	Halo 2 Multiplayer Map Pack
	Developer: Bungie Publisher: Microsoft Game Studios Release Date: Out Now Players: 2-4, 2-16 via system link or Xbox Live	Words By:
First of all, let’s just have a quick description of the 9 new maps, the first 4 of which have been available as DLC (DownLoadable Content) to Xbox Live subscribers for a couple of months now: •Containment: A massive icy battlefield on Delta Halo where a huge trench separates two bases, Containment is an immense battlefield that comfortably accommodates 16 players. With a vaguely symmetrical layout and fortified defenses, Containment plays best on objective game types such as Capture the Flag (CTF) and Assault. Plenty of lofty overlooks (many of which can be accessed only by use of a Banshee), make for a sniper’s heaven, and lots of tunnels and caves give places for refuge and alternate routes between the massive bases. There is room for every vehicle in the game making Containment massively entertaining for many players, but just as exciting if the numbers are smaller. •Warlock: A smallish indoor arena set in ancient Forerunner ruins, Warlock offers fast-paced close-quarters action. Based on the original Halo®: Combat Evolved map “Wizard”, Warlock is ideal for medium-sized games and is a blast for game types such as Slayer, Team Slayer and Oddball (it even has colour-coded markings in places to avoid confusion in team games). Its beautiful stone textures and subtle lighting give it a really atmospheric look. Perfect for one-on-one grudge matches too, the default settings place an active camouflage in the centre of the level. •Gemini: Set in space and towering above the lights of High Charity, Gemini is meant as a meditation refuge in the Prophet hierarchy. The layout and décor is highly reminiscent of sections in Halo 2, and the many doors and teleports make for an exciting deathmatch level – like many mp maps in Halo, this one is a lot better than it first appears to be. •Turf: A large, asymmetrical map set in the narrow streets and alleyways of Old Mombasa, Turf features plenty of blind corners for intense battles. While originally designed primarily for multiplayer team games, there is just about room for a Warthog or a Ghost to add some mayhem to the mix. Look out for the knock-down bridges, the Scarab leg and the massive bridge away in the distance. •Relic: There is plenty of evidence of battle scattered all over the sun-baked sands of a lonely island. A crashed Albatross Dropship at one end and forerunner structure dominates the other. Relic looks and feel like a mini-Silent Cartographer, and is a dream to play on for any number, whilst its medium size means that it is perfect for games of one-flag CTF and Assault. •Elongation: If you’re a Halo veteran then you’ll feel right at home on Elongation - it's a reworked version of the original Halo map “Longest”, but redesigned in a way that extends it and does away with the annoying ladders in the cleverest of ways. Set in an orbiting space station (you can see Earth from one side and the Moon from the other), close-quarters face-to-face action is the name of the game here. A constantly moving conveyor belt loaded with crates offers some interesting tactical opportunities… •Terminal: Terminal is another huge, complex map suitable for as many players as you can get to join the game. The location is based on New Mombasa, with a multi-storey car park and a monorail running straight through the middle (and you don’t want to get caught on the tracks, believe me). Terminal is asymmetrical and designed primarily for medium to large games of one-flag CTF or Assault, but it also works great for large games of Team Slayer (play with just two players and you might never bump into each other). •Backwash: Veiled in fog and covered in trees, Backwash is a sodden valley that is all but a swamp. Reminiscent of Halo’s 343 Guilty Spark level, a large Forerunner structure is placed dead centre of the map. The poor visibility and heavy ground cover makes for plenty of sneaky Slayer variants, although snipers might be able to have some fun here too. •Sanctuary: Set in the ancient temple grounds of Delta Halo, Sanctuary’s lawns and elegant structures provided loads of cover and raised walkways, set against a backdrop of beautiful waterfalls and aqueducts – you won’t believe how wet the splashing water looks here. The map consists of two bases divided by crumbling ancient structures, and the symmetrical layout of this map makes it perfect for heated games of CTF and Assault – there's even (just) room for a Ghost or a Warthog. This isn’t just DLC for the sake of it, or DLC to keep the Halo masses quiet, the new maps are really high quality, and the thought behind the design oozes through as you learn more about them – playing Halo 2 after all the other FPS of late really brings home just how good the game is, and also how far in advance of all the others it remains. Rumours that the new DLC might be able to play as other characters from the game proved to be no more than forum gossip, but gameplay enhancements (including some needed tweeks to the various weapon’s damage levels), improved Xbox Live gameplay (including refined matchmaking playlists), ‘making of’ movies and ‘Another Day at the Beach’ short (which shows us what happened to a squad of ODSTs that Master Chief comes across during the game) make the new disk a ‘must have’ for Halo aficionados and Halo 2 multiplayer fans who don’t have Xbox Live yet, and there are an awful lot of them... *Note: The 5 new maps (the Maptacular* pack) are available via Xbox Live now for just £5.99, free on August 30th. The other four maps are now free to download.**

Best Bits
- Adds a whole new lease of life to a classic.
- Some of the new maps are set to become true favourites.

Worst Bits
- No new character skins or new campaign levels, so there's nothing for the solo Halo 2 player here.
-We expected more for £14.99.
- We’re making this up, there’s nothing to complain about here at all really.


by: Sloppy Sneak