All hail to Halo.

Picture the scene. A darkened room. Some beers. A bowl of tortilla chips. A large TV. Five thirtysomething men huddled round. No, we're not watching porn, we're playing multiplayer Halo. You've got to admit, it's mighty impressive that a game released two years ago still gets this much attention. True, it was hailed as a masterpiece on its release, but only a true classic has this sort of enduring appeal.

Sure, games from the “golden age” (Pac-Man, Space Invaders) and simple addictive games (Tetris), as well as PC games like Counter-Strike which generate entire communities, have long-lasting appeal. But in terms of solid console games, how many can you say you'll keep on going back to? Personally, I pick up Resident Evil titles intermittently, and my House Of The Dead on Dreamcast will always have a role, but unique high quality titles with true longevity are rare.

Only those that have received absolute critical acclaim seem to hold their appeal – Ico, Rez, Shenmue maybe, The Legend Of Zelda: Ocarina Of Time. But when a game is a single-player, narrative-based affair, inevitably that appeal can wane (surely only obsessives play repeatedly to discover every item, nook and cranny?).

Originally, Halo's multiplayer options were somewhat undervalued in favour of its compelling single-player story, but today they're what maintain its appeal. You have all the elements (visuals, control system) of the much-loved adventure you probably completed a few years ago, but can simply dip into this world in a much more disposable, quick-fix manner – fragging with your friends. Two years spent with the title give it warmth and familiarity like an old sofa - there's something comforting about donning the Master Chief's armour once more.

I'm increasingly an exponent of online multiplayer gaming, and my obsession with Sony's PC landmark, PlanetSide (a game I came to because the screenshots had, I thought, a resemblance to Halo), is on record. But there's something genuinely special about a gathering for some offline multiplay, replete with booze, snacks and stream of banter (by turns good-natured, competitive, foul and surprisingly witty). It'll be very interesting to see how this balance is altered by the appearance of Halo 2. How much life will then be left in Halo's longevity? Daniel Etherington 13 February 04

useful link: xbox: halo 2