User Score
8.7

Generally favorable reviews- based on 3080 Ratings

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  1. Jan 2, 2016
    10
    One of the best games in the best franchise ever created. Revolutionized console FPS, and showed how Xbox, being the underdog in 2001, was exponentially better than Playstation 2.
  2. Nov 19, 2015
    10
    Halo: Combat Evolved is a great example of what an FPS game should look like: Engaging storyline, with levels that you want to play again. Multiplayer, witch isnt added in, in the last second. Amazing soundtrack witch helps adding to the feel of the game. And a splitscreen Co-Op, witch makes this game the best, or atleast on par with the sequel, Halo 2. But, is it worth buying today? Well,Halo: Combat Evolved is a great example of what an FPS game should look like: Engaging storyline, with levels that you want to play again. Multiplayer, witch isnt added in, in the last second. Amazing soundtrack witch helps adding to the feel of the game. And a splitscreen Co-Op, witch makes this game the best, or atleast on par with the sequel, Halo 2. But, is it worth buying today? Well, do you like playing games with good storylines that arent played between the internet, but rather with your friends on your couch? Expand
  3. Nov 9, 2015
    9
    Great game. Amazing atmosphere with a story that makes you want to keep playing more and more.
    The thing that I love the most about the game, and a deal breaker for me was, the fact that you could play the story mode CO-OP.
    That is probably the only real reason that I really got into the game in the first place!
  4. Oct 26, 2015
    10
    This is a game that changed gaming, I grew up with this game and I played it all the time at my cousins. My cousin introduced me to halo and was born in 2003. It was around '05 when I first started playing it. Up until last month when I wen't over to my cousins we played it on his original xbox. I own the anniversary version of the game and I love playing it. I don't play Halo much anymoreThis is a game that changed gaming, I grew up with this game and I played it all the time at my cousins. My cousin introduced me to halo and was born in 2003. It was around '05 when I first started playing it. Up until last month when I wen't over to my cousins we played it on his original xbox. I own the anniversary version of the game and I love playing it. I don't play Halo much anymore because I got bored of it (Don't have a gold account) but I still love playing it when friends come over. Expand
  5. Oct 21, 2015
    10
    Halo: Combat Evolved was my first shooter that i played in my life.
    Its easily my favorite Halo and also my favorite shooter game of all times.
    I just loved everything about this game, both single and multiplayer.(Team Deathmatch was my favorite)
    A true gaming legend!
  6. Oct 7, 2015
    10
    Halo : Combat Evolved. Celui par lequel tout a commencé. Et pourtant, ça aurait pu ne jamais commencer ! Car oui, à l'origine, Bungie appartenait à Apple, et par une incroyable opération ninja, Microsoft est arrivé à acheter le studio au nez et à la barbe de Steve Job, qui, d'après la légende, aurait appelé dans la foulée le PDG de Microsoft, fou de rage, pour l'insulter. Tant pis pour luiHalo : Combat Evolved. Celui par lequel tout a commencé. Et pourtant, ça aurait pu ne jamais commencer ! Car oui, à l'origine, Bungie appartenait à Apple, et par une incroyable opération ninja, Microsoft est arrivé à acheter le studio au nez et à la barbe de Steve Job, qui, d'après la légende, aurait appelé dans la foulée le PDG de Microsoft, fou de rage, pour l'insulter. Tant pis pour lui (RIP), et tant mieux pour nous, Halo sur Mac ? La série serait tombée dans l'oubli.

    Bungie nous livre ici un jeu très, très solide. Déjà, quelques années auparavant (en 1995), ils nous avaient livré un jeu curieux, Marathon, qui avait créé une discrète révolution dans le monde du FPS : la possibilité, pour le joueur, de regarder dans tous les directions. Ça peut paraitre surprenant aujourd'hui mais à l'époque, personne n'y avait pensé.

    Le tout premier Halo n'apporte en soit aucune révolution de ce genre. Il s'est contenté d'être un excellent jeu, frôlant par moment la perfection.

    Son mode campagne nous fait découvrir pour la première fois le Master Chief, un super soldat, dernier représentant de son genre, au service de l'UNSC. Oui, l'ambiance se veut futuriste, et, on le découvrira avec le temps, relativement concrète et cohérente. La Terre et ses colonies sont en guerre contre une alliance d'aliens nommée le Covenant. On découvrira à travers le jeu ces différentes races d'extra-terrestres qui disposent tous de leurs caractéristiques.

    Plus qu'un FPS, Halo est également, d'une certaine manière, un jeu d'aventure puisque ses niveaux, non fermés et assez vastes (pour la plupart), nous permettent de découvrir un étrange monde-anneau du nom de Halo. À chaque niveau le joueur avance à taton, ne sachant trop où il va. On a donc réellement l'impression d'explorer l'inconnu, progressant dans des terres hostiles mais terriblement mystérieuses, et qui semblent (à juste titre, héhé) avoir été abandonnées il y a des milliers d'années par une race technologiquement supérieure... On en saura plus d'ailleurs sur tout ceci au fur et à mesure que l'on avancera, découvrant ainsi les mystères de Halo et les dangers qu'il renferme.

    Le jeu est beau, très beau même pour l'époque, et le tout est sublimé par les compositions de Martin O'Donnell, alors un illustre inconnu, qui a eu recours à des idées et techniques pas banales pour un jeu de ce genre. Je pense que tout le monde connait le thème principal de la série, avec ces fameux chants de moine... Une idée simple mais génial !

    L'autre gros morceau de Halo, qui lui a valu son succès, est probablement son mode multijoueur, en local uniquement. Dans la continuité de ce qui se faisait de mieux sur console à l'époque (Goldeneye, Perfect Dark, Time Splitter), proposant de nombreux modes de jeu et une vraie richesse en terme de possibilité, le tout s'approche de la perfection tant le gameplay de Halo, atypique, est pointu et bien pensé. Bungie installe ici l'une des clés de Halo, le triangle arme à feu-grenade-manchette, et toutes les armes semblent se valoir, ayant leurs forces et leurs faiblesses. Les niveaux sont extrêmement bien pensés, et on peut s'affronter à 4, en écrans splittés, et jusqu'à 16 en LAN.
    De très grands moments de bonheur entre amis.

    Alors que je rédige cet avis je ne sais pas encore quelle note vais-je attribuer au jeu. La scénario est sans doute le point faible du jeu, puisqu'il installe en fait les bases de la série sans non plus trop les creuser. Il est donc relativement classique, même si très plaisant, et qu'il révèle peu à peu son lot de surprises.
    La campagne peut se montrer frustrante par moment, lorsque l'on est parfois obligé de faire des aller-retours dans des couloirs qui se ressemblent tous. Mais le rythme est telle que l'on ne s'ennuie jamais, du premier niveau jusqu'au dernier, avec en point d'orgue ce finish très hollywoodien.

    Ceci étant... ce jeu est un mythe, et le premier épisode d'une longue et belle saga, il est à découvrir en temps que tel.
    Expand
  7. Oct 7, 2015
    8
    GAME with the nice gameplay, nice story, and nice graphic. It is not too difficult to play, but enough to drain the brain if we want. What I like about this game is the story, really high imaginative where there is such a halo. The part that I like is when that has to face the flood, the atmosphere (plus the music) is really tense, like aliens or alien vs predator games.
  8. Oct 1, 2015
    9
    Tier 1
    + One of the most memorable components of my childhood, offering endlessly entertaining multiplayer fun
    + Pushed the genre forwards in a huge variety of ways
    + Compelling campaign complimented in every way by the addition of co-op
    ? Lacking the online matchmaking of Halo 2
    - Pistol OP
  9. Aug 24, 2015
    0
    And both Goldeneye and Half Life brought revolutions to the table in term of storyline,I watched my friend playing this a few years back on Xbox and to be honest did not see what all the hype
  10. Aug 20, 2015
    7
    This review is for the version of Halo CE included in the Master Chief Collection for XONE, and I'm keeping in mind that it was originally released 15 years ago.

    Let's begin by saying that, though I wouldn't say the game is ripping off other IPs (either movies or video games), it's clear to me where did the Bungie folks get their inspiration from. Now the actual review. - Graphics
    This review is for the version of Halo CE included in the Master Chief Collection for XONE, and I'm keeping in mind that it was originally released 15 years ago.

    Let's begin by saying that, though I wouldn't say the game is ripping off other IPs (either movies or video games), it's clear to me where did the Bungie folks get their inspiration from. Now the actual review.

    - Graphics and music: I loved the music, but the graphics are just okay. It's really cool to be able to switch between the original graphics and the remastered ones. There are some lighting problems and some areas are too dark, also ponds of green water where you can't see **** and you don't know where to go.

    - Story: It's nothing to lose your lose your sleep over, really. The Master Chief is utterly boring and uninspiring. Fortunately we have Cortana, his virtual companion, who can access stuff and guides you throughout the campaign. She's a lot more interesting and her voice acting is terrific.

    - Gameplay: the story is divided into 10 missions, taking you around 1 hour to complete each. These long missions are more like Chapters than actual missions (you have multiple objectives in each of them, which are revealed to you sequentially). I prefer short missions, where you can actually accomplish something during a small game session, other than just running from Checkpoint A to Checkpoint B.

    - Combat Mechanics: maybe this is the weakest aspect of the game, and here is why: there's no aiming mechanism, so you must get close to your targets in order to shoot them down. This is okay for the first half of the game, since you can kill them fairly easy without endangering yourself. But, the second part gets tricky. Enemies explode, throw grenades, or carry a rocket launcher, so a lot of them will instantly kill you or land a critical hit on you; while requiring many shots to go down. I also noticed that a lot of mob groups keep spawning on and on. So, oftentimes there's no point in stopping to kill them, your best option is just running for it.

    - Level Design: I didn't really like it. I felt like I was playing the same generic 3 or 4 maps over and over.

    - Enemies: there isn't a great variety of them. And no boss... yes, NO BOSS FIGHT! Huge letdown.

    - Weaponry: there are like 6 different types of weapons and you'll frequently feel underpowered (unless you have a shotgun with you). Ammo for the more powerful weapons is scarce, forcing you to switch, which is something positive.

    - Vehicles and turrets: this is also a great addition. I really enjoyed making my way through crowds after hijacking an alien vehicle or climbing into a turret (specially when ammo was running low) to obliterate incoming waves of foes.
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  11. Jul 27, 2015
    10
    This is by far the best first person shooter ever made. Everything about this game is amazing, from the graphics to the gameplay to the plot and storyline. The Marines are like real people and the enemy A.I. is inteligent and adaptive. Halo is the best X-Box game yet and it simply must be played.
  12. Jun 27, 2015
    9
    This game had me at the first mission. Original, great gameplay for it's time, an awesome hero, and a great story. Little did we know that this game would propel 7 more.
  13. Jun 25, 2015
    10
    Halo: Combat Evolved is a truly original masterpiece, The original 3D First person shooter. This game has been copied off by so many other shooters like Call of Duty. The multiplayer is a blast and very addictive, accept it isn't actually online. You have to play local which is a shame, and that's only because it's old. Online mode was never around till Halo 2 came out. Halo: CombatHalo: Combat Evolved is a truly original masterpiece, The original 3D First person shooter. This game has been copied off by so many other shooters like Call of Duty. The multiplayer is a blast and very addictive, accept it isn't actually online. You have to play local which is a shame, and that's only because it's old. Online mode was never around till Halo 2 came out. Halo: Combat Evolved has aged very well since Its release in Nov 14 2001, I bet there's quite a lot of people playing this games campaign and multiplayer even in 2015 because its that good. Expand
  14. Jun 10, 2015
    3
    Never liked it, never clicked on me, Half Life was older and still way better... I tried several times to like it but still looked like Quake 2 with better graphics.
  15. May 3, 2015
    10
    Fantastic, this game doesn't just offer some of the best multiplayer fun you will get from any FPS game, its campaign is just as good. The Story in Halo and the characters to add are just simply great. If you haven't played Halo then you are missing out. Best FPS since Half Life (PC) and Perfect Dark (N64)
  16. iCC
    Apr 19, 2015
    10
    One of the best games ever, a sacred jewel that has to be remembered for the eternity and a pillar for all the video games that want to show a real alternative and playable universe.
  17. Mar 23, 2015
    10
    A good first-person shooter? Impossible! Those were my first words when I started up the game. It looks like my statement was proven wrong by Halo. Never before have I been so immersed in this epic experience. I don't have much experience with this kind of game but I could tell you that Halo may be the best FPS game there ever has been and ever will be. You won't be able to put it downA good first-person shooter? Impossible! Those were my first words when I started up the game. It looks like my statement was proven wrong by Halo. Never before have I been so immersed in this epic experience. I don't have much experience with this kind of game but I could tell you that Halo may be the best FPS game there ever has been and ever will be. You won't be able to put it down once you get it. It's that fun and it's that fantastic. Expand
  18. Mar 22, 2015
    10
    Taking its rightful name from the books, Halo - Combat Evolved is well one of the greatest games for the Xbox. A fantastic shooter, great difficulty, and a very considerable threat. The aftermath of the fall of reach, a desperate attempt for survival leads the pillar of autumn and her crew crashing onto Halo, an ancient Forruner weapon, used to destroy the franchises greatest enemy, theTaking its rightful name from the books, Halo - Combat Evolved is well one of the greatest games for the Xbox. A fantastic shooter, great difficulty, and a very considerable threat. The aftermath of the fall of reach, a desperate attempt for survival leads the pillar of autumn and her crew crashing onto Halo, an ancient Forruner weapon, used to destroy the franchises greatest enemy, the flood. After revival, the flood begins to take over halo, and its only a matter of time for the player to fight for their life. Expand
  19. Feb 6, 2015
    10
    i played the **** out of this game!!! every time i went to my friends house i would play the campaign all the time. me and him played on every great map. the game had a good A.I and the graphics where good for the year it was made. keep using that over powered pistol!
  20. Dec 12, 2014
    9
    I'm not one for FPS games, I hate Battlefield and COD but this game is probably my favorite game so far! I have put hours and hours into this game before I even noticed it... my favorite waste of time so far.
  21. Dec 9, 2014
    9
    This is one of the best games I have ever played. Sure it looks a bit dated by today's standards but that's what The Master Chief Collection or Halo Combat Evolved anniversary is for. The story is great and The graphics for the time were great. I have no problems with this game.

    Verdict:
    This game is an awesome first installment to an awesome franchise of awesome games.
    9/10
  22. Dec 4, 2014
    10
    Everytime i see halo....

    i just want to turn on my console and play Halo 1 to 4.
    This one had the best scenes and moments.
    Every xbox owner must play this game and the franchise.
  23. Nov 17, 2014
    9
    amazing game. great multiplayer with lack of online play. good campaign, however with some repetitive areas. All around great time. highly recommended.
  24. Nov 13, 2014
    10
    The ability to throw grenades without cycling through weapons, immense strategy required, an immersive story, and the legendary multiplayer mode have all contributed this to be the best fps of the 6th gen, perhaps of all gaming itself. Though by today's standards it is clunky and old, the action, the mortality of your character, and the Gregorian Chant of the title screen, are not.
  25. Oct 31, 2014
    10
    A classic and such a great game after all these years. Combat is just so fun and the AI is still better than most modern shooter, there are a lot of different enemies as well. Multiplayer is glorious.
  26. Sep 28, 2014
    10
    Halo Combat Evolved marked the beginning of a new franchise! This one particular video game started a new generation of gaming like Super Mario Bros. did in 1985. This is a new story that is refreshing for any gamer. You are with an organized Human military force known as the UNSC and you are at war against an alien race known as the Covenant. The Covenant is made up of 4 alien known asHalo Combat Evolved marked the beginning of a new franchise! This one particular video game started a new generation of gaming like Super Mario Bros. did in 1985. This is a new story that is refreshing for any gamer. You are with an organized Human military force known as the UNSC and you are at war against an alien race known as the Covenant. The Covenant is made up of 4 alien known as Jackals, Hunters, Grunts, and my personal favorite alien race in all of Halo, the Elites. After an ensuing battle in a UNSC spaceship known as the Pillar of Autumn, you escape the ship in a drop-pod. You and the rest of the UNSC crash on a ring world called "Halo." The story has a protagonist that you play through the eyes of a Spartan 2 named Master Chief. He has an A.I. partner that briefs him on what to do throughout the missions known as Cortana. You have another ally who is a captain named Keyes. While on Halo. You come across an ancient parasitic group of life forms known as the Flood. You even come across an ancient race that is designed to stop the Flood known as the Sentinels. They are led by the monitor of the ring world named "343 Guilty Spark." He reveals that Halo is built by a long extinct race that built him and the Sentinels known as "the Forerunners." Halo is also designed to destroy all life in the galaxy. So your objective is to destroy Halo. You succeed in the end and Master Chief says on of the best lines in history ever, "No. I think we're just getting started." That is a great way for opening up to a sequel! Halo Combat Evolved also features a brand new multiplayer. The maps are mind-blowing and they give you unlimited possibilities of what to do. Halo's multiplayer is very strategic-thinking and very competitive. But you will have to play on co-op or either system link because Xbox Live didn't exist until Halo 2 came out, but don't worry though, because you will have a fun time playing this game. With an amazing story and fantastic multiplayer, Halo Combated Evolved deserves a PERFECT 10/10. Expand
  27. Sep 25, 2014
    10
    It's not an easy task to create a colossal universe, with a lot of beigns where each being has its own releigion, characteristics and story, is even harder to create this universe and fit a great game, with revolutionary gameplay, catchy characters, great story evolve, great story telling and high quality cutscenes, Halo: Combat Evolved is an icon in the FPS genre.
  28. Sep 9, 2014
    9
    A great game in my chilhood, i have very precious memories of this game, it is a great game to start a great series. bring on the master cheif collection. 9/10
  29. Aug 6, 2014
    6
    One of the most overrated games of all time. I finished it and for me halo is not a good game, it is a very average game. First, the levels are very labyrinthine and you're constantly searching where to go, but not only that, but the level design is so repetitive that you're always asking if you went through there or not. Indeed, level portions are literally cloned in other levels.One of the most overrated games of all time. I finished it and for me halo is not a good game, it is a very average game. First, the levels are very labyrinthine and you're constantly searching where to go, but not only that, but the level design is so repetitive that you're always asking if you went through there or not. Indeed, level portions are literally cloned in other levels. Besides some peaks of difficulty completely unnecessary where the game becomes extremely difficult for no reason. The music is very good but are underused. Driving vehicles is terrible. The sounds of covenants is terrible. Sorry, I would like to liked this game, but unfortunately I'm not capable. This has too problems to make it a good game Expand
  30. Aug 5, 2014
    9
    This is no other doubt the best FPS game I've played so far on the Xbox. It has a good story, good graphics, awesome soundtrack, breathtaking gameplay that will make you play this game all day, every day.
    The multiplayer in this game is great as well.
    Overall, this is my second favorite Halo in the Halo series and it's definitely worth your time! The only problem I had with this game is
    This is no other doubt the best FPS game I've played so far on the Xbox. It has a good story, good graphics, awesome soundtrack, breathtaking gameplay that will make you play this game all day, every day.
    The multiplayer in this game is great as well.
    Overall, this is my second favorite Halo in the Halo series and it's definitely worth your time!
    The only problem I had with this game is the last mission. The last mission of the game is really tough as balls, especially the driving part.
    Expand
  31. May 29, 2014
    10
    This game is jammed packed with a amazing story. The music was incredible too. The environment was mind boggeling. Looking up for the first time seeing you were on a ring world, was priceless. This game brought me closer to my family, and friends for that Halo. I thank you.
  32. May 11, 2014
    7
    Well, what do I need to say? This is ridiculously overrated! 9.7?! Are you kidding?! This will never be a classic! It's just one-in-a-thousand of first person shooters with a cheesy and not original story!
  33. May 1, 2014
    10
    Halo: CE shaped modern FPS games, and also has one of the best stories, entangled in one of the best soundtracks of any game ever made. The atmosphere in the game was simply amazing. Sure the graphics are dated, it's from 2001 for god's sake, this was a launch title for the original Xbox! The game was revolutionary in its time, its a classic.
  34. Apr 16, 2014
    6
    Halo: Combat Evolved is overated, great but overated good grapichs alright AI, one of the better Halo games, but doesnt deserve a 97 Metascore alright game fun but still very overated
  35. Apr 10, 2014
    10
    Polished. Its solid like Quake but updated for the next generation. Couldnt ask for more

    Halo:REACH updated the game engine. Play that for the next leap
  36. Apr 5, 2014
    10
    A truly remarkable and revolutionary title this game changed the FPS franchise as we know it. This for it's time and even to this day is an excellent game introducing vehicular combat and a fully staffed crew of voice actor to immerse you and make the experience even better.
  37. Mar 29, 2014
    9
    Never was there a first person shooter which controlled well on a video game console. The genre was at its prime on P.C. and that's how it was expected to remain. Halo: Combat Evolved was one of few reasons to actually own the original Microsoft X-BOX. For the first time, controls involving a first person shooter and video game console were not awkward and worked rather well. Only issue toNever was there a first person shooter which controlled well on a video game console. The genre was at its prime on P.C. and that's how it was expected to remain. Halo: Combat Evolved was one of few reasons to actually own the original Microsoft X-BOX. For the first time, controls involving a first person shooter and video game console were not awkward and worked rather well. Only issue to be existent is the lack of vehicular combat. A revolutionary game, that's what Halo: Combat Evolved is. Expand
  38. Feb 22, 2014
    10
    In terms of story, graphics, gameplay, and overall presentation Halo was quite simply jaw dropping when it was first released. To this day it's still an awe inspiring achievement. Very few games, even critically acclaimed titles, have a story as finely crafted and multifaceted as Halo. It must be said that Halo is one out of probably a mere 5 games that could make an easy transitionIn terms of story, graphics, gameplay, and overall presentation Halo was quite simply jaw dropping when it was first released. To this day it's still an awe inspiring achievement. Very few games, even critically acclaimed titles, have a story as finely crafted and multifaceted as Halo. It must be said that Halo is one out of probably a mere 5 games that could make an easy transition into the film medium while still remaining high quality. Peter Jackson must have recognized this, for he was once planning on doing so. Over the satisfying campaign you'll get to use iconic weapons and vehicles, explore an incredible world, listen to a truly haunting musical score, and experience one of the most transcendent finales in gaming history. A masterpiece indeed. Expand
  39. Feb 7, 2014
    9
    Manages to be both a great shooter and an epic adventure without sacrificing one or the other to gimmicks, set pieces or interactive movie moments. Great introduction to the universe
  40. Feb 1, 2014
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. This is an awesome game! i don't understand why people say this game is borring? it is an real awesome game. it has an awesome storyline and a really good gameplay. I love so much this game! Expand
  41. Jan 11, 2014
    10
    It is good game because the green stormtrooper reminds me of father Shrek because he is green and badass. You use a painted nerf gun to kill cosplaying lizards, vultures, and fungus men who are high on blue cheese. The only flaw to this game is the graphics aren't as good as the graphics from Bubsy 3D.
  42. Jan 7, 2014
    10
    It's really too bad to see people coming back in recent years to slap a review of 0 on the original Halo. This game came out in 2001. If you limited yourself to only purchasing console FPS games from 2001 and earlier, what would you rather play? Maybe Goldeneye on the N64? Maybe Doom, but that's not even in full 3D since you can't aim up or down. The bottom line is that for its day, thisIt's really too bad to see people coming back in recent years to slap a review of 0 on the original Halo. This game came out in 2001. If you limited yourself to only purchasing console FPS games from 2001 and earlier, what would you rather play? Maybe Goldeneye on the N64? Maybe Doom, but that's not even in full 3D since you can't aim up or down. The bottom line is that for its day, this was the best FPS you could play on a console by a very large margin. It's hard to debate that. It *is* still a lot of fun to play if you enjoy the genre, and deserves all the acclaim it gets. Expand
  43. AGK
    Dec 31, 2013
    9
    this game is awesome! I had so many good memories with this game and I am still having good memories with this godlike game, go bungie and halo forever!
  44. Dec 18, 2013
    10
    I still find myself, after years of playing, enjoying this game to it's fullest. Even with anniversary out I still find myself coming back to this amazing classic.
  45. Dec 11, 2013
    10
    When they say "combat evolved" they mean it.
    One of the most intense and immersive shooters I have ever played. Certainly the best in the series in terms of exploration, gunplay, story and art form. Also might I add, Multiplayer...amazing
    The games pure genius. Thats all.
  46. Dec 7, 2013
    10
    Halo is what defined a first person shooter, halo set the mark for all games, halo is a true classic. After more then 12 years later Halo is one of the most talked about games of all time. Master chief is one of the most recognising characters in video gaming and this will continue due to the stealer series that fans just can't get enough of. Halo is a intriguing world that is a must forHalo is what defined a first person shooter, halo set the mark for all games, halo is a true classic. After more then 12 years later Halo is one of the most talked about games of all time. Master chief is one of the most recognising characters in video gaming and this will continue due to the stealer series that fans just can't get enough of. Halo is a intriguing world that is a must for all gamers. The relationship between contarma and chief is unbeatable and by the time the journey is over you will feel like a true bad ass. Expand
  47. Dec 6, 2013
    10
    Halo Combat Evolved is the complete package [excuse me if that came out wrong] action plot character and blood what else can a guy ask for in a video game.
  48. Dec 6, 2013
    9
    for the time that it is made in i must give this game a 9 even do it's not perfect
    i still enjoy the game and it's already 12 years ago when it was made
    it's just awesome the weapons are great just sad you can't pick up the energy sword or fuel rod cannon campaign is awesome a very good story too +:awesome campaign +:a good story +:multiplayer options -:levels are kinda the same you
    for the time that it is made in i must give this game a 9 even do it's not perfect
    i still enjoy the game and it's already 12 years ago when it was made
    it's just awesome the weapons are great just sad you can't pick up the energy sword or fuel rod cannon
    campaign is awesome a very good story too
    +:awesome campaign
    +:a good story
    +:multiplayer options
    -:levels are kinda the same you have the feeling that you are running in circles
    -:too much dark rooms
    Expand
  49. Nov 8, 2013
    10
    This is one of my favorite FPS games. It may seem a little empty by today's standards, but it was way ahead of the curve and laying the groundwork for future FPS games when it came out. The weapons all have their strengths and weaknesses. The story is engaging and paves the way for one of the best epic trilogies of all time.
  50. Nov 7, 2013
    10
    Deffintley one of the best Xbox games besides maybe halo 2 but besides this game has shaped the way fpses are played and for that we should give it endless prase
  51. Nov 6, 2013
    10
    This game is the one that started it all. It brought us even greater Halo games, those being Halo 2, Halo 3 and even Halo: Reach. The multiplayer on the PC is still up, so go get this game and experience the awesomeness of the first Halo game.
  52. Oct 20, 2013
    10
    This game changed not only the FPS genre but video games themselves. How many games nowadays don't have a regenerating health system and a 2 weapon limitation. Beyond that Halo is immersive, engaging and a whole lot of fun to play.
  53. Oct 11, 2013
    10
    Such a great game in the fps genre which really revolutionized it for the better. Reviewers giving it a zero are clearly haters who have not played it and are unfit to vote on any gamin review web site. Saying it's a zero would mean it's and unworkable piece of crap, when it's, clearly not, just look at the critic reviews.
  54. Sep 18, 2013
    8
    While I do think that this game is insanely overrated for what it is, it isn't a bad game. Don't listen to all of the people saying that it's the most revolutionary FPS game out there, it's not, but also don't listen to the people who say it is a horrible game. Go pick up this game, although I recommend the PC version, the Xbox version isn't bad so go pick it up and have a blast!
  55. Sep 17, 2013
    10
    A truly elite title from beginning to end. This game has it all, gameplay, story, atmosphere, it's nearly perfect and probably the best out of all of the Halo games. I highly recommend picking it up.
  56. Sep 13, 2013
    8
    i don't know why i love this game so much but i even play it to this date its a fun shooter full of new ideas what made it beat most of its competition i guess, in the story your the last one of the Spartans left what are super solders you go on a adventure to stop the covenant what are the alien race attacking the humans but on your adventure you fight more then just them, the world ofi don't know why i love this game so much but i even play it to this date its a fun shooter full of new ideas what made it beat most of its competition i guess, in the story your the last one of the Spartans left what are super solders you go on a adventure to stop the covenant what are the alien race attacking the humans but on your adventure you fight more then just them, the world of halo is big and great so when your plodding along it feels like your not on earth looking for the next tescos it feels like your exploring an unknown world Expand
  57. Sep 13, 2013
    9
    Accounting for 2001 it had a great campaign, amazing multiplayer with great maps (including the famous Blood Gultch). It was the pioneer for competitive shooters on console and has one of the greatest world designs ever. It's weaknesses lie in it's overuse of the same textures in the world and the crouching control mechanics (move the stick fully towards a direction and you move whileAccounting for 2001 it had a great campaign, amazing multiplayer with great maps (including the famous Blood Gultch). It was the pioneer for competitive shooters on console and has one of the greatest world designs ever. It's weaknesses lie in it's overuse of the same textures in the world and the crouching control mechanics (move the stick fully towards a direction and you move while standing, move it slightly and you move while crouching) Expand
  58. Aug 29, 2013
    10
    This is the first truly modern FPS the graphics are dated but where amazing back then and the story is really,really good and while Mass Effect has come out since back then it was unmatched the controls,level design is was unparalleled but still impressive and it is very long for a FPS campaign these days and the multiplayer was unmatched and still among the best and the start to the bestThis is the first truly modern FPS the graphics are dated but where amazing back then and the story is really,really good and while Mass Effect has come out since back then it was unmatched the controls,level design is was unparalleled but still impressive and it is very long for a FPS campaign these days and the multiplayer was unmatched and still among the best and the start to the best FPS series ever along with Half-Life Expand
  59. Aug 12, 2013
    8
    I've got to say, the first Halo game revolutionized gaming in many more ways than one, and it has only provided good things for the series it has since created. Halo: Combat Evolved has excellent musical scores haunting its every moment, a pretty well-created multiplayer following and almighty deathmatch capabilities for its time, and a driving narrative following in the footsteps of whoI've got to say, the first Halo game revolutionized gaming in many more ways than one, and it has only provided good things for the series it has since created. Halo: Combat Evolved has excellent musical scores haunting its every moment, a pretty well-created multiplayer following and almighty deathmatch capabilities for its time, and a driving narrative following in the footsteps of who we now dub merely 'The Chief'. This was the first adventure of The Chief and Cortana, and boy was it an epic one. We now have met The Chief time and time again, but it is from his first adventure that we can really draw our conclusions about just who he is as a character, and how he always finishes the job- even if we might never see his face or here anything other than his smart and short dialogue. This is The Chief's story, and nothing can detract from that. The gameplay flows, the enemies are believable in life and death, the weapons feel greased and ready to fire, the sound quality is superb, the story is pretty well thought out and quite original, and only a few minor inconveniences and glitches can take away from the experience. Expand
  60. Aug 6, 2013
    10
    ESTE 10 LO PONGO POR UNA SOLA RAZÓN: PERFECCIÓN Y ORIGINALIDAD; NOS LLEVA A UN MUNDO Y UNA HISTORIA TOTALMENTE FUERA DE LO COMÚN Y ADEMAS NOS MUESTRA LA CAPACIDAD QUE TIENE MICROSOFT DE IMPRESIONAR.
  61. Jul 24, 2013
    10
    Halo is a legend and is base for all FPS to come after, however none (even including half life 2) have ever got ever remotely close to this, it has graphics, gameplay and story
  62. Jul 5, 2013
    9
    Halo: Combat Evolved nearly perfected the first person shooter genre. In fact, it defined the genre. Bungie took everything from all the other classic FPS games like Doom, Quake, and Goldeneye 007 into one tremendous game. With great weapons, multi-player, and fun factor, Halo is the killer app that pretty much sold all Xbox consoles.
  63. Jun 28, 2013
    7
    As a halo fan back in the day, I can tell you that this game is AMAZING! It's an all time classic, with an interesting story, fascinating mythoes, great combat, and stellar co-op. The graphics aren't great, but what do you expect from a game made over 10 years ago? Anyone who talks s**t about this game might have played it recently, thinking "Why are the graphics so crap? Uggh, this isAs a halo fan back in the day, I can tell you that this game is AMAZING! It's an all time classic, with an interesting story, fascinating mythoes, great combat, and stellar co-op. The graphics aren't great, but what do you expect from a game made over 10 years ago? Anyone who talks s**t about this game might have played it recently, thinking "Why are the graphics so crap? Uggh, this is just terrible." They wouldn't know a great game if it was stuck Infront of their face. So yeah, you can probably tell, I love this game, and it's one of my favorites. Expand
  64. Jun 26, 2013
    9
    Over the years, the Halo franchise has grown into a Goliath of sorts. It has gained an insane amount of popularity, however I've never really cared much about it. I played Halo 3, and that was okay. Halo Reach was a decent game too, but they never felt spectacular.

    However, I decided to go back and play the original. The original game Halo: Combat Evolved is by far my favorite game in
    Over the years, the Halo franchise has grown into a Goliath of sorts. It has gained an insane amount of popularity, however I've never really cared much about it. I played Halo 3, and that was okay. Halo Reach was a decent game too, but they never felt spectacular.

    However, I decided to go back and play the original. The original game Halo: Combat Evolved is by far my favorite game in the franchise. Even after playing through later iterations, I can still say that this game is the best. The game is comprised of very open maps, excellent story elements, great mechanics, and outstanding music. You really can't go wrong with this game.

    I can see why this game sold Xboxs so well. I definitely recommend it.
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  65. Jun 6, 2013
    10
    The classic that started it all. Halo CE is a great game, for which we have to give thanks for the regenerating shield/health system and 2 weapon system (and thank GOD for that, I can't stand non regen health in FPS's since I played this) It's gameplay is great, it holds up really well even to todays standards, it's just plain simple fun. While the story of the original is nothing amazingThe classic that started it all. Halo CE is a great game, for which we have to give thanks for the regenerating shield/health system and 2 weapon system (and thank GOD for that, I can't stand non regen health in FPS's since I played this) It's gameplay is great, it holds up really well even to todays standards, it's just plain simple fun. While the story of the original is nothing amazing it's set in a really fleshed out interesting universe., and is interesting in its own right. Master Chief as a character is great, I think his very rare speak makes him more relateable than say Gordan Freeman yet not so concrete as to not be a everyman. It has a unique but great soundtrack and it's multiplayer is endless fun, and the game has good modding potential on PC. One of the FPSs ever Expand
  66. May 26, 2013
    10
    The original Halo is definitely something to play on Xbox! Learn how the franchise began and see the coolest hero in gaming history: Spartan 117-The Master Chief! Yes, Halo Combat Evolved is a true original.
  67. Apr 22, 2013
    9
    Very memorable, Its Awesomeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!
  68. Mar 4, 2013
    10
    The game that defined first-player shooting and FPS multiplayer action. The game which defines itself in the very fact that its own company of development fails at replicating (besides Halo 2, all games proceeding thereafter continually have failed to set any substantial significance to the series) the game's original qualities.
  69. Feb 27, 2013
    10
    This easily stands among games like HL2 and BioShock for being the greatest FPS of all time. The original Halo game was better on the PC than the Xbox, but it's a great game either way with lots of surprising plot twists within an engaging plot. I love the level design, the brilliant AI, the originality, almost everything about this game is perfect. I only have one complaint, and that'sThis easily stands among games like HL2 and BioShock for being the greatest FPS of all time. The original Halo game was better on the PC than the Xbox, but it's a great game either way with lots of surprising plot twists within an engaging plot. I love the level design, the brilliant AI, the originality, almost everything about this game is perfect. I only have one complaint, and that's that the gameplay towards the end of the game can feel a bit repeditive. Expand
  70. Feb 12, 2013
    10
    I'm still laughing at all the 1-4 reviews. I mean seriously, have you even PLAYED Halo: Combat Evolved? For its time, Halo: CE was the most influential game of all time. Even today, the graphics are still on par with most things people play... Except for Halo 2, 3, Reach, and 4. The story is deep, riveting and interesting, the campaign is long, and paced just right, and certainly providesI'm still laughing at all the 1-4 reviews. I mean seriously, have you even PLAYED Halo: Combat Evolved? For its time, Halo: CE was the most influential game of all time. Even today, the graphics are still on par with most things people play... Except for Halo 2, 3, Reach, and 4. The story is deep, riveting and interesting, the campaign is long, and paced just right, and certainly provides a hell of a bang for your buck. The only complaint I have is that the player never really got to know the Spartan behind the helmet, but, hey, that's what sequels are for. Expand
  71. Feb 10, 2013
    10
    It's an amazing game! Resembles the XBox game "Halo".
    It's an amazing game! Resembles the XBox game "Halo".
    It's an amazing game! Resembles the XBox game "Halo".
  72. Jan 10, 2013
    10
    Halo: Combat Evolved is the first Halo game and the best. The campaign was amazing and the graphics not so much but the voice acting and gameplay is what makes a good game. Halo 1 deserves 10/10.
  73. Dec 25, 2012
    9
    Halo CE has a amazing campaign and amazing story witch is the best story and campaign in a halo game. I loved every mission and one of the best fps campaigns I have ever played. This game has a amazing world around you and kept me interested in the campaign. Multiplayer is good in halo 1 but no online multiplayer and also I didn't like how little weapons there are, but its their first gameHalo CE has a amazing campaign and amazing story witch is the best story and campaign in a halo game. I loved every mission and one of the best fps campaigns I have ever played. This game has a amazing world around you and kept me interested in the campaign. Multiplayer is good in halo 1 but no online multiplayer and also I didn't like how little weapons there are, but its their first game so they learned and made weapons and multiplayer bad-ass in halo 2. Halo CE will never,ever be forgotten and I don't think any Halo campaign, from Halos now or Halos in the future will ever beat the campaign. Halo: Combat Evolved 9.1/10 Expand
  74. Dec 2, 2012
    8
    Great game when I first played it back in 2001 but it hasn't aged well. I'm not much of a graphics whore but bloody hell these graphics are awful, even for it's time when crash bandicoot was out I found those graphics better, they where still great graphics when I first played the game so I won't berate the game for that, but it will cost some points. The story is still good and originalGreat game when I first played it back in 2001 but it hasn't aged well. I'm not much of a graphics whore but bloody hell these graphics are awful, even for it's time when crash bandicoot was out I found those graphics better, they where still great graphics when I first played the game so I won't berate the game for that, but it will cost some points. The story is still good and original for it's time and the gameplay is still fun and satisfying. Voice acting is good but the music and sound effects is where the game makes the game so enjoyable, I must've spent hours just listening to the menu song, love it!. 8/10 (and this is coming from a HUGE halo fan. Expand
  75. Nov 28, 2012
    9
    Simply astonishing, when this game first came out i was just a little boy and my first boner came from this game. I jerked off to this game everynight for the longest time.
  76. Nov 28, 2012
    7
    First of all, this game surprised me, a lot of things are very well done. The enemies are intelligent, some of the levels are really well designed and for somer parts, this game is just perfect. However, Walking threw the same corridors and buildings five times in a row is annoying and not fun. About 3 hours campaign should have been removed (recycling) or never made in the first place,First of all, this game surprised me, a lot of things are very well done. The enemies are intelligent, some of the levels are really well designed and for somer parts, this game is just perfect. However, Walking threw the same corridors and buildings five times in a row is annoying and not fun. About 3 hours campaign should have been removed (recycling) or never made in the first place, the other 6 hours are epic and amazing. The sequels are much better than this game and there is not that much story in this game. This game introduced us to a rich universe and offers some amazing and breathtaking Content, but this game itself is not a masterpiece at all. Too much recycling and streching made this game a lot worse than it could have been with a shorter campaign,which is pretty sad. Expand
  77. Nov 12, 2012
    10
    the best fps for its time,great game a real reason to buy xbox back in its day.while at times story can be confusing its still very great. graphics was amazing back in the xbox days,music was nice.
  78. Nov 2, 2012
    10
    This is the game that got me into FPS, the campaign was the first to get me going and I've thought since playing this game that this needs to be an epic film. Everything about it is polished and classic, even until the climactic car ride at the end. Also, have spent countless hours shooting up friends via local multiplayer slayer. Awesome game, perfect in my opinion.
  79. Oct 27, 2012
    8
    Honestly do not understand the hype. The graphics are great and the combat is fun but the much touted story is very straight forward and boring! I think this game is loved so much because it was played by ten year olds who had never played Half-Life.
  80. Aug 13, 2012
    10
    Halo: Combat Evolved is what made the xbox what it is, it also defined console FPS's from there on out. A fairly simple run and gun gameplay mechanic with no fancy extras other than a futuristic setting makes people think, what's the fuss about? As soon as you take Halo out of its console setting it dies, as a PC shooter it would fall flat but also its the levels and story. You play as theHalo: Combat Evolved is what made the xbox what it is, it also defined console FPS's from there on out. A fairly simple run and gun gameplay mechanic with no fancy extras other than a futuristic setting makes people think, what's the fuss about? As soon as you take Halo out of its console setting it dies, as a PC shooter it would fall flat but also its the levels and story. You play as the Master Chief, a SPARTAN II super soldier created by the UNSC and the last of your kind. You are attacked by the ruthless alien forces of the Covenant and crash land on a nearby planet shaped like a ring. However you soon learn it is not a planet but a weapon to ensure the greatest threat in the universe is kept at rest through unthinkable circumstances. You play in huge outdoor environments with giant metal structures towing above you and rolling hills as far as the eye can see. This gives the combat a tactical approach using the living environment rather than barricades or a door, the game is alive as you play and you can feel it. Expand
  81. Aug 7, 2012
    10
    ok so for all the idiots playing this game 12 years later and comparing it to todays standards your a moron. moving on from there.... halo was absolutely amazing when it first came out, had amazing graphics for the time, and was definatly worth the hype. 2 thumbs up as a game that will be remembered for years.
  82. Jul 27, 2012
    9
    Halo combat evolved was such a great fps for the xbox. The graphics are top notch, especially for a game that was made in 2000, the campaign is long, compelling, and challenging, the versing and co op is fairly good too, overall, a great buy for xbox gamers
  83. May 27, 2012
    10
    A great game, multiplayer was a lot of fun.
  84. May 25, 2012
    10
    The beginning of a legacy, one of the best games id ever played. Halo is the best xbox original from the story to the graphics its the game that started it all
  85. May 5, 2012
    10
    How do you write a review 11 years after a release. The game will feel dated, it won't look or run like you're used to games running. That is not a problem for Halo:Combat Evolved. The graphics still hold up, even from a different system generation. The gameplay is still fierce and engaging, the multiplayer still robust enough to lose several hours with a few friends, and that'sHow do you write a review 11 years after a release. The game will feel dated, it won't look or run like you're used to games running. That is not a problem for Halo:Combat Evolved. The graphics still hold up, even from a different system generation. The gameplay is still fierce and engaging, the multiplayer still robust enough to lose several hours with a few friends, and that's playing it now. The game has held up beautifully because it was so far ahead of it's time. Colourful scenery with an absolutely incredible soundtrack, the ambiance of Halo takes you away. How do you review a game released in 2001? Quite favourably, it seems. Expand
  86. Feb 26, 2012
    10
    Halo: Combat Evolved is nothing short of GOLD. Everything about this game is amazing!! Gameplay is phenomenal! The weapons are great, each one unique and creatively designed. The AI for its day was impressive. The story is amazing, and easily surpassed any other game in its day. The graphics were great and helped draw attention to the potential Xbox had. LAN multiplayer gave me some of myHalo: Combat Evolved is nothing short of GOLD. Everything about this game is amazing!! Gameplay is phenomenal! The weapons are great, each one unique and creatively designed. The AI for its day was impressive. The story is amazing, and easily surpassed any other game in its day. The graphics were great and helped draw attention to the potential Xbox had. LAN multiplayer gave me some of my best memories of playing with friends. Halo is beyond fun, it's oppressively exhilarating! Each level is unique and detailed to precision. There is nothing quite like Halo, and there never will be. This is easily one of the greatest games of all time. Expand
  87. Jan 27, 2012
    10
    Halo Combat Evolved is a must have classic! It is simple, but that isn't a bad thing. Even 10 years on, new stuff can come out of it, with the release of Halo CE Anniversary. This game should be treasured by generations to come, because it is fun, has a good story, and is a purely unforgettable game.
  88. Jan 5, 2012
    10
    This is my favorite FPS by a mile. I cannot count how many hours I have poured into this game over the past 10 years. The story is epic, the music is a perfect accompaniment, and a well balanced selection of guns. I cannot describe how happy I was when they came out with a remake, since Halo Reach made the original game seem a little old graphics wise. If you dislike this game, then so beThis is my favorite FPS by a mile. I cannot count how many hours I have poured into this game over the past 10 years. The story is epic, the music is a perfect accompaniment, and a well balanced selection of guns. I cannot describe how happy I was when they came out with a remake, since Halo Reach made the original game seem a little old graphics wise. If you dislike this game, then so be it, clearly you're missing something. If you love it, then you know exactly what I'm getting at. Expand
  89. Dec 16, 2011
    10
    Hands down the greatest shooter game I have ever played and one of my all time favorites. The story is good, the entire game is original, and multiplayer is a lot of fun. This is a must buy.
  90. Dec 9, 2011
    10
    Halo is an amazing game that is a legend. Everything about the game is near perfect. The graphics for the time are great, the sounds are solid and playabiltity is just great too. The story of Halo is just amazing and very interesting, Halo has one of the most interesting campaigns of any FPS to date that I greatly enjoyed. The game is really amazing. The only flaws I see are that sometimesHalo is an amazing game that is a legend. Everything about the game is near perfect. The graphics for the time are great, the sounds are solid and playabiltity is just great too. The story of Halo is just amazing and very interesting, Halo has one of the most interesting campaigns of any FPS to date that I greatly enjoyed. The game is really amazing. The only flaws I see are that sometimes the objectives are not clear and this can be downright frustrating at times, the melee is very ineffective too so this was irksome but these are minor complaints. Overall, Halo is a great game that is addictive and fun to play that you will remember as a classic. Breakdown for "Halo: Combat Evolved": Presentation: 9.5, Graphics: 8.5, Sound: 9.5, Playability: 9.7, Lasting Appeal: 9.7, Verdict: 9.7 out of 10 "Amazing" Expand
  91. Dec 9, 2011
    10
    The game that resurrected and redefined console FPS's and gave birth to an ongoing slew of billion dollar console FPS games. Here it is. The Sistine Chapel. The Great Pyramid of Giza. The Double Big Mac. The best console FPS ever made! Great campaign. Great graphics. Great sound. Great musical score. Great gameplay. Innovative weapons and vehicles. Oh and PLASMA GRENADES!!!! HellThe game that resurrected and redefined console FPS's and gave birth to an ongoing slew of billion dollar console FPS games. Here it is. The Sistine Chapel. The Great Pyramid of Giza. The Double Big Mac. The best console FPS ever made! Great campaign. Great graphics. Great sound. Great musical score. Great gameplay. Innovative weapons and vehicles. Oh and PLASMA GRENADES!!!! Hell even the multiplayer was epic and feature rich, even if it wasn't on Xbox Live....only because Xbox Live had not been invented yet! I mean how cool was it to be able to change the settings of your mutliplayer gametypes? There's nothing bad to be said about this game. I know, I know, the PC gamers are going off on a tangent about how there's so many better FPSs on PC, and they may be right, but no one can argue the influence this game had on the video game industry and how it changed it forever. Expand
  92. Nov 8, 2011
    10
    this game is pretty much the reason to own an Xbox multiplayer is fun but you cant play online but its still good when you've got some mates round the campaign is amazing it can also be played with 2 people which will give you some memories i just remember tipping the warthog over about 16 times and my mate saying how good he was at driving and that he should drive this is the perfect mixthis game is pretty much the reason to own an Xbox multiplayer is fun but you cant play online but its still good when you've got some mates round the campaign is amazing it can also be played with 2 people which will give you some memories i just remember tipping the warthog over about 16 times and my mate saying how good he was at driving and that he should drive this is the perfect mix of vehicle combat and on foot combat you can buy it on Xbox 360s games on demand feature accessible through Xbox live Expand
  93. Nov 8, 2011
    10
    Absolutely brilliant in every sense of the word. This game is not only the best Halo ever made, it's easily the best shooter ever made in general (Right up there besides Half Life 2).
  94. Oct 3, 2011
    9
    Story: 8 Characters: 8 Graphics: 8 Setting: 8 Multiplayer: 10 Soundtrack: 10 Audio: 8 Gameplay: 10 Re-Playability Value: 8 Fun Factor: 9 Score: 8.7/10 = A
  95. Sep 28, 2011
    1
    Halo isn't a very good first person shooter. I know, I know. You're a Halo fanboy and you think I'm just a mindless hater. You think I'm just going along with the crowd. That I'm some sort of dude who enjoys hopping on bandwagons. Well, no... that's not really the case. I've thought about this for a long while. I've never liked Halo. Even back when it first came out in 2000, it didn'tHalo isn't a very good first person shooter. I know, I know. You're a Halo fanboy and you think I'm just a mindless hater. You think I'm just going along with the crowd. That I'm some sort of dude who enjoys hopping on bandwagons. Well, no... that's not really the case. I've thought about this for a long while. I've never liked Halo. Even back when it first came out in 2000, it didn't impress me. I'm not a guy who likes to be counter-culture, or go against popular opinion for its own sake. There are many popular games I do enjoy. It's not that at all. And here right now, I'm going to explain in detail why Halo is terrible, so you can't accuse me of being a mindless hater. The HUD of Halo is just annoying. Instead of being like other contemporary FPSs, Halo insists on representing all of its ammo onscreen as lots and lots of tiny bullets, instead of simple easy to read numbers. This is lame. There is no need to fill up the top corner of the screen with rows and rows of bullet symbols, just show us a **** number. Like... if it said 60 in the corner? That would be fine, that would work for me. I can read and count, I know what 60 means. 60 means that there are 60 rounds in my magazine, I don't need to see a ton of tiny **** bullets up there. Halo's universe is a complete ripoff of Aliens and various other scifi properties. This shows a startling dearth of imagination on Bungie's part. Seriously, it's not an homage, it's a straight ripoff. This is not subtle, this is hitting you over your head with a sledgehammer. The right way to do it would be something along the lines of Mass Effect. With ME, you can tell that the creators at BioWare had an appreciation and respect for scifi and were influenced by all those works, while creating their own unique and imaginative new universe. They had influences, they did not outright copy. Halo does not do this, Halo is the result of Bungie ripping off other scifi works and cobbling them all together. I find this deeply objectionable.

    Let's look at Master Chief. Master Chief as a super soldier is a ripoff of a lot of stuff like BattleTech and Warhammer 40K. He has been surgically engineered to be a superhuman warrior, just like the Space Marines of the Imperium in WH40k. He is physically much larger then a normal human being and possesses much greater strength and athletic capabilities, just like Space Marines and also the genetically engineered Clan Elementals in BattleTech. Then he dons the advanced Mjolnir power armor. This power armor further enhances his strength and survivability in combat, just like Space Marine armor and Elemental suits. Starship Troopers is another example of scifi power armor. His training and origin story in "The Fall of Reach" novel even reads just like Robert Thurston's classic "The Way of the Clans" BattleTech novel. In the Halo novel, the Spartan program takes children and forms them into training cadres to teach them how to become highly capable and skilled soldiers. Their sole purpose is to become the best warrior mankind can produce. This is almost identical to the sibkos, or sibling companies, that the Clans use in BattleTech. If you liked The Fall of Reach, I recommend you go and check out "The Jade Phoenix Trilogy" omnibus edition, which contains "The Way of the Clans." You'll find that The Fall of Reach is simply a pale shadow of Thurston's work.

    Most of what Halo rips off is Aliens, however. That's really the core complaint. Bungie just decided to watch Aliens a lot and uh... rip off the entire film. If they were making an Aliens FPS, this wouldn't be a problem. In fact, that would be great. However, I find it appalling that they ripped off this great film to create their brand new IP. That's incredibly distasteful. And no, it wasn't just ripping off the vague concept of a "space marine." Doom did that and that was fine. There is nothing wrong with taking a general concept like a "space marine" and doing your own thing with it. However, Bungie went far beyond just using that idea. They ripped off almost every element of Aliens. Let's take a closer look at the stuff they ripped off. Master Chief's cryo chamber at the beginning of Halo is a ripoff of the cryostasis chamber in Aliens. Same exact design and function. The Pelican dropship is a clear ripoff of Aliens' UD4L Cheyenne dropship. In Halo 3, there's even a cinematic cutscene that shows the **** layout of the Pelican, which has two seats, one lower down and to the right, with another elevated position on the left. This is almost identical to the **** positions on the Cheyenne. I'm not sure if any dropship pilot in a Halo game ever uttered the line, "We're in the pipe, 5 by 5." but it would not surprise me at all if they did.
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  96. Aug 30, 2011
    10
    This amazing game revolutionize the console fps. The first fps to use dual analog sticks. Just an amazing game I can't wait for anniversary!
  97. Aug 3, 2011
    6
    This is a very generic sci-fi FPS with a generic story and ho' hum gameplay. While it did set the standard for online FPS on consoles, the genre has expanded significantly since then and tired shooters like these are definitely not worth remembering.
  98. Jul 18, 2011
    10
    I'm to say one thing about this game. This game was the first game I"ve ever played and because of that game I started to be interested in video games. Because of its originality,AI,story and graphics this game was number 1 in my top 10 video game list for many years until November the 15 which its place will take the anniversary edition of the game. I recommend this game to any gamer whoI'm to say one thing about this game. This game was the first game I"ve ever played and because of that game I started to be interested in video games. Because of its originality,AI,story and graphics this game was number 1 in my top 10 video game list for many years until November the 15 which its place will take the anniversary edition of the game. I recommend this game to any gamer who respects himself and he is not a playstation fanboy who even if he likes the game he will say that its bad because it is not released to his "beloved" console.As I said before I'm definitely buying the anniversary edition. Expand
  99. Jun 18, 2011
    10
    The first Halo is still the best Halo. The story is classic, the gameplay is classic and, whether it be controller vibrations or the time's graphics, it all feels more gritty than the other Halo games. So much was put into this one game that all the sequels, as great as they were, can't really compare. This is a game that you play for the campaign itself rather than some online multiplayerThe first Halo is still the best Halo. The story is classic, the gameplay is classic and, whether it be controller vibrations or the time's graphics, it all feels more gritty than the other Halo games. So much was put into this one game that all the sequels, as great as they were, can't really compare. This is a game that you play for the campaign itself rather than some online multiplayer battle crap (which is also fun in the sequels, but this one didn't have that - unless you got it for the PC) - so it was clear that more time was spent on the story. Sure they spent time on the story for the rest of the games, but the other games can be beaten in a matter of an hour or two, even on Legendary, while I still, at the pace I go at, feel like this game takes longer - which also makes it a more worthwhile experience. This is one of the most legendary games on its own, and if you're a gamer of any kind and have never played it, you should be outright ashamed of yourself. This is one of those games, one of those rare games, that actually define and influence gaming today. Very few games pull that off. Expand
  100. Jun 12, 2011
    7
    Usually I don't like "space people", but that was before Halo: Combat Evolved came out! This is one of the best shooters I've played, seriously. And I really don't like FPS, but this game is fun fun fun fun fun. Halo: Combat Evolved is the best Halo game ever. Yes it is. The singleplayer is maybe "dull" if you know what I mean, but I give this game 7 cause of the multiplayer. TheUsually I don't like "space people", but that was before Halo: Combat Evolved came out! This is one of the best shooters I've played, seriously. And I really don't like FPS, but this game is fun fun fun fun fun. Halo: Combat Evolved is the best Halo game ever. Yes it is. The singleplayer is maybe "dull" if you know what I mean, but I give this game 7 cause of the multiplayer. The characters are stupid sometimes but that's nothing. Expand

Awards & Rankings

1
1
#1 Most Discussed Xbox Game of 2001
1
#1 Most Shared Xbox Game of 2001
Metascore
97

Universal acclaim - based on 68 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 68 out of 68
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 68
  3. Negative: 0 out of 68
  1. Xbox Nation Magazine
    100
    Halo is quite simply the closest thing we have ever experienced to a living, breathing alternate universe. [Jan 2002, p.72]
  2. GMR Magazine
    100
    The definitive reason to own an Xbox. [Feb 2003, p.95]
  3. 100
    When you finally set down the controller the first time, and eventually hunger or exhaustion do force all of us to take a break, Halo has pulled you completely into its world and started one of the best sci-fi gaming adventures of all time.