I've thought about writing a long review that’s in-depth on why I love Halo 2. I've replayed this game dozens of times. Even had a small time period where I picked up casually speedrunning it. And yes, I've beaten it on Legendary solo, more than once.
And even with all this time to think about it, it's still hard to put into words. Did this game come into my life at a very formative and meaningful part of my life, and that's just why it stuck with me so hard? Nah, I don't think it's just that, even if that plays a part.
I think Halo 2's narrative is just so fuckin' RAW. As a sequel, its just so expansive on the in-game universe in a way that tickles my brain. Starting off showing the immediate ramifications of Halo 1, and not only expanding upon the Covenant, but showing the person that takes the fall for Chief's actions, and turning Thel 'Vadam, the Arbiter, into a deuteragonist, is so incredible.
This game hits a depth in writing that none of the other Halo campaigns end up reaching. Hearing all of the Covenant terms of things, like "Oracle" referring to the monitors, "the Sacred Icon" referring to the index, and of course "The Great Journey" referring to the activation of Halo is all just such cool worldbuilding. Halo 1 establishes the Covenant as a religious cult that worshipped the Forerunners, but Halo 2 actually truly puts you in their shoes, given you get to play as a member of the Covenant.
And that's the really cool part. Thel 'Vadam, the Arbiter, fundamentally changed my BRAIN. I am not joking, he's so fucking hot holy fucking shit actual gay awakening this game is the reason why I'm gay and why I'm like That. Jesus fucking christ why did they start the game with him being stripped NAKED, that rewired my brain. I am not Normal. AHEM, okay though actually going to the character analysis though, I love how this game goes into the dangers of religious indoctrination. The Covenant is literally a death cult, built upon a foundation of lies. The complete and utter irony of Thel's first two campaign missions being to exterminate "Heretics" who are those who ended up finding out the truth about the rings, just slightly too early... God damn...
And the political schemings of the Prophet of Truth to seize all power, is such cool and more easily-missed writing if you're not paying that much attention to the overarching narrative. Intentionally letting the Prophet of Regret go to Earth early, leading to Regret's death on Delta Halo, and also intentionally allowing Mercy to die during the invasion of the Flood on High Charity... And his entire power play to oust the Sangheili (the elites) out of power to then allow the Jiralhanae (the brutes) to become his high guard, because Truth recognizes that Sangheili are too fuckin' smart and will figure out the truth eventually whereas Jiralhanae are blindly faithful.
One of my favorite cutscenes in the game has to be right at the end of Halo 2, with Thel's final confrontation with Tartarus. The way Thel’s voice shifts into a slightly higher octave and speaks a bit softer when he finally gets to ask 343 about the truth of the halo rings, his expression upon finally confirming his entire faith was a lie and the exasperation of the Prophet’s betrayal, and yet he still tries to reason Tartarus... Thel 'Vadam you beautiful man...
This is completely ignoring the other half of the campaign, Master Chief. It's a really interesting intertwined narrative, as you see both the human and covenant campaigns progress. I love especially on Delta Halo that you can see the Sentinel Wall, and vice versa that you can see the lakes Delta Halo takes place on, from the wall.
Chief's campaign side is definitely less story intensive, but it does a wonderful job setting up stakes. The game starting off with the Battle of Earth (Part 1!) establishes the "Oh shit!" moment, that this is humanity's final stronghold, and the fights on the city streets are sick. Delta Halo and Regret are just all timer levels, especially the fact you beat the shit out of an Old Guy. It's Peak. Gravemind is such an awesome level, as you get to actually explore the insides of the Covenant Holy City, (you even get to see some spots seen in earlier on in the game, like where Thel's punishment took place, as well as the Mausoleum of the Arbiters!), whilst the Covenant Civil war is the midst of being played out, is absolutely INSANE. Being able to witness and watch a few AI battles (if you decide to hang back and watch) and the entire set pieces is just *chef kiss*. Especially the final firefight taking place between the both sides IN the Mausoleum, as the instrumental version of Blow Me Away plays. IT'S PEAK MEDIA.
Speaking of this game's OST. FUUUUUUUUUUUUCK. It's so good. The mix of great ambient tracks (you always take me to such nice places...), combined with some real great tracks to get you hyped as FUCK to storm into the heart of a Flood Infestation (Reclaimer, by beloved). Dude, shoutouts to Hatsune Miku and Michael Salvatori's work on this OST. Still my favorite Halo OST by far. So many tracks I could just listen to on end.
God, Sangheili are so fucking hot. Thel 'Vadam Halo 2 you absolutely ruined me and made me an Alien Fucker. Don't send me to Sangheilios, I WILL be coming back pregnant.
Fuuuuuuuuuuck, man. It is insane they pushed out this game in like, a year and a half. The fact the series was supposed to end up being a duology and so much got cut during development, and the crazy crunch to push this game out, is quite a story. Somethings feel strangely missing, like a warthog run, as well as (for some people), a really disappointing cliffhanger.
As much as a glazed some of the campaign levels, some people really do not like a lot of the Arbiter levels from a level design standpoint. Which, yeah I can get. A lot of his levels end up being navigating through tighter corridors and facilities, rather than larger open areas, compared to Chief.
And I do wonder what this game would look like if it was fully finished and polished, but I also think its inherent broken-ness and some slapdashness, is also a part of why I adore this game. Crunch culture is horrible and I cannot condone romanticizing it, but the fact that this game came out and is still considered the favorite for many (including myself) and Peak of the franchise is a testament to the work the devs put into this game.
Man, I love Halo 2.
