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Developer Bungie has been churning out content updates since the game’s release mainly in the form of minor patching and new multiplayer maps via Xbox Live. Some maps were available for free while others were available for purchase. Earlier this summer, Microsoft published Bungie’s new multiplayer maps for Halo 2. A total of 9 maps as well as non-playable video content (a cinematic and a mini-documentary) became available on a single game disc. At the price of only $19.99 for either the disc or free download via Xbox Live, this bundle of joy was hard to ignore.

The following is a detailed description of all nine maps:

CONTAINMENT - This map essentially plays like Coagulation; the big differences are the larger bases and the series of tunnels and ditches. The opening and closing base doors breed interesting strategies, and you've got to love a map that has the Scorpion tank as a default vehicle. The explosives on this map only serve as a hazard for the vehicles, as they are too spread apart to be used as a defensive weapon against intruders on foot. The bright white snow makes active camouflage VERY effective on this map. It is a great 2 flag CTF map and will probably work just fine for other large team objective games.

WARLOCK - an intense slayer map and average life spans tend to be on the short side because of the small space and lack of things to hide behind. There are no "power" weapons save for four shotguns, if they count, forcing you to use strategy to gun down your opponent on a level playing field as opposed to blowing them away with a bazooka from a distance. Visually superior to the sterile scenery of the original it was built from (Wizard in Halo 1).

TURF - The tight spaces are great for sneaking up on the opposition's base, and equally handy for staging ambushes. My only reservation about objective games on this map is that it is so small - with such short distances to run with the flag or bomb, a single slip up on the part of the defensive team will most likely cost them the round... games like this will probably be pretty short. However, that same small size will make it a fantastic slayer map. Sadly, there is no sword available.

SANCTUARY - A circular arena, and a fairly large one at that. This is probably best suited for 4 on 4 team objective or slayer games, leaning more towards assault variants. A visually and atmospherically pleasing map, especially on blue team's side where there is flowing water and a humongous tree. There is a sword but wide open spaces limit its usefulness. Again, a map more situated for medium sized objective or team slayer games, although I wouldn't recommend it for free-for-all slayer.

ELONGATION - A remake of Halo 1 map Longest. It is aesthetically far superior to its predecessor, being based on the space station level of Halo 2's campaign. Great lighting effects on the steel plated walls and a brilliant window view of the Earth and its moon. Removing the ladders was a smart move on Bungie's part - not only does it make climbing to the second level much less risky and awkward (and more realistic looking) but it offers another tight space for close encounter skirmishes. The crates can be an asset as well as a liability as they offer cover and serve as stepping stones, but also make it more difficult to retreat. Great small team 2 flag CTF/assault and small or medium sized slayer map.

BACKWASH - Fantastic atmospheric effects on this one, which is based on the 343 Guilty Spark level of Halo 1. The fog is a tremendously significant element to this map as it hides the location of weapons and breaks up the outline of your opponents (which can also work to your advantage). It's set up with two bases for objective games but lends itself the most to slayer variants, with the hunt-or-be-hunted vibe created by the vision obscuring fog and many trees.

GEMINI - Visually one of my favorite new maps, designed after the High Charity level on Halo 2's campaign mode. All the futuristic sliding doors and random noises are there, and the view of High Charity's core from the "back porch" area is some of the best scenery in all of Halo 2's multiplayer maps. Due to the small nature of the map, it probably won't make a great map for assault or CTF variants, but it's perfectly fine for slayer variants as well as oddball, juggernaut, et cetera.

RELIC - sort of a "storming the beach" style map designed for single flag CTF and assault. Unlike Zanzibar, the water is actually a hazard as you will 'fall to your death' if you swim out too far (something to think about when screeching around haphazardly in your warthog.) This is a very unique map with a very specific setup - the defensive structure is extremely difficult to gain access to as you must travel all the way to the back of it, on the opposite side of the island, to find a ramp, with lots of open space and few obstacles to hide behind in-between. Also, there is a two way teleporter that can be activated from inside the base (a double-edged sword, as you can imagine.)

TERMINAL - Probably the busiest/most complicated map in the pack, it can be very disorienting before you learn where everything is. It is based on a train terminal somewhere in New Mombasa and the bullet train itself is a very important aspect of this map. No attack can be launched on the defensive base without taking the train into consideration, which deals out sudden death indiscriminately. Your vehicle will not save you. After getting your bearings straight, this is a fun map and a flexible one at that. Its complexity lends itself to large slayer games (at least 8 people because of its size) and the bases are designed in a lopsided fashion that encourages single flag CTF in specific.

The addition of the above described maps adds great value to Halo 2. It also extends the game’s life and will help to bridge the gap until Halo 3 is eventually released for the Xbox 360.