Difference between revisions of "Halo 2"
From PCGamingWiki, the wiki about fixing PC games
(→Video: simplified the FOV note) |
Chipsnapper (talk | contribs) (updated wiki link, game also doesn't use Bink) |
||
| (39 intermediate revisions by 13 users not shown) | |||
| Line 5: | Line 5: | ||
{{Infobox game/row/developer|Bungie}} | {{Infobox game/row/developer|Bungie}} | ||
{{Infobox game/row/developer|Pi Studios}} | {{Infobox game/row/developer|Pi Studios}} | ||
| − | {{Infobox game/row/porter|Hired Gun|Windows|ref=<ref>[https:// | + | {{Infobox game/row/porter|Hired Gun|Windows|ref=<ref>[https://www.halopedia.org/Hired_Gun Hired Gun - Halopedia, the Halo wiki]</ref>}} |
|publishers = | |publishers = | ||
| − | {{Infobox game/row/publisher| | + | {{Infobox game/row/publisher|Microsoft Game Studios}} |
|engines = | |engines = | ||
{{Infobox game/row/engine|Halo Engine}} | {{Infobox game/row/engine|Halo Engine}} | ||
| Line 15: | Line 15: | ||
{{Infobox game/row/reception|Metacritic|halo-2|72}} | {{Infobox game/row/reception|Metacritic|halo-2|72}} | ||
{{Infobox game/row/reception|IGDB|halo-2|81}} | {{Infobox game/row/reception|IGDB|halo-2|81}} | ||
| − | |taxonomy = | + | |taxonomy = |
| − | {{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/series | Halo}} | + | {{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/monetization | One-time game purchase }} |
| + | {{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/microtransactions | }} | ||
| + | {{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/modes | Singleplayer, Multiplayer}} | ||
| + | {{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/pacing | Real-time}} | ||
| + | {{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/perspectives | First-person}} | ||
| + | {{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/controls | Direct control}} | ||
| + | {{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/genres | Action, FPS, Shooter}} | ||
| + | {{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/sports | }} | ||
| + | {{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/vehicles | Automobile, Flight, Tank}} | ||
| + | {{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/art styles | Realistic}} | ||
| + | {{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/themes | Sci-fi, Space}} | ||
| + | {{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/series | Halo }} | ||
|steam appid = | |steam appid = | ||
|gogcom id = | |gogcom id = | ||
| + | |hltb = 4262 | ||
| + | |lutris = halo-2 | ||
|strategywiki = Halo 2 | |strategywiki = Halo 2 | ||
| − | |mobygames = | + | |mobygames = 15499 |
|wikipedia = Halo_2 | |wikipedia = Halo_2 | ||
|winehq = 5212 | |winehq = 5212 | ||
| Line 26: | Line 39: | ||
}} | }} | ||
| − | + | {{Introduction | |
| − | {{ | + | |introduction = |
| − | + | ||
| − | + | |release history = It is a port of the 2004 Xbox game of the same name. It includes all downloadable maps from the Xbox version and its add-ons, with the exception of two from the Blastacular Pack (Tombstone and Desolation), although they can be downloaded from [[#Halo 2 Xbox exclusive|community mirrors]]. | |
| − | + | ||
| − | + | The PC port is also known as '''''Halo 2 Vista''''' or '''''H2V''''', as it was advertised as a Windows Vista exclusive, as prominently mentioned on the front cover. Despite this, a [https://web.archive.org/web/20081109113202/http://agentsmithak.tripod.com/halo2_xp_patch.html workaround] exists to run the game (without [[Games for Windows Live]] functionality) on Windows XP. | |
| + | |||
| + | |current state = The Halo 2 ''Live'' master server went down in 2015 with no indication of its return. See [[#Project Cartographer|Project Cartographer]]. | ||
| + | }} | ||
'''General information''' | '''General information''' | ||
| − | {{ | + | {{++}} Modding tools provided on disc. |
{{mm}} [http://halopedia.org Halopedia] - A very detailed wiki for everything Halo related | {{mm}} [http://halopedia.org Halopedia] - A very detailed wiki for everything Halo related | ||
{{mm}} [http://halo.bungie.org/ Halo.Bungie.org] - One of the biggest Halo fan sites around | {{mm}} [http://halo.bungie.org/ Halo.Bungie.org] - One of the biggest Halo fan sites around | ||
| Line 43: | Line 59: | ||
==Availability== | ==Availability== | ||
{{Availability| | {{Availability| | ||
| − | {{Availability/row| Retail | | GFWL, activation | | | Windows }} | + | {{Availability/row| Retail | | GFWL, key, activation | | | Windows }} |
| + | {{Availability/row| Games for Windows Marketplace | GFWL | GFWL | | | Windows | unavailable }} | ||
}} | }} | ||
| − | {{ii}} All versions require {{DRM|GFWL|SSA=no|ZDPP=no|local= | + | {{ii}} All versions require {{DRM|GFWL|SSA=no|ZDPP=no|local=true}} |
| − | |||
==Essential improvements== | ==Essential improvements== | ||
| Line 67: | Line 83: | ||
{{ii}} Project Cartographer is an unofficial multiplayer mod which provides an alternative to the now defunct Games for Windows - LIVE platform for Halo 2 Vista. It allows players to use the Network tab as a server browser and connect via peer-to-peer (P2P) networking. This is a fast and streamlined solution as compared with available LAN gaming solutions, as it retains almost all original ''Live'' multiplayer functionality. | {{ii}} Project Cartographer is an unofficial multiplayer mod which provides an alternative to the now defunct Games for Windows - LIVE platform for Halo 2 Vista. It allows players to use the Network tab as a server browser and connect via peer-to-peer (P2P) networking. This is a fast and streamlined solution as compared with available LAN gaming solutions, as it retains almost all original ''Live'' multiplayer functionality. | ||
{{++}} Adds a wide variety of extra features into the game itself. | {{++}} Adds a wide variety of extra features into the game itself. | ||
| − | {{mm}} [https://cartographer.online/ Official website] | + | {{mm}} [https://cartographer.online/ Official project website] |
{{mm}} [https://www.halo2.online/threads/project-cartographer-feature-add-ons-to-halo-2.2149/ Features] | {{mm}} [https://www.halo2.online/threads/project-cartographer-feature-add-ons-to-halo-2.2149/ Features] | ||
{{mm}} [https://github.com/PermaNulled/cartographer Source code] | {{mm}} [https://github.com/PermaNulled/cartographer Source code] | ||
| + | |||
| + | ===Halo 2 Reclaimed=== | ||
| + | {{ii}} Halo 2 Reclaimed aims to make the game as close to the original Xbox version as possible. | ||
| + | {{++}} Fixes weapon fire rates for higher tickrates. | ||
| + | {{++}} Replaces many assets with Xbox version counterparts. | ||
| + | {{++}} Compatible with Project Cartographer. | ||
| + | {{mm}} [https://www.moddb.com/mods/halo-2-reclaimed ModDB] | ||
==Game data== | ==Game data== | ||
| Line 104: | Line 127: | ||
|windowed notes = Use [[#Project Cartographer|Project Cartographer]] to resize the window independently of game settings. | |windowed notes = Use [[#Project Cartographer|Project Cartographer]] to resize the window independently of game settings. | ||
|borderless windowed = hackable | |borderless windowed = hackable | ||
| − | |borderless windowed notes = Use [https://github.com/Codeusa/Borderless-Gaming/releases Borderless Gaming] or | + | |borderless windowed notes = Use [https://github.com/Codeusa/Borderless-Gaming/releases Borderless Gaming] or [[#Project Cartographer|Project Cartographer]]. |
|anisotropic = false | |anisotropic = false | ||
|anisotropic notes = | |anisotropic notes = | ||
|antialiasing = true | |antialiasing = true | ||
| − | |antialiasing notes = Up to 4x [[MSAA]]. Can be improved to 8x through the graphics card control panel. | + | |antialiasing notes = Up to 4x [[MSAA]]. Can be improved to 8x through the graphics card control panel. Enhanceable to [[HSAA]] + [[SGSSAA|TrSSAA]] on Nvidia systems. |
| − | |vsync = | + | |upscaling = unknown |
| − | |vsync notes = | + | |upscaling tech = |
| + | |upscaling notes = | ||
| + | |vsync = always on | ||
| + | |vsync notes = Enabled by default but broken on Windows 7 and up. The game's Vsync may cause heavy stuttering or not stop screen tearing at all. Force Vsync using graphics card control panel or [https://community.pcgamingwiki.com/files/file/84-d3doverrider/ D3DOverrider]. | ||
|60 fps = true | |60 fps = true | ||
| − | |60 fps notes = Cutscenes are capped at 30 FPS. Use [[#Project Cartographer|Project Cartographer]] for 60 FPS cutscenes. | + | |60 fps notes = Cutscenes are capped at 30 FPS. Use [[#Project Cartographer|Project Cartographer]] for 60 FPS cutscenes. The Opening logos and Credits are rendered at 30FPS. |
|120 fps = false | |120 fps = false | ||
|120 fps notes = The game is not designed to go above 60 FPS. Use [[#Project Cartographer|Project Cartographer]]'s FPS limiter. | |120 fps notes = The game is not designed to go above 60 FPS. Use [[#Project Cartographer|Project Cartographer]]'s FPS limiter. | ||
| − | |hdr = | + | |hdr = false |
|hdr notes = | |hdr notes = | ||
|color blind = unknown | |color blind = unknown | ||
| Line 152: | Line 178: | ||
|xinput controllers notes = | |xinput controllers notes = | ||
|xbox prompts = true | |xbox prompts = true | ||
| − | |xbox prompts notes = Xbox 360 controller prompts by default. Xbox one prompts can be obtained using [ | + | |xbox prompts notes = Xbox 360 controller prompts by default. Xbox one prompts can be obtained using [https://www.mediafire.com/file/8v9tvppendco0sx/Xbox_One_Controller_Patch.zip/file Xbox One controller prompt icon patch] |
|impulse triggers = false | |impulse triggers = false | ||
|impulse triggers notes = | |impulse triggers notes = | ||
|dualshock 4 = hackable | |dualshock 4 = hackable | ||
| − | |dualshock 4 notes = Can be implemented using [https://ryochan7.github.io/ds4windows-site/ DS4 Windows] or [ | + | |dualshock 4 notes = Can be implemented using [https://ryochan7.github.io/ds4windows-site/ DS4 Windows] or [[Controller:DualShock 4#Steam|Steam Input]]. |
|dualshock prompts = hackable | |dualshock prompts = hackable | ||
| − | |dualshock prompts notes = Can be implemented using [ | + | |dualshock prompts notes = Can be implemented using [https://www.mediafire.com/file/dk3165o2w31f1on/Dualshock_Controller_Patch.zip/file Dualshock controller prompt icon patch]. |
|light bar support = false | |light bar support = false | ||
|light bar support notes = | |light bar support notes = | ||
| Line 193: | Line 219: | ||
|mute on focus lost notes = | |mute on focus lost notes = | ||
|eax support = hackable | |eax support = hackable | ||
| − | |eax support notes | + | |eax support notes = Set ''5.1 speakers'' in options and use [[DSOAL]] for binaural HRTF mixing.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d6r4tLm7Qp0 Halo 2 Vista w/ Project Cartographer & 3D spatial sound 🎧 (OpenAL Soft HRTF audio)]</ref> |
| + | |royalty free audio = unknown | ||
| + | |royalty free audio notes = | ||
}} | }} | ||
| Line 206: | Line 234: | ||
}} | }} | ||
{{L10n/switch | {{L10n/switch | ||
| − | |language = | + | |language = Simplified Chinese |
|interface = true | |interface = true | ||
| − | |audio = | + | |audio = false |
|subtitles = true | |subtitles = true | ||
| − | |notes = | + | |notes = Using Project Cartographer, the menu is completely in Chinese, save for "Online" and "Cartographer". Not sure if this is Traditional or Simplified Chinese as I don't know the tongue. |
|fan = | |fan = | ||
}} | }} | ||
{{L10n/switch | {{L10n/switch | ||
| − | |language = | + | |language = French |
|interface = true | |interface = true | ||
|audio = true | |audio = true | ||
| Line 222: | Line 250: | ||
}} | }} | ||
{{L10n/switch | {{L10n/switch | ||
| − | |language = | + | |language = German |
|interface = true | |interface = true | ||
|audio = false | |audio = false | ||
|subtitles = true | |subtitles = true | ||
| − | |notes = | + | |notes = Using Project Cartographer, the menu is completely in German, save for "Online" and "Cartographer". |
|fan = | |fan = | ||
}} | }} | ||
{{L10n/switch | {{L10n/switch | ||
| − | |language = | + | |language = Italian |
|interface = true | |interface = true | ||
|audio = true | |audio = true | ||
|subtitles = true | |subtitles = true | ||
| − | |notes = | + | |notes = |
|fan = | |fan = | ||
}} | }} | ||
| Line 246: | Line 274: | ||
}} | }} | ||
{{L10n/switch | {{L10n/switch | ||
| − | |language = | + | |language = Korean |
|interface = true | |interface = true | ||
|audio = false | |audio = false | ||
|subtitles = true | |subtitles = true | ||
| − | |notes = Using Project Cartographer, the menu is completely in | + | |notes = Using Project Cartographer, the menu is completely in Korean, save for "Online" and "Cartographer". Also has cut off text at the end of each label. |
|fan = | |fan = | ||
}} | }} | ||
{{L10n/switch | {{L10n/switch | ||
| − | |language = | + | |language = Spanish |
|interface = true | |interface = true | ||
|audio = false | |audio = false | ||
|subtitles = true | |subtitles = true | ||
| − | |notes = | + | |notes = Depends on installation disc. |
|fan = | |fan = | ||
}} | }} | ||
{{L10n/switch | {{L10n/switch | ||
| − | |language = | + | |language = Mexican Spanish |
|interface = true | |interface = true | ||
| − | |audio = | + | |audio = true |
|subtitles = true | |subtitles = true | ||
| − | |notes = | + | |notes = Depends on installation disc. |
|fan = | |fan = | ||
}} | }} | ||
}} | }} | ||
| + | |||
| + | ==Network== | ||
| + | {{ii}} Online features require a [https://live.xbox.com/Account/Signin Microsoft account] (optional for offline play). | ||
| + | |||
| + | {{Network/Multiplayer | ||
| + | |local play = hackable | ||
| + | |local play players = 16 | ||
| + | |local play modes = Versus | ||
| + | |local play notes = Use [https://github.com/SplitScreen-Me/splitscreenme-nucleus/releases Nucleus Co-op]. Requires [[#Project Cartographer|Project Cartographer]]. | ||
| + | |lan play = true | ||
| + | |lan play players = 16 | ||
| + | |lan play modes = Versus | ||
| + | |lan play notes = | ||
| + | |online play = hackable | ||
| + | |online play players = 16 | ||
| + | |online play modes = Versus | ||
| + | |online play notes = The official GFWL multiplayer service was shut down; use [[#Project Cartographer|Project Cartographer]]. | ||
| + | |asynchronous = | ||
| + | |asynchronous notes = | ||
| + | }} | ||
| + | |||
| + | {{Network/Connections | ||
| + | |matchmaking = true | ||
| + | |matchmaking notes = | ||
| + | |p2p = true | ||
| + | |p2p notes = | ||
| + | |dedicated = true | ||
| + | |dedicated notes = An unofficial update by the same people who made Project Cartographer is available [https://web.archive.org/web/20170522140508/http://www.halo2vista.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=55&t=4708 here]. | ||
| + | |self-hosting = true | ||
| + | |self-hosting notes = | ||
| + | |direct ip = false | ||
| + | |direct ip notes = | ||
| + | }} | ||
| + | |||
| + | {{Network/Ports | ||
| + | |tcp = 53, 80, 443, 3074 | ||
| + | |udp = 53, 88, 1000-1006, 3074 | ||
| + | |upnp = unknown | ||
| + | }} | ||
| + | {{ii}} Port range <code>1000-1006</code> is required by Project Cartographer to host. See [[#Project Cartographer|Project Cartographer]] | ||
| + | {{ii}} Specific details can be found [https://support.microsoft.com/kb/829473 here] | ||
==VR support== | ==VR support== | ||
| Line 315: | Line 384: | ||
|play area room-scale notes = | |play area room-scale notes = | ||
}} | }} | ||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
==Issues unresolved== | ==Issues unresolved== | ||
| Line 408: | Line 436: | ||
===Game does not save refresh rate of monitor=== | ===Game does not save refresh rate of monitor=== | ||
| − | {{--}} The game will not save your preferred refresh rate (120 Hz, 144 Hz, etc.) when you select it from the video settings. It defaults to 60 Hz each time the game reopens and has to be set again.<ref> | + | {{--}} The game will not save your preferred refresh rate (120 Hz, 144 Hz, etc.) when you select it from the video settings. It defaults to 60 Hz each time the game reopens and has to be set again.<ref>{{Refurl|url=https://github.com/PermaNulled/cartographer/issues/149|title=Game does not save refresh rate of monitor and has to be set upon each game launch · Issue #149 · PermaNulled/cartographer|date=9 June 2023}}</ref> |
{{Fixbox|description=Force refresh rate on startup|ref=<ref>[https://halo2.online/threads/project-cartographer-v0-5-2-1-update-and-changelog.3021/ Project Cartographer v0.5.2.1 Update and Changelog | Project Cartographer]</ref>|fix= | {{Fixbox|description=Force refresh rate on startup|ref=<ref>[https://halo2.online/threads/project-cartographer-v0-5-2-1-update-and-changelog.3021/ Project Cartographer v0.5.2.1 Update and Changelog | Project Cartographer]</ref>|fix= | ||
| Line 428: | Line 456: | ||
{{ii}} This issue is specific to Nvidia graphics cards. | {{ii}} This issue is specific to Nvidia graphics cards. | ||
| − | {{Fixbox|description=Use [https://forums.geforce.com/default/topic/1095882/geforce-drivers/halo-2-pc-has-two-nvidia-specific-issues/post/5974601/#5974601 Halo 2 Shader Override]|ref=<ref> | + | {{Fixbox|description=Use [https://forums.geforce.com/default/topic/1095882/geforce-drivers/halo-2-pc-has-two-nvidia-specific-issues/post/5974601/#5974601 Halo 2 Shader Override]|ref=<ref>{{Refurl|url=https://forums.geforce.com/default/topic/1095882/geforce-drivers/halo-2-pc-has-two-nvidia-specific-issues/post/5974601/#5974601|title=Halo 2 PC has two Nvidia specific issues - GeForce Forums|date=May 2023}}</ref>|fix= |
}} | }} | ||
| Line 434: | Line 462: | ||
===API=== | ===API=== | ||
{{API | {{API | ||
| − | |direct3d versions = 9 | + | |direct3d versions = 9.0c |
|direct3d notes = | |direct3d notes = | ||
|directdraw versions = | |directdraw versions = | ||
| Line 454: | Line 482: | ||
|windows 32-bit exe = true | |windows 32-bit exe = true | ||
|windows 64-bit exe = false | |windows 64-bit exe = false | ||
| + | |windows arm app = unknown | ||
|windows exe notes = | |windows exe notes = | ||
| − | |macos 32-bit app | + | |macos intel 32-bit app = |
| − | |macos 64-bit app | + | |macos intel 64-bit app = |
| + | |macos arm app = unknown | ||
|macos app notes = | |macos app notes = | ||
|linux 32-bit executable= | |linux 32-bit executable= | ||
|linux 64-bit executable= | |linux 64-bit executable= | ||
| + | |linux arm app = unknown | ||
|linux executable notes = | |linux executable notes = | ||
}} | }} | ||
| Line 473: | Line 504: | ||
|input = | |input = | ||
|input notes = | |input notes = | ||
| − | |cutscenes = | + | |cutscenes = Windows Media Player |
| − | |cutscenes notes = | + | |cutscenes notes = Only for logos, and credits. |
|multiplayer = Games for Windows - LIVE | |multiplayer = Games for Windows - LIVE | ||
|multiplayer notes= | |multiplayer notes= | ||
| Line 500: | Line 531: | ||
===Maps ported from other Halo Games=== | ===Maps ported from other Halo Games=== | ||
Maps that are buggy and/or of low quality are excluded from this list. | Maps that are buggy and/or of low quality are excluded from this list. | ||
| − | ====Halo 2 | + | ====Halo 2 Xbox exclusive==== |
*[http://www.h2maps.net/Cartographer/CustomMaps/desolation.map Desolation] | *[http://www.h2maps.net/Cartographer/CustomMaps/desolation.map Desolation] | ||
*[http://www.h2maps.net/Cartographer/CustomMaps/tombstone.map Tombstone] | *[http://www.h2maps.net/Cartographer/CustomMaps/tombstone.map Tombstone] | ||
| Line 521: | Line 552: | ||
|minGPU = Nvidia GeForce 6100 | |minGPU = Nvidia GeForce 6100 | ||
|minGPU2 = ATI Radeon X700 | |minGPU2 = ATI Radeon X700 | ||
| + | |minVRAM = 128 MB | ||
| + | |minSM = 2.0 | ||
|minDX = 9 | |minDX = 9 | ||
| Line 528: | Line 561: | ||
|recGPU = | |recGPU = | ||
|recDX = 10 | |recDX = 10 | ||
| − | |notes = {{ii}} Halo 2 can be played on Windows XP by following [http://agentsmithak.tripod.com/halo2_xp_patch.html this tutorial] (Games for Windows - LIVE features will be disabled). | + | |notes = {{ii}} Halo 2 can be played on Windows XP by following [https://web.archive.org/web/20081109113202/http://agentsmithak.tripod.com/halo2_xp_patch.html this tutorial] (Games for Windows - LIVE features will be disabled). |
}} | }} | ||
{{References}} | {{References}} | ||
Latest revision as of 22:52, 11 March 2024
This page is for the original 2007 PC release. For the remaster, see Halo 2: Anniversary.
 |
|
| Developers | |
|---|---|
| Bungie | |
| Pi Studios | |
| Windows | Hired Gun[1] |
| Publishers | |
| Microsoft Game Studios | |
| Engines | |
| Halo Engine | |
| Release dates | |
| Windows | May 17, 2007 |
| Reception | |
| Metacritic | 72 |
| IGDB | 81 |
| Taxonomy | |
| Monetization | One-time game purchase |
| Modes | Singleplayer, Multiplayer |
| Pacing | Real-time |
| Perspectives | First-person |
| Controls | Direct control |
| Genres | Action, FPS, Shooter |
| Vehicles | Automobile, Flight, Tank |
| Art styles | Realistic |
| Themes | Sci-fi, Space |
| Series | Halo |
 |
|
| Halo | |
|---|---|
| Halo: Combat Evolved | 2003 |
| Halo 2 | 2007 |
| Halo: Spartan (series) | |
| Halo Online | 2015* |
| Halo 5: Forge | 2016 |
| Halo Wars (series) | |
| Halo Recruit | 2017 |
| Halo: The Master Chief Collection (series) | |
| Halo Infinite | 2021 |
Warnings
- For Games for Windows - LIVE on Windows 8 or later, install the latest Games for Windows - LIVE software.
Halo 2 is a singleplayer and multiplayer first-person action, FPS and shooter game in the Halo series.
It is a port of the 2004 Xbox game of the same name. It includes all downloadable maps from the Xbox version and its add-ons, with the exception of two from the Blastacular Pack (Tombstone and Desolation), although they can be downloaded from community mirrors.
The PC port is also known as Halo 2 Vista or H2V, as it was advertised as a Windows Vista exclusive, as prominently mentioned on the front cover. Despite this, a workaround exists to run the game (without Games for Windows Live functionality) on Windows XP.
The Halo 2 Live master server went down in 2015 with no indication of its return. See Project Cartographer.
General information
- Modding tools provided on disc.
- Halopedia - A very detailed wiki for everything Halo related
- Halo.Bungie.org - One of the biggest Halo fan sites around
- Halo Maps - A fan site for downloading mods and maps for Halo 2 Vista
- H2v Hub - Central Hub of the Halo 2 PC community
- H2MT Repository - A massive collection of custom maps, mods, tools, & assets
Availability
| Source | DRM | Notes | Keys | OS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Retail | |
|
||
| Games for Windows Marketplace (unavailable) | |
|
- All versions require Games for Windows - LIVE DRM.[Note 1]
Essential improvements
Patches
- The latest patch is 1.01. It is strongly recommended to let the GFWL client auto-update Halo 2. If problems appear, it can be downloaded manually from here.
Skip intro videos
| Use Project Cartographer to toggle the intro[citation needed] |
|---|
Install the latest Games for Windows - LIVE client
- It is essential to install the latest GFWL client before installing Halo 2, as the version on the disc is broken.
| Update Games for Windows - LIVE Redistributable[citation needed] |
|---|
|
Project Cartographer
- Project Cartographer is an unofficial multiplayer mod which provides an alternative to the now defunct Games for Windows - LIVE platform for Halo 2 Vista. It allows players to use the Network tab as a server browser and connect via peer-to-peer (P2P) networking. This is a fast and streamlined solution as compared with available LAN gaming solutions, as it retains almost all original Live multiplayer functionality.
- Adds a wide variety of extra features into the game itself.
- Official project website
- Features
- Source code
Halo 2 Reclaimed
- Halo 2 Reclaimed aims to make the game as close to the original Xbox version as possible.
- Fixes weapon fire rates for higher tickrates.
- Replaces many assets with Xbox version counterparts.
- Compatible with Project Cartographer.
- ModDB
Game data
Configuration file(s) location
| System | Location |
|---|---|
| Windows | HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Halo 2\ |
Save game data location
| System | Location |
|---|---|
| Windows | %LOCALAPPDATA%\Microsoft\Halo 2\Saved Games\ |
Video
In-game graphics settings.
- Halo 2 in windowed mode can support almost any resolution which matches that of the desktop.
| Graphics feature | State | WSGF | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Widescreen resolution | Use Project Cartographer with -hiresfix parameter. |
||
| Multi-monitor | Use Project Cartographer with -hiresfix parameter. |
||
| Ultra-widescreen | Use Project Cartographer with -hiresfix parameter. |
||
| 4K Ultra HD | Use Project Cartographer with -hiresfix parameter. |
||
| Field of view (FOV) | Default is 70°. Use Project Cartographer for up to 110°. | ||
| Windowed | Use Project Cartographer to resize the window independently of game settings. | ||
| Borderless fullscreen windowed | Use Borderless Gaming or Project Cartographer. | ||
| Anisotropic filtering (AF) | See the glossary page for potential workarounds. | ||
| Anti-aliasing (AA) | Up to 4x MSAA. Can be improved to 8x through the graphics card control panel. Enhanceable to HSAA + TrSSAA on Nvidia systems. | ||
| Vertical sync (Vsync) | Enabled by default but broken on Windows 7 and up. The game's Vsync may cause heavy stuttering or not stop screen tearing at all. Force Vsync using graphics card control panel or D3DOverrider. | ||
| 60 FPS | Cutscenes are capped at 30 FPS. Use Project Cartographer for 60 FPS cutscenes. The Opening logos and Credits are rendered at 30FPS. | ||
| 120+ FPS | The game is not designed to go above 60 FPS. Use Project Cartographer's FPS limiter. | ||
| High dynamic range display (HDR) | See the glossary page for potential alternatives. | ||
Input
In-game general keyboard settings.
In-game keyboard remapping settings.
In-game controller settings.
- Aim assist is always enabled for controllers. It can be disabled using Project Cartographer.
| Keyboard and mouse | State | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Remapping | For issues with custom keyboard binding, rebind from southpaw/left-handed preset.[2] End cannot be bound, and Home is reserved by Games For Windows Live. | |
| Mouse acceleration | On by default. Use Project Cartographer to enable raw mouse input. | |
| Mouse sensitivity | Can be forced to exceed the max of 10 using Super Sensitivity. | |
| Mouse input in menus | ||
| Mouse Y-axis inversion | ||
| Controller | ||
| Controller support | XInput controllers only. | |
| Full controller support | ||
| Controller remapping | Can be implemented using Durazno or XInput Plus. | |
| Controller sensitivity | Can be forced to exceed the max of 10 using Super Sensitivity. | |
| Controller Y-axis inversion |
| Controller types |
|---|
| XInput-compatible controllers | ||
|---|---|---|
| Xbox button prompts | Xbox 360 controller prompts by default. Xbox one prompts can be obtained using Xbox One controller prompt icon patch | |
| Impulse Trigger vibration |
| PlayStation controllers | Can be implemented using DS4 Windows or Steam Input. | |
|---|---|---|
| PlayStation button prompts | Can be implemented using Dualshock controller prompt icon patch. | |
| Light bar support | ||
| Adaptive trigger support | ||
| DualSense haptic feedback support | ||
| Connection modes | ||
| Generic/other controllers | Older DirectInput controllers can be used with x360ce. | |
|---|---|---|
| Button prompts |
| Additional information | ||
|---|---|---|
| Controller hotplugging | ||
| Haptic feedback | ||
| Digital movement supported | ||
| Simultaneous controller+KB/M | Keyboard controls can be disabled using Project Cartographer options menu. |
Audio
In-game audio settings.
| Audio feature | State | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Separate volume controls | ||
| Surround sound | Up to 5.1 output. | |
| Subtitles | Only for cutscenes. | |
| Closed captions | ||
| Mute on focus lost | ||
| EAX support | Set 5.1 speakers in options and use DSOAL for binaural HRTF mixing.[3] | |
| Royalty free audio |
Localizations
| Language | UI | Audio | Sub | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| English | ||||
| Simplified Chinese | Using Project Cartographer, the menu is completely in Chinese, save for "Online" and "Cartographer". Not sure if this is Traditional or Simplified Chinese as I don't know the tongue. | |||
| French | ||||
| German | Using Project Cartographer, the menu is completely in German, save for "Online" and "Cartographer". | |||
| Italian | ||||
| Japanese | Apparently, the game has a dub but, I couldn't get it to work. Also, the menu is in English (Probably a problem on my end). Tested using Project Cartographer. | |||
| Korean | Using Project Cartographer, the menu is completely in Korean, save for "Online" and "Cartographer". Also has cut off text at the end of each label. | |||
| Spanish | Depends on installation disc. | |||
| Latin American Spanish | Depends on installation disc. |
Network
- Online features require a Microsoft account (optional for offline play).
Multiplayer types
| Type | Native | Players | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Local play | 16 | Versus Use Nucleus Co-op. Requires Project Cartographer. |
||
| LAN play | 16 | Versus |
||
| Online play | 16 | Versus The official GFWL multiplayer service was shut down; use Project Cartographer. |
||
Connection types
| Type | Native | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Matchmaking | ||
| Peer-to-peer | ||
| Dedicated | An unofficial update by the same people who made Project Cartographer is available here. | |
| Self-hosting | ||
| Direct IP |
Ports
| Protocol | Port(s) and/or port range(s) |
|---|---|
| TCP | 53, 80, 443, 3074 |
| UDP | 53, 88, 1000-1006, 3074 |
- Universal Plug and Play (UPnP) support status is unknown.
- Port range
1000-1006is required by Project Cartographer to host. See Project Cartographer - Specific details can be found here
VR support
| 3D modes | State | GG3D | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nvidia 3D Vision | See also: Halo 2 3D-Vision and Black Screen Fix | |||
| TriDef 3D | ||||
| iZ3D | ||||
| vorpX | G3D User created game profile, read important notes in the vorpx forum profile introduction. |
|||
| Devices | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| 3RD Space Gaming Vest | |||
Issues unresolved
No VoIP support
- VoIP support was broken in one of the many GFWL client updates. Repairing it is on Project Cartographer's to do list and not yet implemented.[citation needed]
Issues fixed
- A list of common fixes is available here.
Installation issues
Run startup.exe on the DVD in Vista compatibility mode[citation needed]
|
|---|
"One of the installation steps failed" error
- You may receive this error message during installation.
| Instructions[citation needed] |
|---|
|
"LIVE gaming on Windows failed to initialise" error
- This occurs on Windows 8 and later.
| Instructions[citation needed] |
|---|
|
Download and install these files: xliveredist.msi, gfwlclient.msi and wllogin_**.msi |
Sign-in error
| Close Xfire before signing in[citation needed] |
|---|
Artifacting or flashing on Nvidia cards
| Update Nvidia drivers to 337.88 or newer[citation needed] |
|---|
Extreme mouse lag/jittering
| Use Project Cartographer to limit the frame rate to 60 FPS[citation needed] |
|---|
Heavy stuttering
- Native Vsync implementation (enabled by default) is very bad and can cause stuttering even with required 60 FPS.
| Force proper Vsync using D3DOverrider or your graphics card control panel[citation needed] |
|---|
Game text is garbled or disappears
- When running the game in windowed mode at 2K and 4K resolutions, there are issues with text breaking or disappearing completely.
| Fix high resolution issues[4] |
|---|
|
Game does not save refresh rate of monitor
- The game will not save your preferred refresh rate (120 Hz, 144 Hz, etc.) when you select it from the video settings. It defaults to 60 Hz each time the game reopens and has to be set again.[5]
| Force refresh rate on startup[6] |
|---|
|
Some leaves on trees do not render
- This issue is specific to Nvidia graphics cards.
| Use Project Cartographer |
|---|
|
MSAA causes white lines on geometry
- This issue is specific to Nvidia graphics cards.
| Use Halo 2 Shader Override[8] |
|---|
Other information
API
| Technical specs | Supported | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Direct3D | 9.0c | |
| Shader Model support | 3 |
| Executable | 32-bit | 64-bit | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Windows |
Middleware
| Middleware | Notes | |
|---|---|---|
| Physics | Havok | |
| Audio | Miles Sound System | |
| Cutscenes | Windows Media Player | Only for logos, and credits. |
| Multiplayer | Games for Windows - LIVE |
Play without Games for Windows - LIVE
- Games for Windows Live can be disabled as an alternative to using a local profile.
| Halo 2 Vista XLiveless[9] |
|---|
Command-line arguments
- See command line arguments on how to use the following options.[10]
| Parameter | Description |
|---|---|
| -windowed | Runs the game in windowed mode. |
| -novsync | Disables Vsync. May improve the game performance. |
| -monitor:X | Allows users to move the game between monitors when running in full screen. Replace X with monitor number (found in Windows Display Settings). |
| -nosound | Runs the game without audio. |
Example map
- Example is a map not included in Halo 2 by default, but is present on the Halo 2 install disc and can be obtained by installing and using the Halo 2 map editor. Example is the only multiplayer map to include Fuel Rod Cannons, and includes custom "silenced" SMGs that are quieter than the ones in other maps and have laser pointers. Example is the smallest map in any Halo game and is unusually dense with explosives. Can also be directly downloaded here (for those that don't want to install the editor).
Maps ported from other Halo Games
Maps that are buggy and/or of low quality are excluded from this list.
Halo 2 Xbox exclusive
Halo 1
- Bloodgulch (more faithful then Coagulation)
- Chill Out
- Prisoner
- SideWinder
- Wizard
Halo 3
System requirements
| Windows | ||
|---|---|---|
| Minimum | Recommended | |
| Operating system (OS) | Vista | |
| Processor (CPU) | 2 GHz | |
| System memory (RAM) | 1 GB | 2 GB |
| Hard disk drive (HDD) | 7 GB | 10 GB |
| Video card (GPU) | Nvidia GeForce 6100 ATI Radeon X700 128 MB of VRAM DirectX 9 compatible Shader model 2.0 support |
DirectX 10 compatible |
- Halo 2 can be played on Windows XP by following this tutorial (Games for Windows - LIVE features will be disabled).
Notes
- ↑ Games for Windows - LIVE DRM features: Legacy activation, supports local profiles.
References
- ↑ Hired Gun - Halopedia, the Halo wiki
- ↑ Problem with Keyboard Setup - last accessed on 2017-05-06
- ↑ Halo 2 Vista w/ Project Cartographer & 3D spatial sound 🎧 (OpenAL Soft HRTF audio)
- ↑ Project Cartographer Update : v0.5 Changelog | Project Cartographer
- ↑ Game does not save refresh rate of monitor and has to be set upon each game launch · Issue #149 · PermaNulled/cartographer - last accessed on 9 June 2023
- ↑ Project Cartographer v0.5.2.1 Update and Changelog | Project Cartographer
- ↑ Some leaves on trees do not render specifically Delta Halo (05a_deltaapproach.map) · Issue #93 · PermaNulled/cartographer
- ↑ Halo 2 PC has two Nvidia specific issues - GeForce Forums - last accessed on May 2023
- ↑ http://www.modacity.net/forums/showthread.php?16074-Halo-2-Vista-XLiveless
- ↑ Install | Project Cartographer