ZIZZY’s blog

We knew new maps for Halo 2 were coming, but that was it - we had no details what so ever. Now, Bungie has been kind enough to give us all the details we need. There will be two maps, here on April 17th, and they’ll cost $4 for both of them. One is Tombstone, a remake of Hang ‘Em High, and the other is Desolation, a remake of Derelict. More details, along with the full press release, after jump.

These won’t be available in the Marketplace, but instead are downloaded straight from within Halo 2 - which means you’ll use a credit card and won’t need any Microsoft Points. Fortunately for Halo 2 fans who haven’t upgraded to the Xbox 360, these will be available for Xbox 1. While they were originally slated for exclusively 360, Bungie made the right decision and let everyone have them. They can of course still be played on the 360, but you’ll need an Xbox Live Gold account.

While these are based off maps from Halo 1, they are still unique, and will be somewhat different from the originals Here how’s Bungie’s made them even better:

Desolation:
“Gone are the meaningless upper floor tunnels, replaced instead by ramps that allow easy access to the ground floor, and create tight close quarters battles, and occasional grenade traps. The teleports have been replaced by rapid grav lifts, more direct and quicker to use than the ramps. Graphically it’s changed quite a bit as you can see, but it will feel familiar to Halo CE fans, although we dare say, much better.

It’s faster and far less confusing thanks to the removal of teleports. In some ways it’s a good replacement for Midship, although it certainly feels larger.”

Tombstone:
“Obviously the graphical look is very, very different. Gone are the senseless pieces of geometry with no context. Now it is perfectly obvious, even to an idiot, that the giant crane put them there. We won’t go into why. It just did.

The massive main ramp has been changed too. It was something of a death trap in its Halo CE form, so now there’s a grav lift that boosts you past the really dangerous part (although the grav lift noise will give enemies some indication that you used it) and the internal corridor structure has changed on that side. There’s even some new areas up there, but they’re pretty small. And we’ve added another way into those corridors, you’ll just have to see when you play.”

Here it is, the full press release:

HALO 2 MULTIPLAYER MAPS REVEALED

Microsoft Game Studios and Bungie Studios today confirmed the upcoming release of two new, eagerly awaited downloadable maps for “Halo® 2.” The maps will be available as premium downloadable content for Xbox® and Xbox 360™ on April 17.

Fans of the original “Halo” have long requested the addition of some of their favorite maps to the critically acclaimed multiplayer experience of “Halo 2.” These re-creations, developed by Bungie and Certain Affinity Inc., are a perfect way to thank fans for their support as they surpass 800 million hours of “Halo 2” gaming on Xbox LIVE®.

The two maps will bring new life to ancient battlefields and legendary skirmishes, as both are new, improved and redesigned remakes of fan favorites from the original “Halo: Combat Evolved.” For the price of $4 for the pair, these maps bring a fresh burst of action to the seminal “Halo 2” online multiplayer experience. Both of the maps will be available through the “Halo 2” in-game content downloader for both Xbox and Xbox 360.*

The king of “Halo” maps has returned at last. Hang ’Em High, arguably the most popular multiplayer map for the original title, has been reimagined for “Halo 2” as Tombstone, with all-new graphics, features and a few hidden surprises. Now fans will enjoy the dangerous catwalks and trenches that made this the most requested “Halo” multiplayer map ever, with a modernized “Halo 2” flavor.

The second map, Desolation, is a symmetrical, Deathmatch-oriented map and a beautiful remake of the original Derelict. With new graphics and effects and a massive gameplay overhaul, the old favorite is now faster-paced and more balanced than ever — perfect for intense “Halo 2” combat.