This is a quality sci-fi blockbuster brought alive with sleek visuals, superb voice characterisations, explosive sound effects and a robustly stirring music score.

When Microsoft first launched its bid to take on Sony and Nintendo in the lucrative gaming console market, the original Halo was its AAA game made exclusively for its new Xbox format. While three years ago Halo was an entirely competent blockbuster, it was also clearly a major technical exercise — this was a title designed more than anything to brilliantly showcase the full potential of the then all-new Xbox console.

Most of those snapping up Halo 2 in its first few weeks will doubtless already have played the original and they will need little introduction. But for those new to this immersive gaming world, the first mission is little more than elaborate tutorial. Once again, we play as the cybernetic Master Chief, more robust in battle than a mere mortal — which is just as well, since here he is reunited with his long-standing alien Covenant enemy.

After a short but very glossy movie introduction, Chief meets training staff and we get to learn such basics as powering up energy shields. Having mastered the formalities of navigation, Chief must next fight off attacking Covenant forces set on destroying Earth.

Armed to the hilt, Chief progresses on foot most of the time, with occasional vehicular diversions played out from a third-person viewpoint. He battles from behind the controls of a few nimble fighter jets or, more likely, takes to the controls of land-based craft.

Saving Earth is only the start of Chief’s troubles as his adventure unfolds across 15 missions or chapters. Given that most chapters will take around 45 minutes to complete, the single-player event alone could deliver a dozen hours of very decent gameplay.

In addition to the absorbing single-player caper, multiplayer mayhem is unlocked online via Xbox Live, so long as you have a broadband connection and are subscribed to the service. Via Microsoft’s gaming portal, many players can compete simultaneously in cyberspace in frantic “blastathons” where, invariably, only the quick- triggered survive very long.

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