NEWS: Microsoft Discuss Halo 2 Anniversary's Multiplayer

The multiplayer aspect in the highly anticipated Halo 2 remake would have "to be fantastic."

Speaking with IGN, Microsoft Game Studies boss Phil Spencer has highlighted some of the most important features which would have to be included in the Halo 2 remake. 

Spencer initially discusses important moments during the original release of Halo 2 back in November 2004:

"In this fiticious world where that game existed", he says whilst smiling according to IGN - "it's an easy answer: it has to be just the multiplayer experience that we all found in that first Halo 2 game. If you think about what happened in the franchise and what were the hallmark moments - when did duel wielding come in, when did another playable character that wasn't Master Chief come in?"

More notably, Spencer goes on to speak on the multiplayer:

"All of the things that you and I know about the evolution of the franchise, if you're going to say one thing about Halo 2, you're going to talk about real multiplayer. I think you just have to nail that in just such a fundamentally core way. Frankly [we'd have to do it] probably better than we did with Halo 1 Anniversary. I thought the multiplayer in Halo 1 Anniversary was good, but Halo 1 never had multiplayer in the truest sense, so it always was going to be something different."

Although Spencer only speaks in a way which indicates the anniversary remake is yet to be announced, Master Chief's voice actor Steve Downes recently said:

"What you can look forward to this year is an anniversary edition of Halo 2."

Halo 2 was one of the most successful titles to incorporate online multiplayer during the lifespan of the original Xbox - the servers were shut down April 2010.

NEWS: Halo 2 Anniversary Becomes Increasingly Possible

The voice-actor for Master Chief has given very brief details regarding the release of Halo 2 Anniversary.

Although it's not an official announcement by any means, Master Chief voice-actor Steve Downes has spoken on the release of a Halo 2 remake, as well as Halo 5.

Speaking with Gamezone, Downes gave the impression people shouldn't be expecting a 2014 release of Halo 5, and that we shouldn't "expect anything until 2015.", going on to say "What you can look forward to this year is an anniversary edition of Halo 2."

Rumours of the remake have been lingering for quite some time, especially since the anniversary edition of the original Halo released in 2011. Hopefully more details will arise soon.

NEWS: Games with Gold Mid-October 2013 - Halo 3

Microsoft has revealed Halo 3 as the next free-to-download title.

If for some crazy reason you still haven't played Halo 3, it will be joining Microsoft's Games with Gold promotion on October 16-31. Of course, the game will be completely free to download, which usually sells for around £5-15 from most retailers.

Fancy playing Halo 3 matchmaking again? Now's your chance if you've got rid of your physical copy. The game was originally released in September 2007 and served as one of the most anticipated games on the Xbox 360, taking place directly after the cliffhanger ending of Halo 2.

FEATURE: My First Halo 2 Vista Montage

Just a quick post to let you know my first Halo 2 Vista montage has been uploaded, my friend DarkAspire did all of the editing, you can visit his channel HERE.

There are some leftover clips so I am planning on putting together a quick leftover video, and there are plenty more clips ready for montage number 2. Feature1

FEATURE: The Games I'm Currently Playing - Volume 3!

I haven't done one of these in a while, so I am now planning on doing one each month. Either way, let's get to it.

Saints Row: The Third

System: PS3

I have never actually played the first two games in this series, but through nothing but praise for this game from a friend, I decided to give it a shot.

Initially, I thought this could be a Grand Theft Auto rip-off, but it's so much more. I fell in love with it instantly - the ridiculous gameplay, the fantastic humour, there's just so much to do in this game. A sandbox game that oozes fun at every corner, an absolutely must-play for any gamer.

I have finished the storyline and most of the other optional tasks to, all I have left to do are the vehicle thefts, then that platinum trophy is mine. Extremely fun game with a lot of depth, definitely going to be buying the first two in the future.

Krusty's Super Fun House

System: MegaDrive

An interesting game for sure - it's no secret the majority of The Simpsons games back in the day were nothing short of awful, but here's one that I am actually really enjoying.

A puzzle game with a nice Simpsons touch, whilst some of the levels are pure hell to solve, there's no denying that this game is really well put together with brilliant level design, a real challenge but one worth beating.

I'm on the fourth world out of five so far and the levels are getting really hard now, it doesn't help I'm not the best at puzzle games either, however I'm still really enjoying this title. A retro Simpsons game I'd happily recommend.

Halo 2 Vista

System: Windows

I have recently done a solo-legendary playthrough of this game, partly to get the 1000/1000GS, but also to prove to myself I could do it.

On the original Xbox version, I could never get through a legendary run by myself, so I'm extremely happy I finally managed to do it, even if it is the Vista version.

Either way, the main reason I got this game is because I wanted to play online again - the game has actually been installed on my system for months and I've been playing it since then.

Halo 2 is one of my all-time favourite online games, so to get a chance to play it once again was incredible. Having a massive amounts of fun with this game, I even have a montage coming up, watch the trailer HERE. Feature1

FEATURE: Keeping Halo 2 Alive!

Halo 2 has played a massive part in my social gaming life, it was one of the first multiplayer games I truly got into, and it is something that has a special place in my heart. When I found out in April 2010 the servers were going to be shut down for good, I was devastated. My all-time favourite online game would no longer be available to play, I know most people will say oh it's only a game but I was genuinely really sad about this.

That was until I found out the game would be released as part of the Games for Windows scheme, but I didn't have the appropriate specifications on my system, so again - pure disappointment. However, since then I have been able to install it on a better system, and it runs perfectly. When I plugged in my Xbox 360 controller, it felt just like the original Xbox version, and I was playing online constantly, having so much fun and relishing in the fact I can play Halo 2 yet again without any of that annoying Xbox Connect nonsense. 

It was reported that the PC servers would also be shut down in June 2013, which made me feel the same anger and disappointment I felt with the original servers, however they are still online and a big part of that is the support of the community, who have contacted 343 Industries themselves in order to keep the servers online, and being a part of a community like that makes me feel good as not only a gamer but part of a team that loves Halo 2 and wants to play it for many more years to come.

So, what am I actually getting at here? I'd like you to help me along with many others to keep Halo 2 going, to do this simply buy the game or download it legally (wink wink), and come play with the community, it is generally cheap to buy either way. From personal experience, I had massive problems with the downloaded version, so I would advise to just buy the disc instead, much easier and less hassle that way. 

You do need an Xbox LIVE account but it doesn't have to be gold, you can play Halo 2 PC for free which is something I really appreciate since I don't have gold any more. If you decide to join the community, please leave your GamerTag in the comments below and I'll be happy to add you and we'll run some games together. Don't hesitate to check out my YouTube channel with a ton of clips and gameplay HERE

Join for forum that helped keep Halo 2 PC alive HERE, really great community with a lot of passion for the game still. Feature1