Containment is huge and sometimes its diffcult to tell where you are on the map. I strongly advise a fair few custom games to learn where the sniper rifles are, they dominate the level.

Yeah, we're going to start a custom game first, have a sight-seeing tour.

Can't get the free maps for love nor money at the moment. Surprisingly easy to get the ones you pay for, though...

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♫ I promise to commit no acts of violence,
Neither physical or otherwise,
If things come alive

Got all the maps, but not had enough people around to play a custom game yet (the maps aren't part of the matchmaking playlist yet). Sanctuary looks the best to my eye, although each has its relative merits.

Warlock is tight and cramped, and very dark. Has a couple of recessed arches and a large central platform...you know the drill, it's in the first Halo game, but this one's tarted-up is all.

Containment has a fantastic atmosphere and is chock full of loads of levels, creeks, places to hide. It's basically like the best bits of Waterworks, but without the boring central part that seems to just get in the way.

Although probably the ugliest map, Turf (set around the streets of New Mombassa (?) ) is also extremely tight, close-quarters stuff, with lots of ledges. Like Lockout but smaller. Using the rooftops to track your quarry should be a laugh.

Finally, Sanctuary is Delta Halo but in Multiplayer. Ruins, broken-up rocks, tucked-away little entrances...it's like a small version of Zanziber, and looks like it'll be superb.

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♫ I promise to commit no acts of violence,
Neither physical or otherwise,
If things come alive

I don't want to get all "sole trader vs corporation" here, but I don't get the setup... you are paying for... maps? Multiplayer maps? With money? What's the damage? I'm curious as to the business model.

Whenever you log onto XBL, you get a message there are updates ready to download (if there are any). Connect up and you get a screen with two Map packs.

One pack says it's free, the other one (the 'Killtacular' pack. don't worry, it's a Halo thing) says £2.99 for two.

So, two maps free in one pack, two maps for £2.99 in the other.

As you have to put in your CC details when setting up XBL, it just debits your card when you choose to install them.

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♫ I promise to commit no acts of violence,
Neither physical or otherwise,
If things come alive

It's worth noting that the 'killtacular' map eventually becomes a free download in june, if you can wait that long >_<

The new playlist (and stat reset) starts today!

• New two vs. two option
• New maps included (see above)
• Stats reset to zero

So, i'll be on (as long as i've configured my new router correctly...)

If you were nervous about anyone having massively better stats than you, now's the perfect time to join in and just have a laugh. Feel free to add me; gamertag Treble May Cry. I'll be on with my buds

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♫ I promise to commit no acts of violence,
Neither physical or otherwise,
If things come alive

Ok, so my first experience of statless Halo 2 and new map balance was crazy

For a start, me and Liquid Denti had a couple of games where the opposition must have been something like level 20 or 30-plus. Obviously me and Denti being arse didn’t help ( ) but one bloke racked-up about 32 kills in 4 minutes. And his opposition wasn’t shabby either. Had a few games like that, so can’t wait till the stats level out a bit =/

Secondly, played a few ‘BR’ games. For those not in the know, this means you start with Battle Rifle – a bonus on maps like Burial Mounds in particular. Good players hardly touched any other weapon, just Sniper and Rocket.

Thirdly, the new maps on Team Preview were crazy. CTF on Sanctuary was possibly the best objective game I’ve played, Turf is ok but is a bit unbalanced (a sniper can get to near-inaccessible heights and is hard to remove; the ‘Hog gun is often the Rail Gun rather than the minigun) and Warlock is just nuts – the most frantic level available by far. You have to get the shotgun (‘Boomstick’) or you’re a goner. CTF on that was beyond frantic

Any other impressions?

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♫ I promise to commit no acts of violence,
Neither physical or otherwise,
If things come alive