Desolation

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Desolation is a Halo 2 multiplayer map. The map was designed from the ground up by video game company Certain Affinity. Desolation is a remake of the multiplayer map Derelict, from Halo: Combat Evolved.

Description

Desolation has an entirely new setting. Rather than a facility of some kind in deep space, as Derelict was, Desolation is located on Delta Halo. The architecture appears to be of Forerunner origin and looks similar to the structures seen on Delta Halo in Campaign.

Overview

It features a similar weapon set to its precursor, but adjusted to account for Halo 2's different arsenal. For example, the Assault Rifle spawn is replaced by a Battle Rifle. There is also an Energy Sword to accompany the Shotgun.

Desolation also has certain structural differences between itself and Derelict. The teleporters have been replaced by Gravity Lifts that propel players from the ground to upper level. However, the tunnels on the upper level have not been replaced by ramps that lead down the ground level, as Bungie said in a Weekly Update.

Trivia

• If you look up at one of the many lights on the upper level with your back lined up along the wall looking at the light, it appears to be in the shape of the Autobot symbol from the popular Transformers series.
• Desolation is an elaborate remake of the Halo: Combat Evolved Multiplayer map, Derelict. In Desolation's official description, it is described as a "derelict forerunner structure awaiting to be reactivated." This is an obvious reference to the original map, Derelict.
• On Bungie.net, the images for Desolation are in the /derelict/ directory, another obvious reference to the former version of this level.
• Desolation is exclusive to the Xbox version of Halo 2, which is backwards compatible on Xbox 360. It was not officially available for Halo 2 Vista, but modders have managed to port Desolation to Halo 2 Vista.
• Along with Backwash, Desolation is the only level in the Halo Trilogy to spawn a Sentinel Beam by default.
• Although not an official map, the Bungie-made Sandbox, Pantheon, is considered the spiritual successor of Desolation and Derelict as it was featured in the Bungie Day playlist, "Bungie vs. World". In addition, the map features the same layout as its predecessors though lacking the Gravity Lifts found on Desolation.

Gallery

• Fighttombstone.PNG

  A fight on Desolation

• H2 desolation bkgd treessm.jpg

  A shot of Desolation showing the trees

• H2 Desolation04sm.jpg

  Desolation from above

External links

• Bungie Top Story
• Xbox.com