can anyone please confirm if there is a safe function in the 2 player co-op splitscreen game!? this would be really good news!
-
-
Halo 2 AI reviewed by "vociferous" (attention: minor spoilers ahead):
source:
"Someone asked me if the AI in this game was any better than the AI in the original game and the answer is a profound yes. In the original game the enemies were intelligent to a degree, but they didn't learn much from their mistakes. They moved in a sort of random way, which sometimes illicited the notion of intelligence and others just unimpressed.
Halo 2 has some definitive improvements but let me point out some negative qualities as well. First, there were times when enemies would jump atop something or stand facing a wall and wouldn't move. I noticed this on more than one occaision which is something I didn't notice from the first game. It wasn't often and I imagine you could play through the game several times without noticing it, but I have and its very lackluster. The Flood isn't overly improved either, although they can operate vehicles and turrets with some efficacy. There's not much to them I guess, but when they just run at you blinding swinging their arms around, its quite easy to wonder why the developers thought it be worthwhile to have them around again if they're going to be almost the same as before. And although the Marines can drive now, they're wreckless as hell. They'll drive into a wall sometimes and put you in prime position to get nailed by a Wraith lobbing plasma. Sometimes they'll run right into a Ghost-ridden area and you can be sure that there will be some "explodinating" going on and I'm not talking about the Ghosts. Another negative aspect is that the best players to fight alongside as the Master Chief are the ODSTs, and they're only in the game for a brief five minute stint near the beginning of a level half-way through the game. They are never in the game again, which is a shame because they're pretty kick ass. They actually are as effective as you would expect a Spartan to be.
The good AI element list is quite a commentary on the game. First, let me say that when you die, if you create a pattern when you come back to life, the enemy AI will recognize it and adjust itself to address that pattern you created. An example would be if you made it to a checkpoint at a spot where you're dealing with two Wraiths, but instead of heading straight past them to the objective you go back to finish off some Banshees which might pose a problem if they're unchecked. Well, each time you go back you get shot down by the Banshees and the Wraith's recognize this, so upon entering the level a third time they'll already be turned around and will start lobbing plasma your way. This makes it unrealistic to a degree, but it blocks out the game from being mundane. Another example of this would be a specific section of a latter level where you break into a Covenant facility and enter a room where there are about five Brutes breaking through the door to come and get you. This room has an underground compartment area which can put you behind them, but you're dying left and right. So you start to establish a pattern which you go into the lower compartment first and they realize this and jump in right as you do instead of meander for a good while looking for you. They not only do this between restarts but during the game.
Another element of the AI which has improved is their ability to seem different approaches to their battles. You have a situation where my friend is off, fighting two Elites on Ghosts, he boards one and knocks him out, killing him, but there's another. My friend gets wasted by him while I'm clear on the other side of the room. I take out the Elite with Battle Rifle fire and destroy his Ghost, but I didn't notice that the Ghost which the previous Elite was on wasn't destroyed. I also didn't notice that the Grunt nearby who had been hiding the whole fight had located the still-intact yet extremely damaged Ghost (sometimes you can't tell from a distance). So while I'm scavenging for weapons I hear a Ghost-boost sound coming from behind me and BAM. I get splattered against the wall because this Grunt, grabbed the Ghost and came after me. They do the same thing with turrets, in fact it should be noted that all enemies can man turrets and vehicles.
Jackals are bitches. Not much has changed in terms of close-range AI. They still have their shields some of the time and they act similarly, crouching behind the shields when they get in a bad spot; but they're much better snipers than I ever imagined. Even early in the game, from rooftops they'll perch in a good spot deep within the shadows with their Beam Rifle. When they find an open shot you'll here a whir sound and a purple flash and even on Normal, if you don't move quick enough the next shot is your ass. Interestingly, since they're not strong enough to melee with the Beam Rifle, if you get close to them (as they can't carry a shield and a Beam Rifle at the same time), they'll drop the gun and run with their head covered. Elites have an interesting manner about them as well. When a battle begins to get heated they'll either hide behind an object and peeking around the corner or they'll climb the nearest elevated position to get a better firing area on you. Brutes won't do this, they'll fire at you from a distance and then get pissed off if you're still alive and lower their shoulder. They're much tougher as well, as it takes three direct hits from a Fuel Rod Cannon or Brute Shot to take them down. I have yet to try a Rocket Launcher (I don't know if there are any located in the said levels), but they're tough assholes. Needless to say, they change their tactics based on proximity and the size of the area they're in which is consistent and cool.
One of the best terms of AI in the game is at the last level when some familiar creatures assist in a break in of sorts and they actively stand and shield you from enemies, charging their way through with you. It works out well because the other companions in your part stay in suit and follow behind these two until there's enough room to breach. They'll wait for you if they need to or fall back when you're taking your time with the remaining scrappers. This part, mostly because of the AI, is probably one of the coolest moments in the game. It and the ODST incursion are respectfully the best ally AI available in the game, and you can tell obvious improvements in that field. From a general basis the AI has improved, but there's some inconsistancy which is frustrating to some degree. Overall though, I'd say its quite noticeable. If you have any questions I'll try to answer them to the best of my ability."
some very good impressions, if you ask me.Last edited by Uli; 31-10-2004, 15:07.Comment
-
please tell me the flood are not in the game for more than five minuites.Comment
-
Why would you not want the flood in the game??? They kicked ass in Halo and I for one would welcome there return. Would prefer a new take on the enemies of course and some original enemies introduced through the plot but if the flood have a feature I am looking forward to placing shotgun sheels in each and every one of them
Only 10 days to go... they should create a new word for what I am feeling at the prospect of this game!! Excited dont even scratch the muther FKN surface!!Comment
-
I have to agree that the flood would be a bonus in halo 2 because when they burst out of the door in the original was a "oh no" moment.Comment
-
As long as they're in big battles with Covenant then the Flood are fine. Its the Library, where they're mostly all just coming after you (apart from the odd bit where you're helped by the robots) that they suck. The monotonous design of the Library didn't help of course. The big Flood v Covenant scrap on the snowy plain where you need to nick a Banshee is one of the best set-pieces in Halo, for me. Really gave a sense of being involved in something bigger than yourself.Comment
-
i know its not on to talk about yarred versions of games on here. but I just wanted to reassure some of the worriedvoices on here. This game takes some adjustment (i was bitterly dissapointed at first), but after just a little investment of time it shows its true colours. Its now fighting disgaea as my game of the year and is superiour to the first one.
This comes after completing the single player on heroic and putting in over 100 hours of multiplayer.
Edit: oh, and the flood are much smarter now.Comment
-
very encouraging words, especially sinnce there's a lot of negative feeedback around (mixed AI, bad ending, no online co-op game modes)!Originally posted by Kerraig UK
could you find out if the splitscreen co-op mode now allows for saving?Comment
-
split screen co-op works the same as before. If you complete a level together it unlocks but you cant save mid level.
the levels are in smaller chunks now though so its not so much of a pain. Assault on the control room would be around 3 levels in halo 2.
I have seen some odd A.I. behaviour and some stupid stuff, but i've also seen some absolutely formidable A.I. in places. I mean real next gen stuff. You can even notice pincer movements with the little flood spores.
Also, the A.I. this time seems 'truer'. How can i explain. Erm...in halo 1 on legendary, when you put your snipe reticule over an elites head he would dart about erratically trying not to get sniped. Even if he hadnt spotted tou. this was an A.I. cheat to make the game harder. Just a routine the programmers put in. Now the elite will just stand there if he hasnt seen you. it seems dumb at first, but it actually makes more sense and is, in a sense 'true' A.I. If he does see you though you'll witness some fantastic A.I. The grunts will keep knocking your zoom out with fire while a jackel tries to get a snipe on you and an elite moves in for the kill.
I've put well over a hundred hours into multiplayer, and at first i thought all my friends were in denial. they all loved it unreservedly while a few things really bugged me about it. but now I love it more than anyone. I had to be in a work meetin at 9am this morning yet I still played on XBC till 6am cos its just so damn addctive.Comment
-
I'm once again going to defend the library as one of the best levels ever. It's like Saurian said in another thread about DMC, he can just go to an area with respawning enemies, put on some stunning music and just kick ass. That's what I can do with the library. Just sit down, co-op and kick ass for a level. Just kill and kill and kill. I actually see myself get better and better at that level.Originally posted by evilmatt
It's just brilliant.Comment
-
Second that nips!!
The attack in the library is astonishing. When I first seen it it was my brother playing it and I hadn't got that far, was like
It the only FPS I have played that has a bit like it. Where you know every shot has to hit home or it is all over!! Hope the flood have even a cameo in the sequel. Open up a can on them with duel wielding SMGs... ssssssssssssssweet!!!
Comment
-
thank you! what about the online modes? is there really no co-op game, let's say some sort of "covenant hunt" where you can team up and fight together???Originally posted by Kerraig UKComment
-
i cant vouch for live content. I'm playing it online over XBC so i havent seen any live stuff at all.
over XBC its amazing though. No lag at all in european servers. Even with 16 players (most of the time). The one slight worry i have is the loaclised voice. the other team can hear you when you are near them, which in theory is a great idea as they can listen in on your tactics and you can insult each other, but I think the actual radius is too wide. they can hear you 50 yeards away, which can really kill any assault on a flag you try or any escape route you plan. Still, i'm sure its something we'll adjust to.Comment
-
Can people stop discussing the content of the leaked game please. Thanks.Comment
-
wont say another word, sorry.Comment
Comment