In 2004, Halo 2 stood as arguably the most anticipated video game release of all time. Ryan McCaffrey, then a journalist for Official Xbox Magazine, was among the first outside of Bungie and Microsoft to play the campaign. During an exclusive preview at Bungie's offices, McCaffrey played through what he believed to be the game's conclusion only to be met with rolling credits, an experience that almost led him to report a critical bug.
The anticipation for Halo 2 was fueled by a legendary announcement trailer and a public display of commitment from Xbox's then-boss Peter Moore, who famously had the game's logo and release date tattooed on his bicep at E3. McCaffrey had previously experienced Halo 2's multiplayer at E3 and again during a dedicated day at Bungie, an event he described as incredibly fun. However, the campaign preview presented a different kind of challenge.
Due to print publication lead times, Official Xbox Magazine needed to review Halo 2 in September for its November 9 release. McCaffrey and his editor-in-chief were flown to Bungie to play and complete the campaign. Set up in separate corners of a storage closet, the two journalists played in isolation to avoid spoilers. McCaffrey progressed through the game, experiencing narrative twists such as the Arbiter's playable role, which had been kept secret from the public.
Upon defeating Tartarus, McCaffrey expected a return to Master Chief for a final battle on Earth. Instead, the game's credits rolled. Confused, he initially believed this to be a bug, thinking the final level had failed to trigger. He debated speaking up but ultimately remained seated, watching the credits. After roughly 20 to 30 minutes, his editor-in-chief also finished the campaign, encountering the same abrupt ending.
Later, at dinner, McCaffrey and his editor broached the subject with a Bungie representative, who explained the situation by stating, "This is our Empire Strikes Back." This comment alluded to the planned, but ultimately cut, final mission on Earth, a decision made to meet the November 9 release date. Bungie later confirmed this cut content. McCaffrey and his colleagues ultimately awarded Halo 2 a 9.7 out of 10, the highest score Official Xbox Magazine had given at the time, despite the unconventional ending.
Reflecting on the experience years later, McCaffrey noted that this abrupt conclusion was the only flaw in an otherwise exceptional game. He also expressed relief that he did not report the ending as a bug, a mistake that could have jeopardized his professional credibility and potentially impacted the game's reception.