Since shattering sales records last fall, Halo 2 has become more than just a game; it has become a cultural phenomenon. All across the country, millions of gamers have been engaging each other in multiplayer grudge matches online or off. When it was released, Halo 2 contained one of the most complete multiplayer packages ever, and certainly the best one on the XBox. Now, that package is getting even better as the folks at Bungie are releasing a host of new multiplayer maps via free download. However, not to leave offline gamers out of the loop, Bungie is releasing the Halo 2 Multiplayer Map Pack. For just twenty bucks, players without XBox Live can pick up nine great new maps that add to Halo 2’s multiplayer experience, as well as the recent patch that updates their version of Halo 2 to 1.1, tweaking some weapon balances here and there and perfecting the gameplay experience. All in all, this is a great add-on that every Halo 2 aficionado needs right now.

The map pack works pretty simply, requiring a one-time download to your XBox hard drive. First, you have to at least run Halo 2 once on your XBox machine, then you update your version of Halo 2 to 1.1 (something that happens automatically if you’ve played over XBox Live recently), then you are ready to install the maps. After that, you don’t need the disc unless you feel like watching the extra videos.

The multiplayer map pack brings together a mix of nine different maps that each has a unique feel and style to them. For example, the Elongation map has a very claustrophobic feel to it, being very long and narrow while the huge Containment map is almost the opposite, practically requiring the use of vehicles to get from one point to another. The maps are extremely well made, with a surprising amount of polish. Considering the rabid fan base associated with the Halo series, Bungie could have theoretically thrown together a bunch of lousy maps and people would’ve still ran out to grab it, but these maps have all of the quality that gamers have come to associate with Halo 2. Basically, the new maps seamlessly integrate into the original game, showing just how well made they are.

Aside from the new maps, Bungie has included the v1.1 patch in the package. As I mentioned earlier, if you’ve Halo’ed over Live recently, then you probably already have the patch, but gamers who haven’t received the update but play multiplayer Halo 2 regularly offline will notice some pretty big changes. Weapon combinations have been balanced a bit, meaning that some of the dual wields have adjusted strength and won’t feel quite so cheap. Grenades and melee weapons have also been given a bit more power, so they feel a bit more like they did in the first Halo.

The downside to this add-on pack has to do with its actual value. Half of the maps and the v1.1 patch are currently available for free download from XBox Live, with the rest expected on August 30^th. Therefore, some Live gamers may find the need to spend twenty bucks on something that they’ll eventually be able to get for free a little sketchy. However, there are some nice extras that they won’t be able to download, like the making of the map pack, a brief cutscene showing some marines on a dropship getting blown up and so on. However, if you are an offline gamer who still digs playing via split-screen or system link, then this is the pack for you.

Gameplay: 9.5
The nine new maps are fantastic and certainly will enhance the multiplayer aspect of Halo 2, online or off. Each of them brings something to the multiplayer table, adding new elements to matches with two players up to 16. The disc also updates your version of Halo 2 (something that should’ve happened anyway if you’ve been playing it recently on XBox Live), which balances some weapon combos as well as gives more power to grenades and melee weapons, something that players have been griping about for a while.

Graphics: 9.0
Halo 2 had great graphics when it came out last November, and they still hold up even today. The new maps are teeming with a unique sense of atmosphere while remaining true to the storyline, and looking amazing.

Sound: 9.0
Halo 2’s booming Dolby Digital soundtrack is still intact, with the same epic soundtrack and crisp and booming sound effects.

Difficulty:  Medium

Concept: 9.0 
The new maps are great, and there are some cool bonus features, like some making-of videos and extras like the original Halo’s E3 2000 trailer. However, if videos don’t really entice you too much, the maps will be available for free download on XBox Live later on.                                        

Multiplayer: 9.5
Being a bunch of multiplayer maps, this package is pure multiplayer. The maps are fantastic, and should lead many gamers to pull out their copy of Halo 2 that’s been resting on the shelf and play it for a good long while.

Overall: 9.5    
While the maps will be available for free download off of XBox Live before too long thus making it somewhat debatable for purchase now, offline gamers won’t go wrong by picking this pack up now and making the sweetest XBox multiplayer experience even sweeter.