Halo 2 released 19 years ago today, still the GOAT

It doesn’t feel like it’s been that long, but 19 years have passed since Halo 2 launched. In that time many of us have grown up, discovered other franchises, possibly bought a house (lol, who has that kind of money?), and maybe even got married. Despite all that and more happening during this time, the Halo sequel remains the GOAT of the series, perhaps in the whole of gaming.

Let’s face it, in recent years, Halo has come under a lot of scrutiny, not least of all from its fans. Although that tribulation seems to be an issue of the past, with Halo Infinite the best it's been in years, there are still problems facing the franchise. Take charging fans for the original Halo armour at twice the cost of the game – those kind of niggling problems build up, and they sting.

Embrace the hype with Halo The Series' trailer

Nevertheless, while fans have, and continue, to air their grieves, the one true glory of Halo 2 has shone like a beacon in the night. One which we will all do well to remember. “As a kid when this came out it blew me away we could dual-wield those SMGs. Simpler times,” reminisced one gamer. Another fan recalled how it “blew everyone’s mind” to see Chief using two weapons at the same time instead of just one, with the consensus being that Halo 2 “is probably the best sequel of all time. It took a great game and improved upon it so much.”

Even better than the game itself, the traditions of classic gamers, like LAN parties, are being kept alive by loyal fans; just another gift from Halo that keeps on giving. All in all, we’re taken back to a time when connectivity came from gaming in a room together, and then going to school to tell all your friends about the cool missions you finished. In many ways, I miss those days. Still, while the past is the past, the GOAT on every gamer’s mind lives on.