Halo: Combat Evolved Review

Game:  Halo: Combat Evolved
Year (s):  2001 (XBox), 2003 (PC)
Company:  dev.  Bungie, Gearbox Software (PC port)
            pub.  Microsoft Game Studios
Engine:  Halo Engine
Type:  First-Person Shooter

Price (as of January 21, 2012 )

Regular price on Steam:  Not Available
Lowest Buy-It-Now on eBay (new, with shipping):  $15

Game Time:  esteimated fifteen hours on the first run

Obligatory Trailer:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v0kHiEME0Vk


Plot

A human military ship exits hyperspace to inspect Halo, an ancient, artificial, ring-shaped world.  Unfortunately, a Covenant armada has followed, and the human ship is quickly attacked and boarded.  Master Chief (the protagonist) is awoken from cryostasis and helps the crew fight their way to the escape pods.  The survivors land scattered across Halo, soon hunted by the alien Covenant forces.  The fight for survival quickly becomes a race between mankind and the Covenant to uncover the secret inside Halo, a secret that could destroy all life. 


Graphics

Halo was ported to the PC in 2003, with some graphical improvements over the 2001 XBox version.  Considering that 2004 brought us the Source Engine and id Tech 4, Halo looks like crap.  It's comparable to the polygonal glory of Quake 2 (1997) or Half-Life (1998).  There may have been some rag-doll physics used, but overall not an impressive engine either at the original release or the port release.


Combat and Gameplay

Shields regenerate if you take cover for a few seconds.  You have a few grenade types and can carry any two of the half-dozen weapons at a time.  While Master Chief usually goes solo, the enemies are usually in squads.  There are a few vehicles, all of which are confined to specific areas.  None of the vehicles are particularly noteworthy.  Saving is checkpoint only.  On normal, combat is generally not too bad but occassionally a decent challenge. 

Multiplayer game types include maps with vehicles (this is one of the first shooters I can think of that had that).  There are no bots.


Audio

The music in this was rather well done.  It was more memorable than most, and fit the mood of the game.

Voice talent includes Steve Downes (Chicago classic rock radio DJ), and others like Jen Taylor, whose name you might not know, but whose voice might sound familiar from having been heard in other video games. 


Expansions / DLC / Sequels

Halo: Combat Evolved was the first in a franchise that now has at least six games, with more on the way.  In 2011 an anniversary version of Halo was released with improved graphics.  The first game is the ONLY one that can be played on Windows XP.  All other titles require XBox/360 game consoles or Windows 7.  Halo 2 and 3 set records for sales in their first week out.

Halo has been used in professional gaming competitions, sparked a series of novels, and inspired the entertaining machinima Red vs. Blue ( http://roosterteeth.com/archive/?sid=rvb , sorry, it has ads).  Red vs. Blue does not require knowing anything about Halo to get some good laughs. 


Final Thoughts

Halo is a fun, sometimes challenging shooter with innovations like vehicles and regenerating shields, solid audio, and a satisfying story.  The graphics are terrible, but if you can get over that then this is a pretty great game for fifteen bucks.