HALO
HALOby Microsoft
Platform: Xbox
ESRB Rating: Mature
ASIN: B00005NZ1G
Check price @ amazon.com
Features:
• Action-shooter game with vehicular combat elements
• You play as a trooper thrust into a hostile alien world
• Deploy a variety of enemy flyers and on-ground buggies
• Battle it out in split-screen deathmatch mode
• For 1 to 4 players, also supports LAN play
Amazon.com: More often than not, when a game is in development for more than three years, it does not live up to the hype. Bungie's Halo is the exception. Not only does it meet expectations, it greatly exceeds them. This sci-fi first-person shooter is a nearly perfect blend of gameplay, graphics, and sound.
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
Cons:
Several maps are used multiple times
Save functions could have been better implemented
Graphics move at 30 frames per second, not 60
Amazon.com Product Description: This action shooter takes place on a mysterious alien world. It offers a combination of team-based first-person-shooter gameplay (reminiscent of Tribes) and third-person vehicle combat elements. Gameplay kicks off with the player heading down to the planet's surface in a troop carrier, à la Aliens. As the player and fellow marines exit, the remaining troopers form a flank in reaction to an oncoming onslaught of human and alien enemies.
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.
Customer Reviews:
Great Game, November 14, 2002
Reviewer: Jayant S Dasari
Great game for a great console. Some of the stages get a tad bit convoluted and might turn out to be a bit frustrating. Overall an excellent first person kind of game. Worth the money.
Halo is the best game i have ever played, November 13, 2002
Reviewer: genesi508 from Minneapolis, MN USA
i think that Halo is the best game i have played, even thought i have a ps2. my friend and i always play it and we beat it on easy the first time, but the rest were hard. but anyway, the graphics are awsome! if you look closely, you can see the trees sawying in the wind. the aliens are really detailed - not that you'd stand still long enough to notice. i suggest Halo to everyone that has an xbox.
Should be negative 10 stars, November 13, 2002
Reviewer: Josh from Here, There, Pluto
All I ever hear is 'HALO this, HALO that.' According to most people, this is the best XBOX has to offer. If you believe that, then that is proof enough to XBOX lovers that their system is a completely worthless piece of ... and a waste of everyone's time. First, This game has poor control setup, making it extremely difficult just to move around. Also it is very hard to see the poorly-designed enemy creatures until you're right on top of them! The ability to carry only 2 weapons at once and the lack of weapon varitey also makes this a terrible shooter. Second, there is VERY little action in the game: most of your time is spent wondering almost aimlessly around gigantic maps, shooting enemys sometimes. Even the multi-player mode has no action! No radar and huge areas mean you can literally spend hours failing to find your opponent, so forget heated shootouts! The biggest problem though, is with the XBOX itself: when the gigantic thing (easily 3 times the size of the original N.E.S., and weighing even more) powers up, and frequently during gameplay, the sound will turn to harsh static and the picture will roll or the whole screen will go white! Lastly, the game 'HALO' has nothing to do with the real thing! (For those of you that don't know, 'HALO' is a real-world acronym, it stands for "High Altitude, Low Opening", refering to paratroopers' jump) The main character is NOT a paratrooper, the company that made the game just thought the name 'HALO' sounded good!
HALO - what a wondeful game, November 12, 2002
Reviewer: A gamer from Madison, AL United States
this game is a must have fir the xbox...infact i bought the xbox just for this game, and i would buy many more xboxes just for this game. the grafics and sound for this game are amazing. i can't say how great this game is, all i can say is to get if you can.
Greatest Game on Earth, November 12, 2002
Reviewer: A gamer
This is the best Xbox game out there! I suggest you buy this game!
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