The installation process, which includes an application that automatically downloads and applies patches, leads directly to creating and/or logging into a Windows Live account. This is primarily to support Halo 2‘s multiplayer mode, but gamers who have no intention of ever entering a multiplayer arena must still open an account before installation can complete. This is bound to be a bone of contention for solo warriors, as at present there seems to be no way around this restriction.

Once fully installed, you’re ready for action — assuming you can get past the developers’ splash screens, which I didn’t my first time through. The sequences stuttered despite my GeForce 8800 GTS, my 2 GB of DDRII RAM and my dual-core processor, then my PC froze and I was treated to the dreaded Blue Screen of Death, followed by an automatic reboot of my computer. Some detective work revealed that one of the patches didn’t install correctly; applying the patches manually solved the problem, and I was set to go.

Halo 2 consists of 13 massive and detailed levels, subdivided by Half Life-style sublevel headers. Each level begins with an in-engine cut scene that advances the story and introduces player objectives. In a surprising twist, you play as Master Chief for the first three levels, but then shift to controlling the Arbiter in his search for the Heretic, trading back and forth between characters several times during the rest of the game. As the story progresses, you’re given the opportunity to not just run and gun on foot, but also to pilot a number of alien and human vehicles, from a giant tank to elegant but deadly Covenant spacecraft.

On the multiplayer side, Halo 2 ships with 23 maps, all but two of which are part of the original Xbox version. Game modes include the usual suspects (Team Deathmatch, Capture the Flag) and a few surprises, including Juggernaut, in which everyone on the map battles one lone player, and Territories, in which the object is to capture and hold the most map landscape. Up to 16 players per match are supported, and a detailed server browser allows you to sort the available games by a number of criteria, including game mode, number of players and ping rate.

On the surface, Halo 2 seems to be a winner. But this Halo is tarnished, as you will observe…