Apart from the graphics, Halo 2's single player campaign hasn't received any notable upgrades. Instead, most of the attention was put on Games for Windows Live! which launches at the same time Halo 2 does. For the first time, PC gamers will have a universal gamertag to communicate with people on Xbox consoles. Future games will make better use of this tool, but Halo 2 sticks mainly to the basics. Players can communicate with Xbox users, but can't challenge them to a multiplayer match, since the wide technology gap between the two versions makes it impossible. The ability to create a local Live! server for easy challenge match-ups and competition (something Xbox 360 users can't do) shouldn't be glossed over, but the player base seems limited to those who have upgraded to Vista.
Multiplayer includes the modes from the console version and has the add-on pack that Xbox users paid for, along with two exclusive maps created by Hired Gun of Microsoft Game Studios, the people responsible for porting the game over. Overall, the game has a strong selection of multiplayer modes. Modding for multiplayer has become possible, but only indirectly. Halo 2 for Vista includes full map making tools, the same ones Bungie used to develop the original game, so users can make custom maps complete with custom rules. Having game rules built into the map does the job, but it doesn't exactly compare to applying user-created rules to existing ones.
Halo 2 takes advantage of a handful of Vista's capabilities. Inserting the disc and playing almost immediately while the game installs in the background provides a great experience, but this quickly becomes a short-lived memory. Since the game doesn't take advantage of DirectX 10, the only reason it was made a Vista exclusive was for the sake of trying to sell more copies of Vista. This kind of challenge proves more than the Master Chief can handle. Although Halo 2 generally plays well, it doesn't have the strength to compete with the more recent shooters.
Final Score: 7 (out of 10)
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