The defeat of the Covenant in the first Halo game was only a temporary victory, as the alien attackers have renewed their mission to wipe out all of humanity. Despite the human military force's and Master Chief's efforts, the Covenant have breeched the Earth's defenses and have left its inhabitants in a dismal situation. In the midst of desperation, players assume the role of Master Chief and lead the resistance against the Covenant to save the people of Earth from a gruesome demise.

The long-awaited PC version of Bungie's FPS, Halo 2 offers the full single-player campaign and multiplayer maps of the original Xbox version, with the addition of the content in the Multiplayer Map Pack as well as a tool for building and customizing levels. The game requires Windows Vista.

Comics: Halo GN Review - July 17, 2006
Master Chief kicks down the doors of the comics industry with both guns blazing.

Music: Halo 2 Original Soundtrack Volume Two - May 5, 2006
Traditional orchestration and electronic flashbacks make for a divided listening experience.

X06: Halo 2 Vista Hands-on - September 28, 2006
Master Chief fights the good fight in Barcelona.

GC 2006: Halo 2 PC Hands-on - August 23, 2006
We get some multiplayer time with Halo 2 for the PC, but it's early. Oh man, it's early.

X06: PC Roundup - September 28, 2006
Microsoft shows off a few diamonds in the rough.

Comics: Exploring the Halo Graphic Novel - June 23, 2006
How did Sarge escape the first Halo? Do these stories tie into Halo 3? Is Power Pack going to make a cameo? Find out all this and much more in our extensive interview.

The Influence of Literature and Myth in Videogames - May 18, 2006
How have myth and seminal writers of horror, science fiction, and fantasy shaped today's videogame landscape? IGN taps the literary roots of the industry for answers.

Xbox 360: Bungie Launches Podcast - September 25, 2006
They have something to say about some game called Halo 3.

GC 2006: Microsoft Press Conference - August 23, 2006
MS reveals two Xbox 360 exclusives, a few new pieces of PC hardware, and a bit more on Vista.

Games: Championship Gaming Invitational Video Wrap-Up - August 2, 2006
Behind the scenes of DirecTV's big-budget gaming tournament.

Comics: Comic-Con 2006: Halo Ongoing Series in 2007 - July 21, 2006
Bungie continues the saga with Marvel Comics.

Comics: Comic-Con 2006: Exclusive Halo Figures - July 18, 2006
Master Chief suits up for San Diego.

Music: Video Games Live Comes To Gen Con - June 19, 2006
Videogame concert experience invades Indianapolis.

More Halo Details Revealed - June 15, 2006
Nuggets of info on Halo 2 for PC were unleashed in Bungie's weekly update.

Games: This Week in Gaming Podcast, 06/01/06 - June 1, 2006
The IGN editors discuss the gaming world's big news of the week.

No PC vs. Xbox for Halo 2 - May 30, 2006
Bungie's weekly update chats about Halo, Marathon, and umbrella stands full of lightsabers.

Xbox 360: No PC vs. Xbox for Halo 2 - May 30, 2006
Bungie's weekly update chats about Halo, Marathon, and umbrella stands full of lightsabers.

E3 2006: Vista Launch Line-up Announced - May 9, 2006
Live from the Microsoft Press Conference Vista launch titles revealed.

Woe is Halo - May 3, 2006
Another MS Vista delay could make PC gamers wait a bit longer to rock Halo 2.

Music: 26 Days Til PLAY! - May 2, 2006
World premiere videogame concert in Chicago fastly approaching.

Music: Halo 2 Mix 'N Mash Melee - April 21, 2006
Test your DJ skills against the fan favorite first person shooter.

Music: PLAY! A Video Game Symphony Takes Over Chicago - April 17, 2006
World tour launches in the Windy City.

Hiring for Halo - April 7, 2006
Experience with DX9 HLSL shaders is required. Duh.

Windows Vista Delayed - March 22, 2006
Microsoft pushes its gaming-friendly OS into early 2007.

Halo 2 Original Soundtrack Volume Two - March 20, 2006
More music from the acclaimed game coming to you.

Music: Halo 2 Original Soundtrack Volume Two - March 20, 2006
More music from the acclaimed game coming to you.

Gear: Microsoft Handheld Revealed - February 27, 2006
Origami unfolds March 2 -- see the video here.

Halo 2 Blasts onto PC - February 9, 2006
Microsoft elects Master Chief as a Windows Vista ambassador.