I want to buy Halo 2 over Amazon so that I can play it on my 360 Slim. I know the multiplayer doesn’t work unless I download and run XBC. Is it still worth it seeing as how I never played the title? Also, I have a 250G hard drive that is Microsoft official (I believe it came with the console, but if not, it had the xbox 360 packaging).
Also, can I free roam maps without using XBC? (You know, like playing split screen multiplayer with a friend on MY console?)
If you’ve never played it, then YES get it. Yes, you can still free roam multiplayer. The biggest problem you will have is with “ghosting” … during the campaign, sometimes a grey shadow image from a cutscene will remain over your screen. You can see through it, barely, and it will distract the hell out of you. You can fix it by either waiting for the next checkpoint (sometimes) but saving and quitting, then reloading the game will make it go away.
Also, split screen is a vertical split. It’s really difficult. You peripheral is cut off. There is no changing it. On the bright side, there is no arguing over who gets to be on the top of the screen.
I guess you could turn your TV on its side. Ha.
Other than that, you NEED to play it if you haven’t. Get it. Just remember, it was made for a different machine than the 360.
> If you’ve never played it, then YES get it. Yes, you can still free roam multiplayer. The biggest problem you will have is with “ghosting” … during the campaign, sometimes a grey shadow image from a cutscene will remain over your screen. You can see through it, barely, and it will distract the hell out of you. You can fix it by either waiting for the next checkpoint(sometimes) but saving and quitting, then reloading the game will make it go away.
> <mark>Also, split screen is a vertical split. It’s really difficult. You peripheral is cut off. There is no changing it. On the bright side, there is no arguing over who gets to be on the top of the screen.</mark>
> I guess you could turn your TV on its side. Ha.
> Other than that, you NEED to play it if you haven’t. Get it. Just remember, it was made for a different machine than the 360.
From what you have told me, I am now going to buy the game. One problem. Can you explain more about the highlighted area if its OK with you? Thanks for the help. I WILL be getting this game (Will I just choose Xbox Live on the menu to free roam? If not, please tell me how because I can’t find anything).
> > If you’ve never played it, then YES get it. Yes, you can still free roam multiplayer. The biggest problem you will have is with “ghosting” … during the campaign, sometimes a grey shadow image from a cutscene will remain over your screen. You can see through it, barely, and it will distract the hell out of you. You can fix it by either waiting for the next checkpoint(sometimes) but saving and quitting, then reloading the game will make it go away.
> > <mark>Also, split screen is a vertical split. It’s really difficult. You peripheral is cut off. There is no changing it. On the bright side, there is no arguing over who gets to be on the top of the screen.</mark>
> > I guess you could turn your TV on its side. Ha.
> > Other than that, you NEED to play it if you haven’t. Get it. Just remember, it was made for a different machine than the 360.
>
> From what you have told me, I am now going to buy the game. One problem. Can you explain more about the highlighted area if its OK with you? Thanks for the help. I WILL be getting this game (Will I just choose Xbox Live on the menu to free roam? If not, please tell me how because I can’t find anything).
No…it’s completely offline. You sign in to your account, then select “Don’t Sign In” to LIVE or else you get a Troubleshooter for network problems. There are no servers for Halo 2. I don’t know how XBC works, but apparently that’s what you want to play online. I only play campaign anymore.
On the main menu, just go down to “Split Screen”, select what map you want and you can free roam (if you’re by yourself, the screen won’t be split).
The split in the split screen is vertical, right down the center from top to bottom. So you play either on the Left side or the Right. It’s really annoying, but after a while you get use to it.
I hope this helps. It’s totally worth it.
And here’s a little something fun to look out for: On the mission “Delta Halo” at the beginning there is a Jackal and a Grunt in the cutscene, if you play it on Legendary, look closely and you’ll see the Grunt playing with a little Master Chief figure. It’s cute.
Anyway, have fun with it.
> Also, split screen is a vertical split. It’s really difficult. You peripheral is cut off. There is no changing it.
If I recall correctly, if you have your Xbox 360 set to widescreen, which most likely you do because of HDMI then it will be vertical. If you set your TV in the 360 to Normal instead of Widescreen, then it will be up and down 
I think this is right…
> > Also, split screen is a vertical split. It’s really difficult. You peripheral is cut off. There is no changing it.
>
> If I recall correctly, if you have your Xbox 360 set to widescreen, which most likely you do because of HDMI then it will be vertical. If you set your TV in the 360 to Normal instead of Widescreen, then it will be up and down I think this is right…
Seriously? That would be great. I’m actually going to try that right now and if it doesn’t work I will shake my fist in the air and curse!
Holy crap it worked! You are a genius, sir (or ma’am; your tag is a bit androgynous). I had to turn it down to 480p which made everything look so bad except having such a low resolution made the Halo 2 cutscenes actually look decent.
Thank you.
Just ordered the game and guide new from Amazon myself which completes my Halo collection. Been watching Hokiebird428’s noob guide to legendary walkthrough to get acquainted with the game before it arrives. Hokie is an excellent Halo player. Not that I’ll be playing it on legendary for a long time.
> Just ordered the game and guide new from Amazon myself which completes my Halo collection. Been watching Hokiebird428’s noob guide to legendary walkthrough to get acquainted with the game before it arrives. Hokie is an excellent Halo player. Not that I’ll be playing it on legendary for a long time.
The 1st two Halo games on Legendary are the worst! I’ve actually beaten every Halo game on Legendary except for Halo CE & 2. I just can’t do it. Not yet, at least.
I’ve beaten every Halo that I have except for Spartan Assault, ODST, and Halo CE Anniversary. I do not have Halo Wars and I do not plan to buy it. The only thing that is a question in my mind now is if the Halo 2 Multiplayer map pack is worth it. Is it?
> I’ve beaten every Halo that I have except for Spartan Assault, ODST, and Halo CE Anniversary. I do not have Halo Wars and I do not plan to buy it. The only thing that is a question in my mind now is if the Halo 2 Multiplayer map pack is worth it. Is it?
Since you can’t play the multiplayer without using XBC, I would say no. Don’t waste your money for something you will probably never use.
> I’ve beaten every Halo that I have except for Spartan Assault, ODST, and Halo CE Anniversary. I do not have Halo Wars and I do not plan to buy it. The only thing that is a question in my mind now is if the Halo 2 Multiplayer map pack is worth it. Is it?
If you play XBC and you want to play DLC games, yes it’s worth it.
Also, if you’re like me and play LAN with friends, it’s good to have extra maps. (I have the DLC downloaded, my friends use the disc).
It also comes with a cool documentary about designing the maps, if you’re are into that stuff (I know I am).
> I’ve beaten every Halo that I have except for Spartan Assault, ODST, and Halo CE Anniversary. I do not have Halo Wars and I do not plan to buy it. The only thing that is a question in my mind now is if the Halo 2 Multiplayer map pack is worth it. Is it?
It depends on who you’re going to play with. The XBC community is VERY small. You’ll be lucky to get in a game that isn’t Lockout with maybe 2-3 people tops. I’ve only been in a 4v4 a few times. Then the chance of the XBC peeps playing map pack maps are very small. I would suggest buying them though if you just wanted to run around them and enjoy them. Most of them are fit for 1v1’s if that’s what you planned on doing through split-screen. Warlock, Turf, Sanctuary, Backwash, and Elongation are some of the better 1v1 maps. If you wanted to mess around/glitch on bigger maps you also have a big variety. I’d suggest exploring Containment.
> > I’ve beaten every Halo that I have except for Spartan Assault, ODST, and Halo CE Anniversary. I do not have Halo Wars and I do not plan to buy it. The only thing that is a question in my mind now is if the Halo 2 Multiplayer map pack is worth it. Is it?
>
> It depends on who you’re going to play with. The XBC community is VERY small. You’ll be lucky to get in a game that isn’t Lockout with maybe 2-3 people tops. I’ve only been in a 4v4 a few times. Then the chance of the XBC peeps playing map pack maps are very small. I would suggest buying them though if you just wanted to run around them and enjoy them. Most of them are fit for 1v1’s if that’s what you planned on doing through split-screen. Warlock, Turf, Sanctuary, Backwash, and Elongation are some of the better 1v1 maps. If you wanted to mess around/glitch on bigger maps you also have a big variety. I’d suggest exploring Containment. :)
Man i spent hours on Containment!
I would strongly recommend buying it, it’s a great game with an amazing campaign
Halo 2 has got to be the best halo game out of them all. It is original and the campaign is perfect.