Halo 2: The Official Game Guide (Paperback)

~ Piggyback Interactive (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

The Official Halo 2 Guide: Strategy Evolved
Developed on-site at Bungie studios and written by the elite Piggyback team, this guide includes an encyclopedic appraisal of Halo 2's multiplayer mode; a full, highly accessible walkthrough for the epic Campaign mode; and everything on basic play, all in one book.
The product of over four months of writing, research, and design, this guide includes:
·Detailed annotated maps: outwit multiplayer opponents with your intimate knowledge of level architecture
·Study all features of multiplayer maps, from power-up locations to "secret" areas, attack routes, and more
·Includes and exhaustive rundown of preset and custom game types—design your own multiplayer match and attract the best crowd
·Features hundreds of digital screenshots to illustrate key points
·Packed with tips, tactics, and techniques from the Bungie team
·Learn about every adversary, vehicle, and weapon—their strengths and shortcomings and how you can exploit these
·Confidently negotiate the huge Campaign mode with our exclusive maps and step-by-step walkthrough
·Designed to enhance the Halo 2 experience for newcomers and Halo: Combat Evolved veterans alike

Product Details

• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: Prima Games (November 9, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0761544739
• ISBN-13: 978-0761544739
• Product Dimensions: 10.7 x 8.2 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #66,379 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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• This is item 2 in The Halo Series.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

36 of 42 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Live and let live!!!, November 13, 2004

By	M. D. Smart (London, UK) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

The two negative reviewers seem to have forgotten that there is no law about using cheats or guides when gaming - each to his own. Some people will slave away at a game for weeks refusing to get help, others rush through a game in a few hours by following a walkthrough to the letter. NEITHER WAY IS WRONG. It's no-one else's business how you choose to play your games. Personally, I like to try to make it through on my own first, but if I get really stuck I'd rather have the answer to hand than spend ages getting nowhere. And despite all the advantages of the internet, some of us still take pleasure in a well-produced book.

Piggyback are a small company who have been producing guides for a number of top games (including the Silent Hill and Metal Gear Solid series) in Europe for a few years now. Their guides are always beautifully produced, vastly superior to either Prima or Brady's efforts in terms of art design, and packed with clear information - and this Halo 2 guide is no exception. I'm really pleased to see their work is now available to USA gamers as well. Take it from me; if you want help with Halo 2, this is the guide to have

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars It has its uses, March 14, 2005

By	Christian Wheeler "Husband/Father/Gamer/Proud... (St. Louis) - See all my reviews

The Halo 2 campaign mode is simple enough that most players won't need a guide to negotiate it. The campaign is pretty straightforward in design; unlike some games (such as GTA), detailed level maps aren't really needed. However, the guide offers many extras that make it a worthwhile purchase.

For one, the detailed maps of the campaign mode offer weapon and vehicle locations and enemy weaknesses, useful when one's plasma rifle or SMG is running low on ammo and a pair of Hunters are closing fast. The detailed information on weapons allows newbies to acquaint themselves with Halo 2's large array of available armament and vehicles. Veterans of the original game will quickly become familiar with the new weapons of Halo 2. (Of course, there's something to be said for learning as you go). The guide also offers detailed information on the various creatures of the Covenant, adding to the ongoing story of Halo. A note of caution, however: If you don't want to spoil the ending, don't read the last chapter of the campaign mode. (I made that mistake...it was still cool, though).

The best reason to get the guide, however, is for the multiplayer maps, which include weapon and vehicle locations, strategic points for ambushes and sniping, detailed maps, and tips on setting up games and clans. Charging blindly into Halo 2's XBox Live levels can be suicidal; most of my friends who play on Live credit the strategy guide for giving them a heads-up on where to find what they need. So the guide does have its uses beyond the usual campaign walkthrough. Especially recommended to those who are new to the Halo universe.

I hope this review was helpful
--Christian Wheeler, gamer and games retailer.

13 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Helped Me... Just not alot, November 25, 2004

By	Spyker Hardison (North Carolina) - See all my reviews

This guide was okay. Plain and simple. If you are stuck and don't know where to go don't use this book. One of the levels of Halo 2 the directions were so confusing I got lost for three hours, not knowing where to go (I know that your thinking "How can you get lost in a video game?"). However I would recommand this to you if you are one of those gamers with a good sense of direction. This would serve to you as a constant reminder of what you are going to do, not where. The multiplayer section is pretty cool but I don't really like the maps at the beginning of the level. They are incredibly confusing. My advice: Pick the guide up if you can't find a guide online. This guide although confusing has some helpful tips.