Hello there Disgruntled Intern...
I got the x-box version of SH2 about a week ago, and I finished it a couple days ago... ok, so, yeah, I used a walkthrough... a lot... Any way, I thought it was a pretty good game, except for some muddled story problems and nonsensical puzzles...
Oh, yes... you wanted help. Well, through my many travels of looking for walkthroughs, I have learned that the x-box and PS2 version have the same puzzles and fights. So, here is a walkthrough for the PS2 version of SH2, which applies to the xbox version, too:
http://www.game-revolution.com/games...alkthrough.htm
Hope this helps... and, if it doesn't, my existence has no meaning. I have been no help... shoot me...