It's time I reviewed Halo 2, so here goes. Halo 2 may easily be my favorite of the three games in the trilogy, mainly because it seems to stike a balance between the various changes made throughout the installments and because I find the plot more enjoyable than the other two. It seems to be the gold standard, to be honest, multiplayer notwithstanding.

The story of Halo 2 picks up right where the first game left off: You, as the Master Chief, begin the game on a space station over Earth where your actions in the previous game are being commended. During the ceremony the station comes under attack from an alien confederation called the Covenant who have declared war on just about the entire known universe. From there the fighting spreads to the surface of Earth, and then back into space for more good, clean, zero-gee fun. The plot is more complex and deeper than its predecessor, but not so much that the game becomes convoluted beyond understanding. Bungie added all sorts of little details that fans will spend considerable time deciphering.

The controls have been tweaked somewhat. While movement and aiming hasn't changed noticeably, the game picks up close shots better and weapons feel more natural to wield and fire. The old assault rifle, my favorite weapon, has been replaced with a rifle that sports a scope and three-shot burst. Sometimes this shows its advantages, but I personally prefer the older weapon for a few reasons. In other news, some new toys have been added to the game, such as the brute shot, which is comparable to a grenade launcher in its use. One nice change was made to the Scorpion tank: the player now has the ability to turn the turret independently of the body, allowing strafe runs and the like. It's a little detail that has a massive impact.

In terms of graphics, I think I can safely say this game is to Xbox what Perfect Dark was to N64. It pushes the system to its limit with textures and complex objects, and it shows. On occasion you will turn a corner and see a completely textureless wall before you, but only for half a second or so before the game renders it. To its credit, the game manages to remain at a smooth framerate the entire time, working hard to keep that framerate top priority. That being said, environments are exponentially more detailed than in the previous Halo. New Mombasa has a gritty, dirty feel to it that rather reminds me of scenes from Black Hawk Down. The spaceships have more detailed bulkheads and plates that have a scruffy worn-down look, while the Covenant ships feature smooth surfaces that look as though they are polished twice a day. The many different environs all contribute to creating a game world just as immersive as, if not more than, the first Halo.

All told, it's just as fun and engaging an adventure as the original Halo, the game that launched the Xbox. Bungie continues their saga with a stunning epic that sets the perfect stage for a third game by the end. Some people were supremely annoyed by this; I found it refreshing. And just like the first Halo, even though there were no real rewards to go back for or cheats to unlock, I once again felt compelled to play through the game a second time on a higher difficulty. With a bit of practice, even Legendary mode can be just as fun as Easy.