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. steven14329
    Jun 12, 2011
    7
    When I first played Halo, I thought, cheesy space shooter with a generic badass main character and a **** story.... good gameplay, and playing with my friends was cool for a console game. I liked it enough. Nothing really special.... Now it's the most overrated game series of all time. Who knew?
  2. Rapter2011
    May 15, 2011
    10
    Why did Bungie make Halo for the Xbox? Why was this game designed like it was. Because it is one of the best games out there today! After a decade I still can not get enough of this game. The story is amazing, and the graphics, even today I still believe they are incredibly impressive. When you are playing campaign and a song with electric guitars in it starts. You know you are playing aWhy did Bungie make Halo for the Xbox? Why was this game designed like it was. Because it is one of the best games out there today! After a decade I still can not get enough of this game. The story is amazing, and the graphics, even today I still believe they are incredibly impressive. When you are playing campaign and a song with electric guitars in it starts. You know you are playing a deep, immersive game. This series will continue to break new grounds as being one the most innovative, fun, and just plain awsome series today.… Expand
  3. georgefinal
    Mar 29, 2011
    10
    halo totally changed the way i played videogames, it was so great that me and my friends were hooked for years, and still decide to play it in split screen once in a while just to remember how it was like... of course halo 2, 3 and reach managed to keep up the legacy, but the first game was so mind blowing i can't help but considering it a turning point in hardcore gaming
  4. Jobadkins
    Mar 18, 2011
    10
    Lets get something straight,of course it's one of the top rated game ever, not because of some hoax, but I've beat it on every difficulty setting and I can't tell you how in 30 years of gaming this is one of my favorite games and it holds up to now 2011.Halo Reach is of course the best Halo game ever (debatable),but this is the best game to me because it was made 10 years ago and still hasLets get something straight,of course it's one of the top rated game ever, not because of some hoax, but I've beat it on every difficulty setting and I can't tell you how in 30 years of gaming this is one of my favorite games and it holds up to now 2011.Halo Reach is of course the best Halo game ever (debatable),but this is the best game to me because it was made 10 years ago and still has the graphics and game play to make you want to beat it all over again.I'll tell you that playing this game on legendary setting, it is incredibly hard but super rewarding in the end.Forget about achievements and trophies you get now,the satisfaction you feel in this game out ways them and that's what made games so good in the past and to be honest,it's there with some games but it's not the same!Original Halo deserves a perfect 10 with no doubt about it!… Expand
  5. TheQuietGamer
    Mar 6, 2011
    9
    This game was a game changer, and one of the best FPSs in history, the tight gameplay, with graphics and sound which were phenomenal at the time, with a griping story set in a fascinating Sci-Fi world, and gameplay that never got repetitive, and some fantastic split screen multiplayer, set this game apart from every other, the only thing keeping this from a perfect 10 is the fact that it'sThis game was a game changer, and one of the best FPSs in history, the tight gameplay, with graphics and sound which were phenomenal at the time, with a griping story set in a fascinating Sci-Fi world, and gameplay that never got repetitive, and some fantastic split screen multiplayer, set this game apart from every other, the only thing keeping this from a perfect 10 is the fact that it's not as impressive today do to the new FPSs out there, that aside this still a game I HIGHLY recommend, a must buy.… Expand
  6. PP7Silenced
    Mar 5, 2011
    10
    Halo: Combat Evolved is a 2001 first person shooter title that took what Goldeneye 007 did for the genre on consoles and improved upon it to make the Xbox the primary platform for what would soon become the most popular genre in the industry. The game features everything a player would want in a shooter game. An epic single player campaign complete with a variety of weapons, vehicles andHalo: Combat Evolved is a 2001 first person shooter title that took what Goldeneye 007 did for the genre on consoles and improved upon it to make the Xbox the primary platform for what would soon become the most popular genre in the industry. The game features everything a player would want in a shooter game. An epic single player campaign complete with a variety of weapons, vehicles and enemies that keep you changing up your strategy and encourages you to try new things. The story draws you in and makes you want to know what happens next to the point that many gamers have stated that Halo was the first game they ever "pulled an all nighter" playing just to get the the end of the campaign. Then you can experience it all again with a friend in co-op or begin your addiction to the multiplayer component that is sure to have you spending many late nights (and early mornings) trying to best your friends a game of capture the flag or slayer. A title that revolutionized the industry and put Xbox on the map. Halo is a must play for any fan of the genre.… Expand
  7. Tubie
    Jan 19, 2011
    9
    I never actually owned this game but I played it from start to finish in one sitting with a friend in coop mode when it came out. Truly a masterpiece and a very compelling reason to own an xbox at the time.
  8. Pelu
    Jan 6, 2011
    4
    It's a plain shooter with stupid space characters, the same old weapons and a stupid plot. A lot of better games were seen on PC a couple of years earlier. But it has co-op, so it's not completely useless.
  9. ArkonBlade
    Dec 30, 2010
    9
    a near perfect shooter in its day that felt it raised the bar for FPS games unfortunitly this is the one and only good halo game in the series. the game starts as you waking up from cryo statis as the master chief a cyborg bad ass that can kick some covenent butt . the game has a great selection of guns and one of the few games where i just loved sniping in it. it felt so fluid and justa near perfect shooter in its day that felt it raised the bar for FPS games unfortunitly this is the one and only good halo game in the series. the game starts as you waking up from cryo statis as the master chief a cyborg bad ass that can kick some covenent butt . the game has a great selection of guns and one of the few games where i just loved sniping in it. it felt so fluid and just fun. it also has co op which really makes it a more enjoyable game with a friend . the story is so-so as you feel like you are in the middle of a story with out much informing you on whats been going on overal . the controls are solid and the health shield system i really liked . the real major draw back is there was no multiplayer unless you had a computer and played it on gamespy or xbox connect . if MS had set this game up for multiplayer when xbox live came out or even realsed a patch or a new halo 1.5 game with it i could almost seeing giving this game a 10.… Expand
  10. hydeks
    Dec 11, 2010
    10
    This game is a true classic in just every way! I remember getting this game when I bought a Xbox and I've been playing this series and loving many other shooters, just cause of this one game. Awesome story, gameplay, multiplayer...EVERYTHING! Do yourself a favour and BUY this one and keep it forever, arguably one of the best Halo games in the series.
  11. Lambda-11
    Nov 28, 2010
    10
    One of the best FPSs I've ever played, I started to play this game about 3 months ago, and even being a 2001 game, it still amazes me. The gameplay is almost flawless and the music is perfect. This game is epic. A must buy!
  12. AI88
    Nov 27, 2010
    10
    Halo Combat Evolved may be--no, IS the best game ever made. It has a great story, awesome gameplay, great graphics for a game from 2001, in summary, everything about it is great! I am still playing it, and its sequel, Halo 2, after several years. Halo 3, not so much.
  13. Alveron
    Nov 15, 2010
    9
    One of the all time best fps of all time. this game was amazing in its day and like unreal GOTY still has a large number of people who still enjoy the online action after all these years.
  14. Seriously
    Nov 13, 2010
    10
    This is my attempt at a helpful NO SPOILER review.
    With popularity you get hate. Halo has gained many fans over the years, but it has also gained many haters. The reasons that I have heard that people do not like Halo are its originality, itâ
  15. williamwiggles
    Nov 13, 2010
    10
    Welcome to 2010. This game has been out for 10 years, and to me, it goes on strong. Overall, doesn't beat MW2 or Black Ops, but still is epic. Halo Reach is better due to forge, and multiplayer, and etc., but forget it. Halo: Combat Evolved's campaign can't be beat. I would like to see CoD beat this campaign.
  16. seanj
    Jan 4, 2010
    10
    its now 2010. over the past 8 years numerous amazing titles have come out, and if it werent for this title chance is none of them would have the way they did. also, being so old this game is still better than most new games. i'll never forget playing through the levels on legendary with my freinds. simply... well a "legendary" title.
  17. Sablicious
    Dec 20, 2009
    0
    Halo either deserves a '10' or a '0': '10' if you base the score on sales; the game's capacity in attracting new gamers to this form of electronic entertainment; on the measure of how much of a camoufalging influence 'hype' can have on the actual quality of a product; and on the potential for single game to save a video game console. However, Halo either deserves a '10' or a '0': '10' if you base the score on sales; the game's capacity in attracting new gamers to this form of electronic entertainment; on the measure of how much of a camoufalging influence 'hype' can have on the actual quality of a product; and on the potential for single game to save a video game console. However, it's '0' if you predicate your score on gameplay, originality, grpahics, sound and replay value. Given McDonald's and 50 Cent sell like hotcakes, have fans up the yin-yang and account for the livelyhoods of inumerable people, it's obvious success and popularity don't always equate to quality. As a game, Halo fails horribly. As a marketing tool, Halo literally HAS a halo!… Expand
  18. J.S.
    Dec 16, 2009
    8
    The most overrated game of all time. It was a dumbed down, Perfect Dark with Perfect Dark's many feature or great AI. The storyline was extremely simple and short. It had a some decent style and art direction, but was mostly was often along the lines of Golden Eye's 'Aztec' theme; what an eyesore. The ending was very anti-climactic and sudden. This is certainly not one The most overrated game of all time. It was a dumbed down, Perfect Dark with Perfect Dark's many feature or great AI. The storyline was extremely simple and short. It had a some decent style and art direction, but was mostly was often along the lines of Golden Eye's 'Aztec' theme; what an eyesore. The ending was very anti-climactic and sudden. This is certainly not one of the greatest games of all time. Its very mediocre. I credit it for introducing us to The Flood and one of FPS gaming's best titles. Halo 2 and 3 are much better.… Expand
  19. ErikS
    Nov 3, 2009
    8
    8.5 Halo was one of those games that my friend owned before me and was the reason I bought an Xbox but once I really got into it I realized that once you get to flood theirs nothing to keep you going all the gameplay gets really repetitive. On the other hand multiplayer is the one reason I kept on playing (still to this day halo3 at friends) because I just loved to stick my friends with 8.5 Halo was one of those games that my friend owned before me and was the reason I bought an Xbox but once I really got into it I realized that once you get to flood theirs nothing to keep you going all the gameplay gets really repetitive. On the other hand multiplayer is the one reason I kept on playing (still to this day halo3 at friends) because I just loved to stick my friends with plasmas and talk !@#$… Expand
  20. JordanH
    Oct 22, 2009
    10
    Easily one of the most powerful games ever created. It has raised the bar for the FPS genre and given gamers on the fence a reason to get an Xbox.
  21. jesseR
    Oct 20, 2009
    9
    very addicting and has aspects that were taken away in halo 3 halo gets really hard on heroic and even normal but the gameplay expirience is worth it
  22. ChrisS
    Oct 13, 2009
    10
    One of the best games ever made. It single handedly made the Xbox what it is today and set standards for other First person shooters. Anyone who has voted lower than a 8 is either insane or just bias.
  23. BrandonH.
    Oct 12, 2009
    10
    This game is amazing. The first console shooter that I REALLY enjoyed. It was revolutionary for its time in that it brought so many things to consoles that have never been done before and did them very well. I don't understand how anyone could rate this game so low as a 2 or 0. My real rating for this game is a 9, but to offset the low scores I went ahead and put 10.
  24. MartinS
    Oct 6, 2009
    10
    This is the best FPS of all time! I should know since I've played COD, GOW, Counter-Strike, you name it, I've played it. All of those games put together will still be a piece of crap compared to Halo 1. If you hate this amazing game, you have either never played it or have terrible taste in games.
  25. SanzeeBoy
    Jul 29, 2009
    10
    This game changed the FPS genre forever. The negative user scores for this game to stem from nothing but fanboyism. The critics testify of Halo's divine legacy. You can believe 99% of Halo's fanbase, including professional critics, or the shrinking fanbase of Sony's playstation game console. Truly superb in every way possible. It doesn't take a genius to know a great This game changed the FPS genre forever. The negative user scores for this game to stem from nothing but fanboyism. The critics testify of Halo's divine legacy. You can believe 99% of Halo's fanbase, including professional critics, or the shrinking fanbase of Sony's playstation game console. Truly superb in every way possible. It doesn't take a genius to know a great game. The numbers prove it, and the gameplay proves it as well. Halo: CE has left behind a legacy which remains to this day.… Expand
  26. Legoman
    Jul 16, 2009
    10
    The best FPS game ever. Starting the 3D evolution of FPS games and still my favorite to others I have played. like the Doom series. Awesome!!
  27. RodericR
    Jul 11, 2009
    10
    My memories of this amazing game will not abate. It was absolutely stunning visually, perfect and addictive multiplayer, and I thoroughly enjoyed the extensive levels and story.
  28. JohnM
    Jul 6, 2009
    10
    This isn't just a first-person shooter. It is a new bar for shooters. Not raising the bar. It made its own. I honestly believe that this may be the best first-person shooter of all time, and it is certainly my new favorite.
  29. JamesH
    Apr 3, 2009
    9
    I've played a lot of PC FPS games (mainly single player) since the original Wolfenstein, Doom, Quake, Unreal, Half Life... I loved Half Life and the sequel because they really moved the whole genre on a notch and did things that you never thought a game of that type could do. Halo is like that and pushes the bar even further with an amazingly detailed vision of future warfare. I I've played a lot of PC FPS games (mainly single player) since the original Wolfenstein, Doom, Quake, Unreal, Half Life... I loved Half Life and the sequel because they really moved the whole genre on a notch and did things that you never thought a game of that type could do. Halo is like that and pushes the bar even further with an amazingly detailed vision of future warfare. I would say that the graphics are INCREDIBLE given the year and the power available in an old Xbox - wait until you get onto Halo itself and you look out from a clifftop over a sea that slowly curves up into space. Stunning, even 7 years later. AI is terriffc, with genuinely tricky enemies throughout. Sounds are superb also. The story, cut scenes and so on will be very much appreciated by lovers of proper science fiction like Larry Niven's Ringworld. If you've never played this game, it is seriously worth going out and buying an old 2nd hand Xbox!… Expand
  30. Messiah
    Mar 16, 2009
    0
    This game, brings nothing new to any game-style. Stole weapons, and multiplayer from unreal (yet everyone is still saying omg, halo is so innovative) The story line is normal, nothing great, nothing all too astonishing. Truely, subpar game, horrible graphics for 2001 (Counterstrike has just about as good graphics as this and it was made in what 1995-7?). True, probably one of the This game, brings nothing new to any game-style. Stole weapons, and multiplayer from unreal (yet everyone is still saying omg, halo is so innovative) The story line is normal, nothing great, nothing all too astonishing. Truely, subpar game, horrible graphics for 2001 (Counterstrike has just about as good graphics as this and it was made in what 1995-7?). True, probably one of the xbox's better titles, but then again, there are probably a bunch that can beat this, easily. Halo: Combat Stole-from-Unreal. Is probably the right name for it. Nothing really evolved from anything. The starting area in Halo is even a ripoff of a fps I played a long time ago. I'm pretty sure that it was also unreal.… 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

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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.
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