Halo: Combat Evolved

 PC
Halo: Combat Evolved Image
Metascore
83

Generally favorable reviews - based on 40 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
7.8

Generally favorable reviews- based on 638 Ratings

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  • Summary: In a desperate attempt to keep a conquering alien race called the Covenant from finding Earth, you--a cybernteically enhanced soldier representing the peak of human military evolution--and a ragtag group of Marines flee to a distant uncharted system where you unexpectedly stumble acrossIn a desperate attempt to keep a conquering alien race called the Covenant from finding Earth, you--a cybernteically enhanced soldier representing the peak of human military evolution--and a ragtag group of Marines flee to a distant uncharted system where you unexpectedly stumble across Halo, an enormous alien artifact in orbit between a gas giant and its moon. Your objective: Uncover Halo's horrible secret, and destroy mankind's nemesis - the Covenant. [Microsoft]… Expand
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Halo Movie 10

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 35 out of 40
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 40
  3. Negative: 1 out of 40
  1. Play Magazine
    100
    Watching the game run at 1600X1200 left me speechless. Textures are incredibly rich; the lighting is to die for... On the flipside, however, in order to really enjoy Halo, you need a hardcore gaming rig to see any kind of smooth framerate. [Nov 2003, p.95]
    All this publication's reviews
  2. Game Revolution
    91
    There are still countless hours of fun to be had with Halo. If you couldn't stomach the control pad and the lack of online support (or Xbox itself) really turned you away from the Xbox version, then this Halo is sure to please.
  3. Eurogamer
    90
    I'm going to cheat, and simply provide a score for the multiplayer element of the game...and bearing in mind that this game probably won't run shockingly well without major tweaking, because it's one of the most demanding games in terms of system specs that we've ever seen.
  4. PC Gamer
    85
    It's the outdoor areas - roughly 25 percent of the game's 20-plus hours of playtime - that host the kind of epic confrontations that you'll tell your buddies about. [Holiday 2003, p.98]
    All this publication's reviews
  5. GamePro
    80
    Crippling frame rate problems tarnish an otherwise engaging single-player experience. Ultimately, the addictive online multiplayer is the main attraction; without it, there’s not much to see here.
  6. Cincinnati Enquirer
    80
    Does have one noticeable omission. In the Xbox title, gamers can choose to play the campaign mode alongside another player. This isn't an online option on the Windows version, which is disappointing because it would be fun to run through the story mode cooperatively with a friend.
  7. GameReviewer
    48
    To put it simply, the game is horribly slow. The framerate is so devastating, that at a point during the second level, playing the game becomes literally impossible...One of the biggest disappointments in my gaming career.

See all 40 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 101 out of 155
  2. Mixed: 25 out of 155
  3. Negative: 29 out of 155
  1. Seriously
    Nov 13, 2010
    10
    This review is the second part of a fairly long but helpful review, go to the Halo: Combat Evoleved (Xbox 2001) page to see the first half.This review is the second part of a fairly long but helpful review, go to the Halo: Combat Evoleved (Xbox 2001) page to see the first half.
    There are ten fairly long, open playable campaign (story-mode) levels in Halo: Combat Evolved and even more multiplayer (versus-mode) levels. You can play with one or two players in the campaign or up to sixteen players in multiplayer, which is great fun when youâ    … Expand
  2. Halo_Fan
    Feb 4, 2022
    10
    Such the best game, it's even better than Grand Theft Auto 5 for Xbox 360 (My favorite game). I have a 2GB Ram PC With an Intel GMA 3100 asSuch the best game, it's even better than Grand Theft Auto 5 for Xbox 360 (My favorite game). I have a 2GB Ram PC With an Intel GMA 3100 as GPU And Intel Core 2 Duo E7500 With 279GB Of Hard Drive. I have the pc really tweaked and it goes like 60 fps. multiplayer is the reason why i buy it. the problem is that there is like 0 servers on my country, 10 of 10, it needs to be the best game on Metacritic.… Expand
  4. HillBillyJIMWWF
    Apr 26, 2004
    10
    This game was amazing when I played it on xbox, and its even more amazing now on my pc with high crystal clear resolutions and new This game was amazing when I played it on xbox, and its even more amazing now on my pc with high crystal clear resolutions and new level/weapons. What an amazing phenomenon this game is. Almost as good as Farcry.… Expand
  5. DemonicAngel
    Nov 29, 2003
    8
    I'd been waiting for Halo to arrive for PC for a long time, so when it finally arrived I was psyched. I installed and booted it... and I'd been waiting for Halo to arrive for PC for a long time, so when it finally arrived I was psyched. I installed and booted it... and was shocked. Why was it running so slowly? In all seriousness, the graphics, whilst very attractive, simply aren't as awesome as I'd expect from a game with this low level of performance (and my PC is no slouch, either). That aside, Halo is one of the most fun shooters I've played for a while. Enemies are pretty smart, and will dodge in and out of cover and try to flank you. Graphics, as mennioned, are cool. Sound is adequate, though some of the voice acting is a bit dodgy, and the plasma weapons sound underpowered. The story is fairly standard sci-fi fluff, but it's done well, with humour at appropriate points to balance out the seriousness. If your system can handle it, definitely worth a play, just so you can see what the fuss was about. … Expand
  6. AD_79
    Oct 21, 2013
    8
    NOTE: This is a single-player review.

    In terms of a port, it's actually quite good. The gameplay is engaging (especially with the improved    NOTE: This is a single-player review.

    In terms of a port, it's actually quite good. The gameplay is engaging (especially with the improved control of the PC), the graphics are nice for an older game and it runs fairly well. It's also a very difficult game, seeming near impossible on the highest difficulty. Halo has a few flaws, though. The level design can be extremely repetitive, having you walk through copies of the same hallway more than once.

    Despite the semi-average level design, it's definitely an enjoyable game. If you like first-person shooters, play this game.    … Expand
  7. KevLooney
    Sep 16, 2022
    6
    The movement is like being stuck in mud. it makes it hard to get around. the gameplay feels like **** the enemies are too tanky. the game ****The movement is like being stuck in mud. it makes it hard to get around. the gameplay feels like **** the enemies are too tanky. the game **** sucks. the health regen system is terrible. the whole health should be shields or health. pick one and design around it. i would prefer if it was all shields. zoom has a ****ty blur effect. there is a lack of ammo. the weapons are so inaccurate. it feels like **** when it is so punishing to get close. the movement is too ****ty. the crosshairs are garbage. there is no cover.… Expand
  8. HolySh*t
    Oct 20, 2003
    0
    I am very disappointed in the game... it seems to run OK on my P4 3.2/1Gb DDR/Radeon 9800 pro, but the game looks pooooooor. As if the maps I am very disappointed in the game... it seems to run OK on my P4 3.2/1Gb DDR/Radeon 9800 pro, but the game looks pooooooor. As if the maps were made by some 5y old kid. Driving those vehicles with a mouse is only fun for players who love to have RSI... I love to play CTF but not in HALO... To me, for online gaming, BF42 and SOF2 are fun better!… Expand

See all 155 User Reviews

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Awards & Rankings

30
#30 Best PC Game of 2003
9
#9 Most Discussed PC Game of 2003
26
#26 Most Shared PC Game of 2003

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