Not as good as the original, but still excellent
The graphics are improved over the original. The game looks simply amazing. I can't say enough about the graphics- explosions from grenades and rockets, the energy swords, the player models... truly excellent stuff here.
The sound effects, while very good, are simply more of the same. They don't really bring anything new to the table. This is disappointing, but to a certain extent it is to be expected.
The single-player campaign is pretty good; however, it has lost the awe value that the original held so well. There are moments of excellence, don't misunderstand- the bridge comes to mind, as does the city. But there are no moments that can compare favorably to Halo 1.
The multiplayer brings quite a bit to the table. Xbox live is much appreciated, and the gametype modifier system is amazing. But where Halo: Combat Evolved's strength was its simplicity, Halo 2 attempts to substitute complexity.
Halo 2 is a very good game, don't get me wrong. But I feel as though it is almost a victim of its predecessor. I question whether any game could truly satisfy someone who tasted Halo: Combat Evolved. While Halo 2 makes a truly valiant effort to satisfy everyone, it comes up just a little bit short.