Halo: Combat Evolved
by Microsoft

List Price: $9.99
Category: Video Games
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Product Summary

• Control a character during massive firefights as you eliminate as many Covenant soldiers as possible
• Engage in guerilla warfare against the enemy, using whatever is at your disposal on the station
• Use your tactics skills to command squads and eliminate the enemy
• Role-based team & multiplayer combat with over 25 characters onscreen at a time
• A wide variety of vehicles & locations designed in perfect detail

• The Halo Graphic Novel
• Official Xbox Magazine [with DVD] (1-year)
• Play
• Tips & Tricks Magazine

Video Game Reviews of Halo: Combat Evolved

Customer Review: Works on XBox 360
Summary: 4 Stars

Description of Halo: Combat Evolved

The story revolves around the conflict between humans and an alien race known as the Covenant. The aliens have discovered a powerful artifact--on the ring-shaped planet called Halo--that will shift the balance of power, and it's up to the player to stop them. In addition to several first-person-shooter levels, the game offers numerous opportunities to engage in vehicular combat. Both the enemy and allied artificial intelligence are extremely impressive. Enemies will use the terrain and layout to put you in tight spots. Allies will know when to cover and aid you. For instance, if you hop into a jeep, an ally will know to jump in and man the turret on the back of it.

The graphics are exquisitely detailed, but only move at 30 frames per second rather than 60. The sound effects and voice acting are superb. The level design is among the best ever; most of the game is engaging and challenging without being frustrating. There's also high replay value thanks to the built-in single-player, cooperative, and deathmatch modes.

Much like the outstanding GoldenEye 007 for Nintendo 64, Halo raises the bar for console first-person shooters. All console action games will be measured against Halo for years to come. --Raymond M. Padilla

Pros:

• Outstanding game design
• High replay value
• Impressive AI

• Several maps are used multiple times
• Save functions could have been better implemented
• Graphics move at 30 frames per second, not 60

It's this smart AI system that makes for a noticeably unique gameplay feel. Another very nice feature is the seamless transition into vehicular elements. As you venture through mission objectives, a variety of enemy flyers and on-ground buggies are yours for the taking. Come across a vehicle and the camera will pull back to a third-person view as you strap in and motor through crossfire. A co-op mode allows a friend to join you in the single-player missions. For chaotic fighting action, up to four players can duel in split-screen deathmatch mode or link systems for LAN play. However you choose to hero your way through Halo: Combat Evolved, the action should break in your new Xbox in explosive style.

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