We're going to assume that, if you're interested in getting ready
for Halo 2 that
you've played the original Halo: Combat Evolved. But, if
you were just released from prison or have only recently discovered
the modern marvel that is electricity, step one would be to play
Halo. Play it until your fingers fall off and you see
Master Chief in your dreams …
Besides playing the game, here's what else you can do to steep
yourself in Halo goodness.
Read Don't roll your eyes at me—reading is
cool. First off, read the Halo books. There are three of
them:
The Fall of Reach This is a novel by Eric Nylund that
tells how Master Chief goes from being a normal kid to, well,
Master Chief. It contains all the events that lead up to what
transpires in Halo: Combat Evolved.
The Flood
This book, by William C. Dietz, is a novelization of the first
game. It covers everything that happens in Halo, but also
describes events that you can't play and stuff you don't get to
see.
First Strike
Another book by Eric Nylund, this one picks up immediately after
Halo and leads up to the beginning of Halo 2. The
author tells us, "It gives some clues as to what the Covenant is up
to. Who knows, it might help you play Halo 2."
Other books that Eric recommends:
Ender's Game
By Orson Scott Card. Smart kid Ender Wiggins is recruited by the
military to use his big brain against some invading aliens.
Military school high jinks and tomfoolery ensue. Around Xbox
headquarters, this is a big favorite. There are six other books in
the Ender series.
Starship Troopers
By Robert A. Heinlein. A sci-fi classic. Juan Rico suffers through
extreme boot camp and joins the Terran Mobile Infantry. But, if he
thought PT was bad, wait 'til he actually gets into it with the
Federation's ultra-nasty alien enemies.
The Forever War
By Joe Haldeman. A physics student is recruited into the military
and has to travel all over the universe to fight aliens called the
Taurans. His angst comes from the fact that, due to his space
travel, he stays young and spry, while centuries pass back on
Earth. Oh, the agony!
Armor
By John Steakley. The military has devised body armor so hardcore
that it could turn Gomer Pyle into a one-man, atomic-powered,
ass-whuppin' machine. A commando force of these encapsulated
soldiers is dispatched to the planet Banshee to take on some gnarly
shelled aliens.
Watch We asked Eric what films he thinks
really capture the flavor of Halo and Halo 2. He
suggests the following lineup. Rent 'em all and have a film
festival!
Aliens Sigourney Weaver just can't shake the
face-hugger problem and goes back into action when she learns some
idiots colonized LV-426. Luckily, she's got some Space Marines with
her. Directed by Big Jim Cameron.
Soldier
Kurt Russell is a veteran soldier left for dead on a waste planet.
He's got to kick ass to save the inhabitants from genetically
engineered super-soldiers. It was directed by Paul W.S. Anderson,
whose latest film was Alien v. Predator.
GI Jane
Hot baldie Demi Moore does one-armed pushups, takes lots of
showers, and runs with the big dogs as she goes through Navy SEAL
training—even though she's just a girl. Directed by Ridley
"Bladerunner" Scott.
300 Spartans This movie was made in 1962 and set in
480 B.C., so don't expect any computer graphics or bullet time. The
king of Sparta leads a small Greek army to victory over the
huge-ass Persian forces in the battle of Thermopylae.
Band of Brothers
You know you own this mini-series on DVD. If you don't, you should.
Ron Livingston mouths off to Lumbergh and … wait. No, this is the
one all about Easy Company's adventures in France during World War
II. Ron's not a slacker in this one, he's a drunk.
Listen
The Halo Soundtrack, of course. Rolling Stone magazine
named it the best videogame soundtrack in 2002, and it
knows music. Listen to it, learn it, love it … until the
Halo 2 soundtrack brings you all-new audio delights.
Now you're armed with all you need to be fully immersed in the Halo
universe in time for the November 9, 2004, release of Halo
2.
