Why is the AR in H2A:MP?

I just do not understand why the assault rifle is in Halo 2 Anniversary Multiplayer, that would be like putting the SMG in Halo 1 Anniversary. Really, even if you don’t like the SMG there’s BRs everywhere on the every map, and honestly if you don’t like the BR, don’t even play Halo 2.

I believe the reasoning behind this was because it was kinda universally agreed that the SMG was a horrid starting weapon. In non-BR starts, the AR is generally the starter weapon now, with the option of picking up SMG’s around the map.

Maybe 343 shares the opinion that there was no reason for the AR to not be in Halo 2 in the first place. It was in every other Halo game, but inexplicably absent from 2.

Yea the AR is in every game. There is better stuff but the SMG is not as good in my opinion for an auto weapon. .

343i felt it was necessary to place back into multiplayer. As others have said, it was the only game without it.

343i actually had no control over this decision, it was made by the guys and gals at Certain Affinity, including Max Hoberman (the man in charge of creating Halo 1 and 2’s multiplayer in the first place). Halo 2 Anniversary was meant to be seen as a Director’s Cut of Halo 2, including some elements in the maps and sandbox that were meant to be in the game in the first place, but for whatever reason, were not included. The AR falls under this category, as does the Hornet and Silenced SMG. Halo 2 Anniversary was never meant to be an exact replica of the original Halo 2 multiplayer.

But let’s be honest here, does having the Assault Rifle in Halo 2 Anniversary really hurt anybody? What does it personally do to deter from your gaming experience? If you don’t like the Assault Rifle, then simply don’t use it. Creating a thread saying that it shouldn’t be added in, telling people to use the BR or to not play Halo 2… What does that accomplish?

I’m pretty sure it’s because they wanted to have the AR in Halo 2 originally. That and since it is universally agreed that the H2 SMG is horrid whereas the AR actually gives you a chance I’d say that’s the reason.

But let’s be honest here, does having the Assault Rifle in Halo 2 Anniversary really hurt anybody? What does it personally do to deter from your gaming experience? If you don’t like the Assault Rifle, then simply don’t use it. Creating a thread saying that it shouldn’t be added in, telling people to use the BR or to not play Halo 2… What does that accomplish?

Well I don’t know what it accomplishes honestly, but in my opinion the SMG is meant to be dual wielded. I’m sorry if I came across as saying that you should only use the BR or not play at all, I was just angry after playing 37 games on Shrine in the HCS matchmaking.

The AR, silenced-SMG and Hornet are fan service weapons from the other Halos.

The SMG for ODST.
The Hornet for H3.
… The AR for having a viable fullauto off of spawn that allows a player to use melee and grenades without worrying that they have too much spread to attack the BR or Carbine user only 10m away.

Many here are wrong.

The AR was added in because it never made it into Halo 2 classic. It was originally going to be in there but because of a deadline they didn’t make it happen.
The silenced SMG was put in because it was a fan favourite and because it was available during that timeline.
The red sword was added in for good measure and the Hornet was added so that the Banshee isn’t the only flying vehicle.

Having the AR in H2A isn’t bad. It adds to the arsenal and allows people to do a machinimas a bit more interesting aswell as to give the game a feel even more classic with the iconic AR.

The AR was going to be in the original Halo 2 but it got cut. The main problem for me personally is that the AR is game breaking in that it beats all other close quarters and mid ranged weapons, and can even be used effectively at long distance.

Would it kill them to have included the Gravity Hammer along with that H2A Forge? It’s like “Hey Grifball players! We hear you like being able to forge maps, but we won’t let you actually play the game you want on them! And to really rub it in your face, here’s RICOCHET!”

H2A, i don’t know why they wasted their time making it. IT’S NOT Halo 2 with better graphics. It’s some Frankenstein game that plays horrible. Not to mention all the H2A vehicles suck making BTB absolutely useless.

> 2613026033812813;13:
> H2A, i don’t know why they wasted their time making it. IT’S NOT Halo 2 with better graphics. It’s some Frankenstein game that plays horrible. Not to mention all the H2A vehicles suck making BTB absolutely useless.

I agree. Thank you.

> 2533274843463464;10:
> Many here are wrong.
>
> The AR was added in because it never made it into Halo 2 classic. It was originally going to be in there but because of a deadline they didn’t make it happen.
> The silenced SMG was put in because it was a fan favourite and because it was available during that timeline.
> The red sword was added in for good measure and the Hornet was added so that the Banshee isn’t the only flying vehicle.
>
> Having the AR in H2A isn’t bad. It adds to the arsenal and allows people to do a machinimas a bit more interesting aswell as to give the game a feel even more classic with the iconic AR.

Not to be THAT guy, but the silenced SMG was originally meant to be in Halo 2, and can actually still be placed within maps in the PC version of Halo 2, as can be seen here.

The Hornet, while not originally cut from Halo 2, seems to be put in as a replacement for the human flying vehicle that was supposed to be in Halo 2 : the Kestrel. While I can’t post a video of it here, there are ways to see this vehicle in action. Sort of.

Its actually not bad. Better than dual wield smgs. It sucks that the fire rate goes down when you duel wield smgs.

The AR is actually pretty good in H2:A. It’s got the damage of the Halo 4 Assault rifle I would say. I pick it up when ever I see it.

The thing is, it’s the Halo 4 AR. So it’s actually really good. I had 2 guys charge my tower with BRs while I had it and I killed them Both with just one ma. Scoring me a double kill. I think I have the footage of it still. I’ll check. if it is. I’ll post it

Also the Halo 3: ODST smg is in the game with zoom and every. But has 60 rounds over the 48 and you can duel wield them (gets rid of Zoom though) Also it fires faster and is more accurate then the Regular smg. Emptying rounds at the same time it took the H3:ODST smg too. It is pretty damaging

All things being considered I’d rather have a AR than a SMG.

REAL ANSWER:

Halo 2 Anniversary (multiplayer, at least) is just a modified version of Halo 4. The AR already existed in Halo 4, so they just ran with it.