Halo 2 isn't just a videogame - to some it is a lifestyle. For others it's just a hobby, but you can't deny that Halo has captured the casual gaming market like other games would kill for. People around the world buy Xbox consoles simply to play Halo and subscribe to Xbox Live just to enjoy Halo's online multiplayer modes, yet it is all they play. If you put Rainbow Six 3 in their hands you could probably eliminate them with ease, however they can quickly reach the highest ranks of the Halo universe without a problem. It's because of this kind of success that Halo 2 has become the very first Xbox Live game to not just offer new content for download, it is offering it for purchase right off the shelves of a shop, a milestone other companies can dream of but simply don't have the fanbase to warrant a release.

After months of waiting the downloads are finally here and with them so is the Halo 2 Multiplayer Map Pack, a disc that comes packaged just like any other game, complete with all nine Halo 2 bonus maps, two bonus videos and a few extra bits and pieces that will make any collector like myself drool. [I'm drooling too! Ed] Players who do not have access to Xbox Live also get the recently released auto-update for Halo 2 that fixes a series of glitches, as well as modifying various game elements.

First off, and the main reason people will be buying this pack, are the maps. Nine maps, each differing in size and style, are included here, which is something those who still exclusively play LAN parties should be craving. Here's the basic breakdown of all the new battlegrounds for you to test your skills on:

Relic takes place on a seemingly peaceful island (at least until you and your team invade it) located in the middle of an ocean on Delta Halo. Smack in the middle of the fairly large battleground is a towering structure that doubles as not just a base, but as a memorial to the Forerunners who fell victim to The Flood. [Technically they wiped themselves out by activating Halo! Ed] The map contains nearly every weapon in the game - all the common ones you'd expect at least - but has no cloak or overshield. However, thanks to a handy Warthog and an even handier Ghost, that's okay. Located at the base of the Forerunner structure is a switch that activates a nearby teleporter (and is the only map with this sort of device). The teleporter takes you near to a downed human assault craft that doubles as the other base for this asymmetrical map. One flag CTF, Assault, Team Slayer, Team Snipers and Multi-Team Slayer are best on this map, which is easily one of the best of the pack.

A spiritual successor to the Marathon map "Duality", Gemini is located in the Covenant city High Charity, has become a makeshift arena that signals the end of the duality of the Covenant. The map is very circular in shape and features multiple levels to do combat in, with a huge statue in the centre that doubles as a handy sniping point. Speaking of which, two teleporters lead to ledges high above the upper arena, an ideal sport for snipers if it weren't for a large tree centred below that holds an energy sword. The outside area gives players a truly breathtaking view of the Forerunner ship in the middle of High Charity. Covenant weapons are most common, including plasma grenades, with the shotgun and SMG being the only human weapons. This is an absolutely superb and underrated map for Team Slayer and Oddball. Get a game of Multi-Team Slayer on this map and prepare for all hell to break loose!

Old Mombasa's Turf appears large at first but is actually one of the smaller maps in the game. The Scarabs have been defeated here, evident by the crashed Scarab that serves as one base on the asymmetrical battleground. The other base is at the corner section of a narrow street and, oddly, has a Warthog that takes some true talent to use well on the small, inclined and sharp corners of the map. Brute Shots are very common on this map and no power-ups are included. It is also the only map to feature giant swinging doors, which display some impressive real time physics that'll make you wonder why nothing has been done like it on any other map. Though small, it makes for some interesting Team Sniper matches, as well as King of the Hill, Oddball, and Territories. Perhaps one of the weaker maps but certainly there's no other map in the expansion, or indeed the game, that is like it.

Another Delta Halo map, Sanctuary, is also one of the most visually stunning. The symmetrical grotto contains two stone temples as bases on either side, with an aqueduct system running through the entire structure and into a circular tower in the middle that contains a small waterfall. The battlegrounds differ for each base; while the blue team's side is lush and full of greenery, the red team's is dry, and devoid of life. Every common weapon sans rockets are here, with the sword housed at the bottom of the centre tower in a small body of water. Like most symmetrical maps, Sanctuary is great for any two-flag CTF match, but also makes a great map for Slayer and Snipers. Vehicles don't come by default, but Ghosts and Warthogs can be used in custom games. It's a great map, made even greater by the stunning scenery that you can't help but stop and look at [And then get shot - "Wow, look at the lovely architect-AAARGH!" Ed]

Elongation takes place on a ship orbiting Earth, which is very obvious by the amazing view outside the windows. The symmetrical map, which is a remake of Halo map Longest, comes complete with moving conveyer belts that can conceal any moving flag carrier from radar, as well as a network of tunnels and ledges above the cargo shipping line. Giant crates come at an endless rate and make for some fun when you get a high-explosive game going. An acquired taste for sure, Elongation is a great map for Team Rockets or Oddball.

The swamps of Delta Halo, disgustingly referred to as Backwash, create a battlefield like no other in Halo 2. Memories of Halo will flood in as you fight to not only stay alive but simply see in front of you within the heavy mists of the swamp, made even worse by sly enemies using the active camo on the map. By default Backwash is the only map in the game not only to have no starting grenades but also feature the Sentinel Beam as a weapon. Brute Shots are also featured and no Rockets or Sniper Rifles can be found. Standout game types include Team Slayer, Oddball, King of the Hill and though you'll have to do a custom game Team Snipers is also worth trying, while Penitent Tangent, the Sentinel of this installation, watches from above, humming and chattering away merrily. This is a very detailed map full of some really nice graphical surprises for those that search for them, but almost every game type takes some adjusting to here which can be a turn off for some players.

New Mombasa's third and most in-depth offering is Terminal, easily the fan favourite of the new maps. Not only does it have a train that can come by and splatter you on elevated tracks at a moment's notice, but the train station has a highly detailed map to view and there's even a PA system in effect announcing new arrivals. Furthermore, one team has a spawn point that is completely unreachable outside of the initial spawn, another feature that no other map has. Almost any game type is a blast here, especially those custom game destruction derbies, as the map is great for vehicles and even has two multi-level parking garages, complete with motion-activated moving barriers. Team Snipers, CTF, Assault and Multi-Team Slayer are popular game types, much like Headlong before it.

Delta Halo's rainy map Warlock, a graphically enhanced version of Halo's Wizard, is perhaps the most symmetrical map in the game, as well the smallest. Four corners form separate bases with one large structure in the centre and various platforms on each corner to help reach the main bases. Air lifts and teleporters are in full effect, as well as shotguns, active camo and battle rifles. Arguably a former Forerunner arena despite evidence to the contrary, Warlock is still one of the best maps for Team Rockets and makes for absolutely insane games of Multi-Team CTF or Slayer.

On Delta Halo, near Sentinel Wall, lies Containment. Not only is it one of the largest maps in the game, but it also features a hidden face within the Halo high above in the sky! Another one of a kind aspect for this symmetrical map are very large land mines littered throughout the battlefield between the two bases that destroy any vehicle that ventures too near to them. Each huge base has a large sliding gate that can be lowered by a switch outside, which is on a timer and closes a little while after activation. Trenches and side routes through caves are scattered throughout the level, allowing multiple entryways into the enemy's stronghold. This is a shoe-in for any objective game, but also makes for some very exciting Team Sniper matches.

So there you have it, the whole roster of new maps and to be honest I wouldn't say there's one bad one in it, though I definitely prefer some over others. Each one is unique and each has game types that are better suited for it than the other maps. If you're a frequenter of LAN parties then this is a must have, because, really, how many times can you play CTF on Zanzibar before everyone gets sick of it? These maps add a fresh feel to a game that is barely wearing thin as it is and compliment the already solid line-up of maps perfectly. Sure, they're all free if you subscribe to Xbox Live, but that only represents 2 million of the 6.3 million Halo 2 players out there, as of January 2005. If you own Halo 2 and, for whatever reason, don't subscribe to Xbox Live, then I don't need to tell you again to pick up these maps. Unless you hate and don't play the multiplayer aspect of the game... then, well, never mind! If you multiplayer fans out there need more convincing, the disc also comes with an automatic update that changes various aspects of the multiplayer engine, including the damage dealt by various weapons (toning down the plasma rifles a little and beefing up the brute shot melee attack, amongst others), also affecting the power of grenades for the better. Overall it balances out the game in some needed areas and gives LAN players even more reason to pick it up.

As a collector's item, well, the bonus content on the disc is minimal. The cinematic "A Day At the Beach" fills in a small back story from the single player campaign but is really short and not all that informative - not that many people were clamouring for this information to begin with. The documentary of the nine maps is interesting to watch, but again not all that long, although it does show some interesting insights into the making of the maps and the team spirit and processes at Bungie, including some things they had wanted to do but couldn't fit in, and some enemies, weapons and vehicles that didn't make the final cut. The most noteworthy bonus is actually a stereo sound test by Joseph Staten playing the famous Grunt, which is highly amusing.

The lack of more bonus content is a bit of a letdown, especially considering just how long the game and these maps were in development. I'm sure a lot of people were dying for some sort of extension to the abrupt single player campaign ending, myself included, but this is strictly multiplayer. Even so, Halo 2 Multiplayer Map Pack is a mere £15 and features some of the best multiplayer maps available in any game, automatically making it a necessity for all offline Halo 2 players that indulge in multiplayer and still a desirable collectable for those that have Xbox Live.

Reviewed by Christopher Martin for AceGamez (All Rights Reserved).