The Tuesday that changed the world for a certain segment of the male population wasn’t Nov. 2.
It was Nov. 9.
That was the release date of “Halo 2,” the highly anticipated sequel to the shoot-‘em-up video game on Microsoft’s Xbox system.
Since then, the buzz about the battle between the Covenant and the Master Chief has been almost as loud and widespread as the one between Republicans and Democrats.
After a week of taking alien groups and trying to save humanity, “Halo 2” players are giving the new game rave reviews.
“It’s awesome,” said 13-year-old Paul Oswald of Monroe. “It has 10 times better graphics than the old one, and it’s way more time consuming.”
Paul was a little worried the game wouldn’t live up to the high expectations built up during the several months leading up to the release. But those concerns were unfounded.
“I was afraid … the graphics would be kind of cheesy,” he said. “But I like all the new weapons and the whole new plot.”
Paul’s mom isn’t crazy about the violence in the game and keeps limits on how long he can play. Those limits are what might stop him from finishing the campaign any quicker than a couple of weeks.
Still, the game offers higher levels of difficulty and a variety of options to keep his interest, including the ability to play head-to-head with friends at home and around the world using the Xbox Live feature that connects players over the Internet.
Over in Snohomish, the glow coming from 28-year-old Myles Sundin’s television late at night is thanks to his new favorite game.
“I’m trying to lock myself away and play as much as can,” Sundin said. “But I have two young children, so I’m trying not to neglect them too much. I’m playing it now after they go to bed.”
Sundin was looking forward to the release for months, much to the dismay of his wife, Jesikah.
“I was looking at all the Web pages and trying to show her all the videos they released (on the Microsoft Web site),” Sundin said. “She was just bored.”
Internet bulletin boards are already buzzing with tips on how to beat the game, shortcuts and other background.
Players brag about how quickly they’ve been able to conquer the challenge, and discuss their favorite weapons and the twists and turns in the game’s plot.
But – just days following the release of a sequel that came out three years after the original – the new question is already out there:
Halo 3?
Reporter Victor Balta: 425-339-3455 or vbalta@heraldnet.com.
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
