Halo 2 impressions so far, what'cha think? Options

[unitself]

TEN-HUT space marines!

How is everyone liking the new Halo 2?
How far along are you in the solo campaign?
How are the multiplayer online matches going?
Did you buy the "Special Edition" tin box?
So, without spoiling too much for the people who haven't purchased the new game or the ones who aren't very far along yet, what does everyone think about it?

Me...
So far, I love it. The new enemy is really cool... the new(er) weapons are cool... the new(er) vehicles are cool... everything you love about the first Halo done more!
I haven't progressed very far yet. I have made it just past the tank bridge run. I can say that I like the way the levels / area are laid out. I especially liked the opening on ship battle at the very beginning. Small, tight spaces... stairs... actual glass(!!)... I love the whole blastin the aliens off of my own star ship scenario. The (really) long, winding tunnel part was pretty cool although I thought it went on for a bit too long. It brought back memories of hauling ass in the last sequence of Halo 1. I can only imagine this new tunnel playing a big part in Halo 2's final sequence as well.


Weird stuff -
I am noticing ALOT of textures that draw on the models a split second after each new scene comes up. Is anyone else getting this? I guess it's not the worst thing, but I just find it odd that after three years of development that this is happening.
I am also not sure that I like the Covenant speaking english. I think I would have prefered their "language" being spoken with english subtitles. I did like the way the little dudes would shout english words at me in the first game, but I just chalked that up to something like me not knowing a lick of spanish but being about to say words like cerveza and other important words like that.

[unitself]

Damn.. sounds like the online portion is super fun.
I am going to get online soon... as soon as I buy a 30 foot cable to trail thru the house, that is. I have been reluctant to add my name to the LIVE thread because of this. But, reading about all the fun I am missing is making me ansy to try it out. Maybe I will just drill a hole thru the floors and thread the cable from room to room. Yeah! Under the house fun time!! hahaa...

Glad (?) to hear that the texture load isn't just my disk. I didn't think it was because I was able to play the game without it crashing.

oh yeah... speaking of online matches. Has anyone tried out the "swords only" game?

and... I am just going to chalk up crushinator's comments to the fact that he was most likely jacked up on cheetos and jolt and wasn't thinking straight! He did finish the game in like... A DAY!!!