I hate mainstream gaming journalism.

[shockingalberto]

According to nearly every review, Halo 2 has a single-player mode that's "mediocre, at best" and Bungie seemingly gave up and gave it no real ending. Yet, despite half the game apparently sucking, it's still getting near (or completely) perfect scores everywhere

Comments

[timetokill]

I haven't heard the single-player was mediocre, but rather that it was short, and ended incredibly abruptly.

I've heard generally that it's similar to Halo's single player, with some improvements, but generally the same feel.

[shockingalberto]

I was thinking about saying "But if it's anything like Halo 1's single player, mediocre is generous."

But then I realized I can phrase it like a question and have the same effect.

Did you ever get to the library?

-- Imran

[cameraman23]

Personally, I liked Halo 1's single player. I take it that you were referring to the library as monotonous because it was confusingly similar from room to room. I thought that this was effective in creating a more horrific feel to that part of the game. The flood are damn freaky, and when you're so turned around that you don't know where they could come from next... it's thrilling.

But then, I like better games than you, reviewerman. =P

[shockingalberto]

Yeah, but you also don't like Metroid. :P

And the library was neat until you had to turn around and do the whole thing over again, except this time, the monsters came from the other wall! SHOCK! INTENSITY! LAZINESS!

-- Imran

[shockingalberto]

Oh, and because I'm the master of not finishing thoughts in one comment:

Let's say Halo's single-player is good. It's not perfect, however, as the scores its gotten (and Halo 2 is getting) seem to want to express. I can't think of any game off the top of my head I would say is perfect, besides possibly Mario 64, but I'm a Mario fanboy.

-- Imran

[cameraman23]

yeah whatever I don't care

I'm almost literally salivating in anticipation for 2. And I don't care how mainstream that is. I'm not a game elitist.

I'm a music elitist.

[shockingalberto]

It's not about being mainstream. If I was against anything mainstream, I'd not be buying MGS3 or MP2.

It's just I don't think anything actually deserves a perfect score unless it's perfect or as close to perfect as seen so far. I guess it's more about score inflation than it is Halo.

But I do stand by that FPSes belong on computers. Half-Life 2 will own Halo 2. Hands down. ^_^

-- Imran

[cameraman23]

nonsense. I prefer the console multiplayer experience. And that's really what FPSes are for, for me.

And I understand about score inflation. But it's a non-issue for me.

And, yeah, HL2 will kick some serious ass.

[shockingalberto]

Oh, and I forgot to mention:

Even "short and ending abruptly" should not be three straight tens.

-- Imran