Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary

 Xbox 360
User Score
8.0

Generally favorable reviews- based on 677 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 517 out of 677
  2. Mixed: 112 out of 677
  3. Negative: 48 out of 677
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  1. UnlimitedSupply
    Nov 15, 2011
    10
    I'll be honest, I hate Halo. I hate what it stands for, I hate its community, and I hate its multiplayer.
    I had never played the very first Halo game until now. WHAT THE HELL HAPPENED?!?! Why did they stop making games this good. Did the designers for Halo: CE dies and new ones had to take over for the other games? This is EASILY the greatest FPS campaign I have ever played, even better    I'll be honest, I hate Halo. I hate what it stands for, I hate its community, and I hate its multiplayer.
    I had never played the very first Halo game until now. WHAT THE HELL HAPPENED?!?! Why did they stop making games this good. Did the designers for Halo: CE dies and new ones had to take over for the other games? This is EASILY the greatest FPS campaign I have ever played, even better than Half Life 2, I kid you not, it's that good! For $40, this is a steal!    … Expand
  2. MakedabestGames
    Nov 15, 2011
    10
    There are problems. The graphics overhaul is kiddy and doesn't respect the gritty nature of the original halo. The game doesn't feel so smooth when compared to the Xbox original. The extra features are few and somewhat lackluster.

    Despite these problems, it's still Halo, It's still the great campaign we have grown to know and love. Add that to online co-op and multiplayer, and the    There are problems. The graphics overhaul is kiddy and doesn't respect the gritty nature of the original halo. The game doesn't feel so smooth when compared to the Xbox original. The extra features are few and somewhat lackluster.

    Despite these problems, it's still Halo, It's still the great campaign we have grown to know and love. Add that to online co-op and multiplayer, and the shortcomings are made up for. You are better off playing Halo on it's original format, so this is not a 10 out of 10 for everyone, but it's still a 10 all the same.    … Expand
  3. KriticalV
    Nov 15, 2011
    10
    The game feels exactly like it did ten years ago. It could not be more perfect. The graphical enhancements that have been made are absolutely outstanding. This game gets an easy ten from me just for the campaign. The mutiplayer maps are just a bonus.
  4. IDontMiss
    Nov 15, 2011
    10
    It's the game we love, with the faults we love, now with online co-op.
    There are faults; it doesn't run as smooth as its older counterpart, and the new graphics look like the inside of a Chucky Cheese. Still, the faults are cancelled out by online co-op, multiplayer, achievements, and terminals. So while it's not Halo: Combat Evolved as it was 10 years ago, the game is untouched mostly,    It's the game we love, with the faults we love, now with online co-op.
    There are faults; it doesn't run as smooth as its older counterpart, and the new graphics look like the inside of a Chucky Cheese. Still, the faults are cancelled out by online co-op, multiplayer, achievements, and terminals. So while it's not Halo: Combat Evolved as it was 10 years ago, the game is untouched mostly, and that game is still a 10 out of 10, even with it's modern-day drawbacks.    … Expand
  5. Big_E33
    Nov 15, 2011
    9
    This is really a pretty simple concept, remake halo CE ten years after the original release with HD graphics, widescreen support, add terminals and skulls and online coop to a "legendary" campaign, If you loved the campaign then you will love it now, not much has changed as far as content. The missions are exactly as you remember them, although the terminals give halo fans more loreThis is really a pretty simple concept, remake halo CE ten years after the original release with HD graphics, widescreen support, add terminals and skulls and online coop to a "legendary" campaign, If you loved the campaign then you will love it now, not much has changed as far as content. The missions are exactly as you remember them, although the terminals give halo fans more lore behind the series and achievement hunters something to hunt for. Sidenote : halo waypoint integration is pretty sick

    Outside of the actual campaign they remade 6 multiplayer maps, 4 from CE, 1 from CE for PC and 1 from halo 2. The multiplayer maps can be played on disc with their own set of playlists in the reach engine or can be exported with an included voucher for playing along with all other halo reach content and playlists. They added installation 04 as a firefight map and really excels as such. Honestly this part of the halo work is where firefight was born, posted up on a structure fighting off waves of aliens. Feels really good in the mode that was basically built around this idea.

    If you are a halo fan it is well worth the $40 for the remastered campaign, the firefight, the online coop, and the remaster multiplayer maps. Really the only reason I dont give it a "10" is that if you hate reach multiplayer or dont own the game anymore the export DLC code is no good to you. But if you arent smart enough to buy the game from amazon with a $10 credit and sell the DLC voucher on eBay or to a friend for another $10 effectively making it $20 I dont know what to say to you. This game is a VERY awesome purchase for $40 and im stoked that 343/microsoft decided not to gouge the community with a $60 release. This game is not only a really fun way to relive the past but gives me great hope for 343 industries and where they will take the series.



    This is not part of the review, just a message to a few of the people on here who are complaining

    Stop directing complaints at Bungie, they are gone and no longer affiliated with this game or future halo titles. 343 industries is the new team for halo and have gotten off to a good start with this one. Also to anyone who just wants the maps for reach you can buy the 6 map DLC pack for $15 bucks which is pretty solid as well. The maps play awesome both in their classic format with no AAs and with the new revamped formats like "Battle Canyon"

    If you played it 10 years ago its still amazing, if you never played Halo 1 you owe it to yourself to play the game that started it all, now in HD and online coop allows you to enjoy it with a buddy.    … Expand
  6. EastonReviews
    Nov 15, 2011
    8
    Well, well, well... Halo Anniversary could have well been a trainwreck. I suppose it hasn't, with great gameplay, improvements on every feature, and has everything new. I'll admit it's nothing like Halo Reach, but it's not a bad game in the end. It won't be the next biggest thing if you thought there would be nothing like it- because, well, there is... But it's a simple little game withWell, well, well... Halo Anniversary could have well been a trainwreck. I suppose it hasn't, with great gameplay, improvements on every feature, and has everything new. I'll admit it's nothing like Halo Reach, but it's not a bad game in the end. It won't be the next biggest thing if you thought there would be nothing like it- because, well, there is... But it's a simple little game with entertaning add ups and it's cheap price won't let you down.… Expand
  7. bluemonkeyguy
    Nov 15, 2011
    10
    I'm starting to doubt the value of the score in video game reviews (83 is fine, not my point). There is such an inflation issue with the perspective of readers that devalues anything less than 90 to pure trash.

    Anyways, for Halo CE fans this game is a 100. It's the game we love, with the faults we love, now with online co-op. Nothing gets better than that. I get lost on Pillar of Autumn    I'm starting to doubt the value of the score in video game reviews (83 is fine, not my point). There is such an inflation issue with the perspective of readers that devalues anything less than 90 to pure trash.

    Anyways, for Halo CE fans this game is a 100. It's the game we love, with the faults we love, now with online co-op. Nothing gets better than that.

    I get lost on Pillar of Autumn and the Maw every time.    … Expand
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Awards & Rankings

49
#49 Best Xbox 360 Game of 2011
14
#14 Most Discussed Xbox 360 Game of 2011
41
#41 Most Shared Xbox 360 Game of 2011

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
82

Generally favorable reviews - based on 73 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 65 out of 73
  2. Mixed: 8 out of 73
  3. Negative: 0 out of 73
  1. Xbox Achievements
    Feb 15, 2012
    83
    Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary is almost as good in reality as it ever was in your memory. The graphical update is welcome and the multiplayer maps are decent if not amazing. There are a few rough edges and cracks around the once infallible gameplay, but nothing that would stop you enjoying Halo: CE immensely the second (or first – lucky you) time around.
    Read full review
  2. LEVEL (Czech Republic)
    Jan 19, 2012
    70
    Nicely done remake of one of the essential games among console FPS genre has the potential to surprise newcomers and thrill the veterans. [Christmas 2011]
  3. EGM
    Jan 3, 2012
    85
    It's an amazing piece of gaming history, to be certain, but a purchase decision still comes down to this: If you're a fan of the series who loved or missed the original, it's a no-brainer. This is one of the best pieces of fanservice our industry has ever produced, and you need to go buy it. On the other hand, if you're an FPS fanatic trying to decide between this or Rage or Deus Ex, you may want to think twice before dropping 40 bones on a shooter that doesn't quite stack up to the competition.
    Read full review
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