New Halo 2 Maps

[Matt Young]

It's true! here's the digest version: Two new maps, both available on April 17th through the Halo 2 downloader in the game itself, and it's just $4 for the pair.The maps ar Tombstone and Desolation - remakes of Hang 'Em High and Derelict, respectively.

 

Go look at 'em right now: New Halo 2 Map Shots!

http://www.bungie.net/Projects/Halo2/default.aspx

 

It's an original Xbox download, so there's no way to use MS points - and you WILL need an Xbox Live Gold account to download and play, since the original Xbox (even in BC mode) can't tell the difference between gold and silver. But you CAN use these on 360, just so we're clear. You just need to use a credit card for the purchase, instead of marketplace points. We'll have LOTS more info in the update later today, and in the meantime, here's the full text of the press release:

 

HALO 2 MULTIPLAYER MAPS REVEALED

 

Microsoft Game Studios and Bungie Studios today confirmed the upcoming release of two new, eagerly awaited downloadable maps for “Halo® 2.” The maps will be available as premium downloadable content for Xbox® and Xbox 360™ on April 17.

 

Fans of the original “Halo” have long requested the addition of some of their favorite maps to the critically acclaimed multiplayer experience of “Halo 2.” These re-creations, developed by Bungie and Certain Affinity Inc., are a perfect way to thank fans for their support as they surpass 800 million hours of “Halo 2” gaming on Xbox LIVE®.

 

The two maps will bring new life to ancient battlefields and legendary skirmishes, as both are new, improved and redesigned remakes of fan favorites from the original “Halo: Combat Evolved.” For the price of $4 for the pair, these maps bring a fresh burst of action to the seminal “Halo 2” online multiplayer experience. Both of the maps will be available through the “Halo 2” in-game content downloader for both Xbox and Xbox 360.*

 

The king of “Halo” maps has returned at last. Hang ’Em High, arguably the most popular multiplayer map for the original title, has been reimagined for “Halo 2” as Tombstone, with all-new graphics, features and a few hidden surprises. Now fans will enjoy the dangerous catwalks and trenches that made this the most requested “Halo” multiplayer map ever, with a modernized “Halo 2” flavor.

 

The second map, Desolation, is a symmetrical, Deathmatch-oriented map and a beautiful remake of the original Derelict. With new graphics and effects and a massive gameplay overhaul, the old favorite is now faster-paced and more balanced than ever — perfect for intense “Halo 2” combat.

[A Happy Medium]

Hang 'Em High was all about the pistol in the first Halo. I'd imagine the battle rifle will be the main weapon in this one.

 

Then again, the battle rifle is very important in nearly every map.

[Matt Young]

I actually never played multiplayer in the first Halo, so I am anxious to try these out. I am surprised they are releasing any Halo 2 maps, though.

[A Happy Medium]

You should enjoy the Hang 'Em High map. Catwalk battles, and they have some nice shotgun pits, if that makes any sense at all.

[Conspiracy_Victim]

I hated Hang 'Em High. Not because of the map itself (there were some really nice ambush points to shotgun the crap out of people) but because of who I played against. Several guys in my multiplayer circle were pretty much world-class Halo players (literally world class, they competed against the Ogres on a regular basis in tournaments) and would pistol the shit out of me from across the map with disgusting regularity. Then, when they got bored with that, they would grenade down the overshield and go overshield/invis/rocket launcher on everyone.

 

It was more fun to watch them play other people.

[David Blazenwing]

That's why I stopped playing Halo 2 against anybody but my closest friends. Too many "serious" players, better than I am. Not much of a FPS fan, but it's still no fun getting WTFPWNED in one of the few FPS series I do enjoy. At least with IRL friends, they go easy on noobs like me.

[Scroby]

The new maps will be great, but the next update is going to blow balls.