was made permanently free on June 28, 2005. The maps included in this Map Pack are:
*[[Sanctuary]]
*[[Turf]]

====Maptacular Pack====
{{Main|Maptacular Pack}}
The Maptacular Pack is a downloadable content package released on July 5, 2005 for $11.99, and was made permanently free on August 30, 2005. The maps included in this Map Pack are:
*[[Backwash]]
*[[Elongation]]
*[[Gemini]]
*[[Relic (Level)|Relic]]
*[[Terminal (Level)|Terminal]]

====Blastacular Pack====
{{Main|Blastacular Pack}}
The Blastacular Pack is a downloadable content package released on April 17, 2007 for $4.00, and re-released as an updated package on May 7, 2007 (still for $4.00), as several glitches discovered in the included content had been fixed. It was made permanently free on July 7, 2007, [[Bungie Day]]. The Blastacular Pack is included with neither the [[Halo 2 Multiplayer Map Pack]], or Halo 2 Vista. The maps included in this Map Pack are:
*[[Desolation]]
*[[Tombstone]]

====Halo 2 Vista Exclusive Maps====
{{Main|Halo 2 Vista#Multiplayer Additions}}
Exclusive to Halo 2 Vista are 2 new maps which are:
*[[District]]
*[[Uplift]]
*[[Example (Halo 2 Vista Map Editor Example)|Example]]

===Player Damage System===
The damage system in ''Halo 2'' is much different from what it was in ''Halo: Combat Evolved''. The player has a regenerating shield and regenerating health.

*'''[[Energy Shields]]:''' The Shield in ''Halo 2'' is slightly weaker than it was in ''Halo: Combat Evolved'', but recharges at a higher rate. It slowly decreases in power as it sustains damage. After it takes damage, it starts to recharge 2-5 seconds after the last time damage was sustained. It will stop during recharge if the player is hurt during that period. The power is displayed above the motion tracker in the bottom-left of the screen.
*'''[[Health]]:''' In ''Halo 2'', once the shields run out, the player also has a buffer of health. Unlike ''Halo: Combat Evolved'', the health in ''Halo 2'' regenerates after the shield. The amount of health left is not visible to the player. Bungie's explanation for this new system is the addition of a biofoam dispenser in the armor (so health regenerates after time).

===Powerups===
There are two types of normal powerups available in ''Halo 2'':

*'''[[Overshield]]:''' An enhanced, non-regenerating shield which adds an additional two layers to your shield (red, then green). The Overshield functions on top of the regular shield - when it is active, the normal shield does not take damage. However, the Overshield will gradually reduce in power until it is gone, at which point the player's normal shields will be vulnerable to damage. Unlike ''[[Halo: Combat Evolved]]'', the Overshield powerup is not available in the single player campaign.
*'''[[Active Camouflage]]:''' A powerup that makes the player almost completely invisible for a period of time, making all but a faint outline of him transparent. This effect is reduced if the player is hit by weapons fire, if he or she fires a weapon or throws a grenade, or in some cases if he or she switches weapons. In campaign mode, active camouflage is only available in levels in which you play as the Arbiter. However, note that the Energy Sword will give away the user's position, as while the player is invisible, the sword is not.(note: on multiplayer, if the Overshield technology and the Active Camouflage are used in conjunction the Active Camouflage is not sophisticated enough to hide the enhanced over shields)

==''Halo 2'': Original Soundtrack==
{{Main|Halo 2: Original Soundtrack}}
There are two volumes of the ''Halo 2'' soundtrack, one released alongside the game, and the other released in Early 2006. You can usually find them at any retail store that sells music or games, or Ebay.

==Marketing Promotions and Release==
===I Love Bees===
{{Main|I Love Bees}}
During the summer of 2004, the website [http://www.ilovebees.com ilovebees.com] was used as a publicity site for Halo 2, with the site being pointed to by adverts for the game during movie trailers. Ostensibly a beekeeper's personal site, the server appeared to have been taken over by an unstable A.I. whose thoughts are scattered on the site. 

===Trailers===
{{Main|Halo 2 Announcement Trailer|Halo 2 Cinematic Trailer}}
In 2002, Bungie released the first glimpse of ''Halo 2'' in a pre-rendered CG trailer. The trailer featured the [[Master Chief]] in his new [[MJOLNIR Mark VI]] [[Armor]] preparing for battle in a space station. [[Cortana]] is also heard and has dialogue with the Chief. It also featured Earth and {{Class|CCS|Battlecruiser}}s in orbit. The UNSC seem to be losing in the battle. The events of this trailer were featured in the final version of ''Halo 2''. Some of the events and dialogue of this trailer was changed to fit the finished storyline of the game. Most of this now appears in the ''Halo 2'' level [[Cairo Station]].

===Demonstrations===
====E3 2003====

<div class="floatright"><youtube height="167" width="200">eoqGLS1U6GQ</youtube></div>
In 2003 at E3, Bungie released footage of a playable in-game demo of the ''Halo 2'' campaign. The demo featured the battle on [[Earth]] in the city of [[New Mombasa]]. [[Master Chief]], [[Cortana]], [[Sergeant Johnson]], [[Corporal Perez]], [[Major Easley]], and [[Sergeant Banks]] were all seen/heard in the demo. The demo showed off new features like Dual-Wielding (the [[Master Chief]] could actually keep both his dual-wielded weapons when he switched to his secondary sidearm; this was changed for the final product), Vehicle Damage, and Boarding. Three new vehicles shown were the [[Gauss Warthog]], [[Shadow]], and the Covenant [[Phantom]], which at the time had only one plasma turret on its underside instead of three. Returning vehicles featured the [[Ghost (Vehicle)|Ghost]], [[Pelican]], [[Covenant Cruiser]], and [[Longsword]] Fighters. New weapons the [[Battle Rifle]], [[SMG]], and [[Brute Shot]] were also shown, although the final Brute Shot design for ''Halo 2'' was vastly different than what was shown in this trailer. New enemies such as the Brutes were shown in this demo, but as a secondary warrior race by the side of the Elites. The events of this demo were featured in the final version of ''Halo 2''. Some of the events and dialog of this demo was changed to fit the finished storyline of the game, such as the AA Gun becoming a [[Scarab]]. Most of this now appears in the ''Halo 2'' level; [[Metropolis]].

====E3 2004====
In 2004 at E3, Bungie released footage of a playable in game demo of the ''Halo 2'' multiplayer. The demo featured the multiplayer map [[Zanzibar]] and displayed playable character models the [[Spartan]] model and the [[Elite]] model. It also showed off some of the weaponry of the game and some special features. The [[Battle Rifle]], [[SMG]], [[Needler]], [[Rocket Launcher]], and [[Energy Sword]] were displayed. The Gauss Warthog and the Ghost also made an appearance. Some features included the lock-on feature of the Rocket Launcher, the Dual-Wielding ability, Explosive Barrels, Ghost's boosting, vehicle boarding, Warthogs horn and Gauss Cannon and Sword Lunging. Afterward, fans were allowed to try out the demo.

===''Halo 2'' Versions===
[[File:Halo 2 LCE case and extras.jpg|150px|thumb|''Halo 2 Limited Collector's Edition''.]]
''Halo 2'' shipped in two versions:

'''''Halo 2'' Regular Edition''' ($49.99 at launch, now $15.00)

*Standard Xbox game case with ''Halo 2'' box art.
*''Halo 2'' for Xbox (also for Xbox 360)
*''Halo 2'' game manual from the Humans' perspective.
*Pamphlet advertising ''[[Halo 2: The Official Game Guide|Halo 2: The Official Guide]]'' and ''[[Halo 2: Original Soundtrack]] Volume 1''.
*2 month Xbox Live trial card.
*Limited edition Elite manual.

'''''Halo 2'' Limited Collector's Edition''' ($54.99 at launch, now discontinued)

*Sleek metal case with outer plastic slipcover.
*''Halo 2'' for Xbox. (also for Xbox 360)
*''Halo 2'' game manual from the Covenant's perspective (written as a report from the Arbiter to the [[Prophet of Truth]])
*"Making of ''Halo 2''" DVD with other features including game design, deleted scenes, concept art, deleted content and more.
*Pamphlet advertising ''[[Halo 2: The Official Game Guide|Halo 2: The Official Guide]]'' and ''[[Halo 2: Original Soundtrack]] Volume 1''.
*Booklet called ''[[Conversations from the Universe]]''.
*[[7]]-Eleven Slurpee coupon (advertising the three Limited Edition ''Halo 2'' Slurpee cups).
*2 month Xbox Live trial card specially printed with ''Halo 2'' imagery.

===Sales and reception===
''Halo 2'' was very successful in sales. In company with PlayStation 2's hit of the year, ''[[Wikipedia:Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas|Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas]]'', it was the most sought-after video game among critics and gamers in 2004. Three weeks prior to launch, stores in the U.S. alone had pre-sold 1.5 million copies of the game to consumers. When it launched for the Xbox on the 9th of November, over 7000 video game, toy and electronics stores in the U.S. opened at midnight to welcome fanatical fans. Halo 2 instantly began to prosper. One national retailer sold 8,500 copies of the game in just 11 minutes, and another had sold 200,000 units by daybreak. One single store sold 500 ''Halo 2'' units in three hours, 350 of them being sold between midnight and 1 a.m.<ref>http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/business/20041110-9999-1b10halo.html</ref> Early on the launch day, Microsoft expected ''Halo 2'' to generate more money in 24 hours on store shelves than any game had done before. Moore said “I'm calling a $100 million day on ''Halo'' today.” ''Halo 2'' went on to be the success that Microsoft was anticipating, selling approximately 2.4 million copies in North America in 24 hours, generating $125 million. The video game software retailer GameStop sold more than half a million ''Halo 2'' copies in one day. In Australia, where more than 42,000 gamers had pre-ordered the game prior to its release, ''Halo 2'' shattered retail sales records by selling more than 104,000 units in no more than one week after launch, generating nine million dollars and beating the previous record holder by 38,000 copies.<ref>http://www.xbox.com/en-AU/games/h/halo2/newsflash20041119.html</ref> In Canada, ''Halo 2'' succeeded in selling 222,000 units in its debut month, making it the biggest premiere month for any game up to ''Grand Theft Auto IV''. Before its release in New Zealand, more than 8000 units of ''Halo 2'' had been pre-sold. Three weeks after its release, ''Halo 2'' had sold over 5 million copies<ref>http://www.xbox.com/en-US/press/2004/1202-halo2.htm</ref>, making it the second-best selling Xbox game, with approximately 19% of all Xbox owners possessing a copy of ''Halo 2''. The game also had the most successful opening night of any game up until ''Halo 3'', and, later, ''Grand Theft Auto 4''. The game had a generally amazing reception, gaining a 9.7 out of 10 from OXM (10 out of 10 from its Australian counterpart), a 9.8 out of 10 from IGN, a 10 out of 10 from Game Informer, a 9 out of 10 from Play Magazine, and a 5 out of 5 from X-Play. It gained more Game of The Year awards in 2004 than any other game that year. X-Play, in late 2006, included it as #3 in their top 4 greatest shooters of all time (#4 was ''Resistance'', #2 ''Half-Life 2'', and #1 was ''Gears of War''). In early 2007, it made #8 on their top 10 Games of All Time countdown. The game had an average meta-score of 95 out of 100, making it the 3rd most critically acclaimed Xbox game, right behind ''Halo: Combat Evolved'' and the ''Grand Theft Auto'' Triple Pack. The games multiplayer was held to be one of the best of all time, staying consistently number 1 the most played Xbox Live title from November of 2004 up until November of 2006, when ''Gears of War'' released.

===Reaction===
Generally, the game was positively received. Multiplayer especially was noted in being the best on Xbox Live at the time. Game Informer, along with numerous other publications, rated it lower than ''Halo: Combat Evolved'', citing enhanced multiplayer and more repetitive gameplay. ''Halo 2'' received multiple awards, including Best Console game of the month.

Most critics noted that ''Halo 2'' stuck with the formula that made its predecessor successful, and was alternatively praised and faulted for this decision. Edge noted in its review, “It's fitting that we're able to steal a line from the script to sum everything up. No spoilers here, just an epitaph, from the moment Cortana turns to Master Chief and says this: 'It’s not an original plan. But we know it’ll work.'" According to Xbox.com, the game has received more than 38 individual awards. The game's campaign mode has received some criticism for being too short, in addition to some dissatisfaction with the abrupt, cliffhanger ending that sets up the sequel, ''Halo 3''. GameSpot noted that the story switching between the Covenant and Human factions made the plot more intricate, but also distracted the player from Earth's survival and the main point of the game. There is also some criticism of the game's on-the-fly streaming and level of detail adjustment, which can sometimes result in textures loading erroneously and "popping in" when the camera changes in cutscenes. Bungie has stated that this issue has been fixed for ''Halo 3'' and the Windows Vista port.

In an interview with Edge magazine in January 2007, Jamie Greisemer, one of ''Halo''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s design leads, said that the main reason for ''Halo 2''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s shortcomings was a lack of "polish" period near the end of the development cycle. Staff member Frank O’Connor admitted the cliffhanger ending was abrupt, noting “we drove off Thelma & Louise style". Nonetheless, in the interview Greisemer promised that they would make ''Halo 3'' a more than worthy successor.

===Statistics===
''Halo 2'' was released November 9, 2004. The game was one of the most highly anticipated games on the Xbox and went on to sell more than the original. On the morning of October 14, a leak of the French version of the game was posted on the Internet, and circulated widely. Microsoft, the parent company of Bungie, tried to contain the spread, and pledged to bring legal action against anyone who spread the leaked version. Thanks to the hype, Halo 2 sold one of the most copies of any games of all time. 

Regardless, Microsoft later touted that there were 1.5 million pre-orders for ''Halo 2'' in the United States alone and that this guaranteed it to have the largest first-day revenue of any game or movie ever.<ref>http://www.gamespot.com/news/2004/10/19/news_6110893.html</ref> The game sold 2.4 million copies and earned up to $125 million US in its first 24 hours on store shelves.<ref>http://www.gamespot.com/news/2004/11/10/news_6112915.html</ref> As of March 2006, the game has sold over eight million copies worldwide<ref>[http://www.bungie.net/Inside/content.aspx?link=HistoryofBungie_p8 The History of Bungie, Page 8] Accessed 6-20-2007</ref>.

==Themes==
''Halo 2'' greatly expanded the plot introduced in ''Halo: Combat Evolved'', and many themes and parallels to the real world can be drawn.

Dealing with the consequences of society and government within the Covenant world, ''Halo 2'' shows that technology alone cannot win wars. Covenant society is deeply troubled with a corrupt government of Prophets who know more than they tell and order an act of genocide against their long-loyal [[Elites]]. While the Covenant is far more technologically advanced than humans, their society is divided and races do not get along. The [[humans]] are shown as more united and exhibit more teamwork while attempting to stop the Covenant, despite being outnumbered and out-gunned. Playing as the Arbiter, the player only fights other Covenant, making it apparent that their forces are not all focused on the humans and their civil war and disorganization makes them a weaker force, despite greater firepower. The Flood is mostly a primitive race but is still able to infiltrate High Charity and Cortana is still able to hack into their system because the Covenant never created a solid foundation and underestimated their enemies. The game shows that the power of determination is more powerful than that of technology. This is evident in both Master Chief's plot line as well as the Arbiter's, who manages to survive because he constantly focuses on his objective. He tells Tartarus that the Index is his only goal when he asks if he would seek revenge against the Master Chief.

The game also has element of a monomyth, a common structure in many stories of adventure. ''Halo 2'' begins with Master Chief being awoken and called for combat while the Arbiter is spared and is given the choice to become a martyr. The Arbiter is put through a series of trials which he is expected to fail; when he doesn't, he realizes that the Prophets have turned against him and learns where his true alliances lie, becoming a central role in the Covenant Civil War. These events fit into the description of the first half of a typical monomyth.

==Trivia==
*The "vine" that [[Miranda Keyes]] uses to make it to the [[index]] is actually one of the [[Gravemind]]'s tentacles. It is speculated by some players that the Gravemind was planning on letting Miranda get the index, and then making her fall into his pit, which would lead her and the index to his "lair". There, the index would be, theoretically, unobtainable by the Covenant, which would keep him and the rest of the Flood safe on the ring (Delta Halo). This would also be a way for [[Gravemind]] to learn the location of [[Earth]] and seal humanities doom.
*Originally, there were to be several kinds of [[Warthog]]s including an Arctic model (which was included in the Halo 3 DLC multiplayer map Avalanche), a transport vehicle and a small ATV (known as the [[Mongoose]] in ''Halo 3'') would make an appearance. These were all cut from the final version of the game. However, in ''Halo: Custom Edition'', fans created the arctic and transport warthogs, as well as the civilian warthog featured in the multi-player map Headlong. A rocket-launcher enabled Warthog was included in ''Halo PC'' and the ATV and variations of the Warthog appear in ''Halo 3''.
*[[Jason Jones]] is known for establishing the quote: "Halo 2 is a lot like [[Halo: Combat Evolved|Halo 1]], only it's Halo 1 on fire, going 130 miles per hour through a hospital zone, being chased by helicopters and ninjas. And, the ninjas are all on fire, too." This led to the famous line of inside jokes, patches and t-shirts, user names, and memes of flaming ninjas.<ref>[http://xbox.gamespy.com/xbox/halo-2/528851p1.html Gamespy's Halo 2: Everything We Know article]</ref>
*A song, known as "Remembrance" at the start up screen, (the unedited version found on the “''Halo 2'' Original Sound Track Volume 1") just happens to play for exactly 1:17 (John's serial number) or 77 seconds.
*There are 21,090 lines of dialogue, most of them randomly triggered during combat.<ref>[http://nikon.bungie.org/news.html?item=20971 Halo Dialogue Statistics, from the source] - HBO, November 12, 2007</ref>
*Originally, at the end of Cairo Station there wasn't going to be a bomb, but another level taking place on the Covenant carrier where you would fight a [[Drinol]]. At the end of the level when you destroy it, you get to free fall onto the ''In Amber Clad'', and can look around when falling. This level was deleted. <ref>''[[Halo 3|Halo 3 Legendary Edition]]'', Cut-scene Commentary</ref>.
*Halo 2's legendary difficulty is said to be one of the the hardest difficulty levels out of the [[Halo]] franchise.
*When you attempt to load up Halo 2 on the Xbox 360 it will not let you connect to XBL unless you have "Allow Xbox Originals live" Option set to yes in the parental controls.
*Halo 2 has been stated to be the reason that there is a limit to the number of friends on the friends list, and to get around that limit, Microsoft would have to end original Xbox Live compatibility.
*In Bungie.net's [[Halo 3: ODST]] Pre-Pax Podcast, it was stated that the ''Halo 2'' Xbox LIVE [[multiplayer]] will be scheduled for deactivation. However, Bungie did not state any specific reasons for why the servers will be shut down. The reason was speculated to be to make room for Halo 3: ODST's servers.<ref>[http://www.bungie.net/News/content.aspx?type=topnews&link=PrePaxPodcast Halo 3: ODST Pre-Pax Podcast]</ref> On February 5th, 2010, Microsoft announced that it would be discontinuing support of original Xbox games through Xbox Live on April 15th. This would neccessarily include Halo 2.<ref>[http://majornelson.com/archive/2010/02/05/xbox-live-being-discontinued-for-original-xbox-consoles-and-games.aspx Major Nelson.com]</ref>
*''Halo 2'' has been the only game in the series to have the most content either cut from the game entirely or redesigned completely as evidenced in many forms of media. In the ''Halo 3'' Essentials disc featuring the "Director's Commentary" of the cutscenes, three separate levels were discussed as having been proposed but ultimately scrapped due to time constraints: [[Covenant Ship (Level)]], [[Forerunner Tank (Level)]], and Forerunner Keyship a level. In the "Making of ''Halo 2''" documentary there was concept art seen regarding a level location [[The Ark]], although the design was later placed into ''Halo 3''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s [[The Storm (Level)]] as the [[Portal]]. The former could have been a part of pre-production for [[Halo 3]]. Marty O'Donnell was also quoted in a [[Bungie Podcast]] (Episode 13, at 21:00) saying that all the actors had recorded the lines to the original ''Halo 2'' ending and that it still exists today, but he will never show it. The [[Flood Juggernaut]] was a character that was modeled and placed in the coding of the game but never had AI programmed or had been placed on any level, similar to the [[Engineer]] in [[Halo: Combat Evolved]].

==Related Links==
{{col-begin}}
{{col-2}}
===Internal Links===
*[[Halo 2 Credits|''Halo 2'' Credits]]
*[[List of "Seven" references in Halo|List of "Seven" references in ''Halo'']]
*[[Early Halo 2 Script|Early ''Halo 2'' Script]]
*[[Character Compatibility]]
{{col-2}}
===External Links===
*[http://bungie.net/Games/Halo2/ Bungie's Official Halo 2 Site]
*[http://www.haloeastereggs.net/eastereggs.php?gamename=Halo%202 Halo 2 Easter Eggs]
*[http://www.halo2.com Xbox.com's Official Halo 2 Site]
*[http://halo.bungie.org/halo2updates/ "Frankie's Bungie Updates"]
{{col-end}}

==Sources==
<references/>

{{Halo Games}}

[[Category:Games]]

[[de:Halo 2]]
[[es:Halo 2]]
@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-{{Title|''Halo 2''}}
+{{Era|H2|RW}}
-{{Status|RealWorld}}
+{{Ratings}}
-{{references}}
+{{Game Info Box
-{{Under construction}}
+|name = ''Halo 2''
-{{Game infobox
+|image = Halo 2 box art.jpg
-|name= ''Halo 2''
+|imageSize = 200
-|image= [[File:Halo2-Cover-Large.jpg|300px]]
+|Developer = [[Bungie Studios]]
-|primary-dev=[[Bungie|Bungie Studios]]
+|Publisher = [[Microsoft Game Studios]]
-|support-dev=[[Certain Affinity]] {{C|[[Downloadable content|DLC]]}}
+|US Date Released = November 9, 2004
-|publisher= [[Microsoft Studios]]
+|UK Date Released = November 11, 2004
-|engine=[[Blam engine]]
+|PC US Release Date= May 8th, 2007
-|writer=[[Joseph Staten]]
+|Genre = [[First-person shooter]]
-|composer=[[Martin O'Donnell]]<br>[[Michael Salvatori]]
+|Game modes = [[Campaign]], [[Multiplayer]]
-|platform= [[Xbox]] <br> Xbox 360 (backwards compatible) <br> [[Personal computer|PC]] - [[Halo 2 (Windows Vista)|Windows Vista Exclusive]]
+|ESRB= Mature (M) for Blood and Gore, Language, Violence
-|releasedate= '''US''': November 9, 2004<ref>[http://halo.bungie.net/news/content.aspx?type=topnews&cid=7139 '''Bungie.net''': ''Halo 2: One Year Later'']</ref> <br>
+|Platform = [[Xbox]]<br />Xbox360 (original disk works with newer console) <br />[[PC (realworld)|PC]] - Windows Vista Exclusive.
-'''UK''': November 11, 2004 <br>
+|Media = DVD, PC-DVD
-'''JP''': November 11, 2004 <br>
+|Website = [http://www.bungie.net/Projects/Halo2/default.aspx '''Bungie.net''': ''Halo 2 Project Page'']
-'''Vista''': May 8, 2007
-|genre= [[First-person shooter]]
-|modes= [[Campaign]]<br>[[Multiplayer]]
-|rating= M ([[Wikipedia:Entertainment Software Ratings Board|ESRB]])<br>C ([[Wikipedia:Computer Entertainment Rating Organization|CERO]])<br>16+ ([[Wikipedia:Pan European Game Information|PEGI]])
 }}
-{{Quote|Earth will never be the same.|Official tagline}}
-'''''Halo 2''''' is a [[first-person shooter]] video game developed by [[Bungie|Bungie Studios]] for the [[Xbox]] video game console and is forwards-compatible with the [[Xbox 360]]. It is the sequel to ''[[Halo: Combat Evolved]]'' and features a newly built graphics engine as well as many new gameplay elements. Storywise, ''Halo 2'' develops the struggle between the [[United Nations Space Command]], [[Covenant]], and the [[Flood]] during the [[Human-Covenant War]] in the fall of [[2552]]. A sequel, ''[[Halo 3]]'', was released on [[2007 (real world)|September 25, 2007]].
+'''''Halo 2''''' is a [[first-person shooter]] video game developed by [[Bungie Studios]] for the [[Xbox]] video game console and is forwards-compatible with the [[Xbox 360]]. It is the sequel to ''[[Halo: Combat Evolved]]'' (and the second installment of the Halo game series) and features a newly built graphics engine with the addition of new elements to the game. ''Halo 2'' develops the struggle between the [[United Nations Space Command]], [[Covenant Empire|Covenant]], and the [[Flood]] during the [[Human-Covenant War]] in the fall of [[2552]].
-The game is one of the most successful and actively played video games for the original Xbox console, with 8.46 million copies sold as of November 2008. Despite this, the game's online servers, along with all other original Xbox LIVE services, were discontinued on [[2010|April 15, 2010]].
+The game was also [[Halo 2 Vista|released for the PC]], and is one of the most successful and actively played video games for the original Xbox console, with 8.46 million copies sold as of November, 2008. Despite this, the game's online servers, along with all other original Xbox LIVE services, will be discontinued after April 15, 2010.
-A [[Halo 2 (Windows Vista)|PC version]] of ''Halo 2'' was released in 2007. ''[[Halo 2: Anniversary]]'', a remastered edition of the game, was released for the [[Xbox One]] as part of ''[[Halo: The Master Chief Collection]]'' on [[2014|November 11, 2014]], the 10th anniversary of the original game.<ref>[https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/games/halo-the-master-chief-collection '''Halo Waypoint''': ''Halo: The Master Chief Collection'']</ref>
+==Campaign==
+The campaign in ''Halo 2'' does not pick up directly after the events of ''Halo: Combat Evolved'', but rather after the events depicted in the novel ''[[Halo: First Strike]]'', taking place in ''Halo: Combat Evolved'' with the events explaining [[Master Chief]]'s return to [[Earth]] not featured in any game so far. The story dives deeper into the society of the Covenant, their goals, beliefs, and alliances as well as continuing Master Chief's story to put an end to the Covenant threat on Earth as well as another Halo ring.
-==Synopsis==
+The player can play the campaign alone on a single-player mode or on a split-screen co-operative mode. The game follows a linear series of episodes that differ from ''Halo: Combat Evolved'' because you will play as both the Master Chief and a new character, a troubled Covenant Elite known as [[The Arbiter]]. The player has an adjusted arsenal of weapons, some of which have been altered or removed from ''Halo: Combat Evolved'', and new weapons being introduced. One of the biggest alteration to game-play is perhaps the ability to [[dual wield]] small weapons; this allows for twice the firepower at the expense of being unable to throw grenades or [[melee]] without dropping the left weapon. In terms of vehicles, all vehicles from the first game remain except the M12A1 Warthog LAAV (rocket warthog) from the PC version, and the Spirit Dropship. Also, a few new vehicles are introduced. In ''Halo 2'', however, the previously indestructible vehicles can now be destroyed and the player is able to "[[Boarding|board]]" an enemy vehicle by climbing on and knocking the driver out, as well as planting [[grenades]] to further damage the vehicle. The same can be done by an enemy to the player when driving.
-===Characters and setting===
-''Halo 2'' does not pick up directly after the events of its predecessor, but rather, after the events depicted in the novel ''[[Halo: First Strike]]'', taking place in ''Halo: Combat Evolved'' with the events explaining [[John-117|Master Chief]]'s return to [[Earth]] not featured in any game so far. The story dives deeper into the society of the [[Covenant Empire|Covenant]], their goals, beliefs, and alliances, as well as continuing Master Chief's story to put an end to the Covenant threat on Earth as well as [[Installation 05|another Halo]]. ''Halo 2'' also introduces the insectoid [[Yanme’e]] and the [[Jiralhanae]], who were first mentioned in ''First Strike''. They are shown as large, hairy, ape-like beasts; although they do not have [[Energy shielding|energy shields]] like the Sangheili, their immense bulk and strength allows them to absorb a large amount of damage before dying.
-The game follows a linear series of episodes that differ from ''Halo: Combat Evolved''. The player will play as both the Master Chief and a troubled Covenant Sangheili known as "[[Thel 'Vadam]]".
+As the Arbiter, the player is not equipped with a flashlight and instead a rechargeable [[Active Camouflage]] that lasts for ten seconds, giving the player a preemptive advantage on unsuspecting enemies.
-=== Plot synopsis ===
+You can have a variety of allies; if you are the Master Chief, you are accompanied by [[UNSC Marines]], occasionally [[Orbital Drop Shock Trooper|ODSTs]], and Sergeant Johnson and you battle all Covenant species and in one instance, the Flood. But if you are the [[Arbiter (Character)|Arbiter]], you are joined by [[Grunts]], [[Jackals]], [[Hunters]], and other [[Elites]], but you never fight humans; instead, you combat the [[Heretics (Faction)|Heretic]]s, [[Brutes]], [[Drones]], [[Jackals]], the Flood and occasionally [[Sentinels]].
-{{Spoiler/begin}}
-[[File:CouncilsScorn01.jpg|thumb|300px|Thel 'Vadamee before receiving the Mark of Shame and becoming the Arbiter.]]
-The game begins on [[High Charity]], the mobile capital city of the [[Covenant]]. The former [[Supreme Commander]] of the [[Fleet of Particular Justice]], [[Sangheili Zealot|Commander]] [[Thel 'Vadam]]ee, is on trial before the [[High Council]] for his failure to protect [[Installation 04|Halo]]. Despite his insistence that the [[The Flood|Flood]] hampered his abilities, the [[Hierarchs]] who lead the council, the High [[San'Shyuum|Prophets]] of [[Prophet of Truth|Truth]], [[Prophet of Mercy|Mercy]], and [[Prophet of Regret|Regret]], deem him guilty of failing to protect the Sacred Ring. 'Vadamee is then stripped of his rank and his armor and is branded with the [[Mark of Shame]] by [[Tartarus]], the [[Chieftain of the Jiralhanae]].
-The story then turns to Earth's [[Orbital defense platform|Orbital Defense Platform]] [[Cairo Station (station)|Cairo Station]], where [[Master Chief Petty Officer]] [[John-117]] receives the new [[MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor/Mark VI|MJOLNIR Mark VI]] armor from the [[Master Gunnery Sergeant (Armory)|Master Gunnery Sergeant]]. [[Avery Junior Johnson]], who recently has been promoted to [[Sergeant Major]], arrives to take the Master Chief to an awards ceremony overseen by [[Fleet Admiral]] [[Terrence Hood]]. At the ceremony, John-117, Johnson, and  [[Miranda Keyes]], [[Jacob Keyes|Captain Keyes]]' daughter, are awarded medals as those in attendance celebrate. The festivities are soon interrupted by [[Cortana]] reporting that "15 Covenant Capital ships holding position just outside the kill zone," signaling the start of the Covenant siege of Earth. UNSC Marine forces, along with John-117, protect the station from the invading Covenant forces while other stations are overwhelmed and destroyed. A bomb is discovered on Cairo station, and John-117 sends it into space. He detonates it, destroying several Covenant ships, before landing on the hull of Keyes' ship, the UNSC frigate ''[[UNSC In Amber Clad|In Amber Clad]]''. The frigate heads to the Earth city of [[New Mombasa]] to fight off the Covenant troops, which are led by the High Prophet of Regret. After the Covenant invasion force is halted by the UNSC defenses, the Prophet of Regret flees Earth with Keyes and her detachment in pursuit on the ''In Amber Clad''. The hasty in-atmosphere jump devastates the city of New Mombasa, destroying the [[Space elevator|Space Elevator]] and scattering its wreckage for miles around.
+The [[Campaign]] consists of 15 levels, of which 14 are playable. They tell the story of ''Halo 2''.
-The story returns to the disgraced [[Sangheili]] Commander, Thel 'Vadamee, who is given a chance for redemption by the High Prophets of Truth and Mercy by taking up the mantle of [[Arbiter]] and the imminent mortality it entails. The new Arbiter becomes the will of the Prophets, seeking redemption by completing seemingly impossible tasks assigned to him. As his first mission as the Arbiter, 'Vadamee is tasked with the assassination of a [[Sesa 'Refumee|Heretic Leader]], Sesa 'Refumee, who has become disillusioned with the Covenant following the events on Installation 04 and its destruction. 'Vadamee tracks the Heretic Leader through the gas mine where the [[Heretics]] sought refuge, battling the Heretics and the Flood along the way. When the Arbiter finally faces the 'Refumee, he asserts his belief that the Prophets have lied about the [[Covenant religion|Great Journey]]. [[343 Guilty Spark]] appears and corroborates 'Refumee's assertion (both Elites consider Guilty Spark to be an Oracle of the [[Forerunner]]s, the ancient race the Covenant hold as gods). Before 'Vadamee can learn more of the claims, 'Refumee attacks 'Vadamee, and the Heretic Leader is killed. Tartarus then appears to extract the Arbiter and Guilty Spark, further preventing 'Vadamee from learning any further information from Guilty Spark. 'Vadamee departs, not learning what caused the Heretics to betray their sacred oaths to the Covenant.
+#[[The Heretic (Level)|The Heretic]] (video)
+#[[The Armory (Level)|Armory]] (tutorial)
+#[[Cairo Station (Level)|Cairo Station]]
+#[[Outskirts (Level)|Outskirts]]
+#[[Metropolis (Level)|Metropolis]]
+#[[The Arbiter (Level)|The Arbiter]]
+#[[The Oracle (Level)|Oracle]]
+#[[Delta Halo (Level)|Delta Halo]]
+#[[Regret (Level)|Regret]]
+#[[Sacred Icon (Level)|Sacred Icon]]
+#[[Quarantine Zone (Level)|Quarantine Zone]]
+#[[Gravemind (Level)|Gravemind]]
+#[[Uprising (Level)|Uprising]]
+#[[High Charity (Level)|High Charity]]
+#[[The Great Journey (Level)|The Great Journey]]
-[[File:Regret.jpg|300px|thumb|left|[[John-117|Master Chief]] battles the [[Prophet of Regret]].]]
+===Plot===
-Returning to SPARTAN-117's story, the ''In Amber Clad'' exits slipspace with the Prophet of Regret unaware that he had been followed. To the surprise of the pursuers, they discover that Regret has led them to another [[Installation 05|Halo Ring]]. Keyes sends John-117 and ODSTs to the surface of Installation 05 to capture Regret while the ''In Amber Clad'' is repaired. In the course of pursuing Regret, John-117 discovers, with the aid of Cortana, that the [[San'Shyuum]]  intends to personally activate Halo, in the belief that it will propel true believers on the [[Covenant religion|Great Journey]]. To buy time to acquire the [[Activation Index]] before the Covenant are able, Keyes orders John-117 to kill the Prophet of Regret, a mission he successfully achieves. Before making his escape, however, High Charity and its [[High Charity Defense Fleet|escort]] arrive and attempt to kill John-117 by glassing the area. He survives by jumping into the lake surrounding the structure in which he encountered Regret. Incapacitated from the shock of the Covenant bombardment, John-117 is last seen being dragged into the depths of the lake by tentacles belonging to a sentient creature.
+[[File:Pain.png|thumb|right|The [[Chieftain of the Jiralhanae|Brute Chieftain]] [[Tartarus]] about to brand Thel 'Vadamee, who was once a Supreme Commander, with the [[Mark of Shame]].]]
+It begins with the trial and punishment of the former [[Supreme Commander]] of the [[Fleet of Particular Justice]], [[Zealot|Commander]] Thel 'Vadamee, who later becomes the future [[Arbiter (Rank)|Arbiter]] and is branded with the [[Mark of Shame]] by [[Tartarus]] due to his failure to protect the [[Installation 04|Sacred Ring]] during the events of Halo: Combat Evolved.
-The story now shifts back to the Arbiter on [[High Charity]], in orbit around the ring. The Hierarchs have declared Regret's death to be the [[Sangheili]]'s failure, and the Elites have been removed as the [[Honor Guard of the Covenant|protectors of the Prophets]]. This role has now been given to the [[Jiralhanae]], causing further tension between the Brutes and Elites who were already at odds. Now that the new ring has been discovered, Truth and Mercy query Guilty Spark on how to activate it. They learn of the [[Activation Index|Sacred Icon]] that will light the ring and they dispatch Thel 'Vadamee to recover it. He makes his way through the [[Quarantine Zone]] of Installation 05, fighting scores of [[Flood]] and [[Sentinel]]s, seeking the Activation Index. 'Vadamee arrives at the [[Library]] to find Keyes and Johnson have retrieved the Index from its protective housing. While 'Vadamee fights to take it from them, Tartarus arrives and again intervenes in his task. Upon taking the Index himself, Tartarus reveals the Hierarchs ordered him to kill 'Vadamee and oust the Elites. His treachery revealed, Tartarus knocks the Arbiter down a shaft in the Index chamber to the abyss below.
+The story then turns to Earth's [[Orbital Defense Platform]] [[Cairo Station|Cairo]] Station, where SPARTAN-117 receives the new [[MJOLNIR Mark VI]] armor from the [[Master Gunnery Sergeant (Armory)|Master Gunnery Sergeant]]. He then meets [[Admiral]] [[Terrence Hood]] for an award ceremony held for the dual purposes of awarding meritorious acts and boosting the morale of the surviving human population and noted as a war hero (John-117 has already received all medals except for the "Prisoner of War" medal). The festivities are soon interrupted by [[Cortana]] reporting "15 Covenant Capital Ships holding position just outside the kill zone", signaling the start to the Covenant Siege of Earth. UNSC Marine forces along with SPARTAN-117 protect the station from the invading [[Covenant Navy|Covenant Naval infantry]] but other stations were destroyed by the Covenant. After sending the bomb that the Covenant had placed on the ship back into space (destroying several ships) he landed on a UNSC ship and then they head to the surface of Earth to [[New Mombasa]] to fight off the [[Covenant Army]], led by the [[High Prophet of Regret]]. After the Covenant invasion force is halted by the UNSC defenses, the Prophet of Regret flees Earth with [[Miranda Keyes|Keyes]] and her detachment in pursuit on the ''[[UNSC In Amber Clad|In Amber Clad]]''. The hasty in-atmosphere jump devastates the city of New Mombasa, epecially by destroying the [[Space Elevator]] and scattering its wreckage for miles around.
-Beneath the Library, John-117 finds himself in the clutches of the [[Gravemind]], the creature that acts as the controlling intelligence of the Flood. It is revealed that Thel 'Vadamee has been saved from his fall by the Gravemind as well. It is within the Gravemind's chamber where the Arbiter and John-117 meet. The Gravemind announces to John-117 and 'Vadamee that he has much to tell them. The Prophet of Regret and [[2401 Penitent Tangent]], the Monitor of Installation 05, appear, both now infected and assimilated into the Gravemind's mass. They argue back and forth before the Gravemind reveals that Regret's "Great Journey" and Penitent Tangent's "Containment" are one in the same. Then both the Gravemind and John-117 try to convince 'Vadamee that the Covenant's belief about the Halos is a lie. They reveal that the Halo installations were created not to save life, but to destroy it, causing the Arbiter to question his faith. These new revelations, paired with the imminent genocide of the Sangheili lead 'Vadamee to reluctantly join John-117 in the mission to stop the ring from being activated. The Gravemind then sends John-117 to High Charity to retrieve the Index while the Arbiter is sent to the [[Control Room (Installation 05)|Control Room of Installation 05]] to stop the Covenant from activating the ring.
+The story then turns back to the disgraced Sangheili Commander, Thel 'Vadamee, who is given the chance of redemption by taking up the mantle of Arbiter, along with the imminent mortality of the task. The new Arbiter accepts and becomes the will of the Prophets, seeking to complete the impossible task assigned for redemption from his crimes. Thel 'Vadamee is tasked with the assassination of a [[Sesa 'Refumee|Heretic Leader]], who is disillusioned with the Covenant following the events of Installation 04 up to its destruction. Thel 'Vadamee tracks the Heretic Leader throughout the gas mine (battling the Heretics and the Flood) where the [[Heretics]] sought refuge. When Thel 'Vadamee is finally able to face the Heretic Leader, 'Refumee asserts his belief that the Prophets have lied about the [[Great Journey]], punctuating this with the entry of a [[343 Guilty Spark (Monitor)|Monitor]]. Before Thel 'Vadamee could learn more of the claims, the battle resumes, and the Heretic Leader is killed before any meaningful discourse taking place. Tartarus appears to extract him and Guilty Spark, preventing Thel 'Vadamee from learning any information from Spark. He leaves not knowing what caused the Heretics to betray their sacred oaths to the Covenant.
-John-117 is teleported inside of High Charity in the middle of a broadcast by the Prophet of Truth. Upon John-117's arrival, Truth and Mercy flee to the [[Anodyne Spirit|Forerunner Dreadnought]], and formally transfer command of the Covenant Military to the Brutes. Before the prophets make it to the ship, however, they are attacked by the Flood, and Truth leaves Mercy behind to die. Meanwhile, John-117 pursues the Prophets. Throughout his pursuit, he kills many Covenant troops, witnesses the [[Great Schism|conflict between the Sangheili and the Jiralhanae]] and saves a group of Marines. At the same time, the Flood, under the control of the Gravemind crash into [[High Charity]] using the ''In Amber Clad''. John-117 finds Mercy being infected by the Flood, and the Prophet tells the Spartan that Truth is going to Earth to "finish what [[Hierarchs|we]] started." Cortana implores John-117 to pursue Truth, but he is hesitant as his mission to retrieve the Index is not complete. Cortana devises a plan to complete his mission by detonating the crashed ''In Amber Clad'' to destroy the ring if it is activated. This plan, however, requires Cortana to stay on board High Charity. John-117 boards the Dreadnought through an energy conduit before promising Cortana that he will come back for her.
+[[File:MC attacks Regret.jpg|300px|thumb|right|[[Master Chief]] battles the [[Prophet of Regret]].]]
+Turning back to the SPARTAN-117's story, Keyes exits slipspace in her ship undetected with the Prophet of Regret unaware that he had been followed. To the surprise of the pursuers, they discover that Regret led them to another [[Installation 05|Halo Ring]]. Keyes soon determines that their objective is to Capture the Prophet of Regret and stop the Covenant from firing the Halo Rings; [[SPARTAN-117]] is dropped onto the surface of Installation 05 with ODSTs to remove Regret. In the course of pursuing Regret, SPARTAN-117 discovers with the aid of Cortana that the Prophet intends to personally activate Halo. Keyes decides that the new revelation about Regret's intentions warrants his death, which [[SPARTAN-117]] successfully achieves. But before being able to make his escape, the Covenant and High Charity, which has just arrived, attempt to kill [[SPARTAN-117]] by glassing the area, and he jumps into the lake surrounding Regret's location. Incapacitated from the shock of the Covenant bombardment, SPARTAN-117 is last seen being dragged into the depths of the lake by the tentacles of the [[Gravemind]].
-[[File:D-Halo.jpg|thumb|300px|Installation 05 sending a pulse to signal the rest of the Halo Array to be put on standby for a remote activation from the Ark.]]
+The story now shifts back to Thel 'Vadamee on the [[High Charity]], in orbit around the ring. The Hierarchs had declared Regret's death to be the Elites' failure, and they were removed as the [[Honor Guard of the Covenant|protectors of the Prophets]], who bestow the role to the [[Jiralhanae|Brutes]], causing more tension between the Brutes and Elites who are already at odds with each other. Despite this Thel 'Vadamee is given a new mission to recover a [[Activation Index|Sacred Icon]] from the Library, having not died in his previous mission as all had expected. Making his way through the [[Quarantine Zone]] facing scores of [[Flood]] and [[Sentinels]] on the surface of Installation 05 seeking the Activation Index, Thel 'Vadamee makes his way into the [[Library]] and captures the Index along with Keyes and Johnson after they recovered it from its protective housing. Before he can take possession of the Index, Tartarus again intervenes in Thel 'Vadamee's task. After taking the Index into his own personal possession, Tartarus then reveals that the Hierarchs intended for his death to oust the Elites. His treachery revealed, Tartarus knocks Thel 'Vadamee unconscious down a shaft in the Index chamber to the abyss below.
-Meanwhile, Thel 'Vadamee is teleported to near Halo's Control Room. There he finds many dead Elites, which he has no doubt were killed by the Brutes. With the help of a few deployed Elites, and sympathetic [[Unggoy]] and [[Mgalekgolo]], he fights his way to meet the [[Special Operations Commander]] [[Rtas 'Vadum]]ee, who is surprised to hear that the Brutes murdered the [[Sangheili Councilor|Councilor]]s. Seeing Tartarus land on Halo's Control Room, the Sangheili fight their way to a {{Pattern|Protos|Scarab}}, where Sergeant Johnson is held. Johnson forcefully initiates an uneasy alliance between the humans and the Elites and takes control of the Scarab. With the combined efforts of Johnson and 'Vadamee, the Scarab breaches the Control Room doors by using the Scarab's main energy cannon, and 'Vadamee enters to confront Tartarus. In the Control Room, Tartarus hears the truth of the Halos directly from [[343 Guilty Spark]]. Still blinded by faith, Tartarus forces Keyes to activate Halo. Many [[Sangheili Zealot|Zealots]] and Councilors aid the Arbiter in his final fight against Tartarus, and eventually after a long and tough fight, manage to kill him. Once Tartarus is defeated, Keyes grabs the Index just in time to stop Halo from firing. However, 343 Guilty Spark says that this has activated a failsafe protocol, causing the Installation to send a signal to the rest of the [[Halo Array]], putting them on standby for remote activation from [[Installation 00|the Ark]].
-The Forerunner Dreadnought arrives at Earth with John-117 onboard. He alerts Admiral Hood of his presence, and tells him that he is "[[Halo 3|finishing this fight]]."
+Beneath the Library, SPARTAN-117 finds himself in the clutches of the [[Gravemind]], the creature that acts as the sentient intelligence of the Flood. Although Thel 'Vadamee had fallen from a great height, he is saved from plunging to his death by the Gravemind's tentacles. It is within the [[Gravemind]]'s chamber where Thel 'Vadamee and SPARTAN-117 meet. In addition, the Prophet of Regret is infected and assimilated into its mass. Also introduced is [[2401 Penitent Tangent]], Monitor of Installation 05. Both characters act as exposition to Thel 'Vadamee, as Regret remains steadfast to his faith, and the Monitor is fully aware of its status as a weapon. Thel 'Vadamee is further led to question his faith by both the SPARTAN-117 and the Gravemind itself, as they both try to convince the Elite that the Covenant's belief on the Halos is a lie, revealing that the Halos destroy life, not save it. This information, as well the information of the imminent genocide of the Elites lead Thel 'Vadamee reluctantly joining SPARTAN-117 in the mission to stop the ring from being activated. The Gravemind sends both the SPARTAN-117 and Thel 'Vadamee to different locations to help stop the Index from reaching its destination. SPARTAN-117 was sent to High Charity to retrieve the Index while Thel 'Vadamee was sent to the area where the Control Room of Installation 05 to halt the Covenant from activating the rings.
-In a scene after the credits, it appears that High Charity has been completely taken over by the Flood, as thousands of Flood spores are visible floating throughout the air. The Gravemind speaks satisfactorily of being free of his "empty grave," and suddenly Cortana appears as a hologram on a pedestal in his room. The Gravemind tells her that there are questions that linger in his mind which Cortana must answer. Cortana replies, "Alright...shoot," before the screen turns black.
+SPARTAN-117 then enters the middle of a conference of Truth. The Prophet of Truth, after escaping assassination, flees to the [[Forerunner Dreadnought|Dreadnought]]. John-117 chases him, killing many Covenant troops on the way. He also witnesses the conflict between the [[Sangheili|Elites]] and [[Brutes]]. SPARTAN-117 saves a few Marines along the way. Meanwhile, the Flood, under the control of the [[Gravemind]] crash into [[High Charity]] using the ''[[In Amber Clad]]''. When John nearly meets Truth, he finds Mercy being infected by the Flood; the Prophet tells the Spartan that Truth is going to Earth to "finish what [[Hierarchs|we]] started". In his efforts to reach the [[Forerunner Dreadnought]], he has to fight his way through the Flood and the Covenant. After boarding the Dreadnought, he leaves Cortana behind while he gets on the ship by boarding it through an energy conduit.
-{{Spoiler/end}}
-=== Campaign ===
+Meanwhile, Thel 'Vadamee is teleported to near Halo's control room. There, he finds many dead Elites, which were, no doubt, killed by the Brutes. With the help of a few deployed Elites, he fights his way to meet Rtas 'Vadumee, who is surprised to hear that the Brutes murdered the [[Councilors]]. They fight their way to a [[Scarab]], where Sergeant Johnson is held. Johnson takes control of the Scarab and forcefully initiates an uneasy alliance between the humans and the Elites. With the combined efforts of Johnson and 'Vadamee, the Scarab breaches the Control Room doors by using the main energy cannon of the Scarab, and 'Vadamee enters the Control Room to confront Tartarus. In the Control Room, he hears the truth of the Halos directly from [[343 Guilty Spark]]. Still blinded by faith, Tartarus forced Miranda Keyes to activate Halo. Many [[Zealots]] and [[Councilors]] aid 'Vadamee in his final fight against Tartarus, and eventually after a long and tough  fight managed to kill him. Once Tartarus is defeated, Miranda grabs the Index just in time to stop Halo from firing, only putting it on a standby status, as said by Guilty Spark. He informs them that all the remaining Halos can now be activated remotely from [[Installation 00|the Ark]].
-The [[campaign]] consists of 15 levels, of which 14 are playable.
-#[[The Heretic]] - ''"For failure such as this, no punishment is too great."'' (cutscene; unplayable)
-#[[The Armory]] - ''"Suit up, prepare for battle."'' (tutorial)
-#[[Cairo Station]] - ''"Defend the station's MAC gun from Covenant boarders."''
-#[[Outskirts]] - ''"Rally scattered marines, clear hostile contacts from the old-city."''
-#[[Metropolis]] - ''"Take the bridge, break the Covenant's grip on the city-center."''
-#[[The Arbiter]] - ''"Infiltrate a Forerunner facility, quell the heresy within."''
-#[[The Oracle]] - ''"Kill the Heretic Leader. The Prophets' will be done."''
-#[[Delta Halo]] - ''"A Covenant army stands between you and Regret. Get to work."''
-#[[Regret (Halo 2 level)|Regret]] - ''"You heard the lady. Locate the Prophet, take him down."''
-#[[Sacred Icon]] - ''"Succeed where others have failed. Lower the shield protecting the Sacred Icon."''
-#[[Quarantine Zone]] - ''"Parasites, humans - no matter. The Icon must be found."''
-#[[Gravemind (level)|Gravemind]] - ''"The Prophets have the Index and plan to use it? Over your dead body."''
-#[[Uprising]] - ''"This is certain: The Brutes shall pay for the blood they have spilled."''
-#[[High Charity (level)|High Charity]] - ''"Cortana can handle the Index - stopping Truth is up to you."''
-#[[The Great Journey]] - ''"Form an unexpected alliance, keep Tartarus from activating the ring."''
-== Appearances ==
+The Forerunner Dreadnought arrives at Earth with SPARTAN-117 onboard. He alerts Admiral Hood of his presence, and tells him that he is "[[Halo 3|finishing this fight]]".
-{{Featurelist|secondcolumn=title-5
-|title-1=Characters|
-;Human
-*[[Avery Johnson]]
-*[[Banks]] {{1st}}
-*[[Butkus]] {{1st}}
-*[[Joseph Harper]] {{1st}}
-*[[John-117]]
-*[[Fones]] {{1st}}
-*[[Marcus Stacker]]
-*[[McKenzie (Marine)|McKenzie]] {{1st}}
-*[[Miranda Keyes]] {{1st}}
-*[[O'Brien (Mombasa)|O'Brien]] {{1st}}
-*[[Palmer (Marine)|Palmer]] {{1st}}
-*[[Parsons (Marine)|Parsons]] {{1st}}
-*[[Pascal]] {{1st}}
-*[[Perez (Marine)|Perez]] {{1st}}
-*[[Remi]] {{1st}}
-*[[Terrence Hood]]
-*[[Unidentified master gunnery sergeant]] {{1st}}
-*[[Walpole]] {{1st}}
-;Sangheili
+In a scene after the credits, it appears that ''High Charity'' has been completely taken over by the Flood, as thousands of Flood spores are visible throughout the air, floating along the view. The Gravemind speaks of satisfaction of being free of his "empty grave", and suddenly Cortana appears as a hologram on a pedestal in the room. The Gravemind then states that there are questions that linger in his mind, which Cortana must answer. Cortana replies, "Alright... Shoot." The screen then turns black before any question is heard.
-*[[Rtas 'Vadum|Rtas 'Vadumee]] {{1st}}
-*[[Sesa 'Refumee]] {{1st}}
-*[[Thel 'Vadam|Thel 'Vadamee]] {{1st}}
-;Jiralhanae
+====Characters====
-*[[Tartarus]]
+{{col-begin}}
+{{col-2}}
-;San'shyuum
+=====Major Characters=====
-*[[Prophet of Mercy]] {{1st}}
+'''[[UNSC]]'''
-*[[Prophet of Regret]] {{1st}}
+*[[Master Chief Petty Officer]] [[John-117]]
-*[[Prophet of Truth]]
-;AI
-*[[343 Guilty Spark]]
-*[[2401 Penitent Tangent]] {{1st}}
 *[[Cortana]]
+*[[Sergeant Major]] [[Avery Junior Johnson|Avery J. Johnson]]
+*[[Lieutenant Commander]] [[Miranda Keyes]]
+*[[Fleet Admiral]] [[Terrence Hood|Sir Terrence Hood]]
-;Flood
+'''[[Covenant]]'''
-*[[Gravemind]] {{1st}}
+*[[Arbiter (Rank)|The Arbiter]] [[Thel 'Vadam|Thel 'Vadamee]]
+*[[SpecOps Commander|Commander]] [[Rtas 'Vadum|Rtas 'Vadumee]]
+*[[Chieftain of the Jiralhanae|Chieftain]] [[Tartarus]]
+*[[High Prophet of Truth]]
+*[[High Prophet of Mercy]]
+*[[High Prophet of Regret]]
-|title-2=Species and entities|
+'''The [[Heretics]]'''
-*[[Flood]]
+*[[Heretic|Heretic Leader]] [[Sesa 'Refumee]]
-**[[Pod infector]]
-**[[Flood combat form]]
-**[[Flood carrier form]]
-*[[Forerunner constructs]]
-*[[Forerunner]] {{Mo}}
-*[[Human]]
-**[[UNSC Marines]]
-*[[Jiralhanae]]
-**[[Jiralhanae Captain|Captain]] {{1st}}
-**[[Jiralhanae Chieftain|Chieftain]]
-**[[Jiralhanae Major|Major]] {{1st}}
-**[[Jiralhanae Minor|Minor]] {{1st}}
-**[[Jiralhanae Honor Guardsman|Honor Guardsman]] {{1st}}
-*[[Kig-Yar]] (''Ruuhtian'')
-**[[Kig-Yar Major|Major]]
-**[[Kig-Yar Minor|Minor]]
-**[[Kig-Yar Sniper|Sniper]] {{1st}}
-***[[Jha'kaar]] {{1st}}
-*[[Lekgolo]]
-**[[Mgalekgolo]]
-*[[Sangheili]]
-**[[Sangheili Councilor|Councilor]] {{1st}}
-**[[Field Master]]
-**[[Sangheili Honor Guardsman|Honor Guardsman]]
-**[[Lights of Sanghelios]] {{1st}}
-**[[Special Operations Commander]] {{1st}}
-**[[Special Operations Sangheili|SpecOps]]
-**[[Sangheili Major|Major]]
-**[[Sangheili Minor|Minor]]
-**[[Sangheili Ranger|Ranger]]
-**[[Stealth Sangheili|Stealth]]
-**[[Sangheili Ultra|Ultra]] {{1st}}
-**[[Sangheili Zealot|Zealot]]
-*[[San'Shyuum]]
-*[[Unggoy]]
-**[[Unggoy Ultra|Ultra]]
-**[[Special Operations Unggoy|SpecOps]]
-**[[Unggoy Heavy|Heavy]] {{1st}}
-**[[Unggoy Major|Major]]
-**[[Unggoy Minor|Minor]]
-*[[Yanme'e]] {{1st}}
-**[[Yanme'e Minor|Minor]] {{1st}}
-*[[Sentinel]]
-**[[Constructor]] {{1st}}
-**[[Sentinel Aggressor|Aggressor]]
-**[[Enforcer]] {{1st}}
-*[[Fish]] {{1st}}
-*[[Rangmejo]] {{1st}}
-|title-3=Organizations|
+'''[[Forerunner]] Constructs'''
-*[[Covenant]]
+*[[343 Guilty Spark (Monitor)|04-343 Guilty Spark]]
-**[[Covenant military]]
-***[[Honor Guard]]
-***[[Covenant Special Operations]]
-**[[Covenant fleet]]
-**[[High Council]]
-**[[Rh'tol]]
-*[[Sesa 'Refumee's heretic faction]] {{1st}}
-*[[UEG]]
-**[[United Nations Space Command]]
-***[[UNSC Marine Corps]]
-****[[A Company]] {{1st}}
-***[[UNSC Navy]]
-****[[UNSC Home Fleet]]
-****[[UNSC Special Forces|Naval Special Warfare]]
-*****[[SPARTAN-II program]]
-|title-4=Locations|
+'''[[Flood]]'''
-*[[Sol system]]
+*[[Gravemind]]
-**[[Earth]]
+{{col-2}}
-**[[Africa]] {{1st}}
+=====Minor Characters=====
-***[[East African Protectorate]] {{1st}}
+'''UNSC'''
-****[[Mombasa]] {{1st}}
+*[[Fleet Admiral]] [[Harper]]
-*****[[New Mombasa]] {{1st}}
+*[[Major]] [[Easley]]
-******[[New Mombasa Sector A|Sector A]] {{Fm}}
+*[[Gunnery Sergeant]] [[Pete Stacker (Marine)|Pete Stacker]]
-******[[New Mombasa Sector B|Sector B]] {{1st}}
+*[[Staff Sergeant]] [[Marcus Banks]]
-******[[New Mombasa City Center|City center]] {{Fm}}
+*[[Corporal]] [[Perez]]
-******[[New Mombasa Docks|Docks]] {{Fm}}
+*[[Lance Corporal]] [[Jones (Marine)|Jones]]
-******[[Section 14]] {{1st}}
+*[[Private]] [[Butkis]]
-******[[New Mombasa industrial zone|Industrial zone]] {{1st}}
+*[[Private]] [[O'Brian (ODST)|O'Brian]]
-******[[Kilindini]] {{1st}}
+*[[Private]] [[Parsons (Marine)|Parsons]]
-*******[[Kilindini Park Cultural Center]] {{1st}}
+*[[Private]] [[Walpole]]
-******[[Mombasa Tether]] {{1st}}
+*[[Unnamed Lieutenant (Halo 2)|Unnamed Marine Lieutenant]]
-******[[New Mombasa 105 East]] {{1st}}
+*[[Master Gunnery Sergeant (Armory)|''Cairo Station'' Armorer]]
-******[[Kilindini Underpass]] {{1st}}
-******[[Liwitoni Station]] {{1st}}
-*****[[Old Mombasa]] {{1st}}
-******[[Grid Kilo 23]] {{1st}}
-******[[Hotel Zanzibar]] {{1st}}
-******[[Liberty Street]] {{1st}}
-******[[Mombasa Quays]] {{1st}}
-******[[Sector 0-5]] {{1st}}
-****[[Tanzania]] {{1st}}
-*****[[Zanzibar Island]] {{1st}}
-******[[Wind Power Station 7]] {{1st}}
-*[[High Charity]]
-**[[Tower Districts]]
-***[[High Council Chamber]] {{1st}}
-***[[Sanctum of the Hierarchs]]
-***[[Hanging Gardens]] {{1st}}
-***[[Valleys of Tears]] {{1st}}
-***[[Mausoleum of the Arbiter]] {{1st}}
-***[[Holding chamber]]s {{1st}}
-***[[Mid Tower]] {{1st}}
-***[[Far Tower]] {{1st}}
-**[[Lower districts]] {{1st}}
-*[[Coelest system]]
-**[[Substance]] {{1st}}
-***[[Installation 05]] {{1st}}
-****[[Control Room (Installation 05)|Control room]] {{1st}}
-****[[Library]] {{1st}}
-*****[[Index chamber]] {{1st}}
-****[[Quarantine Zone]] {{1st}}
-****[[Sentinel Wall]] {{1st}}
-****[[Temple (Installation 05)|Temple]] {{1st}}
-****[[Bastion of the Brutes|Bastion of the Jiralhanae]] {{1st}}
-****[[Jiralhanae encampment]] {{1st}}
-|title-5=Events|
+'''Covenant'''
-*[[Human-Covenant War]]
+*[[Prophet of Disdain]]
-**[[Battle for Earth]] {{1st}}
+*[[Prophet of Objection]]
-***[[Battle of Mombasa]] {{1st}}
-**[[Battle of Installation 05]] {{1st}}
-**[[Fall of High Charity]] {{1st}}
-*[[Great Schism]] {{1st}}
-|title-6=Vehicles|
+'''Forerunner Construct'''
-====UNSC====
+*[[2401 Penitent Tangent|05-2401 Penitent Tangent]]
-;Usable
+{{col-end}}
-*[[M12 Warthog]]
-**[[M12 Chaingun Warthog]]
-**[[M12G1 Warthog]] {{1st}}
-*[[M808B Scorpion]]
-;Unusable
+==Features==
-*[[D77-TC Pelican]]
+===[[Weapons]]===
-*[[D96-TCE Albatross]] {{1st}}
+These are the weapons in the game:
-*[[Drop pod]]
+{{col-begin}}
-**[[M8823 drop pod]] {{1st}}
+{{col-2}}
-*[[GA-TL1 Longsword]] {{c|C709 variant}}
+====[[United Nations Space Command]] Standard====
-*[[Hog]] {{1st}}
+*[[BR55 Battle Rifle]]
-*{{Class|Marathon|heavy cruiser}}
+*[[M6C Magnum Sidearm|M6C Personal Defense Weapon System]] (Pistol/Magnum)
-**{{UNSCShip|Feeling Lucky}} {{1st}}
+*[[M7 Caseless Submachine Gun]] (SMG)
-**{{UNSCShip|Say My Name}} {{1st}}
+*[[M9 High-Explosive Dual-Purpose Grenade]] (Frag Grenade)
-*[[Orbital defense platform]]
+*[[M41 Light Anti-Aircraft Gun]]
-**[[Cairo Station (station)|ODA-142 ''Cairo'']] {{1st}}
+*[[M19 SSM|M19 SSM Rocket Launcher]]
-**[[Malta Station|ODA-143 ''Malta'']] {{1st}}
+*[[M68 Gauss Cannon]]
-**[[Athens Station|ODA-144 ''Athens'']] {{1st}}
+*[[M90A Close Assault Weapon System]] (Shotgun)
-*[[Tractor unit]] {{1st}}
+*[[M247 General Purpose Machine Gun]] (Machine Gun Turret)
-*[[UNSC frigate]]
+*[[SRS99C-S2 AMB Sniper Rifle]]
-**{{Class|Stalwart|light frigate}} {{1st}}
-***{{UNSCShip|In Amber Clad}} {{1st}}
-*[[Überchassis]] {{1st}}
+====Forerunner Weapons====
+*[[Sentinel Beam]]
+{{col-2}}
 ====Covenant====
-;Usable
+=====Standard=====
-*[[Spectre]]
+*[[Type-1 Antipersonnel Grenade]] (Plasma Grenade)
-**{{Pattern|Wuzum|Spectre}} {{1st}}
+*[[Type-1 Energy Weapon/Sword]] (Energy Sword)
-*[[Wraith]]
+*[[Type-25 Directed Energy Pistol]] (Plasma Pistol)
-**{{Pattern|Zurdo|Wraith}}
+*[[Type-25 Directed Energy Rifle]] (Plasma Rifle)
-*[[Banshee]]
+*[[Type-26 ASG|Type 26 Anti-Infantry Stationary Gun]] (Shade)
-**{{Pattern|Oghal|Banshee}}
+*[[Type-33 Guided Munitions Launcher]] (Needler)
-*[[Ghost]]
+*[[Type-33 Light Anti-Armor Weapon]] (Fuel Rod Gun)
-**{{Pattern|Karo'etba|Ghost}}
+*[[Type-50 Sniper Rifle System]] (Beam Rifle)
+*[[Type-51 Carbine]] (Covenant Carbine)
+*[[Type-42 Directed Energy Support Weapon]] (Plasma Cannon)
+*[[Scarab Gun]] ''([[Easter Egg]])''
-;Unusable
+=====Jiralhanae=====
-*[[Covenant carrier|Assault carrier]]
+*[[Type-2 Energy Weapon/Hammer]] (Gravity Hammer/[[Fist of Rukt]])
-**{{Pattern|Syfon|assault carrier}} {{1st}}
+*[[Brute Plasma Rifle|Type-25 Directed Energy Rifle (Jiralhanae)]] (Brute Plasma Rifle)
-***''[[Day of Jubilation]]'' {{1st}}
+*[[Type-25 Grenade Launcher]] (Brute Shot)
-***''[[Solemn Penance]]'' {{1st}}
+{{col-end}}
-*[[Covenant cruiser|Cruiser]]
-**{{Pattern|Ket|battlecruiser}}
-*[[Drop pod]]
-**{{Pattern|Udka|Assault Carapace}} {{1st}}
-*[[High Charity]]
-*[[Seraph]]
-**{{Pattern|Kai|Seraph}}
-*[[Shadow]]
-**{{Pattern|Ruwaa|Shadow}} {{1st}}
-*[[Scarab]]
-**{{Pattern|Protos|Scarab}}
-*[[Phantom]]
-**{{Pattern|Kez'katu|Phantom}} {{1st}}
-*{{Pattern|R'sisho|Tick}}
-===Forerunner===
+===[[Vehicles]]===
-;Unusable
+{{col-begin}}
-*[[Keyship]] {{1st}}
+{{col-2}}
-**''[[Anodyne Spirit]]'' {{1st}}
+====UNSC Vehicles====
+=====Usable=====
+*[[M12 Warthog LRV]]
+*[[M12G1 Warthog LAAV]]
+*[[M808B Scorpion MBT]]
-|title-7=Weapons|
+=====Non-Usable=====
-====UNSC====
+*[[D77H-TCI Pelican|D77H-TCI Pelican Dropship]]
-;Usable
+*[[Albatross|Albatross Heavy Dropship]]
-*[[BR55 battle rifle]] {{1st}}
+*[[Longsword|C709 Longsword Interceptor]]
-*[[M231 machine gun]]
+*[[UNSC Frigate]]
-*[[M512 smooth-bore high-velocity cannon]]
+*{{UNSCShip|In Amber Clad}} (FFG-142)
-*[[M6C magnum]] {{1st}}
+*{{Class|Marathon|Cruiser}}
-*[[M7 SMG]]
+*[[Orbital Defense Platform]]
-*[[M9 fragmentation grenade]]
+*[[Cairo Station|ODA-142 ''Cairo'']]
-*[[M41 Vulcan]]
+*[[Malta Station|ODA-143 ''Malta'']]
-*[[M41 rocket launcher]]
+*[[Athens Station|ODA-144 ''Athens'']]
-*[[M68 Gauss cannon]] {{1st}}
+{{col-2}}
-*[[M90 shotgun]]
+====Covenant Vehicles====
-*[[M247 general purpose machine gun]] {{1st}}
+=====Usable=====
-*[[SRS99C-S2 AM sniper rifle#SRS99C-S2|SRS99C-S2 AM sniper rifle]] {{1st}}
+*[[Spectre|Type-?? "Spectre" Infantry Support Vehicle]]
-*[[Type 14 Magnetic/Anti-Tank Mine]] {{1st}} {{c|Gametype-specific use only}}
+*[[Type-25 Wraith|Type-25 "Wraith" Assault Gun Carraige]]
+*[[Type-26 Ground Support Aircraft|Type-26 "Banshee" Ground Support Aircraft]]
+*[[Type-32 Rapid Assault Vehicle|Type-32 "Ghost" Rapid Assault Vehicle]]
-;Unusable
+=====Non-Usable=====
-*[[110mm rotary cannon]]
+*[[Assault Carrier]]
-*[[Anvil-II air-to-surface missile]]
+*[[CCS-class Battlecruiser]]
-*[[ASGM-10 missile]]
+*''[[High Charity]]''
-*[[M6D magnum]] {{C|Appears on [[Tombstone]] as model-only}}
+*[[Seraph-class Starfighter]]
-*[[Magnetic Accelerator Cannon]]
+*[[Shadow|"Shadow" Troop Carrier]]
-**[[Magnetic Accelerator Cannon#"Super" Magnetic Accelerator Cannon|Super MAC]]
+*[[Type-47 Ultra Heavy Assault Platform|Type-47 "Scarab" Ultra Heavy Assault Platform]]
-*[[Point-defense gun]]
+*[[Type-52 Troop Carrier|Type-52 "Phantom" Troop Carrier]]
-**[[M870 Rampart point defense gun]]
+{{col-end}}
-====Covenant====
+==Halo 2 Multiplayer==
-;Usable
+[[File:HAVsmall.jpg|thumb|right|320px|Halo 2 Vista Multiplayer.]]
-*[[Class-2 directed energy cannon]]
+Unlike its predecessor, ''Halo 2'' allows players to compete with each other over the [[Xbox Live]] online service, in addition to the originals support for split-screen and System Link multiplayer. ''Halo 2's'' Xbox Live mode offers a unique approach to online gaming that is intended to alleviate some of the problems that have plagued online first-person shooters in the past. Traditionally, one player sets his or her computer or console up as a game server (or host), specifying the game type and map and configuring other settings. The game software then uses a service like Xbox Live or GameSpy to advertise the game to the world at large; other players choose which game to join based upon criteria such as the map and game options each host is offering as well as the [[wikipedia:ping|ping]] times they are able to receive.
-*[[Fuel rod cannon]]
-*[[Energy sword]]
-**[[Type-1 energy sword]]
-*[[Plasma grenade]]
-**{{Pattern|Anskum|plasma grenade}}
-*[[Plasma pistol]]
-**{{Pattern|Eos'Mak|plasma pistol}}
-*[[Plasma rifle]]
-**{{Pattern|Okarda'phaa|plasma rifle}}
-**{{Pattern|Kewu R'shi'k|plasma rifle}} {{1st}}
-*[[Brute shot]]
-**[[Jovokada Workshop Brute Shot]]
-*[[Plasma Mortar#Type-26 35cm Directed-Energy Mortar|Type-26 Directed-Energy Mortar]]
-*[[Shade]]
-**{{Pattern|Eeo'Pimu|Shade}} {{1st}}
-*[[Class-1 directed energy cannon#Type-29 Anti-Infantry Weapon Emplacement/Mounted|Type-29 Anti-Infantry Weapon Emplacement/Mounted]] {{1st}}
-*[[Needler]]
-**[[Type-33 needler]]
-*[[Fuel rod gun]]
-**{{Pattern|Pez'tk|fuel rod gun}}
-*[[Plasma cannon]]
-**{{Pattern|Shepsu|plasma cannon}} {{1st}}
-*[[Class-1 directed energy cannon#Type-46 Directed Energy Weapon/Mounted|Type-46 Directed Energy Weapon/Mounted]] {{1st}}
-*[[Beam rifle]]
-**{{Pattern|Sulok|beam rifle}} {{1st}}
-*[[Carbine]]
-**{{Pattern|Vostu|carbine}} {{1st}}
-*[[Scarab Gun]] [[:Category:Easter eggs|Easter egg]] {{1st}}
-;Unusable
+In ''Halo 2'', Xbox Live players do not choose to host games, and they do not get to specify individual maps and options to search for. Instead, players sign up for "playlists" that are geared to different ''styles'' of play. For example, the "Rumble Pit" playlist offers a variety of "free-for-all" game types, primarily Slayer or variations there of; "Team Skirmish" offers a number of 4-on-4 team games, which are primarily objective-based games like Capture the Flag; "Big Team Battle Skirmish" is similar to Team Skirmish but allows teams of up to 8 players. Other playlists allow various things such as matches between different [[clans]]. The Xbox Live servers create games automatically from the pool of players that have signed up for each playlist, choosing a game type and map automatically and selecting one player to serve as the game's host. Players can create small "parties" with their friends and enter games together as teammates or, in Rumble Pit, adversaries. They can also play custom gametypes like regular multiplayer. Unranked gametypes allow people on the same Xbox console without an Xbox Live account to play with them as "guests". If the Xbox console hosting the game drops out, the Xbox Live service automatically selects a new host from among the remaining players so the game can continue.
-*[[Antimatter charge]] {{1st}}
+Note: It appears that the host has some advantages over other players during the game due to lag (giving him the ability to move/react faster than the other players, and for certain glitches to work), resulting in a form of cheating called bridging in which somebody uses their PC to get host.
-*[[Class-1 directed energy cannon#Medium plasma cannon (Wraith)|Medium plasma cannon]]
-*[[Gravity hammer (fiction)|gravity hammer]] {{1st}}
-**[[Fist of Rukt]] {{1st}}
-*{{Pattern|Zo'op|Weevil}} {{1st}}
-*[[Energy Projector]]
-*[[Energy stave]]
-*[[Focus cannon]] {{1st}}
-*[[Heavy plasma cannon]]
-*[[Plasma cannon (starship)|Plasma cannon]]
-*[[Pulse laser turret]]
-====Forerunner====
+Since launching in November 2004, the service has been very popular with gamers. While some players resent the loss of individual control inherent in ''Halo 2''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s approach to online gaming, others feel it provides a significantly improved gaming experience compared to more traditional online first-person shooters. Bungie's servers match players up by skill level, which tends to eliminate the kind of severely imbalanced games that less-skilled players often consider unfair and not enjoyable. The automatic host selection process also eliminates the ability of the host to exert outsize control over the parameters of the game.
-;Usable
-*[[Sentinel beam]]
-;Unusable
+''Halo 2'' players with [[wikipedia:Microsoft Passport|Microsoft Passport]] accounts can log on to [http://www.bungie.net bungie.net] and obtain extremely detailed statistics on their performance, including level maps for several hundred of the player's most recent games that indicate graphically where and when the player scored a kill or was killed him- or herself.
-*[[Shard cannon]] {{1st}}
-*[[Enforcer missile launcher]] {{1st}}
-|title-8=Equipment and technology|
+On April 15th 2010, all Xbox Live Access from Halo 2 ceased and the online capabilities no longer work. Microsoft has awarded the players who stuck with Halo 2 all the way with Microsoft Points and an Xbox Live Membership. This is expected to result in a slight increase in sales of Halo 3, from the ex-Halo 2 players.
-;[[Power-up]]s
-*[[Active camouflage]]
-*[[Overshield]]
-;Armor
+====Maps====
-*[[Kig-Yar combat harness]]
+=====Standard Maps=====
-*[[MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor]]
-**[[MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor/Mark VI|Mark VI]] {{1st}}
-*[[ODST armor]]
-*[[Sangheili harness]]
-**[[Arbiter body armor]] {{1st}}
-**[[Heretic Sangheili#Equipment|Artifact retrieval harness]] {{1st}}
-**[[Sangheili Zealot#Ceremonial battle harness|Ceremonial battle harness]]
-**[[Sangheili High Councilor#Equipment|High Councilor harness]]
-**Honor Guard harness
-**[[Ranger harness]] {{1st}}
-**[[Combat harness]]
-**[[Ultra-class armor]] {{1st}}
-*[[Unggoy combat harness]]
-;Other
-*[[Camera drone]] {{1st}}
-*[[Plasma battery|Covenant plasma battery]] {{1st}}
-*[[Covenant portable shield]]
-*[[Roadblock|Covenant roadblock]] {{1st}}
-*[[Covenant watchtower]] {{1st}}
-*[[Energy shackle]] {{1st}}
-*[[Energy shield]]
-**[[Sangheili personal energy shield]]
-*[[Energy core|Forerunner energy core]] {{1st}}
-*[[Forerunner gas canister]] {{1st}}
-*[[Power core|Forerunner power core]] {{1st}}
-*[[Fusion drive]]
-*[[Gravity bridge]] {{1st}}
-*[[Holo-drone]] {{1st}}
-*[[Holotank]]
-**[[Portable holo-pedestal]] {{1st}}
-*[[Identification friend or foe]]
-*[[Kig-Yar point defense gauntlet]]
-*[[Methane tank]]
-*[[Ordnance pod]] {{1st}}
-*[[Pinch fusion reactor]]
-*[[Repulsor engine]]
-*[[Sentinel manufacturing facility]] {{1st}}
-*[[Shield door]] {{1st}}
-**[[Ultra-class armor]] {{1st}}
-*[[Fusion coil|UNSC fusion core]] {{1st}}
-*[[UNSC Navy uniforms]]
-**[[UNSC Navy Dress Uniform]]
-**[[UNSC Navy Service Uniform]]
-**[[UNSC Navy working uniform]]
-}}
-== Development ==
-=== Engine ===
-Halo 2 features a modified version of the engine from Halo: Combat Evolved. This new engine featured support for online play via Xbox Live, improved visuals, and the implementation of the Havok physics engine that would replace Bungie's in house physics engine used in Combat Evolved.
-Halo 2 was initially meant to implement a new graphics engine called Pstencil that would allow for objects to cast real-time shadows. This lighting technique proved too expensive for the Xbox's hardware to handle, and was only ever seen in the E3 2003 demo of Halo 2. In order to make the demo playable on stage, massive optimization had to be done across the demo map, such as the deletion of objects that were no longer in frame.
-=== Gameplay and design ===
-In the aftermath of the success of ''Combat Evolved'' in the multiplayer and LAN scene, there was a desire to double down on multiplayer development. The team was also involved in the development of Xbox Live at this point.<ref name = "LikeLaunch">[https://www.gameinformer.com/interview/2020/05/13/what-it-was-like-to-launch-halo-2 '''GameInformer''' - ''What It Was Like To Launch Halo 2'']</ref>
-One of the biggest alterations to gameplay in ''Halo 2'' is perhaps the ability to [[dual wielding|dual wield]] weapons; this tactic allows for twice the firepower at the expense of being unable to throw grenades or [[melee]] without dropping the left weapon. In terms of vehicles, all vehicles from the first game remain except the M12A1 Warthog LAAV (rocket warthog) from the PC version and the [[Dextro Xur-pattern Spirit|Spirit]] dropship. Also, a few new vehicles are introduced. In ''Halo 2'', however, the previously indestructible vehicles can now be destroyed and the player is able to "[[Boarding (gameplay mechanic)|board]]" an enemy vehicle by climbing on and knocking the driver out, as well as planting [[grenade]]s to further damage the vehicle. The same can be done by an enemy to the player when driving.
-When playing as the Arbiter, the player's flashlight is replaced with a rechargeable [[active camouflage]] that lasts for ten seconds, giving the player a preemptive advantage on unsuspecting enemies.
-The player can have a variety of allies; if they are playing as the Master Chief, they will be assisted by [[UNSC Marine Corps|UNSC Marines]], and occasionally [[Orbital Drop Shock Troopers|ODSTs]]. However, the Arbiter is joined by [[Unggoy]], [[Kig-Yar]], [[Mgalekgolo]], and other [[Sangheili]], allowing for deeper insight into Covenant culture.
-On the damage mechanics, fall damage now has been reduced considerably. The threshold minimum damage has been increased, such as from 3 stories building height will not cause player any damage while on [[Halo: Combat Evolved|the previous game]], it gives the player some damage. The most benefits come from splatter damage as a slight touch from the object now is no longer kill anyone instantly including player (Except some who are designed to be invulnerable). The player now needs more effort to score a splatter kill.
-=== Campaign and story===
-{{Quote|I think everybody had their own priorities for the sequel. For me, I felt passionate about exploring this whole other world, that isn’t all about Master Chief. The other side.|[[Joseph Staten]]<ref name="vice">[https://waypoint.vice.com/en_us/article/the-complete-untold-history-of-halo-an-oral-history '''Vice.com''': ''The Complete, Untold History of Halo'']</ref>}}
-''Halo 2'' has been the only game in the series to have the most content either cut from the game entirely or redesigned completely as evidenced in many forms of media. In the ''Halo 3'' Essentials disc featuring the "Director's Commentary" of the cutscenes, three separate levels were discussed as having been proposed but ultimately scrapped due to time constraints: [[Covenant Ship]], [[Forerunner Tank]], and [[Forerunnership|Forerunner Ship]]. In the "Making of ''Halo 2''" documentary there was concept art seen regarding a level location [[Installation 00|The Ark]], although the design was later placed into ''Halo 3''<nowiki />'s [[The Storm]] as the [[The Portal|Portal]]. The former could have been a part of pre-production for ''[[Halo 3]]''. Marty O'Donnell was also quoted in a [[Bungie Podcast]] (Episode 13, at 21:00) saying that all the actors had recorded the lines to the original ''Halo 2'' ending and that it still exists today, but he will never show it. The [[Flood Juggernaut]] was a character that was modeled and placed in the coding of the game but never had AI programmed or had been placed on any level, similar to the [[Huragok|Engineer]] in ''[[Halo: Combat Evolved]]''.
-The head writer for ''Halo 2'' was [[Joseph Staten]]. With the ''Halo 2'' campaign, Staten was interested in expanding the game's scope from solely the Master Chief and humanity,{{Ref/Reuse|vice}} fleshing out the [[Covenant]] antagonists through the perspective of the [[Thel 'Vadam|Arbiter]]. The core idea behind the Arbiter was to create a character who suffered the consequences of the Master Chief's victory in the first game.<ref>'''[[Remaking the Legend]]'''</ref> According to Staten, Bungie co-founder and the game's project lead [[Jason Jones]] was extremely passionate about including two particular scenes that were ultimately cut. In one of these, the Master Chief would be standing on an orbital above Earth and look down on the carnage inflicted by the Covenant, saying "Only blood will pay for this." A similar scene occurs in the final game, at the conclusion of "[[Cairo Station]]", but the quote is absent. Jones also wanted to have [[Miranda Keyes]] play the role of an antagonist and have her betray the Master Chief, strapping a bomb to his back and throwing him down a hole. Staten was not fond of the idea and, though great effort, convinced Jones it would not work in the context of the story.{{Ref/Reuse|vice}}
-A key theme in the story's development was bringing the war to Earth.<ref name = "LikeLaunch"/>
-According to Microsoft Halo Franchise Development Group employee [[Eric Trautmann]], who liaised with Bungie on the development of the ''Halo'' story, Bungie was initially skeptical that fans would recognize the [[ODST]]s during the ''[[Delta Halo]]'' level, and questioned the in-universe purpose they served. This was the last work Trautmann worked on before leaving development on the Halo franchise in November 9, 2004.<ref>[http://scifishow.libsyn.com/005-dc-reboot-trautmann-interview-round-2-of-our-quiz '''The Sci Fi Show''': ''Episode 005: DC Reboot/Eric Trautmann'']</ref>
-{{Expand-section}}
-=== Audio ===
-''Halo 2''{{'}}s audio and soundtrack were directed by [[Bungie]]'s composer, [[Martin O'Donnell]]. [[Jay Weinland]] and [[C. Paul Johnson]] served as the team's audio lead and sound designer, respectively.{{Ref/Book|[[Halo 2 Manual]]|Page=30}} A total of 21,090 lines of dialogue was recorded.<ref>[http://nikon.bungie.org/news.html?item=20971 Halo Dialogue Statistics, from the source] - HBO, November 12, 2007</ref>
-{{Expand-section}}
-== Multiplayer ==
-[[File:H2 Tombstone Slayer.jpg|thumb|300px|Multiplayer action in ''Halo 2'' on Tombstone: An ongoing Free-For-All battle.]]
-Unlike its predecessor, ''Halo 2'' allowed players to compete with each other over the [[Xbox LIVE|Xbox Live]] online service, in addition to the originals support for split-screen and System Link multiplayer. ''Halo 2's'' Xbox Live mode offered a unique approach to online gaming that is intended to alleviate some of the problems that have plagued online first-person shooters in the past. Traditionally, one player sets their computer or console up as a game server (or host), specifying the game type and map and configuring other settings. The game software then used a service like Xbox Live or GameSpy to advertise the game to the world at large; other players choose which game to join based upon criteria such as the map and game options each host is offering as well as the [[wikipedia:ping|ping]] times they are able to receive.
-In ''Halo 2'', Xbox Live players do not choose to host games, and they do not get to specify individual maps and options to search for. Instead, players sign up for "playlists" that are geared to different ''styles'' of play. For example, the "Rumble Pit" playlist offers a variety of "free-for-all" game types, primarily Slayer or variations there of; "Team Skirmish" offers a number of 4-on-4 team games, which are primarily objective-based games like Capture the Flag; "Big Team Battle Skirmish" is similar to Team Skirmish but allows teams of up to 8 players. Other playlists allow various things such as matches between different [[clans]]. The Xbox Live servers create games automatically from the pool of players that have signed up for each playlist, choosing a game type and map automatically and selecting one player to serve as the game's host. Players can create small "parties" with their friends and enter games together as teammates or, in Rumble Pit, adversaries. They can also play custom gametypes like regular multiplayer. Unranked gametypes allow people on the same Xbox console without an Xbox Live account to play with them as "guests". If the Xbox console hosting the game drops out, the Xbox Live service automatically selects a new host from among the remaining players so the game can continue.
-Since launching in November 2004, the service has been very popular with gamers. While some players resent the loss of individual control inherent in ''Halo 2''<nowiki />'s approach to online gaming, others feel it provides a significantly improved gaming experience compared to more traditional online first-person shooters. Bungie's servers match players up by skill level, which tends to eliminate the kind of severely imbalanced games that less-skilled players often consider unfair and not enjoyable. The automatic host selection process also eliminates the ability of the host to exert outsize control over the parameters of the game.
-''Halo 2'' players with [[Wikipedia:Microsoft Passport|Microsoft Passport]] accounts can log on to [http://halo.bungie.net bungie.net] and obtain highly detailed statistics on their performance, including level maps for several hundred of the player's most recent games that indicate graphically where and when the player scored a kill or was killed him or herself.
-===Maps===
-{{Col-begin}}
-{{Col-2}}
-;Default ''(released at launch)''
 *[[Lockout]]
-*[[Ascension]]
+*[[Ascension (Level)|Ascension]]
 *[[Midship]]
 *[[Ivory Tower]]
 *[[Beaver Creek]]
 *[[Burial Mounds]]
-*[[Colossus (map)|Colossus]]
+*[[Colossus]]
 *[[Zanzibar]]
 *[[Coagulation]]
@@ Line 508: / Line 229: @@
 *[[Foundation]]
-;[[Bonus Map Pack]]
+====Bonus Map Pack====
-<!--dates of release and previous prices belong on the map pack page, not on the ''Halo 2'' page-->
+{{Main|Bonus Map Pack}}
+The Bonus Map Pack is a downloadable content package for ''Halo 2''. It was released on April 25, 2005 as a free download sponsored by Mountain Dew. The maps included in this Map Pack are:
 *[[Containment]]
 *[[Warlock]]
-{{col-2}}
-;[[Killtacular Pack]]
+====Killtacular Pack====
-<!--dates of release and previous prices belong on the map pack page, not on the ''Halo 2'' page-->
+{{Main|Killtacular Pack}}
+The Killtacular Pack is a downloadable content package released on April 25, 2005 for $4.99, and was made permanently free on June 28, 2005. The maps included in this Map Pack are:
 *[[Sanctuary]]
 *[[Turf]]
-;[[Maptacular Pack]]
+====Maptacular Pack====
-<!--dates of release and previous prices belong on the map pack page, not on the ''Halo 2'' page-->
+{{Main|Maptacular Pack}}
+The Maptacular Pack is a downloadable content package released on July 5, 2005 for $11.99, and was made permanently free on August 30, 2005. The maps included in this Map Pack are:
 *[[Backwash]]
 *[[Elongation]]
 *[[Gemini]]
-*[[Relic]]
+*[[Relic (Level)|Relic]]
-*[[Terminal (map)|Terminal]]
+*[[Terminal (Level)|Terminal]]
-;[[Blastacular Pack]]
+====Blastacular Pack====
-<!--dates of release and previous prices belong on the map pack page, not on the ''Halo 2'' page-->
+{{Main|Blastacular Pack}}
+The Blastacular Pack is a downloadable content package released on April 17, 2007 for $4.00, and re-released as an updated package on May 7, 2007 (still for $4.00), as several glitches discovered in the included content had been fixed. It was made permanently free on July 7, 2007, [[Bungie Day]]. The Blastacular Pack is included with neither the [[Halo 2 Multiplayer Map Pack]], or Halo 2 Vista. The maps included in this Map Pack are:
 *[[Desolation]]
 *[[Tombstone]]
-{{col-end}}
-===Server shutdown===
+====Halo 2 Vista Exclusive Maps====
-On April 15, 2010, the ''Halo 2'' multiplayer services, along with all other original Xbox LIVE services, were discontinued. However, some of ''Halo 2'''s fans left their Xbox's running after April 15. Xbox LIVE did not boot the approximately 500 people who had signed into Xbox LIVE before the discontinuation of service on April 15. These players continued playing online amongst one another but no new players could sign on. On April 30, 2010 only 12 fans who had managed to keep their Xbox and Xbox LIVE connections stable remained logged into ''Halo 2'' on Xbox Live. Nicknamed the "Noble 12", they continued to play games among themselves. In response, Stephen Toulouse, director of policy and enforcement for Xbox Live, tweeted "To those noble folk keeping halo2 alive: we see you, and we salute you,". These hardcore fans were awarded ''[[Halo: Reach Multiplayer Beta|Halo: Reach Beta]]'' keys because of their attempts to keep ''Halo 2'' alive. Over the next 9 days, 10 of the 12 gamers would experience either Xbox malfunctions or Internet malfunctions. Some were reported as logging off voluntarily to play the ''Halo: Reach Beta'' they received. Only two people remained online in ''Halo 2''. On May 10, 2010, "Agent Windex" was quoted as saying "I just got kicked off guys. Good Job Apache, you're the last one". Later that day, "Apache N4SIR", the very last person on ''Halo 2'', was booted from Xbox LIVE. This marked the end of ''Halo 2'' on Xbox LIVE and the end of the original Xbox LIVE.<ref>'''Official Xbox Magazine's Official Guide to Halo''', ''pages 24-25''</ref><ref name="shutdown">[http://forums.bungie.org/halo/archive36.pl?read=1065222 '''halo.bungie.org''': ''The shutdown of Halo 2'']</ref>
+{{Main|Halo 2 Vista#Multiplayer Additions}}
+Exclusive to Halo 2 Vista are 2 new maps which are:
+*[[District]]
+*[[Uplift]]
+*[[Example (Halo 2 Vista Map Editor Example)|Example]]
+===Player Damage System===
+The damage system in ''Halo 2'' is much different from what it was in ''Halo: Combat Evolved''. The player has a regenerating shield and regenerating health.
+*'''[[Energy Shields]]:''' The Shield in ''Halo 2'' is slightly weaker than it was in ''Halo: Combat Evolved'', but recharges at a higher rate. It slowly decreases in power as it sustains damage. After it takes damage, it starts to recharge 2-5 seconds after the last time damage was sustained. It will stop during recharge if the player is hurt during that period. The power is displayed above the motion tracker in the bottom-left of the screen.
+*'''[[Health]]:''' In ''Halo 2'', once the shields run out, the player also has a buffer of health. Unlike ''Halo: Combat Evolved'', the health in ''Halo 2'' regenerates after the shield. The amount of health left is not visible to the player. Bungie's explanation for this new system is the addition of a biofoam dispenser in the armor (so health regenerates after time).
+===Powerups===
+There are two types of normal powerups available in ''Halo 2'':
+*'''[[Overshield]]:''' An enhanced, non-regenerating shield which adds an additional two layers to your shield (red, then green). The Overshield functions on top of the regular shield - when it is active, the normal shield does not take damage. However, the Overshield will gradually reduce in power until it is gone, at which point the player's normal shields will be vulnerable to damage. Unlike ''[[Halo: Combat Evolved]]'', the Overshield powerup is not available in the single player campaign.
+*'''[[Active Camouflage]]:''' A powerup that makes the player almost completely invisible for a period of time, making all but a faint outline of him transparent. This effect is reduced if the player is hit by weapons fire, if he or she fires a weapon or throws a grenade, or in some cases if he or she switches weapons. In campaign mode, active camouflage is only available in levels in which you play as the Arbiter. However, note that the Energy Sword will give away the user's position, as while the player is invisible, the sword is not.(note: on multiplayer, if the Overshield technology and the Active Camouflage are used in conjunction the Active Camouflage is not sophisticated enough to hide the enhanced over shields)
-==Marketing promotions and release==
+==''Halo 2'': Original Soundtrack==
-{{Halo 2 editions}}
+{{Main|Halo 2: Original Soundtrack}}
+There are two volumes of the ''Halo 2'' soundtrack, one released alongside the game, and the other released in Early 2006. You can usually find them at any retail store that sells music or games, or Ebay.
-===Announcement trailer ===
+==Marketing Promotions and Release==
-{{Main|Halo 2 announcement trailer}}
+===I Love Bees===
-In 2002, Bungie released the first glimpse of ''Halo 2'' in a pre-rendered CG trailer. The trailer featured the [[John-117|Master Chief]] in his new [[MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor/Mark VI|MJOLNIR Mark VI]] armor preparing for battle in a space station. [[Cortana]] is also heard and has dialogue with the Chief. It also featured Earth and {{Pattern|Ket|battlecruiser}}s in orbit. The UNSC seem to be losing in the battle. The events of this trailer were featured in the final version of ''Halo 2''. Some of the events and dialogue of this trailer was changed to fit the finished storyline of the game. Most of this now appears in the ''Halo 2'' level [[Cairo Station (station)|Cairo Station]].
+{{Main|I Love Bees}}
+During the summer of 2004, the website [http://www.ilovebees.com ilovebees.com] was used as a publicity site for Halo 2, with the site being pointed to by adverts for the game during movie trailers. Ostensibly a beekeeper's personal site, the server appeared to have been taken over by an unstable A.I. whose thoughts are scattered on the site.
-=== E3 2003 ===
+===Trailers===
-{{Main|Halo 2 E3 demo}}
+{{Main|Halo 2 Announcement Trailer|Halo 2 Cinematic Trailer}}
-E3 2003 featured the release by Bungie of footage of a playable in-game demo of the ''Halo 2'' campaign. The demo featured the battle on [[Earth]] in the city of [[New Mombasa]]. [[John-117|Master Chief]], [[Cortana]], [[Avery Junior Johnson|Sergeant Johnson]], [[Perez (Marine)|Corporal Perez]], [[Easley|Major Easley]], and [[Banks|Sergeant Banks]] were all seen/heard in the demo. The demo showed off new features like Dual-Wielding (the [[John-117|Master Chief]] could actually keep both his dual-wielded weapons when he switched to his secondary sidearm; this was changed for the final product), Vehicle Damage, and Boarding. Three new vehicles shown were the [[M12G1 Light Anti-Armor Vehicle|Gauss Warthog]], {{Pattern|Ruwaa|Shadow}}, and the Covenant [[Kez'katu-pattern Phantom|Phantom]], which at the time had only one plasma turret on its underside instead of three.
+In 2002, Bungie released the first glimpse of ''Halo 2'' in a pre-rendered CG trailer. The trailer featured the [[Master Chief]] in his new [[MJOLNIR Mark VI]] [[Armor]] preparing for battle in a space station. [[Cortana]] is also heard and has dialogue with the Chief. It also featured Earth and {{Class|CCS|Battlecruiser}}s in orbit. The UNSC seem to be losing in the battle. The events of this trailer were featured in the final version of ''Halo 2''. Some of the events and dialogue of this trailer was changed to fit the finished storyline of the game. Most of this now appears in the ''Halo 2'' level [[Cairo Station]].
-Returning vehicles featured the [[Type-32 Rapid Assault Vehicle|Ghost]], [[Pelican]], [[Covenant cruiser|Covenant Cruiser]], and [[GA-TL1 Longsword|Longsword]] Fighters. New weapons the [[BR55 Battle Rifle|Battle Rifle]], [[M7/Caseless Submachine Gun|SMG]], and [[Type-25 Grenade Launcher|Brute Shot]] were also shown, although the final Brute Shot design for ''Halo 2'' was vastly different from what was shown in this trailer. New enemies such as the Brutes were shown in this demo, but as a secondary warrior race by the side of the Elites. The events of this demo were featured in the final version of ''Halo 2''. Some of the events and dialog of this demo was changed to fit the finished storyline of the game, such as the AA Gun becoming a Scarab. Most of this now appears in the ''Halo 2'' level; [[Metropolis]].
+===Demonstrations===
+====E3 2003====
-===Halo 2 Council===
+<div class="floatright"><youtube height="167" width="200">eoqGLS1U6GQ</youtube></div>
-To help promote ''Halo 2'', Microsoft established the Halo 2 Council, an off-shoot of its celebrity "Xbox Playaz Club". It had seven members, consisting of actors [[Wikipedia:Wilmer Valderrama|Wilmer Valderrama]], [[Wikipedia:Benjamin Mckenzie|Benjamin Mckenzie]], and [[Wikipedia:Aisha Tyler|Aisha Tyler]]; [[Wikipedia:Jeremy Shockey|Jeremy Shockey]] of the [[Wikipedia:New York Football Giants|New York Giants]]; and bands [[Wikipedia:Hoobastank|Hoobastank]], [[Wikipedia:Incubus (band)|Incubus]], and [[Wikipedia:Linkin Park|Linkin Park]].<ref>[https://www.geek.com/games/halo-2-celebrity-council-557102/ '''Geek.com''' ''Halo 2 celebrity council'']</ref> Members of the Halo 2 Council received advanced copies of the game, as well as an exclusive "Halo 2 Pelican Case", a portable Xbox contained in a personalized suitcase with a 15-inch HDTV, two controllers, Xbox Live headset, and an Ethernet connection.<ref>[http://www.mtv.com/news/1492292/linkin-park-hoobastank-wilmer-valderrama-to-get-first-shot-at-halo-2/ '''MTV.com''' ''LINKIN PARK, HOOBASTANK, WILMER VALDERRAMA TO GET FIRST SHOT AT "HALO 2"'']</ref> They were also offered "VIP tours of Bungie Studios, voice-over recording sessions for game integration, [and] access to Halo 2 during the development process." Members promoted the game through ''Halo''-related events, such as Aisha Tyler's birthday party, where around 100 guests were invited to play an advance version of ''Halo 2''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s multiplayer.<ref name="H2Council">[https://web.archive.org/web/20070219010712/http://www.xbox.com/en-US/community/personality/guests/20041027-stars.htm '''Xbox.com''' ''Hollywood's Hooked On Halo'']</ref>
+In 2003 at E3, Bungie released footage of a playable in-game demo of the ''Halo 2'' campaign. The demo featured the battle on [[Earth]] in the city of [[New Mombasa]]. [[Master Chief]], [[Cortana]], [[Sergeant Johnson]], [[Corporal Perez]], [[Major Easley]], and [[Sergeant Banks]] were all seen/heard in the demo. The demo showed off new features like Dual-Wielding (the [[Master Chief]] could actually keep both his dual-wielded weapons when he switched to his secondary sidearm; this was changed for the final product), Vehicle Damage, and Boarding. Three new vehicles shown were the [[Gauss Warthog]], [[Shadow]], and the Covenant [[Phantom]], which at the time had only one plasma turret on its underside instead of three. Returning vehicles featured the [[Ghost (Vehicle)|Ghost]], [[Pelican]], [[Covenant Cruiser]], and [[Longsword]] Fighters. New weapons the [[Battle Rifle]], [[SMG]], and [[Brute Shot]] were also shown, although the final Brute Shot design for ''Halo 2'' was vastly different than what was shown in this trailer. New enemies such as the Brutes were shown in this demo, but as a secondary warrior race by the side of the Elites. The events of this demo were featured in the final version of ''Halo 2''. Some of the events and dialog of this demo was changed to fit the finished storyline of the game, such as the AA Gun becoming a [[Scarab]]. Most of this now appears in the ''Halo 2'' level; [[Metropolis]].
-=== E3 2004 ===
+====E3 2004====
-{{Main|Halo 2 E3 Multiplayer Demo}}
+In 2004 at E3, Bungie released footage of a playable in game demo of the ''Halo 2'' multiplayer. The demo featured the multiplayer map [[Zanzibar]] and displayed playable character models the [[Spartan]] model and the [[Elite]] model. It also showed off some of the weaponry of the game and some special features. The [[Battle Rifle]], [[SMG]], [[Needler]], [[Rocket Launcher]], and [[Energy Sword]] were displayed. The Gauss Warthog and the Ghost also made an appearance. Some features included the lock-on feature of the Rocket Launcher, the Dual-Wielding ability, Explosive Barrels, Ghost's boosting, vehicle boarding, Warthogs horn and Gauss Cannon and Sword Lunging. Afterward, fans were allowed to try out the demo.
-''Halo 2'' also had a significant presence at E3 2004 (May 11–13, 2004). On May 8, Microsoft held a preview event in a private home in Beverley Hills, California, which had been transformed into a replica of "the stunning futuristic world of Halo, complete with camouflaged marines and roaming Cortanas." It was attended by the members of the ''Halo 2'' Council, as well as well-known celebrities of the time such as Joe Reitman, Jolene Blalock, Andrew Keegan, Jordana Brewster, Bai Ling, Ben Foster, Kelly Hu, Kyle Boller, Laura Prepon, Brad Bufanda, Lindsay Lohan, Breckin Meyer, Luke Walton, Michelle Rodriguez, Chris Masterson, Danny Masterson, Rick Yune, Good Charlotte, Ryan Phillipe, Gregory Smith, Shannon Elizabeth, Taryn Manning, and Tara Reid.{{Ref/Reuse|H2Council}}
-During the event itself, ''Halo 2'' held a central position in Microsoft's showcase. At the pre-event Xbox conference on May 10, Bungie released footage of a playable in-game demo of the ''Halo 2'' multiplayer. The demo featured the multiplayer map [[Zanzibar]] and displayed playable character models the [[SPARTAN-II]] model and the [[Sangheili]] model. It also showed off some of the weaponry of the game and some special features. The [[BR55 Battle Rifle|Battle Rifle]], [[M7/Caseless Submachine Gun|SMG]], [[Type-33 Guided Munitions Launcher|Needler]], [[M19 SSM Rocket Launcher|Rocket Launcher]], and [[Type-1 Energy Weapon/Sword|Energy Sword]] were displayed. The Gauss Warthog and the Ghost also made an appearance. Some features included the lock-on feature of the Rocket Launcher, the Dual-Wielding ability, Explosive Barrels, Ghost's boosting, vehicle boarding, Warthogs horn and Gauss Cannon and Sword Lunging. The demo also featured the official announcement of the release date, November 9, 2004.<ref>[http://archive.videogamesdaily.com/news/200405/033.asp '''Kikizo.com''' ''E3 2004: Xbox Conference: Full Report'']</ref> After the demo's public unveiling, fans were allowed to try it out for themselves throughout the Expo on the showfloor.<ref>[http://archive.videogamesdaily.com/news/200405/046.asp '''Kikizo.com''' ''E3 2004: Halo 2 Hands-On, Screens, Vids'']</ref>
+===''Halo 2'' Versions===
+[[File:Halo 2 LCE case and extras.jpg|150px|thumb|''Halo 2 Limited Collector's Edition''.]]
+''Halo 2'' shipped in two versions:
-===Halo2.com===
+'''''Halo 2'' Regular Edition''' ($49.99 at launch, now $15.00)
-{{Main|Halo2.com}}
-[https://web.archive.org/web/20040601000000*/http://Halo2.com Halo2.com] was the promotional website registered by Microsoft for ''Halo 2''. It first went live on May 11,<ref>[http://halo.bungie.org/news.html?item=9441 '''halo.bungie.org''' ''Halo2.com Goes Live'']</ref> and had national or regional variants, such as the Australian site (www.halo2.com.au/).<ref>[http://halo.bungie.org/news.html?item=10640 '''halo.bungie.org''' ''Aussie Halo 2 site a wealth of info'']</ref> Initially, it consisted of a straightforward promotional site, featuring screenshots, wallpapers, videos, and news.<ref>[http://halo.bungie.org/news.html?item=9792 '''halo.bungie.org''' ''Halo2.com gets updated'']</ref> Later, it was relaunched by [[Wikipedia:AKQA|AKQA]] on October 15, expanded and updated with a Covenant theme and tied to the [[i love bees]] alternate reality game.<ref>[http://halo.bungie.org/news.html?item=10870 '''halo.bungie.org''' ''Halo2.com has relaunched'']</ref> After ''Halo 2''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s release, it was merged with the official Xbox site.
-=== i love bees ===
+*Standard Xbox game case with ''Halo 2'' box art.
-{{Main|i love bees}}
+*''Halo 2'' for Xbox (also for Xbox 360)
-During the summer of 2004, the website [http://www.ilovebees.com ilovebees.com] was used as a publicity site for ''Halo 2'', with the site being pointed to by adverts for the game during movie trailers. Ostensibly a beekeeper's personal site, the server appeared to have been taken over by an unstable A.I. whose thoughts were scattered on the site. These included a number of "[[Axon]]" clips, which when put together formed an [[I Love Bees Axon Clips|audio drama]]. This [[alternate reality game]] acted as a prologue to the story of ''Halo 2''.
+*''Halo 2'' game manual from the Humans' perspective.
+*Pamphlet advertising ''[[Halo 2: The Official Game Guide|Halo 2: The Official Guide]]'' and ''[[Halo 2: Original Soundtrack]] Volume 1''.
+*2 month Xbox Live trial card.
+*Limited edition Elite manual.
-===Cinematic trailer===
+'''''Halo 2'' Limited Collector's Edition''' ($54.99 at launch, now discontinued)
-{{Main|Halo 2 theatrical trailer}}
-In October 2004, a short trailer for ''Halo 2'' was shown in movie theaters and cinemas throughout the United States. It featured short clips of game play, some newly rendered scenes, as well as materials recycled from the E3 2003 demo. The trailer also featured a brief promotion of i love bees.
-===Television trailer===
+*Sleek metal case with outer plastic slipcover.
-{{Main|Halo 2 commercial}}
+*''Halo 2'' for Xbox. (also for Xbox 360)
-In October through November 2004, a television advertisement for ''Halo 2'' aired throughout the United States. It consisted of footage from cutscenes and gameplay. There were two versions of the ad, a 30-seconds and a 60-seconds spot.
+*''Halo 2'' game manual from the Covenant's perspective (written as a report from the Arbiter to the [[Prophet of Truth]])
+*"Making of ''Halo 2''" DVD with other features including game design, deleted scenes, concept art, deleted content and more.
-===Rereleases===
+*Pamphlet advertising ''[[Halo 2: The Official Game Guide|Halo 2: The Official Guide]]'' and ''[[Halo 2: Original Soundtrack]] Volume 1''.
-*'''2005''' - Rereleased as part of the ''Halo Triple Pack'' which included ''[[Halo: Combat Evolved]]'', ''Halo 2'', and ''[[Halo 2 Multiplayer Map Pack]]''.
+*Booklet called ''[[Conversations from the Universe]]''.
-*'''2007''' - Rereleased as part of the ''Halo History Pack'' which included ''Halo: Combat Evolved'', ''Halo 2'', and a sneak peek of ''[[Halo 3]]'', and as part of [[Xbox LIVE]]'s Xbox Originals.
+*[[7]]-Eleven Slurpee coupon (advertising the three Limited Edition ''Halo 2'' Slurpee cups).
-*'''2014''' - Rereleased as ''Halo 2: Anniversary'', a remake of the game included in ''Halo: The Master Chief Collection''.
+*2 month Xbox Live trial card specially printed with ''Halo 2'' imagery.
-==Soundtrack==
+===Sales and reception===
-{{Main|Halo 2: Original Soundtrack}}
+''Halo 2'' was very successful in sales. In company with PlayStation 2's hit of the year, ''[[Wikipedia:Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas|Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas]]'', it was the most sought-after video game among critics and gamers in 2004. Three weeks prior to launch, stores in the U.S. alone had pre-sold 1.5 million copies of the game to consumers. When it launched for the Xbox on the 9th of November, over 7000 video game, toy and electronics stores in the U.S. opened at midnight to welcome fanatical fans. Halo 2 instantly began to prosper. One national retailer sold 8,500 copies of the game in just 11 minutes, and another had sold 200,000 units by daybreak. One single store sold 500 ''Halo 2'' units in three hours, 350 of them being sold between midnight and 1 a.m.<ref>http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/business/20041110-9999-1b10halo.html</ref> Early on the launch day, Microsoft expected ''Halo 2'' to generate more money in 24 hours on store shelves than any game had done before. Moore said “I'm calling a $100 million day on ''Halo'' today.” ''Halo 2'' went on to be the success that Microsoft was anticipating, selling approximately 2.4 million copies in North America in 24 hours, generating $125 million. The video game software retailer GameStop sold more than half a million ''Halo 2'' copies in one day. In Australia, where more than 42,000 gamers had pre-ordered the game prior to its release, ''Halo 2'' shattered retail sales records by selling more than 104,000 units in no more than one week after launch, generating nine million dollars and beating the previous record holder by 38,000 copies.<ref>http://www.xbox.com/en-AU/games/h/halo2/newsflash20041119.html</ref> In Canada, ''Halo 2'' succeeded in selling 222,000 units in its debut month, making it the biggest premiere month for any game up to ''Grand Theft Auto IV''. Before its release in New Zealand, more than 8000 units of ''Halo 2'' had been pre-sold. Three weeks after its release, ''Halo 2'' had sold over 5 million copies<ref>http://www.xbox.com/en-US/press/2004/1202-halo2.htm</ref>, making it the second-best selling Xbox game, with approximately 19% of all Xbox owners possessing a copy of ''Halo 2''. The game also had the most successful opening night of any game up until ''Halo 3'', and, later, ''Grand Theft Auto 4''. The game had a generally amazing reception, gaining a 9.7 out of 10 from OXM (10 out of 10 from its Australian counterpart), a 9.8 out of 10 from IGN, a 10 out of 10 from Game Informer, a 9 out of 10 from Play Magazine, and a 5 out of 5 from X-Play. It gained more Game of The Year awards in 2004 than any other game that year. X-Play, in late 2006, included it as #3 in their top 4 greatest shooters of all time (#4 was ''Resistance'', #2 ''Half-Life 2'', and #1 was ''Gears of War''). In early 2007, it made #8 on their top 10 Games of All Time countdown. The game had an average meta-score of 95 out of 100, making it the 3rd most critically acclaimed Xbox game, right behind ''Halo: Combat Evolved'' and the ''Grand Theft Auto'' Triple Pack. The games multiplayer was held to be one of the best of all time, staying consistently number 1 the most played Xbox Live title from November of 2004 up until November of 2006, when ''Gears of War'' released.
-There are two volumes of the ''Halo 2'' soundtrack, one released alongside the game, and the other released in Early 2006. You can usually find them at any retail store that sells music or games, or eBay.
-==Reception==
+===Reaction===
-{{Quote|<nowiki></nowiki>''Halo 2'' is the single greatest achievement on the platform.|OXM 038, December 2004 (The OXM verdict: 10/10)<ref>'''Halo: The Master Chief Collection Companion''', ''page 15''</ref>}}
+Generally, the game was positively received. Multiplayer especially was noted in being the best on Xbox Live at the time. Game Informer, along with numerous other publications, rated it lower than ''Halo: Combat Evolved'', citing enhanced multiplayer and more repetitive gameplay. ''Halo 2'' received multiple awards, including Best Console game of the month.
-''Halo 2'' was very successful in sales. In company with PlayStation 2's hit of the year, ''[[Wikipedia:Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas|Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas]]'', it was the most sought-after video game among critics and gamers in 2004. Three weeks prior to launch, stores in the U.S. alone had pre-sold 1.5 million copies of the game to consumers. When it launched for the Xbox on the 9th of November, over 7000 video game, toy and electronics stores in the U.S. opened at midnight to welcome fanatical fans. ''Halo 2'' instantly began to prosper. One national retailer sold 8,500 copies of the game in just 11 minutes, and another had sold 200,000 units by daybreak. One single store sold 500 ''Halo 2'' units in three hours, 350 of them being sold between midnight and 1 a.m.<ref>http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/business/20041110-9999-1b10halo.html</ref> Early on the launch day, Microsoft expected ''Halo 2'' to generate more money in 24 hours on store shelves than any game had done before. Moore said “I'm calling a $100 million day on ''Halo'' today.” ''Halo 2'' went on to be the success that Microsoft was anticipating, selling approximately 2.4 million copies in North America in 24 hours, generating $125 million. The video game software retailer GameStop sold more than half a million ''Halo 2'' copies in one day. In Australia, where more than 42,000 gamers had pre-ordered the game prior to its release, ''Halo 2'' shattered retail sales records by selling more than 104,000 units in no more than one week after launch, generating nine million dollars and beating the previous record holder by 38,000 copies.<ref>http://www.xbox.com/en-AU/games/h/halo2/newsflash20041119.html</ref> In Canada, ''Halo 2'' succeeded in selling 222,000 units in its debut month, making it the biggest premiere month for any game up to ''Grand Theft Auto IV''. Before its release in New Zealand, more than 8000 units of ''Halo 2'' had been pre-sold.
-Three weeks after its release, ''Halo 2'' had sold over 5 million copies,<ref>http://www.xbox.com/en-US/press/2004/1202-halo2.htm</ref> making it the second-best selling Xbox game, with approximately 19% of all Xbox owners possessing a copy of ''Halo 2''. The game also had the most successful opening night of any game up until ''Halo 3'', and, later, ''Grand Theft Auto 4''. The game had a generally amazing reception, gaining a 9.7 out of 10 from OXM (10 out of 10 from its Australian counterpart), a 9.8 out of 10 from IGN, a 10 out of 10 from Game Informer, a 9 out of 10 from Play Magazine,  a 5 out of 5 from X-Play, and a 9.4 for Xbox from GameSpot. It gained more Game of The Year awards in 2004 than any other game that year. X-Play, in late 2006, included it as #3 in their top 4 greatest shooters of all time (#4 was ''Resistance'', #2 ''Half-Life 2'', and #1 was ''Gears of War''). In early 2007, it made #8 on their top 10 Games of All Time countdown. The game had an average meta-score of 95 out of 100, making it the 3rd most critically acclaimed Xbox game, right behind ''Halo: Combat Evolved'' and the ''Grand Theft Auto'' Triple Pack. The games multiplayer was held to be one of the best of all time, staying consistently number 1 the most played Xbox Live title from November 2004 up until November of 2006, when ''Gears of War'' released.
+Most critics noted that ''Halo 2'' stuck with the formula that made its predecessor successful, and was alternatively praised and faulted for this decision. Edge noted in its review, “It's fitting that we're able to steal a line from the script to sum everything up. No spoilers here, just an epitaph, from the moment Cortana turns to Master Chief and says this: 'It’s not an original plan. But we know it’ll work.'" According to Xbox.com, the game has received more than 38 individual awards. The game's campaign mode has received some criticism for being too short, in addition to some dissatisfaction with the abrupt, cliffhanger ending that sets up the sequel, ''Halo 3''. GameSpot noted that the story switching between the Covenant and Human factions made the plot more intricate, but also distracted the player from Earth's survival and the main point of the game. There is also some criticism of the game's on-the-fly streaming and level of detail adjustment, which can sometimes result in textures loading erroneously and "popping in" when the camera changes in cutscenes. Bungie has stated that this issue has been fixed for ''Halo 3'' and the Windows Vista port.
-Most critics noted that ''Halo 2'' stuck with the formula that made its predecessor successful, and was alternatively praised and faulted for this decision. Edge noted in its review, “It's fitting that we're able to steal a line from the script to sum everything up. No spoilers here, just an epitaph, from the moment Cortana turns to Master Chief and says this: 'It’s not an original plan. But we know it’ll work.'" According to Xbox.com, the game has received more than 38 individual awards. The game's campaign mode has received some criticism for being too short, in addition to some dissatisfaction with the abrupt, cliffhanger ending that sets up the sequel, ''Halo 3''. GameSpot noted that the story switching between the Covenant and Human factions made the plot more intricate, but also distracted the player from Earth's survival and the main point of the game. There is also some criticism of the game's on-the-fly streaming and level of detail adjustment, which can sometimes result in textures loading erroneously and "popping in" when the camera changes in cutscenes. Bungie has stated that this issue had been fixed for ''Halo 3'' and the Windows Vista port.
+In an interview with Edge magazine in January 2007, Jamie Greisemer, one of ''Halo''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s design leads, said that the main reason for ''Halo 2''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s shortcomings was a lack of "polish" period near the end of the development cycle. Staff member Frank O’Connor admitted the cliffhanger ending was abrupt, noting “we drove off Thelma & Louise style". Nonetheless, in the interview Greisemer promised that they would make ''Halo 3'' a more than worthy successor.
-In an interview with Edge magazine in January 2007, Jamie Greisemer, one of ''Halo''<nowiki />'s design leads, said that the main reason for ''Halo 2''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s shortcomings was a lack of "polish" period near the end of the development cycle. Staff member Frank O’Connor admitted the cliffhanger ending was abrupt, noting “we drove off Thelma & Louise style." Nonetheless, in the interview Greisemer promised that they would make ''Halo 3'' a more than worthy successor.
+===Statistics===
+''Halo 2'' was released November 9, 2004. The game was one of the most highly anticipated games on the Xbox and went on to sell more than the original. On the morning of October 14, a leak of the French version of the game was posted on the Internet, and circulated widely. Microsoft, the parent company of Bungie, tried to contain the spread, and pledged to bring legal action against anyone who spread the leaked version. Thanks to the hype, Halo 2 sold one of the most copies of any games of all time.
-==Trivia==
+Regardless, Microsoft later touted that there were 1.5 million pre-orders for ''Halo 2'' in the United States alone and that this guaranteed it to have the largest first-day revenue of any game or movie ever.<ref>http://www.gamespot.com/news/2004/10/19/news_6110893.html</ref> The game sold 2.4 million copies and earned up to $125 million US in its first 24 hours on store shelves.<ref>http://www.gamespot.com/news/2004/11/10/news_6112915.html</ref> As of March 2006, the game has sold over eight million copies worldwide<ref>[http://www.bungie.net/Inside/content.aspx?link=HistoryofBungie_p8 The History of Bungie, Page 8] Accessed 6-20-2007</ref>.
-*Originally, there were to be several kinds of [[M12 Force Application Vehicle|Warthog]]s including an Arctic model (which was included in the ''Halo 3'' DLC multiplayer map Avalanche), a transport vehicle and a small ATV (known as the [[M274 Ultra-Light All-Terrain Vehicle|Mongoose]] in ''Halo 3'') would make an appearance. These were all cut from the final version of the game. However, in ''Halo: Custom Edition'', fans created the arctic and transport warthogs, as well as the civilian Warthog featured in the multi-player map Headlong. A rocket Warthog was included in ''Halo PC'' and the ATV and variations of the Warthog appear in ''Halo 3''.
-*[[Jason Jones]] is known for establishing the quote: "''Halo 2'' is a lot like ''[[Halo: Combat Evolved|Halo 1]]'', only it's ''Halo 1'' on fire, going 130 miles per hour through a hospital zone, being chased by helicopters and ninjas. And, the ninjas are all on fire, too." This led to the famous line of inside jokes, patches and t-shirts, user names, and memes of flaming ninjas.<ref>[http://xbox.gamespy.com/xbox/halo-2/528851p1.html Gamespy's Halo 2: Everything We Know article]</ref>
-*In the final days prior to the deactivation of ''Halo 2''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s multiplayer, Bungie added new sayings to the ''Did You Know?'' section of the lobby including messages of thanks to ''Halo 2'' fans for staying supportive for the half decade that it was active and hints about ''[[Halo: Reach]]'''s gameplay. Many of these were worded in a humorous manner, though several were outright jokes.
-*''Halo 2'' has been played for about 100 million hours on Xbox since its release.
-*Players who played this game with their current LIVE account before April 14, 2010 will unlock the ''Halo 2'' [[Nameplates|Visual Flair]] in ''Halo: Reach''.<ref>[http://halo.bungie.net/News/content.aspx?type=topnews&link=BWU_082010 '''Bungie.net''': ''Express Yourself'']</ref>
-*The ''[[Hunt the Truth]]'' marketing campaign for ''[[Halo 5: Guardians]]'' reveals that ''Halo 2'''s cover art is based on an in-universe photograph taken by [[Benjamin Giraud]] during the [[Battle of Mombasa]].
-==Gallery==
+==Themes==
-===Cover art===
+''Halo 2'' greatly expanded the plot introduced in ''Halo: Combat Evolved'', and many themes and parallels to the real world can be drawn.
-<gallery>
-File:EPK H2.png|Icon art.
-File:H2 Title Art.png|Title art.
-File:Halo2-Xbox-GameCover.jpg|Full game cover for ''Halo 2''.
-File:Masterchief with sniper.jpg|Full screenshot featured on the back cover.
-</gallery>
-===Concept art===
+Dealing with the consequences of society and government within the Covenant world, ''Halo 2'' shows that technology alone cannot win wars. Covenant society is deeply troubled with a corrupt government of Prophets who know more than they tell and order an act of genocide against their long-loyal [[Elites]]. While the Covenant is far more technologically advanced than humans, their society is divided and races do not get along. The [[humans]] are shown as more united and exhibit more teamwork while attempting to stop the Covenant, despite being outnumbered and out-gunned. Playing as the Arbiter, the player only fights other Covenant, making it apparent that their forces are not all focused on the humans and their civil war and disorganization makes them a weaker force, despite greater firepower. The Flood is mostly a primitive race but is still able to infiltrate High Charity and Cortana is still able to hack into their system because the Covenant never created a solid foundation and underestimated their enemies. The game shows that the power of determination is more powerful than that of technology. This is evident in both Master Chief's plot line as well as the Arbiter's, who manages to survive because he constantly focuses on his objective. He tells Tartarus that the Index is his only goal when he asks if he would seek revenge against the Master Chief.
-<gallery>
-File:H2 ConceptArt MasterChiefTakingCover.png|Concept art of the Master Chief taking cover.
-File:H2 SneakyArby.jpg|Concept art of the Arbiter and the Master Chief, later included on the [[Halo 3 Zune]].
-File:H2 InteriorConstructControlRoom Concept.jpg|Concept art of a control room.
-File:H2 MachineDrivingComponent Concept.jpg|Concept art of a machine.
-</gallery>
-===Promotional material===
+The game also has element of a monomyth, a common structure in many stories of adventure. ''Halo 2'' begins with Master Chief being awoken and called for combat while the Arbiter is spared and is given the choice to become a martyr. The Arbiter is put through a series of trials which he is expected to fail; when he doesn't, he realizes that the Prophets have turned against him and learns where his true alliances lie, becoming a central role in the Covenant Civil War. These events fit into the description of the first half of a typical monomyth.
-<gallery>
-File:H2 Wallpaper Master Chief and ODST.png|A wallpaper used to market the game.
-File:H2 Wallpaper Tartarus and Brutes.png|Another wallpaper used to market the game.
-File:Halo 2 028.jpg|Artwork featuring the Master Chief during the Battle of Mombasa.
-File:H2 Chief EGM.png|EGM cover by Craig Mullins.
-File:H2-Concept-Earth-MOUT.jpg|OXM cover by Eddie Smith.
-File:H2 OXM Cover.jpg|Another OXM cover.
-File:H2_EdgeCover_Concept.jpg|EDGE cover by Eddie Smith.
-File:H2 BrigadeDamaged.jpg|"Brigade Damaged" by Zoé Brawley.
-File:H2 BrigadeDamaged Wide.jpg|A larger version "Brigade Damaged."
-</gallery>
-===Screenshots===
+==Trivia==
-<gallery>
+*The "vine" that [[Miranda Keyes]] uses to make it to the [[index]] is actually one of the [[Gravemind]]'s tentacles. It is speculated by some players that the Gravemind was planning on letting Miranda get the index, and then making her fall into his pit, which would lead her and the index to his "lair". There, the index would be, theoretically, unobtainable by the Covenant, which would keep him and the rest of the Flood safe on the ring (Delta Halo). This would also be a way for [[Gravemind]] to learn the location of [[Earth]] and seal humanities doom.
-File:Halo picture 12.jpg|The ''Halo 2'' main menu screen.
+*Originally, there were to be several kinds of [[Warthog]]s including an Arctic model (which was included in the Halo 3 DLC multiplayer map Avalanche), a transport vehicle and a small ATV (known as the [[Mongoose]] in ''Halo 3'') would make an appearance. These were all cut from the final version of the game. However, in ''Halo: Custom Edition'', fans created the arctic and transport warthogs, as well as the civilian warthog featured in the multi-player map Headlong. A rocket-launcher enabled Warthog was included in ''Halo PC'' and the ATV and variations of the Warthog appear in ''Halo 3''.
-File:H2 mchief cortana.jpg|John-117 and Cortana onboard ''Cairo Station''.
+*[[Jason Jones]] is known for establishing the quote: "Halo 2 is a lot like [[Halo: Combat Evolved|Halo 1]], only it's Halo 1 on fire, going 130 miles per hour through a hospital zone, being chased by helicopters and ninjas. And, the ninjas are all on fire, too." This led to the famous line of inside jokes, patches and t-shirts, user names, and memes of flaming ninjas.<ref>[http://xbox.gamespy.com/xbox/halo-2/528851p1.html Gamespy's Halo 2: Everything We Know article]</ref>
-File:UNSCDF.jpg|Lord Hood meeting John-117 and Avery Johnson.
+*A song, known as "Remembrance" at the start up screen, (the unedited version found on the “''Halo 2'' Original Sound Track Volume 1") just happens to play for exactly 1:17 (John's serial number) or 77 seconds.
-File:Unsc convoy.jpg|A UNSC convoy made up of Pelicans and Warthogs.
+*There are 21,090 lines of dialogue, most of them randomly triggered during combat.<ref>[http://nikon.bungie.org/news.html?item=20971 Halo Dialogue Statistics, from the source] - HBO, November 12, 2007</ref>
-File:Brutesarbiter.jpg|Tartarus and his Jiralhanae carry Thel 'Vadamee past a group of Honor Guards.
+*Originally, at the end of Cairo Station there wasn't going to be a bomb, but another level taking place on the Covenant carrier where you would fight a [[Drinol]]. At the end of the level when you destroy it, you get to free fall onto the ''In Amber Clad'', and can look around when falling. This level was deleted. <ref>''[[Halo 3|Halo 3 Legendary Edition]]'', Cut-scene Commentary</ref>.
-File:Arby helmet.jpg|Thel 'Vadamee takes on the title of Arbiter.
+*Halo 2's legendary difficulty is said to be one of the the hardest difficulty levels out of the [[Halo]] franchise.
-File:GS-Heretic.jpg|343 Guilty Spark and Sesa 'Refumee, the leader of a heretic faction.
+*When you attempt to load up Halo 2 on the Xbox 360 it will not let you connect to XBL unless you have "Allow Xbox Originals live" Option set to yes in the parental controls.
-File:Deltahalo.jpg|The UNSC ''In Amber Clad'' approaches Installation 05.
+*Halo 2 has been stated to be the reason that there is a limit to the number of friends on the friends list, and to get around that limit, Microsoft would have to end original Xbox Live compatibility.
-File:Goingtoactivatehalo.JPG|John-117 standing in front of a hologram of Prophet of Regret.
+*In Bungie.net's [[Halo 3: ODST]] Pre-Pax Podcast, it was stated that the ''Halo 2'' Xbox LIVE [[multiplayer]] will be scheduled for deactivation. However, Bungie did not state any specific reasons for why the servers will be shut down. The reason was speculated to be to make room for Halo 3: ODST's servers.<ref>[http://www.bungie.net/News/content.aspx?type=topnews&link=PrePaxPodcast Halo 3: ODST Pre-Pax Podcast]</ref> On February 5th, 2010, Microsoft announced that it would be discontinuing support of original Xbox games through Xbox Live on April 15th. This would neccessarily include Halo 2.<ref>[http://majornelson.com/archive/2010/02/05/xbox-live-being-discontinued-for-original-xbox-consoles-and-games.aspx Major Nelson.com]</ref>
-File:Rally.jpg|Rtas 'Vadumee rallies his Sangheili.
+*''Halo 2'' has been the only game in the series to have the most content either cut from the game entirely or redesigned completely as evidenced in many forms of media. In the ''Halo 3'' Essentials disc featuring the "Director's Commentary" of the cutscenes, three separate levels were discussed as having been proposed but ultimately scrapped due to time constraints: [[Covenant Ship (Level)]], [[Forerunner Tank (Level)]], and Forerunner Keyship a level. In the "Making of ''Halo 2''" documentary there was concept art seen regarding a level location [[The Ark]], although the design was later placed into ''Halo 3''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s [[The Storm (Level)]] as the [[Portal]]. The former could have been a part of pre-production for [[Halo 3]]. Marty O'Donnell was also quoted in a [[Bungie Podcast]] (Episode 13, at 21:00) saying that all the actors had recorded the lines to the original ''Halo 2'' ending and that it still exists today, but he will never show it. The [[Flood Juggernaut]] was a character that was modeled and placed in the coding of the game but never had AI programmed or had been placed on any level, similar to the [[Engineer]] in [[Halo: Combat Evolved]].
-</gallery>
-===20th anniversary artwork===
+==Related Links==
-<gallery>
+{{col-begin}}
-File:H2 UpperDeck HereticAndHero.png|Official art by Victor Sales  titled "Heretic & Hero" celebrating the game's 20th anniversary.
+{{col-2}}
-File:H2 UpperDeck HereticAndHero1.jpg|An initial sketch of the artwork.
+===Internal Links===
-File:H2 UpperDeck HereticAndHero2.jpg|The approved sketch of the artwork.
+*[[Halo 2 Credits|''Halo 2'' Credits]]
-File:H2 UpperDeck HereticAndHero3.jpg|An early colored version of the artwork.
+*[[List of "Seven" references in Halo|List of "Seven" references in ''Halo'']]
-File:H2 UpperDeck HereticAndHero4.jpg|Another work-in-progress iteration of the artwork.
+*[[Early Halo 2 Script|Early ''Halo 2'' Script]]
-File:H2 UpperDeck HereticAndHero5.jpg|Another work-in-progress iteration of the artwork.
+*[[Character Compatibility]]
-File:H2 UpperDeck HereticAndHero6.jpg|A near-final iteration of the artwork.
+{{col-2}}
-File:H2 UpperDeck DemonAndDisgraced.png|Official art by Victor Sales titled "Demon & Disgraced" celebrating the game's 20th anniversary.
+===External Links===
-File:H2 UpperDeck DemonAndDisgraced1.jpg|An initial sketch of the artwork.
+*[http://bungie.net/Games/Halo2/ Bungie's Official Halo 2 Site]
-File:H2 UpperDeck DemonAndDisgraced2.jpg|The approved sketch of the artwork.
+*[http://www.haloeastereggs.net/eastereggs.php?gamename=Halo%202 Halo 2 Easter Eggs]
-File:H2 UpperDeck DemonAndDisgraced3.jpg|An early colored version of the artwork.
+*[http://www.halo2.com Xbox.com's Official Halo 2 Site]
-File:H2 UpperDeck DemonAndDisgraced4.jpg|Another work-in-progress iteration of the artwork.
+*[http://halo.bungie.org/halo2updates/ "Frankie's Bungie Updates"]
-File:H2 UpperDeck DemonAndDisgraced5.jpg|A near-final iteration of the artwork.
+{{col-end}}
-</gallery>
-== Sources ==
+==Sources==
-{{Ref/Sources}}
+<references/>
-==See also==
+{{Halo Games}}
-*[[Halo 2 credits|''Halo 2'' Credits]]
-*[[List of Halo 2 Did You Know? quotes]]
-*[[Early Halo 2 script|Early ''Halo 2'' Script]]
-*[[Halo2.com]]
-== External links ==
+[[Category:Games]]
-*[http://halo.bungie.net/Projects/Halo2/default.aspx ''Official project page'' on '''Bungie.net''']
-*[http://halo.bungie.org/halo2updates/ '''halo.bungie.org''': ''"Frankie's Bungie Updates"'']
-{{Navbox/Media/Games}}
+[[de:Halo 2]]
-{{DEFAULTSORT:2, Halo}}
+[[es:Halo 2]]
-[[Category:Halo 2| ]]
-[[Category:Canon]]
-[[Category:Bungie games]]