Examining Halo 2's Best Level

[@BenPlaysGames]

✅ Subscribe: kzbin.info 🖱 Support the channel: www.patreon.com/ben_plays_games I want a rampant Cortana plushie.

[@mrmadskillz1240]

Amen

[@sabasman]

The “rank” of Arbiter is one of shame during Halo 2. It used to be what you said, but that was before the covenant came into existance

[@BenPlaysGames]

You are correct! I must confess, my knowledge of the lore outside the games is okay but nowhere close to as good as a lot of fans. Ask me stuff about the games and I'll usually know the answer. Ask me about stuff outside them and there's smaller chance I'll get it right haha.

[@eddysanchez262]

Why so shame?

[@Mobysimo]

@@eddysanchez262 Long before the events of the game, one particular Arbiter tried to lead a rebellion against the Prophets. His actions stained the rank for all who came after and since then Arbiters were only chosen from disgraced elites

[@sturm9087]

Well there was a period of time within the covenant that the arbiter was still a figure of respect and prominence. It was the heresy (questioning of the hierarchs) of a specific arbiter that brought shame to the position and made it a personal tool of the prophets.

[@ilcorvo9559]

I always viewed it as a bit more nuanced than just a title of shame; as effectively a role by which one earns redemption. in becoming the arbiter, his former name (and crime) is washed away. I imagine it’s also politically expedient to take senior and powerful elites and give them effectively a death sentence no one can refuse as it’s such an honour.

[@SneedRemembrancer]

The best part of the mission “It’s like a postcard, dear sarge kicking ass in outer space wish you were here” “I heard that, jackass”

[@BenPlaysGames]

Funnily enough, I wanted to include those lines but stupidly flicked to the anniversary version which caused a big hitch and made that bit of footage unusable!

[@zachtaylor5312]

I remember playing this game at midnight on launch. This level is one that always stands out. Some of the levels after always bleed together in my mind.

[@BenPlaysGames]

I traded in my black Xbox and got the see through green edition with the game on launch day. Not sure if paying more money for the same console but green was the wisest decision but it did look the tits haha.

[@zachtaylor5312]

@@BenPlaysGames Yep I had that green one at one point. Wish I kept it now

[@BenPlaysGames]

@@zachtaylor5312 Likewise my dude.

[@ryanelliott71698]

My only major critique is that the marines you keep don’t transfer into Regret. I’d keep my ODST’s alive just to get regular marines.

[@patricks.7951]

Lore wise it doesn't make sense either. You'd think if the UNSC were on mission to kill the prophet of Regret, they'd send more ODSTs with Chief.

[@justinnyugen7015]

@@patricks.7951 they would have also dropped him in closer. There are fewer anti-air turrets around the lake temple compared to where we first land.

[@Ascreaminpotato]

Halo 2 was the first video game I remember playing. There were about 10 young kids in our neighborhood who would have 4 player PVP tournaments basically every day. we were too young to even figure out system link, even though we all had Xboxes with four controllers and a copy of the game. To me, this game is perfect: in and of itself, a time capsule of simpler times. I was too young to even understand the story, but the setting and gameplay drew me in. I’d sneak downstairs in the middle of the night just to play by myself and frequently got in trouble. I barely play video games anymore, but I do tell my own stories, and I owe so much of that essential part of my life to this game

[@BenPlaysGames]

Halo Combat Evolved and Halo 2 were an obsession for me during my teenage years. So much so, we even managed to get Combat Evolved hooked up to XBConnect (or whatever it was called on Gamespy) so we could play it online. Hang Em High, pistols and snipers only - pump it into my veins.

[@RoffleHB]

I've had a lot of great memories playing this mission as a kid. I'm still finding secrets I didn't know about to this day, for example: -If you run out of rockets in the first encounter, you can climb to the rooftop of the building and find a dead ODST and a rocket launcher carrying 4 rockets. -In the jackal sniper forest, if you follow the stream at the bottom it'll lead to an energy sword. (Finding this as a kid actually started a habit of me trying to find secrets in waterfalls and ends of rivers in other video games.) - When you travel about halfway through the jackal sniper forest, you might see two jackals and an elite walk out of a cave. Head inside to find a dead ODST holding two magnums and some frag grenades. I also love that it's not only the first mission that we get introduced to ODSTs, but the level design also lets them follow us from the beginning to the very end of the mission.

[@sasaki999pro]

5:45 This right here is one of my FAVORITE child hood memories of Halo 2 As a kid alot of narrative and military sci-fi jargon kinda flew over my head, so I didn't listen to a whole bunch of the dialogue back then, I didnt even notice the UNSC was dropping off a tank after I destroyed the two wraiths so I just started progressing forward on foot. Hearing Cortana chime in on that literally snapped me out of my attention deficited trance toward the next objective like "WHAT??" and I started frantically looking around until I spotted the scorpion behind me _"OOOOOOOOOOAAAAAHHHH!!!"_ It was the first time a video game blew my mind.

[@sandman8993]

If the sniper jackals weren’t such a pest on legendary I think halo 2 would be my favourite 🤔. Always loved this mission 👍

[@lukebowlin7346]

“Off the rock, through the bush,….Nothing but Jackal.” 🤣

[@BenPlaysGames]

Jackal alley in particular can go do one, terrible game design.

[@DG-pk3fh]

Wuss

[@ArthurVere]

That's why I think Halo CE will never be beaten. I loved the gigantism of the first Halo. Remember when you just leave the safety pod and you see this MASSIVE area with the waterfall and the cliffs. Since I am a kid when I first played Halo CE I always dreamed about getting up those cliffs and see what's beyond. You can travel all over the map on Halo Delta which is really fun though. But yeah I'm sad none Halo games after 1 could bring back that gigantism feeling when you're exploring areas of a Halo ring. That was quite out of subject but congrats on the vid though! Love to hear you talking halo as always :)

[@BenPlaysGames]

Cheers for watching Arthur mate. I actually agree with you on this point too. I really like Halo 2 and in so many ways it's a step up from Combat Evolved, but I was disappointed when it first released by the lack of scale in some of the environments compared to its predecessor. Halo 3 definitely recaptured some of the magic for me (missions like Tsavo Highway, The Ark and The Covenant) but Combat Evolved is, in my eyes, still king for the side of things.

[@Mr.Mud69117]

I think The Ark mission does that really well, The Covenent in some places too. But I agree, Attack on the Control Room/Two Betrayals is my favorite Halo mission for that reason. So much space, especially since you go in these tight corridors and rooms into giant snowy areas. Love it!

[@NormalTree42388]

Bruh the whole point of halo infinite is to be an open halo world

[@Mr.Mud69117]

@@NormalTree42388 Wish they did it better…

[@TwiceTheBitsGames]

@@NormalTree42388 You think you want an open world Halo until you find out that there is nothing over that far off hill. Just more grass and a couple of grunts hanging around

[@nbahistorian0482]

More Halo 2 levels please!! I’m very curious to see a breakdown of Gravemind as it’s my personal favorite of the game and I really feel it’s a master class of gameplay and environments, plus the storytelling is top notch both through visuals and Cortana letting you know what’s going on without being over bearing

[@BenPlaysGames]

Regret coming before the end of the week and Gravemind definitely on the list too. Aim is to cover every mission Bungie ever made. I'd love to say every Halo mission, but might be a struggle with 4 and 5 as I don't enjoy them as much (although I will definitely talk about them in the future).

[@EmDub01]

Halo 2 will always be the most nostalgic Halo for me, and the music is what why it gets the strongest emotional reaction from me. This level (paired with the next level, Regret) is one of my favorite experiences in gaming. Hearing “Peril” is a lighthearted fun adventure which reminds me of running around with my friends outside as a kid, using sticks as guns and imagining ourselves fighting off aliens; the following excerpt of “Heretic, Hero” during the tank portion feels slow but powerful and confident, befitting of someone operating a tank; but the last section at the waterfall with the jackal snipers is by far my favorite part, and whenever I hear “In Amber Clad” the slow, mournful strings mixed with the stylish electric guitar immediately make me wish I could go back to when I was younger and that times were simpler, it’s one of the most impactful pieces of music in the series to me. I also love the end of the level, where you walk out of the enclosed area and see the enormous lake, and the music is just 2 simple string chords played twice, but it sounds so open, mysterious, and beautiful to me, and I always stop to look around and enjoy that moment. I love the aesthetic of this level from the lighting to the colors to the sound effects to the environmental art design, but the music is the part that ties everything together and makes the emotional impact last a long, long time.

[@Kotor13e]

This level and gravemind are my favorite level and the intro cutscene is one of my favorite in the series

[@BenPlaysGames]

The opening cutscene is epic. And it has a cute grunt playing with its toys, which is a massive win for me.

[@Kotor13e]

@@BenPlaysGames I also like to think part of someone's building is now floating million of light years away

[@guglielmogiambelli9794]

Delta Halo is an excellent level, even if I feel the lack of a more open map but this is a problem often recurring in Halo 2. Despite that, due to the extremely fun gameplay I can still enjoy every level of Halo 2. Delta Halo concept is indeed very close to AotCR but due to the bigger environment in Halo CE, AotCR is for me a better mission, even considering the repetitions. In general I agree with everything you said about the Halo 2 level. The intro, the drop pod landing and the combat session with the ODST is amazing. The tank session is one of my favorite in the saga, also because I love Halo 2 tank: the path is linear but you proceed blasting everything you face and you have control on the main cannon AND coaxial gun. The forest session with weapons canister dropping from the Pelican and squads of marines supporting you gave me the impression of a real military operation which is an important aspect of an Halo game; being a SciFi Military Shooter. I also love the fact that at the end of the level, before entering the temple, you can spot and kill the enemies that you will face in the next level; really a nice touch. About the best Halo 2 level, mine is Outskirts + Metropolis; due to their nature I consider that the same mission divided in two parts. I will write deeply on that levels under your dedicated videos but I can say now that I love them also for the Earth setting: the feeling generated by the city invaded and the chase of the Scarab is very intense for me. Looking forward for your next video (especially on my fav games like Halo)!!! As usual, excellent work!!!

[@Headless_Bill]

Scorpion coaxial machine gun FTW!

[@takoshihitsamaru4675]

That UNSC human pyramid caught me off guard haha

[@BenPlaysGames]

Acrobatic bastards those soldiers!

[@sicKlown86]

Wonderful video, as usual. I'm glad the algorithm blessed me with this channel and I hope you get the views and success you deserve.

[@BenPlaysGames]

Thanks Michael, that's super kind of you dude. Glad you enjoyed the video too!

[@GibbonFan]

"this next encounter is for my money the best in the entire mission" "it has features jackals sniping you from afar"

[@BenPlaysGames]

Hahaha I only play the missions for the videos on normal difficulty like a big girl's blouse, so for me they weren't so bad. Having solo'd the game in legendary back in the day, however, I totally understand how nightmarish they can be! A point of contention I'm saving for whenever I get around to covering the mission featuring the infamous jackal alley 😉

[@curlyfry2047]

One of my favorite things to do in this mission was to disable one of the covenant barricades, drive my Scorpion ore it, and let recharge in side of the tank which would send it flying across the map.

[@lustrazor44]

I always felt halo 2 felt too small in scale. It had the illusion of large areas but it was fairly more linear than the original game. While many aspects of the combat was also improved, halo CE still retains the most visceral shooting in the series. All the weapons just feel so powerful. Even on legendary. Look at the AR for example. Charging an elite with it, they stumble, try to get out of the way while you’re just peppering then with holes. It feels like you’re pinning them down and killing them at the same time. In halo 2/3, they barely react to automatic fire.

[@cameronnorton5898]

I agree. CE had the most balls in it's depiction of violence, which in a game about war is essential to the experience.

[@mikestokes6124]

Mowing down covies with the AR and its thick, juicy 60 round mag is a big reason CE is my favourite. It never gets old

[@Apfelseft]

The feeling of dropping in with some ODSTs is always nice. It elevates that military feeling with you as the most important player aka Master Chief. The newer games don’t convey the same vibe, it became more of a you are the only one against an entire army but hey here and there are some marines so have fun ig?

[@LeavingGoose046]

That's the feeling I crave again

[@SirDonkle]

I think I definitely agree with this one. I still love Halo 2, but the later missions just don't offer the same experience you get with Delta Halo. Interesting how Halo's best missions are ones that take place on its namesake. I think that's part of why the missions in Halo 4 and 5 just didnt have the same appeal to me.

[@BenPlaysGames]

Missions set on a Halo or in wide open spaces in general (for example, Tsavo Highway in 3) are always my favourite. You do sometimes get more narrow missions that are stellar too, but I'm all about the chaotic sandbox action with enemies, vehicles and the like all over the place. Agree on 4 and 5 too (especially 5) - there is the occasional decent mission, Reclaimer in 4 being a good example, but they can be a struggle to get through at times.

[@burge117]

Perfect Sunday Night Viewing! My favourite Halo 2 level and arguably one of, if not the best level in the series. Starts me with my favourite two weapons. The SMG and the Rocket Launcher! Throws in some ODSTs for good measure! The level is so well placed and includes some of the best parts of the sandbox. The soundtrack is on point too, again the level begins with my favourite Halo piece. Peril. Then follows up with some of the best pieces in the series. Side note. I am probably one of the only people who thinks this, but I really cannot get on with the new cinematics. For me, less is more. Though I totally understand no one will agree with this last point haha.

[@BenPlaysGames]

Thank you as always for checking it out Burge my man. And fair enough on the cinematics too - I personally love them as Halo 2 always had such an epic feel and I really like how much they add to that. I really wrestled with whether to use them or the originals for this as I like to show the games as much as possible in their original form, but went a bit rogue in the end haha.

[@torb-no]

While I do like the cinematics I can certainly understand perspectives like that. Many think that CE being kinda empty is a bad thing for example, but personally, I love the sense of solitude it brings. I'm sure it happened by accident by technical limitations, but sometimes appealing things in games are accidents.

[@burge117]

@@torb-no Thanks and you make a good point. I certainly appreciate the cutscenes, they are very well made. Just something about the simplicity of the OG ones.

[@burge117]

@@BenPlaysGames Well regardless of cutscenes used, they didn't hamper the video. You are right of the new graphics too, this is one level across Halo and Halo 2 Anniversary that the new graphics add something, instead of being new and shiny.

[@BenPlaysGames]

@@torb-no +1 Nothing more relaxing than a warthog ride round Halo or The Silent Cartographer.

[@Accuaro]

Best Halo 3 level is when the Forward Unto Dawn comes down to land on the ark, sending sand, debris and vehicles flying. The sense of awe is breathtaking, nothing like it any other game,

[@Viper3]

My favorite mission as well! Both New Mombasa missions are also great in their own right and are a close second/third IMHO. Can’t wait to watch.

[@BenPlaysGames]

Definitely covering Outskirts/Metropolis soon too - also a big fan of them!

[@JustinTK416]

While it is your first time on the second game’s Halo, I’ve always considered this mission more of like Halo 2’s Silent Cartographer, though the similarities between it and Assault on the Control Room are also notable. The thing about it is, like Silent Cartographer, Delta Halo is the mission that takes its game’s design philosophy and lets it go full blast. Halo 1 was all about setting up large, open areas that you gaze out on before being let loose to sprint through a combat engagement and explore, hence Silent Cartographer being an island you can approach virtually any way you want to before going deeper in and fighting in tight engagements in a spooky, mysterious under-structure. Halo 2 took the combat sprints and drew them out into an intense run, not going as big into the element of exploration, but having a more linear sequence of engagements, broken only enough to give you a moment to resupply after each before continuing the onslaught.

[@MrEXTREMETORTOISE]

Definitely my favorite halo 2 level, I remember getting the sputnik skull and getting to the part with the bridge and letting the wraith launch my warthog off the map. I think the soundtrack is the thing I loved most about this mission including the remasters.

[@DragonActual]

Delta Halo's my favourite of the rings because of the Underwater elevator and surface gondolas. Great sequences.

[@BenPlaysGames]

Might be a follow up covering Regret, which features those parts, coming soon 😉

[@DragonActual]

@@BenPlaysGames Sweet

[@michaelguernsey1206]

IM SO GLAD SOMEONE FINALLY MENTIONS HOW PERIL IS A GREAT TRACK! Great video dude!

[@BenPlaysGames]

Cheers Michael - it's a cracking bit of music, isn't it?

[@someirishguy1662]

Sacred Icon is my favourite thematically, essentially a 4 way heavyweight fight between dispirate factions with the same goal

[@BenPlaysGames]

Ah in that case, maybe don't watch my video on it 😶

[@justintheegrey]

The music on that mission was stellar

[@someirishguy1662]

@@BenPlaysGames already loved it!!

[@Headless_Bill]

Same, but Quarantine Zone for me. I think Sacred Icon is my least favorite level in Halo 2 - Constantly outgunned by Enforcers and running for your life from the Flood... not my idea of fun lol.

[@BenPlaysGames]

@@someirishguy1662 Thanks dude!

[@iolist3991]

Excellent video Ben as always again. Hope to see your channel grow in the future. Still can’t understand how you aren’t at 100K

[@BenPlaysGames]

Cheers dude! It's actually been a real struggle gaining subscribers recently, but I figure just gotta keep working hard and it will get better. One day, perhaps many, many years from now, it would be lovely to earn one of those 100k plaques.

[@e1ectricfee1]

Another banger as usual Ben! Keep up the videos. Back In the day we use to uses halo 2 multiplayer customs game as a way to have live chat parties for world of Warcraft!

[@BenPlaysGames]

Cheers Andrew! I was basically addicted to Halo 2 for a time, to an unreasonable extent haha. Xbox was so ahead of its time in terms of console multiplayer...

[@Luke_H98]

Great video as always Ben. Delta Halo has my favorite opening cutscene in Halo 2. Great level and gameplay. Can't wait to see what's next!

[@BenPlaysGames]

Thanks Luke! Video on Regret coming in the next few days 😉

[@cghern75]

Good Afternoon Ben. Yes.... one of my favorite levels, so I can't wait to get into the video and hear your thoughts on it. Thank you for the consistency of excellent content! 👍

[@BenPlaysGames]

Afternoon Carlos! And no worries at all dude, I love making them and still blows my mind that anyone watches them at all 😂

[@cghern75]

@@BenPlaysGames Great games never go out of style... especially from Bungie!

[@alexz1189]

@@BenPlaysGames Love your voice man, it's so awesome,gives me peace of mind and a state of overall tranquility.

[@BenPlaysGames]

@@cghern75 True that!

[@BenPlaysGames]

@@alexz1189 Thanks dude, appreciate that!

[@asimplepie2279]

It’s actually one of my favorite levels right behind the Ark and the Covenant

[@BenPlaysGames]

That's reasonable - Delta Halo, The Ark and The Covenant ain't a bad top three at all!

[@HYDRAdude]

My major complaint with this level is that it feels far too short, it ends right when it reaches its peak.

[@taudvore259]

I mean, who play Delta Halo without immediately going into Regret afterwards?

[@dualwielders1221]

“Great Journey?” Doesn’t he know what these rings do? Good analysis, per usual👍🏾

[@BenPlaysGames]

Thanks dude!

[@Godeater13273]

My favourite Halo 2 level and one of the very best in the entire series tbh

[@BenPlaysGames]

Agreed!

[@WealthyRaindrop]

Another excellent video. I also like how in this level there are multiple drop pods with fallen ODSTs hidden in the trees. One has a rocket launcher and another a sniper/BR. This is also the only level in Halo 2 that has a pair of jackals that naturally spawn with plasma rifles. They spawn in the structure you show near the 8 minute mark and you typically don’t notice them because you just annihilate them with the tank.

[@BenPlaysGames]

Nice one Gary! Cheers for pointing those things out too, I'd actually never noticed any of them. Am going to look for the fallen ODSTs in particular next time I play the mission.

[@WealthyRaindrop]

@@BenPlaysGames First one is at the structure where you activate the bridge. If you are standing facing out from the two ghosts that spawn by stairs it’ll be up and to the left. I actually found this one during my LASO run. The second one is as you are coming around the corner before you take the tank into the second indoor structure. To reach it you actually have to drive the tank to the right and wiggle the treads enough so the tank will ‘ride’ up the wall a little. Then you can jump out and climb the tank and the drop pod will be to the left behind a tree you’ve gotta jump over.

[@tungie9734]

@@WealthyRaindrop there is also the one on top of the structure in the starting area with extra rockets i think

[@WealthyRaindrop]

@@tungie9734 You are correct. I always go up there to fight the extra waves of covenant with a beam rifle/BR so in my mind that area isn’t “hidden.”

[@BenPlaysGames]

@@WealthyRaindrop Ah cool, thanks man. Just sitting down to play Regret through again as I finalise tomorrow's video, so will check that out at the same time.

[@hurrsia]

Delta Halo and the Prophet assassination are both fantastic

[@CrimsonJ3ster]

Love the video feel like your always spot on with your analysis of halo levels but I do have to say I think the opening to this level needed a bit more love it is by far one of the best openings to any halo level

[@BenPlaysGames]

Thanks Jester! It's a cracking opening to be sure. Sometimes I have to limit what I say a little, as there's not enough footage to match the script and I hate just chucking in random or repeated footage 🙈

[@CrimsonJ3ster]

@@BenPlaysGames I can understand and totally understand great video still

[@BenPlaysGames]

@@CrimsonJ3ster Cheers dude! Regret coming today/tomorrow (depending on where you live).

[@CrimsonJ3ster]

@@BenPlaysGames ill be there

[@joshstraka9579]

I've just recently subscribed to your channel and your videos are top notch in my book and deserve more views. Keep em coming dude

[@BenPlaysGames]

Cheers Josh mate, much appreciate - and will do, video on Regret coming in the next few days 😉

[@Somegoy]

Remember this game was developed in 10 months. They had a hell of a timeline and they did an amazing job with what they had. I've played through this campaign hundreds of times since the game launched

[@trequanjohnson9548]

My favorite halo 2 level is actually Gravemind even on Legendary! I love the environment of how you're in High Charity and the covenant are fighting each other. I also love the new effective weapons such as brute plasma rifles and brute shot with extra melee damage. I remember being traumatized of how the environment was in Gravemind when I first played the mission.

[@rsg1506]

I like that in the cutscene, cortana doesn't say, "that is another halo" until the player sees it, very clever writing and cinematography bungie

[@calebredmond9947]

Great video! Would you ever consider analyzing any horror games like silent hill levels? ive never seen any breakdowns how you do them for horror game levels.

[@BenPlaysGames]

Oh definitely! Horror is probably my favourite genre and I've wanted to cover more games in it for ages. PT especially is one I've always wanted to do a video on. I did also do a video on Resident Evil Village's House Beneviento section, which might tickle your pickle: kzbin.info/www/bejne/eJSso4uMebWWsNk

[@silverbackentertainment237]

Your videos are very entertaining as you clearly have a love for Halo and there's countless easter eggs that I've never noticed/encountered yet. Please keep making these videos. If you're interested I have three short action figure films on my channel which are based on Halo.

[@BenPlaysGames]

Nice one Silverback! Just checked out some of the Texas Chainsaw Massacre video, good stuff mate. It's one of my favourite horror movies.

[@THE.kevman237]

One does not simply play "Delta Halo" without also playing "Regret." 😊

[@BenPlaysGames]

Few people have said this - starting to think this video needs a follow up...

[@THE.kevman237]

@@BenPlaysGames 😊😊

[@THE.kevman237]

@@BenPlaysGames I mean, H2 has several levels that are artificially split in two: Outskirts/Metropolis, Delta Halo/Regret, and Sacred Icon/Quarantine Zone (my favorite H2 level).

[@BenPlaysGames]

@@THE.kevman237 Regret coming today to finish that particular pairing. If Sacred Icon/Quarantine Zone are your faves, maybe don't watch my videos on em haha.

[@THE.kevman237]

@@BenPlaysGames Oh wow, that was quick! And yeah, lol. I play Sacred Icon mostly because it leads into QZ, and the Flood atmosphere is awesome, especially in H2A. Plus, you can give carbines to shield-bearing Jackals, which makes no sense and looks hilarious!

[@lennieleng9679]

This is my favorite Halo 2 level too

[@AnemicAngels]

As much as I love delta halo, Assault on the control room is the superior level. I think it might even be my favorite halo mission of all time. If it wasn't for its vastness and length you wouldn't get the sense of how big and wonderous a halo installation was. It perfectly sums up the majestic atmosphere of halo as a series.

[@puddel9079]

Ah, Delta Halo. The first half of my favorite portion of Halo 2.

[@BenPlaysGames]

Video on Regret coming this week 😉

[@aidanlittle1629]

Love this mission and one of my favourite bits about it are the dead hidden odsts around the map with weapons the one with the rocket launcher was especially cool to find as a kid up on the cliffs in the first big tank arena

[@torb-no]

I think this level is interesting because while it shares the characteristics that make Halo 2 levels worse than CE, that is: very more linear level design, less openness, less big epic areas… it just works so damn well! It's like the level is trying to say: ”Oh yeah Halo 2 level design is bad? What about me? I'm following a similar philosophy to all the others!”. (EDIT: I think this also applies to Regret which almost together with Delta Halo feels like the same mission.) I guess it goes to show that executing an idea well is far more important than the idea. But yeah, generally agree with your take. Except for maybe one thing: I don't think this is better than Assault On The Control Room, but it's cool that you highlight the parallels. Hadn't thought about that before! Thanks for the video as always!

[@BenPlaysGames]

Thanks Torb! And that's a perfect way of describing it - as you say, in a way it highlights some of what was lost during the transition from Combat Evolved to 2, which is the larger, more open areas with more choice on how to approach things. At the same time, it also sticks to the design philosophy Bungie seemingly had with 2 so unashamedly that I can't help but love it. Couple of people have mentioned Regret being almost the second half. Thinking I should perhaps cover that next while everything's still fresh in my mind (I have issues which mean I forget stuff really, really quickly 🙈).

[@matthewwhite3967]

@@BenPlaysGames Regret is the second half. It picks up immediately after you kill the honor guards in that room and continues from there. Not sure why they made it a whole different level unless it was a memory issue or something at the time.

[@BenPlaysGames]

@@matthewwhite3967 I'd imagine it was something along the lines. I believe the development of 2 was pretty difficult in general, so could be any number of things though. Video on that mission coming today too!

[@torb-no]

@@matthewwhite3967 I think it makes sense to split up the levels, but I think it would have made sense to call it Regret Part I (prev. Delta Halo) and Regret Part II or something like that to show the connection.

[@LegataireS117]

Probably my favourite Halo mission ever, all games mingled. The musique like you said create an atmosphere soooo chill and relaxing, it's a pleasure to play it just for that. Until you play it on legendary, as always

[@Ben-ik2bb]

Always love your commentaries and insights. Halo 2 is my favorite of the series due to the storytelling, character arcs, and worldbuilding Bungie put in. I also will say, the gameplay seems much nicer in this video, maybe you've had a bit more practice? 😂

[@BenPlaysGames]

Haha thanks Ben - I'm actually not as terrible at videogames as I look, honest!

[@captainhowlerwilson508]

The only thing I really disagree on is on the cliffhanger, which I think was the best choice they could have made, considering everything that was going to happen in Halo 3, and that final line “finishing this fight” really set up what we were going to see in the big epic finale.

[@wesleywatson2009]

In amber clad, more like in amber chad, my favorite halo 2 track

[@BenPlaysGames]

In Amber Chad, love it 😂

[@Mr.LaughingDuck]

4:42 Guess no one told Ben that overcharged plasma pistol, while great against shields, do jack shit against unshielded opponents in H2

[@BenPlaysGames]

Haha you don't know until you've tried it! Or forgotten that you've tried it a million times in the past.

[@nazizombiesmustdie1]

“You always bring me to such nice places”

[@nintendonerdjoseph]

This has been my go to Halo 2 level for years.

[@curiouschip1922]

Delta halo has always been my favorite mission now it’s more prettier in anniversary graphics

[@cynicalgold9992]

this mission is absolute hell on legendary. then again, so is every other halo 2 mission when on legendary

[@ChairmanKam]

10:30 Peril is Halo 2's Under Cover of Night

[@BenPlaysGames]

Funny you should say that, as I also think of it in a similar vein to that track and a Walk in the Woods. Really nice relaxing, almost exploratory tracks that fit beautifully with the gameplay.

[@ChairmanKam]

@@BenPlaysGames Beyond that, they are the track which appears at opposite ends of Act 2, so to me they ARE the individual game's song.

[@EthanRom]

I have a weird relationship with Halo 2. Halo CE was my first game I used to play it on my dad’s mac at the office after school then after some time I missed the release of Halo 2 cause I didn’t have the original xbox or vista and went straight to Halo 3 at 07. Loved it and eventually got Halo 2, which is now my favorite game as it shares a lot of Halo CE’s DNA with some of modern parts that would eventually be Halo 3. Halo 2 while not perfect-those Arbiter missions were tough to get thru so much Flood-was just so much grander in scale, missions and multiplayer levels. If Halo 2 stuck the landing with the last mission. Supposedly it was going to be a warthog run on High Charity. It would’ve made this game a 10/10

[@nomorepartiezz]

Man i cant believe how old og halo is… this game and CE were literally my childhood. Now im 21 graduating college in spring… Fuck… good video though man

[@BenPlaysGames]

Nice one mate! I'm 34 and I'll tell you now - time only speeds up the older you get, so enjoy everything to the utmost as it doesn't take long before it's a decade later again haha.

[@thatonepseudotwin7775]

For me, my two personal favorite mission in halo 2 are delta halo and outskirts. While this video is mostly about the "normal" experience playing the level. I greatly enjoy a niche type of enjoyment of this game. How vast and explorable it is when you go out of bounds. outskirts has the rooftops to jump on and explore in several areas of the level and delta halo has literally the entire map to explore. whatever you see, you can stand on. And that's something that i really despise about newer halos and just games in general. old games have oob skips and explorable areas not meant to be used by players and it makes it turn into a whole new level. It's so much fun that sadly isn't in games anymore.

[@williamashbless7904]

Again, your analysis is quite thorough and well presented. Delta Halo is my favorite mission from Halo 1 1/2, as I call it. Overall I was rather disappointed in the game. Having to fight half the game as a slimey alien turned me off. Your opinionthat Delta Halo is similar to AotCR is very accurate and your contention that DH’s mission length was perfect, compared to the longer AotCR. Could ‘DH’ and ‘Regret’ been one overly long(and truly glorious) level that was actually broken into two missions? DH ends and Regret begins in the same room immediately after. It sure seems that way. Anyway, keep up the good work. Your content is some of the best Halo themed analysis out there.

[@BenPlaysGames]

Cheers William, appreciate the kind words dude! I must confess that Halo 2 also isn't my favourite in the series either. There's a lot I really like about it (the story, for example, is the best in the series) but in gameplay terms, it sometimes falls a little flat for me. A few people have mentioned Regret, so I'm beginning to think the subject of my next video is sorted haha.

[@TonyOcasiowingchunpressure]

At 2:20 when the guy said I wouldn't think they would run into a second halo...DUDE LOOK AT THE TITLE OF THE GAME HALO 2.....🤣

[@RickySama240]

Both Delta Halo and Regret can be very long missions, but i still love esthetic within the level. :)

[@Richard-iv3ii]

I play halo 2 on heroic alot and I just started a playthrough with a friend, I never knew it was a different doll. I thought it was the same doll every difficulty. I always felt like I was gonna kill my biggest fan, who's shooting at me with a plasma turret.

[@edux54]

superb video as always

[@henryalberts539]

While I do really like Delta Halo, I also always feel a little sad when I finish it, because it’s the end of the “good” half of the game for me. From Regret on, none of the others really do it for me in being things I really want or like to replay.

[@IsaardP]

Good stuff 👍

[@BenPlaysGames]

Thanks Isaard!

[@MaxCoplan]

nit-pick: I've seen this in a few of your videos so I thought I'd just tell you now. I'm pretty sure shooting an overcharged Plasma Pistol at enemies with no shields (4:42) has NO effect in Halo 2 and 3. It did damage in CE, and was added back in in Reach :)

[@Headless_Bill]

I just never understood the title of the level. Delta Halo... but it's Installation 05. Shouldn't that make it Epsilon Halo?

[@goatman9499]

And 04 is Alpha Halo ?

[@TheActualMrLink]

Hey Ben, between Master Chief and The Arbiter, who’s your favorite?

[@BenPlaysGames]

That's a tough one! I probably lean towards Master Chief on the whole due to his relationship with Cortana but The Arbiter definitely has better dialogue, some of his lines are top tier.

[@disaster_chief]

i always thought that grunt was trying to grab a slab of meat 😂 i couldn't tell it was rampant cortana because it moves around too much

[@cameronnorton5898]

@ 9:00 how could you not mention the song that plays during this section? It was one of the best, most memorable uses of music in the whole game.

[@BenPlaysGames]

Er... 10:05?

[@cameronnorton5898]

@@BenPlaysGames Oof, I'm weturted

[@BenPlaysGames]

@@cameronnorton5898 Happens to the best of us!

[@mortman200]

Silent Cartographer remains the best Halo level ever made, but I'd argue that Delta Halo is a strong contender for second place. Halo 2's main issue with pacing comes from the way most of the missions are split into two levels. Outskirts/Metropolis, The Arbiter/The Oracle, Delta Halo/Regret and Sacred Icon/Quarantine Zone. On their own some of these levels are too short which is why they get put together, but if the game really wanted to embrace the dichotomy between Chief and Arbiter I think going back and forth between the two each level would have been the better move to show how they mirror one another.

[@poly_g6068]

The only thing Delta Halo is missing is a couple of Brutes here and there

[@Disappearit]

Outskirts is my favorite level!

[@marklee1194]

I always thought the song, In Amber Clad, sounds very similar to Queen - We Will Rock You.

[@HaloAddictedChild]

Love your videos but the rank of Arbiter was a rank of shame due to the arbiter before the one we play as, questioned the covenant

[@THEN00BINATORX3]

Halo 2 easily has the most defining soundtrack. the sound you think of when you first think Halo music. the majority of tracks later down the line, are for the most part are just mixes of halo 2 tracks

[@2kdavv]

excellent video, love your examinations of levels even if i disagree. also dont mean to be "that person" but the arbiter as a title was positive long before thel vadam until one arbiter challenged the prophets and then it became like a negative thing, but thats not really blatantly mentioned in the game other than the terminals so its a fair thing to miss. looking forward to seeing more :)

[@blicky888]

i don't think i've ever done this level without doing the skips

[@OperationMindPhuk]

"Off the Rock, Through the Bush, Nothing but Jackal." *In Amber Clad starts playing* :')

[@bromodragone8405]

The ODSTs here are just Sgt. Stacker, PFC Dubbo and Sgt. Banks.

[@whiteasian3636]

Let’s gooo- ok how did we just accidentally find another halo ring by chance? You know what I don’t care I enjoyed it

[@BenPlaysGames]

The more rings the better is what I always say.

[@flyingdoggo9887]

it wasn't by chance we followed a covie ship into a slipspace jump

[@Kevin-uj4uu]

all though i agree with you on how disappointing halo 2 is having smaller scale levels compared to ce, i actually think cairo station is the best level in halo 2. narrow but the engagements are fun, and the environment is varied and cool. unlike other narrow ugly levels like the gas mining station or the forerunner facilities that are repeated. its just solid all around and great to play through. i find delta halo good but dragged down a bit by the tank section. im sure with glitches you can skip it but in a normal play through you pretty much have to slog through there on a tank on high difficulties because you are going through narrow pieces of geometry (the Mayan ruins) blasting through a ton of covenant that are all spawned with ghosts. there no real leeway if you decide to go on foot here. where as something like the covenant i feel like the vehicle sections are designed better. its nice to have to warthog to go from the beach to the forrunner facility, especially because its faster but once you are outside the facility its not mandatory to kill everything. i dont know really im just not a fan of being jammed in those ruins with hundreds of ghosts and you just slowly but easily disposing of them. its just boring and not really gameplay its like cookie clicker or some shit still a fantastic halo 2 level though, but i dont think its the best. and fok mang it looks amazing on remaster

[@tylerasweet]

Halo 2 is somehow both the best and the worst halo campaign. The story, soundtrack, and cinematic sequences are the best. I think the level design makes it the least fun to replay

[@BenPlaysGames]

I agree Tyler. The three aspects you mentioned are the best in the series plus there's some great additions to the sandbox, but I find some of the missions to be a real slog. The Arbiter's missions in particular and some of the later stuff on High Charity being the main culprits.

[@tylerasweet]

@@BenPlaysGames I’d just like to add that I’m not counting 343’s games when I mention halo 2 being the worst

[@BenPlaysGames]

@@tylerasweet Me neither, it's definitely above those!

[@douglas8352]

Halo Combat Evolved Are You Going To The Rest Of Story?

[@aaronbanks234]

Can u plz do bioshock amazing ending and Andrew Ryan death scene. Or atleast more bioshock content plz

[@fanamatakecick97]

Personally, and it might just be the visuals, but i prefer Regret

[@BenPlaysGames]

You'll be pleased to know, then, that a video on that mission is coming this week.

[@fanamatakecick97]

@@BenPlaysGames Sweet! Man, one of my favorite things about you is that you directly interact with your community very consistently. It’s rare, nowadays, and i think it goes under appreciated. You’re very passionate, too. Going through every detail you can think to find. Like in your 343 Guilty Spark video, i never knew about the dead marine bodies if you backtrack at the beginning, nor did i ever notice the jackals and marines seemingly teaming up. I’ve been a diehard Halo fanatic for nearly 2/3 of my life (-14 years), and yet i’ve still learned many things from your videos. Hoo-fucking-rah, Ben

[@BenPlaysGames]

@@fanamatakecick97 Hey dude, just wanted to say a massive thank you for this - I spend a crazy amount of hours every week replying to comments (and sometimes then replying to the replies) and that being recognised really means a lot to me. My motto has always been "why should people spend their free time watching my videos if I won't spend my time engaging with them" and while I can't reply to every comment nowadays, it's something I still try to stick to as much as I can! Thanks for the kind words on the videos too mate, really appreciate the kind feedback. Hoo-fucking-rah mate!

[@huntersmith9511]

best level is the one where arbiter goes to get the index because you have jackal ally's for the first and only time in the entire halo series.

[@wonderingpariah8049]

The good old times.

[@mrmadskillz1240]

Amen have a blessed day evreyone

[@BenPlaysGames]

You too my dude!

[@rm25088]

Halo 2. Fantastic game.

[@geesewantedforwarcrimes8911]

Bro this game looks so good for 2004

[@harshypopcorn]

the title says examining the best halo 2 level. But i dont see gravemind or quarantine zone :(

[@thatrandomzealoth4]

Ok I had this in my mind for a while finally want to ask you is halo ce the worst halo game ever due to how old it is and simple story.People currently hate it so much want to know your thoughts about this.