Master Chief to Pimp Windows Vista
Master Chief's second campaign is finally coming to PC, but only if you're willing to jump through Microsoft's not-insubstantial hoops.
Many PC gamers were upset when Halo: Combat Evolved jumped platforms to Xbox and they were forced to wait for theirs. Microsoft probably isn't going to make friends with the sequel either, as it revealed this week that Halo 2 would be coming to PCs later this year - but only if you buy its fancy new operating system.
Halo 2 will only play on Windows Vista, the years-in-the-making follow-up to Windows XP. Microsoft has failed to give any justification for the move, which suggests it might be a way for the company to lure people into upgrading their operating system ahead of schedule.
And what will you get should you choose to jump through Microsoft's hoops? A dedicated team at Microsoft Game Studios is porting all of Halo 2, so you'll get the full single and multiplayer experience that made it the best-selling game on Xbox.
The new maps included in last year's Halo 2 Multiplayer Map Pack are here too, as is a map editor, giving you the freedom to create the levels you want.
There's no confirmed release date for Halo 2 for PC, but Windows Vista is due later this year, so you can expect Master Chief to reappear around the same time too.
Alex Wollenschlaeger
Editor, Kikizo Games
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