Halo: Combat Evolved

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Summary

Game Description

In this legendary first-person shooter for the original Xbox, Master Chief takes on an armada of aliens with nothing but a metric ton of weaponry and a smarmy A.I. sidekick embedded in his head. This multi-kajillion seller is known for its great multiplayer and is widely accepted as the best console shooter at the time it was released. If you're looking to play online, you'll want to pick up Halo 2 or Halo 3 instead--the original Halo has no online component. Following Halo titles added new features (better graphics, online play), but for many Halo veterans, nothing will match the feel of the first game. Considered a modern classic in the first-person shooter genre thanks to its streamlined play style.

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Average User Score

5 stars
(231)
4 stars
(68)
3 stars
(12)
2 stars
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1 stars
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Most Popular User Reviews

Halo: Combat Evolved - Xbox

Pros Cons
Tight controls  
Just plain fun  
Amazing visuals  
Intense action  
Addictive gameplay  
space warrior versus aliens galore


You are a space suit-armored green warrior with several guns against a whole bunch of ugly and deadly aliens (the Covenant). Looks like fun. They stand in the way of you gaining control of a large mysterious ring located in space in this first person shooter. The story is told wonderfully in this action fest. You have fellow unarmored that speak to you as you meet them. Sometimes they join you on drives in jeeps and tanks throughout the game. You have the freedom to use the vehicle as a weapon here too. Alien road kill As the game progresses the mystery seems to rise and fall. The sound of guns firing, aliens "speaking" and explosions fill the air. This game is full of well paced action. It includes surprises and tension. The splendid graphics only enhance this game. It is a world that you can travel throughout if the area is reachable. You land near a sea and gradually make your way into the Covenant base The aliens range from a small orange squealer to a large and fearsome armored spiked foe. You can blast several of those small guys in a few seconds. The larger enemies will require more patience and care. The enemies actually are smart. They looked for you after they see you as if they have a plan. If they drop weapons you can pick those up and use it on their makers. The heat seeking needlier is nice. The enemies have tricks of their own too. Some are invisible. The gameplay is great in Halo. You can fire with abandon at your foes but it would be wise to find cover and pick your attacks. This is one long single player game. The multiplayer provides fun afterwards too. You can join with friends in different types of matches and try to kill each other in differently colored armors. This is a full game.

This has so much to offer and is a star among games.

Halo: Combat Evolved - Xbox

Hardly Over-hyped

I was one of the last people to purchase (or even play) Halo, yet all of the hype hardly put a dent in the overall fun-factor when I finally suited up as a Spartan. The story is engaging and the controls are highly intuitive. Bungie's masterpiece certainly raised the bar for the genre--it is what a first-person shooter is supposed to be. If you own an XBOX but not Halo, you seriously need to amend that situation.

Halo: Combat Evolved - Xbox

The Beginning of a Legacy

If you have ever touched a video game then you know about Halo. This game is one of the best things to happen to video games in a long time. It started the legend that is known as Halo and continues to even today. Books, sequels, prequels, anything you can think of; it's been made about Halo. If you say that you are a first-person shooter gamer and you don't own this game... then you are nothing...

Halo: Combat Evolved - Xbox

Start Of Something Amazing.

This is an amazing game and the start of one of the most famous gaming series ever. It introduced us to one of the most popular charcters named Master Cheif. With great controls, graphics, sound, and overall just tons of fun this game is a gem and everyone that loves video games should have this game.

Halo: Combat Evolved - Xbox

Awesome. A masterpiece.

To be honest, this is the best game I have ever played, hands down. There is just nothing bad to say about this, it is just so freakin' good! But let's break it down so you can fully absorbe the greatness. The gameplay is top-notch in single-player and multi-player. The single player follows the Master Chief, who I have to admit is not the most original character around. Think Robocop mixed with the Terminator... with REALLY FREAKIN' BIG GUNS!!!!! Anyway, the story is spectacular, and I can't give it away for anything. The multiplayer is an equally great experience, with a perfectly rounded co-op mode, some awesome, some lackluster arenas, and great gameplay mechanics. The maps range from a snow-covered wasteland, a box canyon, a hydrodam, and my personal favorite, an undescribably cool map called Boarding Action. This game would suck without good weapons, but it delivers. There are such old standbys such as the pistol, rocket launcher, shotgun, machine gun, and sniper rifle, but there are more. The needler is pretty cool (as the name suggests, the needles imbed themselves in enemies and explode) as is the plasme grenade. The vehicles are also well-balanced, ranging from tanks to aircraft to jeeps to what I can only describe as a flying motorcycle. The graphics are pretty outstanding for an Xbox launch title, showcasing canyons, mountains, alien and human ships, and some nicely done character models all extremely detailed and interactive. The sound is top-notch, with good weapon effects, voice acting, and sound effects. The music sets the stage for both epic battles, races against time, spectacular seiges, and even well-paced horrific encounters with an enemy that beats the hell out of half-life's headcrabs. Halo is overall an extremely good game that should not be missed. Pick this up now. Like, right now.

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Halo: Combat Evolved Recent Articles

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    Nearly one-in-four Xbox owners have the hot selling action game by Bungie.

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    Great launch titles make selling new hardware platforms much easier, and with Halo in its arsenal, the Xbox's job just got easier.