I finally beat Halo 2 and here's what I have to say:

[Sandman]

Wow.

After all this talk about the ending being totally crap had me sitting on the 14th level unwilling to finally finish the game, I finally beat it. Today, nobody was on Xbox Live for be to dominate so I decided I'd finish the game up.

The last 2 levels were fucking awesome, almost as good as the earth levels at the beginning of the game. Tons of vehicles and the environments were great. Tons of blasting away with badass weapons such as the shotgun, brute shot, and sword.

The ending was a cliffhanger, but I thought it was freaking awesome. I have about as many questions as I did after seeing Matrix Revolutions. My heart is pounding because I thought it was so damn cool. It was completely unexpected what happened, but it was a great twist.

Those of you who have been to intimidated to beat the game because of reports that the ending sucks should really try it out for yourself. I loved it. I know some people really don't like it, but I think you should try it before you knock it. I know I'm glad I did.

[Sendok]

when you rescued the maries, and the enemies come back down that grav lift did you go to the lift look up and blow em away? its funny to see

[Sandman]

No, I didn't. In fact all of my Marines died because I somehow got separated from them as well as all the enemies.. I was like roaming around by myself and when I figured out where to go everything was already dead except for likea grunt

[Prince]

The last few levels were fucking awesome. So epic and huge. So beautiful. So fun.

Fighting alongside the Hunters and taking out all those Brutes = so fucking awesome!

[goku2057]

Yeah, the last MAster Cheif one was crazy.

[Sendok]

^yea that was insane, i almost killed one on accident the first time cause i was like "omg hunters die! then i realized they were on my side. lol.

Did anyone notice that the buggers really didn't do much for the game? They really never figured in much to me. Sure a nice mix for the comabt, but they just didn't seem like "covenant material"

[goku2057]

Just play the game on Heroic. Hunters are scary as shit.

[Sandman]

The buggers kicked my ass more than enough times. The master chief level was very badass, but most of my hunters actually ended up dying pretty quick because I suck at defending them. I just liked how in the last two levels, you got to use alot of the more powerful guns more often.

Also, what did you guys think about the cut-scene after the credits?

[goku2057]

The wone with that monster thingy and Cortana?

Interesting.

[Sandman]

One of the most epic parts of the game is when you're the Arbiter and you cut the cables on that one map and you're falling. That part fucking rules.

[Sendok]

yeah that was badass, anyone notice how you can't kill sarge or that one eliete dude, yah know the guy missin half a mouth? believe me i've tried every chance i got.

Also, was it just me, or did gravemind not come through *vocally* on 5.1?

the cut-scene was good at the end-o-credits, i was hoping to see another glimpse of the arbiter though.

[Sandman]

Yeah, I actually was wondering if it was possible to kill them. I did want another look at the Arbiter but it's no big deal. I wonder if in Halo 3 he and the elites will form a full alliance with the humans?

[Sendok]

i would imagine so, the covenant has collapased more or less. All that remains utterly loyal would be the brutes, and maybe the drones.

I do wonder what gravemind has instore for the next game. cause you know you are going back to that ring. unless he put something in cheif that would make him set off the beacon?

[Sandman]

I also wonder what the gravemind has in store.

If the elites and other Covenant are on your side though, how will you differentiate through them the whole game, aside from having a red or green cursor? I mean I shot my team a few times in Halo 2.. I can't imagine what a whole game of that would be like.

[Sendok]

i would imagine it would be kinda like the arbitor levels against the "heretic leader" where they all look funky.

and btw... anyone think there is more than one gravemind? i would think that there would be one on every ring right?

[Greg]

you would think so but you never know maybe that one is special

[dave]

halo & halo2 are really good. they'll be subjects of discussion on forums for years to come