Halo 2

Halo 2 is a 2004 first-person shooter developed by Bungie, the hotly anticipated sequel that continued Master Chief's war against the Covenant while adding a second playable character, the disgraced Covenant commander known as the Arbiter, whose chapters showed the enemy's perspective.

The campaign introduced dual-wielding of weapons and boarding of enemy vehicles, but the game's lasting impact came from online multiplayer over Xbox Live. Its automated matchmaking, party system, and ranked and social playlists set the template for console online play for years and turned Halo into an early competitive esport with organized tournaments.

The abrupt cliffhanger ending, a result of a rushed development cycle, became infamous and drove huge demand for the follow-up. Halo 2 was one of the best-selling and most-played Xbox Live titles of its era, sustaining its online community long after release. The campaign and multiplayer have since been remastered and included in a modern collection, making it easy to revisit on current systems.