Halo: Combat Evolved

 Xbox
User Score
8.7

Generally favorable reviews- based on 3080 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 2,658 out of 3080
  2. Mixed: 180 out of 3080
  3. Negative: 242 out of 3080
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  1. XBOXftw
    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. TheMasiMan1
    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. MIDP
    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. Brooksthebrook
    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. filip028
    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. xReDx_HaRlOw
    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. FajarSany
    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. everin
    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. jonathawill
    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. dacritic82
    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.    … Expand
  11. STROKESs1997
    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. tginick
    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. Termin8ter
    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. esbegan
    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. Azzanation
    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. DailySalesman
    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. Signas501
    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. Barrack_Osama
    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. FascistAardvark
    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. flametail23
    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. TheLooseHunter
    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. spoderman
    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. thomasljogues
    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. Vode
    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. GaryTheNeutral
    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. SillyClassyNerd
    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. JoshLuck1995
    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. moricetimeofwar
    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. Cameron5000
    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
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Awards & Rankings

1
#1 Best Xbox Game of 2001
1
#1 Most Discussed Xbox Game of 2001
1
#1 Most Shared Xbox Game of 2001

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
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. Gamestyle
    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.
    Read full review
See all critic reviews »