[Perfect Stu]

a "sense" of freshness is as subjective as something can be, Xantar. you know that. it doesnt just come down to "what specific aspect of the gameplay offers something you cant find somewhere else?"

An example. I thought GTA3 was a great game. I wasnt as fond of Vice City. The game didnt stray from the winning formula. In fact, it added new elements here and there.

San Andreas, on the other hand, is a different beast. Why? Well, it doesnt have a multiplayer mode (other than the 2 player rampages, which are probably about 0.000003% of the entire game). It doesnt offer a completely new type of gameplay mode. But the entire package...it feels fresh and unique. To myself, and I can assure you, to many other people.

Same thing can probably be said about Halo 2 by loads of other people. I havent played the game yet.

Nor have I played MP2 yet. But that's not the point.