Halo: Combat Evolved

Silicon-Fusion.com ( )

Overall, Halo is a perfect cumulation of the best bits from many past first-person shooters, with some great bursts of originality to top it off. It's a superb launch title, which really everyone with an Xbox should own. Oh, and if you haven't got an Xbox, this should make you seriously consider one. The only disappointing aspect is the long wait we can expect before a sequel emerges. Sigh.

Game Critics (10 out of 10)

I believe that the greatest achievement to which any game can strive is to create a world so lifelike, so logically implemented, that it allows players to feel a suspension of disbelief that is uninterrupted by illogical inconsistencies. Every aspect of Halo—the amazing artificial intelligence, the realistic physics, the weapons and health management, the graphical detail—blend together seamlessly to realize a convincing world that is awe-inspiring and truly immersive. While physical laws are complex and predictable, Halo's world is permeated by a feeling of uncertainty that brings it to life in way that no other game has done before. It is the best single-player first-person shooter ever created, and its cohesive design will serve as a stepping stone for many years to come.

AceGamez (10 out of 10)

There is so much more I could say, but I'll leave you to discover the rest for yourself. Buy it now. Thank me later.

1UP (A+)

Halo is, quite simply, the closest thing we have experienced to a living, breathing alternate universe. To call it a first-person shooter is to do the game an injustice; it pushes the structure farther than any game before it, transcending its genre and, in some respects, its medium. It is the sci-fi adventure game towards which many will soon aspire, but few will equal. It is, beyond the shadow of a doubt, the much-anticipated Xbox killer app.

The Next Level (USA) (A+)

Since the days leading up to the XBox’s launch, it’s become quite stylish to heckle the big black behemoth of a console for what is perceived to be a void of support from Japanese third parties. If it can manage to crank out enough titles with the polish and overall quality of Halo, however, acquiring more help from the Far East will be the least of Microsoft’s worries.

Extreme Gamer (10 out of 10)

Packed with combat, Halo will have you battling on foot, in vehicles, inside and outdoors with Alien and Human weaponry. Your objective: to uncover Halo's horrible secrets and destroy mankind's sworn enemy, the Covenant.

XBox Solution (XBS) (10 out of 10)

Halo took the gaming community by storm when it was released as a launch title for the Xbox console. It has since broke the 1-million units sold mark. Halo is regarded as the most successful Xbox title to date, and there are tons of reasons why. I’ll detail a few of them throughout the review, but plain and simple, if you have not picked this game up, you haven’t played a First Person Shooter on a console yet, at least not the right way.

Edge (10 out of 10)

GoldenEye was the standard for multiplayer console combat. It has been surpassed. And the single player? If you knew what happened on the third level, and the fifth, and so on… That’s the problem. You can talk around Halo a lot, but you can’t talk specifics if you don’t want to spoil it for those who want to experience it. And that should be everybody: this is more than Edge expected, and exactly what Microsoft needed. This is not hyperbole: this is the most important launch game for any console, ever. It doesn’t mean the XBox will succeed, but it does mean that, if it fails, it will leave videogaming with one perfect, eloquently coded moment. That’s it. That’s all you can say.

Le Geek (5 out of 5)

All in all, I had a blast playing through Halo. The story, the setting and the gameplay come together to form a sum greater than the whole, and I highly, highly recommend this game.

GMR (10 out of 10)

Halo is, quite simply, the closest thing we have experienced to a living, breathing alternate universe. To call it a first-person shooter is to do the game an injustice; it pushes the structure farther than any game before it, transcending its genre and, in some respects, its medium. It is the sci-fi adventure game towards which many will soon aspire, but few will equal. It is, beyond the shadow of a doubt, the much-anticipated Xbox killer app.

Gameplanet ( )

There are so many little things that make Halo good it's hard to keep track of them all. The way the character models are animated as they climb into vehicles, the way human marines will shoot already dead aliens on the ground and trash talk them, the bullet marks, the way night vision works ... you get the idea. It's an amazing game and Bungie deserve every ounce of praise they have received. This review is probably preaching to the converted as chances are if you're going to buy an Xbox you already know about Halo and it will be in your bag with the console. It still has to be said though, we love Halo and it's always a pleasure to review one of the truly great games out there on the market. Five out of five. No question.

GameCell UK (10 out of 10)

Halo should be given away with the console (and frequently is), and is a true 'system seller', or 'killer app' - Proof positive of the texture handling & polygon pushing capabilities of the Xbox, and also that maybe MS do know what they're doing in the games biz - Even with the likes of Half Life 2, Doom and Far Cry on the way to Xbox, realistically only Halo 2 is likely to replace Halo in our affections… OK, the gushing praise is almost over, as is my easiest review of the year (and it may be 2 years on, but Halo is still a 10/10 in anyone's books).

Gamestyle (10 out of 10)

Playing Halo definitely leaves one of those satisfying great game smiles on your face. Whether following through the story or just blasting it up multiplayer with some friends it delivers hours of fun. For the next several months expect to see gamers trading great stories and knowing looks talking about it and all the while XBox enjoying some great word of mouth. Halo goes in the books as one of those rare “not to be missed” experiences and that makes a pretty compelling argument for getting an XBox.

Adrenaline Vault, The (AVault) ( )

Larry Niven's Ringworld series can always lay claim to being one of the best stories ever told about this theoretical construct. Put simply, a ring world is a torus or doughnut shaped structure that has a landscape on the inner curve of its axis. Usually constructed using technologies that even our widest science fiction can't describe, a ringworld's surface area would be billions of times that of Earth's, and all connected by the underlying ring structure. Taking this idea and running with its shape as inspiration, Bungie and Microsoft have teamed up to deliver us Halo for the X-Box.

Thunderbolt Games (10 out of 10)

Halo. The hype leading into the release of this game was so staggering that there was no possible way it could live up to it...right??? WRONG. Quite simply, Halo ranks as one of the best videogames of all time. I know that is a big claim to make, and many people throw it around half-heartedly these days, but I am dead serious. Halo is one of the best games EVER. Everything about it is absolutely phenomenal. The levels are gorgeous, the enemies are intelligent, the music is of epic motion picture quality and the gameplay is so addicting you will surely find yourself popping Halo into your Xbox even two years from now. I have been gaming for 19 years and have never seen a title with so much polish and attention to detail as Halo. If you are not getting the hint by now then I will make it simple for you: STOP READING THIS REVIEW AND GO BUY THIS GAME!

GamePro (US) (5 out of 5)

Great launch titles make selling new hardware platforms much easier, and with Halo in its arsenal, the Xbox's job just got easier. Halo's gripping tale begins as a spacecraft fleeing the Covenant (Earth's alien enemies) stumbles across Halo, a mysterious ring-shaped world. Playing as the Master Chief, a cyborg soldier so advanced that even the Covenant are awed by him, you fend off the Covenant and explore Halo, uncovering vast secrets that?won't be spoiled here.

Gamereactor (Sweden) (10 out of 10)

Men Halo är verkligen en total upplevelse med allt vad man kan begära. Vare sig man spelar själv eller mot mänskligt motstånd, så pulveriserar det allt motsånd och Gamereactor tvekar inte att utnämna spelet till 2002 års bästa spel. Att inte spela Halo borde inte få finnas som alternativ för den sanne spelfantasten och jag hoppas innerligt att alla får chansen att uppleva det antagligen bästa speläventyr västvärlden någonsin skapat. Detta är verkligen för alla och till och med folk som normalt inte spelar förstapersonsskjutare har fallit pladask för äventyren på ringvärlden Halo. Det antagligen bästa släppspelet någonsin sedan Super Mario 64 är härmed ett faktum! Välkommen Halo.

Snackbar-Games.com (5 out of 5)

Halo is one of those games that I should have purchased the second I got an Xbox. From now on, I will not hesitate to try out new games that the whole world seems to enjoy. Odds are, if millions of people like the game, there's good reason for it.

Gaming Age (A)

Halo contains everything that makes a great videogame, great. Excellent visuals, some of the best videogame audio yet, a cool storyline and theme, and plenty of replayability and challenge. If for some reason you can't stand first person shooters then it may be difficult to convince you otherwise that Halo is more than just Quake with a storyline. Along with Dead or Alive 3, Halo is one of those Xbox games you should definitely pick up at launch.

Game Revolution (A)

A few months ago, I said Halo was "...set to deliver an unprecedented video game experience on a console." Here it is, six months later and Bungie has delivered the package like some digital stork on a divine mission. Is the video game experience actually unprecedented, you ask? Let's just say if you plan to buy an Xbox, Halo will be on the front lines at the Battle of I-Told-You-So. Although one game won't win the system wars, this one puts up a hell of a fight.

Cheat Code Central (5 out of 5)

In conclusion Your Honor, Halo is as good as everyone says it is. I love the intense fire fights as they really captures the "shoot out" mood if you get my drift. Bungie did an excellent job melding story, action and suspense. If you own an Xbox and you love FPS, then you're in luck. Buy it.

PGNx Media (10 out of 10)

Overall, I must say go buy this game now. If you don’t have it already that is. This game is good enough to buy an XBOX just to play, that’s what I did. I’d also like to point out the system link feature, because it’s awesome. If you have a network set up in your house, you can have your friend bring over his XBOX and hook it up to the network and to a TV, and you can play multiplayer without having the annoying split screen. You can have up to 16 people playing Halo at the same time, which I personally have not done yet, but I hope that I can someday because it would be awesome. This game outshines all other games in graphics, sound, control, and just plain being fun, not to mention that it makes anyone who doesn’t own an XBOX want one very bad. Bottom line, Halo is the best game to grace my room in a very long time, maybe the best game to grace my room ever.

Game industry News (GiN) ( )

The only problem I have with Halo is that the game is just to short. By the end I found myself wanting more. I was addicted to the graphics and the story, and I would wake up wanting to play the game. I would play so late that I would just be about ready to drop before I would drag myself to my bed. Halo is in my opinion the best Xbox game to come out with the system and I have to give it 5 GiN gems.

GamersMark (10 out of 10)

This is definately a "Game of the Year". Never before have I been so emersed into an FPS. Never before have I continued playing each level over and over just to see new results and better myself. Never before have I been obesessed with such a game. Halo is it soilder. Now get your ass to your local software store if you don’t have this game. Do I make myself clear Marine!

PCMag.com ( )

This sci-fi first-person shooter might just make you forget about Half-Life: Counterstrike—for a little while, anyway. If you're used to playing shooters on the PC, give yourself some time to get used to playing with a controller instead of a keyboard and mouse; once you do, you'll be intrigued by the richly detailed, fully explorable environment.

Fragland.net (99 out of 100)

HALO, the most awaited game on the Xbox has landed. Although rumors predicted the quick death of this game when Microsoft acquired Bungie, HALO made it through and I can't say I'm unhappy with that.

Xbox Exclusive (9.9 out of 10)

After all is said and done you have one the best FPS ever made on anything hands down with out a doubt. Halo with its awesome AI is the kind of game you will play over and over again and each time will be unique, you will never have the same thing happen 2 times in a row and the enemies will never be in the same places, and thats just the single player. The multiplayer will keep you busy for months much the same way Goldeneye did. If you a fan of FPS or action games Halo is a must buy and a game that really shows off Xbox's power. Long live Halo!

TalkXbox (98 out of 100)

There’s a reason this is the highest rated and best selling Xbox game, it’s because it currently is the best Xbox game out there. To not pick this up for any reason is almost foolish. Halo has converted many FPS haters into fans, which is a feat few games can boast. Sure, there are minor annoyances like The Library level for example, but some people like that type of level, and you only have to play through it once per user file if you want. Halo has excellent graphics, superb sound, great A.I., unparalleled replay ability, and it’s just damn fun. Now if Halo is this great and it was a rushed game that had lots of stuff left out of (Bungie was disappointed about rushing it), just imagine how great Halo 2 will be, especially considering that it will not be rushed, and Bungie already has lots of Xbox experience. Halo is without a doubt, a superb game, it’s not a perfect game by any means, but it’s tons of fun, and the best Xbox game out there.

Xbox Gamers First (XGF) (9.8 out of 10)

Well, if you are going to buy a Xbox, MAKE SURE YOU BUY THIS GAME. If you aren’t going to buy one, then change your mind and then buy this game. It is the single best game I have ever played, and I wouldn’t be surprised if it won Game of the Year. It easy outclasses every single PC FPS ever released, and it doesn’t look like anything will even come close to the level of this game until Unreal 2 is released. Halo has lived up to the hype, and even surpassed my expectations.

GameSpot (9.7 out of 10)

Even if you bear in mind the company's well-earned reputation for creating excellent games for the Mac and PC, Bungie's epic Xbox first-person shooter is of such a staggeringly high level of quality that you can't help but be surprised. Halo is a complete thrill ride from beginning to end, an experience perhaps best described as a 16-hour-plus version of the siege scene from the film Terminator 2. Those who've spent the last few years looking for a first-person shooter as good as Rare's GoldenEye 007 or Valve's Half-Life will be happy to hear they need look no longer.

IGN (9.7 out of 10)

When you get past all of the chatter about the potential of Halo looking better on a PC, and all of the yip-yap about Halo being "just another" first person shooter, and all of the lip-flapping about Halo not being able to compete with the very best games on PS2 or GameCube and you actually sit down and play the game on your Xbox...you're in for one hell of a game.

Game Over Online (97 out of 100)

Every now and then, a game comes along that redefines its genre and sets a new standard in gaming. Halo is one such game. Even better for Microsoft, it's one of the Xbox launch titles, which makes the Xbox that much more attractive to potential buyers. Over the past few weeks, many critics have concluded that Halo is a must-have for owners of the Xbox. I whole-heartedly agree with that and I'll even take it one step further; experiencing Halo is reason enough to purchase an Xbox, the game is simply that damn good.

Gaming Target (9.7 out of 10)

If you don’t have an Xbox, or have one without Halo for whatever reason, do yourself a favor and buy this game. At the very least, you owe yourself a rental or two. Halo is a masterpiece that just has to be experienced to be believed. Whether you go it alone, or with a friend, or 15 friends, Halo is something you owe yourself to play. In the words of The Game, Halo is just “that damn good.”

Game Freaks 365 (9.7 out of 10)

This game has a long life span. You have to beat the game on all difficulty settings which will take at the least 30 hours. Even when you're done, you will play multiplayer over and over until the next Halo comes out. Even the Campaign is fun to redo over and over because there is always new stuff to find. You will never get bored of the blockbuster hit they call Halo.

Shin Force (9.7 out of 10)

If you plan on getting a Xbox this Christmas i would recomend this game. Microsoft and Bungie did a great job to put out one the the Xbox's greatest games, which is only on Xbox.

GameCola.net (9.7 out of 10)

With Halo, we have to look at the bigger picture. It gave us intelligent soldiers to fight along-side. It gave us enemies that learned, communicated, reacted. It gave us this beautiful world to play inside or out in, vehicles, little touches like a dead body twitching and firing off one last shot into the ground in their death throes. It gave us co-op play (four times through and counting!), but most of all it convinced my first-person shooter hating friend that first-person shooters don’t, in fact, have to suck. Just wait until I get to Halo 2. It’s even better. This, along with Eternal Darkness, comes as close to a perfect score as I’ve ever given. It’s just that good. Oh, and good goddamn luck on the legendary setting.

games xtreme (9.6 out of 10)

This is a superb game, and a worthy flagship for X-Box's future Rear Admirals.

Netjak (9.6 out of 10)

Overall, I can't get enough of the game. I have yet to play the game online, but expect to use Microsoft’s upcoming network to play the game online and at a high-speed. I'll be sure to be in line to play this online. I do realize that there is an "underground" network of online Halo players, but for now I am content in playing the single player mode (which lasts about 20 hours from start to finish).

TeamXbox (9.6 out of 10)

The day has finally come and it’s time to see just how well Halo stands up against the massive amount of hype that has been built up behind it these last few months. To be honest with you, I was starting to feel that the hype would create a vision of a game that, in reality, wouldn’t live up to its expectations. Boy, was I ever wrong! Halo has gone far beyond my expectations and has managed to stand up to the shadow of hype. I thought maybe gamers would also expect too much from Halo, when in reality they still have no idea what Halo has in store for them. Halo is not only the perfect next-generation first person shooter, it has redefined the genre, on a console no less. Never before has a combat game been so amazing in every way.

MS Xbox World (9.5 out of 10)

This is gaming at it's best. No matter what your genre preferences, you need to try out Halo. Almost the perfect package. A brilliant balance between graphics and gameplay that must be seen, and experienced, to be believed. If anyone had any doubts about the X-Box's credentials as a console, Halo dispels them with a sumptuous gaming feast. Well deserving of a ten score.

Peliplaneetta.net (95 out of 100)

Halo on uskomaton pelikokemus. Sen addiktiivisuus on jotain ennen kokematonta ja sen visuaalinen ylivoimaisuus hämmästyttävää. Neljä valittavaa vaikeustasoa yksinpelissä lisäävät uudelleenpelaamisarvoa ja tolkuttoman addiktiivista kaksinpeliä pelaa mielellään niin kauan kuin fysiikka vain kestää. Halo on jokaisen Xboxin omistajan pakko-ostos ja muille todellinen syy alkaa keräämään säästöjä. Osta ja nauti!

Digital Press - Classic Video Games (9.5 out of 10)

Even with the slight control problem, there isn't a gamer on this planet who won't find something to like about Halo. It's combination of mesmerizing graphics and outstanding gameplay make this only game that every Xbox owner should have. Nobody will be disappointed with Bungies masterpiece

DreamStation.cc (9.5 out of 10)

At Halo’s base is one of the best FPS engines ever, at its surface great graphics and well-done audio effects. Great multiplayer and replay value, solid controls, and an array of cool weapons and vehicles make this game the masterpiece it is. The only real con is the single player is on the short side and some of the later levels get a bit repetitive. That doesn’t change the fact this is a must-own for an Xbox owner, it might even be worth getting an Xbox for. I did.

Game Informer Magazine (9.5 out of 10)

While there really isn’t enough space to go on about all the great features Halo has going for it, the most impressive thing to note is the fact that the whole adventure is seamless. When the Xbox hits the streets, every player will want to get their hands on a copy of Halo – it's really that outstanding. It may not be a system-seller to the masses, but the hardcore players will love its intense action. Sixteen-player LAN deathmatches and multiplayer co-op are icing on this already delicious cake.

ZTGameDomain (9.5 out of 10)

Yeah baby as the time draws closer and closer to the launch of the might box the games keep pouring in and we here at ZTGD wanna try and give you the heads up before you go out and spend all that hard earned cash on the next generation of videogames! Our first two reviews gave you some insight into two of the lesser known titles for launch now we bring you the granddaddy of them all Halo! It is time to sit back, relax and get your game on!

GameZone (9.5 out of 10)

I don't care what genre you like to play, if you didn't buy Halo when you bought your Xbox - you just don't know what's good for you. We know some of you have been waiting a LONG time for this highly-anticipated game, and unlike many games whom have fallen at their time of debut, Halo goes above and beyond our expectations. Incredibly intelligent AI, a wide selection of well-balanced weaponry and vehicles, and audio/visual to do the Xbox launch justice - this game has been well worth the wait - and it has validated my acquisition of the Xbox.

Retroage (9.3 out of 10)

Podsumowując, Halo: Combat: Evolved to świetna gra, godna tytułu startowego nowej konsoli. Znakomicie stworzone uniwersum, świetna fabuła i dynamiczna walka sprawiają, iż pochłonie Was do reszty i ciężko będzie się od niej oderwać. Śmiało mogę powiedzieć, że to jeden z najlepszych FPSów w jakiego miałem okazję zagrać.

DarkZero (9.2 out of 10)

Such a mature game to say it was brought out so premature in the X-Box’s life. It’s got looks, gameplay and sound, making it a complete package. A game I class as one of the best and I’m sure a lot of you will too. You need this game, and if you don’t want to splash out on a X-Box wait a few months for the PC version, which promises to be just as, if not more, impressive than this version. I recommend everyone to get this seminal gaming master peace.

Play.tm (92 out of 100)

The Xbox’s best launch game by far, and one of the finest and most all-round excellent examples of the FPS genre. Go and enjoy it at once.

Computer Bild Spiele (1.41 out of 6)

Wer zwei oder mehrere Spieletastaturen (Gamepads) hat, drückt dem besten Freund eine davon in die Hand, und schon geht’s im Duo oder zu viert am geteilten Bildschirm gegen die Invasoren. Zwei bis acht Konsolen lassen sich zu einem Netzwerk verkabeln und machen irrwitzige Mehr-Spieler-Gefechte möglich. Kurz, mit Halo tobt der interstellare Krieg bei Ihnen zu Hause. Und das macht er „sehr gut“.

4Players.de (91 out of 100)

Die Wartezeit hat sich gelohnt: Halo ist der neue hell leuchtende Stern am Shooter-Himmel - auch wenn das Licht bedingt durch Grafik-Ruckler und kleine Mängel im Leveldesign nicht so strahlt, wie man es sich wünschen würde. Doch KI, die Grafik im Allgemeinen (deren Detailverliebtheit man sich auf dem PC auch wünschen würde), die Ausgewogenheit des Spieles sowie die Steuerung stimmen und setzen die Messlatte für alle kommenden Konsolen-Shooter auf eine neue Höhe. Da auch Multiplayer-Fans nicht zu kurz kommen, gibt es für Xbox-Fans eigentlich kein besseres Spiel als Halo, um die Ära Xbox einzuläuten. Lohnt es, sich für Halo extra eine der schwarzen Boxen zu kaufen? Schwer zu sagen. Fest steht, dass Halo systemübergreifend einer der besten Ego-Shooter ist, der selbst viele PC-Produkte der letzten Zeit locker in die Tasche steckt...

videospiele.com (91 out of 100)

Mit "HALO - Kampf um die Zukunft" haben wir wohl das zur Zeit beste Spiel für Microsofts Xbox-Konsole gefunden, denn HALO nutzt als einer der wenigen Titel die Xbox-Hardware wohl vollkommen aus. Die Soundkulisse mit Dolby Suround 5.1-Support und besonders die Grafik können überzeugen. Jedoch hat auch HALO, wie jedes Spiel, seine kleinen "Mängel", aber die sind nicht unbedingt erwähnenswert. Man könnte Bungies Titel wohl als Pflichtkauf werten, denn jeder der eine Xbox besitzt sollte einmal in den Genuss von HALO kommen!

Gamesmania.de (91 out of 100)

Halo liegt auch im Vergleich zu anderen Top-Ego-Shootern ganz vorne mit dabei und wird wohl eine ganze Weile Referenz für alle Xbox-Titel dieses Genres bleiben. In vieler Hinsicht war der Hype also durchaus gerecht. Vor allem die Mehrspieler-Modi machen richtig Laune und werden sicher dafür sorgen, dass bald die ersten Xbox-(Mini)-LAN-Parties stattfinden. Wenn man bedenkt, dass mit vier "Boxen" schon bis zu 16 Mann an den Start gehen können, ist das Unterfangen eigentlich nicht einmal zu aufwendig.

The Video Game Critic (A-)

Finally, the game only saves between chapters, and these can be lengthy. Still, Halo is a showcase title from the system and should be considered standard issue for all Xbox owners.

ActionTrip (91 out of 100)

HALO is the most advanced all-around shooter I've played so far, in a sense that it successfully combines some of the most spectacular team based action and enemy AI, very good visuals and impressive sounds, and it does it all with a lot of style. The only game that comes close to being this good all-around is Remedy's Max Payne, but you cannot really compare the two since the design goals of both dev. teams were different.

Armchair Empire, The (9 out of 10)

Goldeneye and Perfect Dark aside, first person shooters haven’t exactly been received with open arms by console players over the years. The first reason is clearly control. Hardcore FPS fans point out (quite correctly) that there is no substitute for the classic mouse and keyboard control scheme that PC first person shooters utilize. Additionally, consoles have traditionally been behind the power curve when compared to PC’s of the same generation. Hence, console ports of FPS classics like Quake 2 and Unreal Tournament were seen as clearly inferior to the original PC games. Given that history, it is surprising that the most heavily hyped and most sought after launch title of Microsoft’s new Xbox is indeed a first person shooter. Halo, luckily, is more than able to overcome the limitations that plagued earlier releases and provide an experience unequaled to this point by a console first person shooter.

Christ Centered Gamer / Christ Centered Game Reviews (90 out of 100)

With plenty of levels, multiple difficulty settings, a gripping story, and addictive multiplayer action, it will take a while before gamers tire of Halo. When that time comes, Halo 2 should be available to continue the adventures of the Master Chief.

Cheat Code Central (4.5 out of 5)

If this is only the beginning of what the Xbox can bring to all of us gamers, I cannot wait to see what is next. The game is very complex with several options not just the campaign mode. So do not expect to just spend a few hours on this one. This is definitely one you will want to show off to all your friends who did not yet get the Xbox! Take your time conserve your ammo and be prepared to be surprised at some of the awesome things that will happen during the game. One last thing, this is a 1 player game. To use the 4-player mode, you will definitely want to use the Xbox Link system.

Bordersdown (9 out of 10)

Yet, having said all that, Halo is still an incredible game, despite these minor flaws. The graphics, sound, and control scheme all work together to draw you into an incredibly detailed world. The variety of environments and gameplay keeps you from getting bored, and the story pulls you forward, secretly forcing you to play much longer than you intended. The action is fast, the world is beautiful, and the sounds are divine. Every gamer should make it a point to play this game, as it will be the standard by which all future console FPS games are judged. It alone is reason enough to justify the purchase of an Xbox. Halo is, without a doubt, a killer app, and it deserves all of the praise that the media has heaped upon it. Play this game. Now. You won't regret it. It just may be one of the greatest console games ever made.

GamesAreFun.com (GAF) (9 out of 10)

Halo may not be everybody’s cup of tea and it does have some flaws, but it is still one of Xbox’s strongest titles. Plus, the multiplayer mode will have you coming back for more time and again. Halo 2 may surpass Halo in many areas, but Halo is still a worthy purchase for any Xbox owner.

Gamesdog (9 out of 10)

Well history was made, the game sailed past the million mark in sales with ease. For those who can't wait for the sequel in November 2004, we suggest two things, either buy an X-box - Halo is one of the launch titles - or play through it again on Legendary if you've finished it once already for the quintessential Halo experience.

X-Power (9 out of 10)

88% van alle Xbox bezitters heeft dit spel spraken recente cijfers. Ik vraag me af waarom die andere 12% Halo nog niet heeft. Dit is het spel dat iedere Xboxbezitter moet hebben. Nu reeds het "beste spel ooit"(TM) tot Halo2 eraan komt. Tenzij je het laatste jaar onder de grond hebt gewoond heeft iedereen wel van de kwaliteiten van Halo gehoord. Is al de hype, het geschreeuw, de euforie, de flauwvallende gamers voor dit spel echt de moeite waard? Eén woord: ja!

Level 7 (9 out of 10)

Halo har satt en ny standard för FPS. Både vad det gäller känsla och AI. Ett engagerande och actionfyllt skjutalir som borde sälja ett gäng Xboxar på egen hand.

GamesCollection (9 out of 10)

Halo è un ottimo gioco, su questo non ci sono dubbi. Dal mio punto di vista di Nintendaro, somiglia molto a Metroid Prime - ma probabilmente è vero che si assomigliano a vicenda, però pensateci... non si vede mai la faccia di Master Chief, così come non si vede quella di Samus Aran, ecc. -, e forse anche per questo mi è piaciuto. La trama, almeno in questo primo episodio, non è particolarmente originale, ma il ritmo è spesso incalzante e spinge a proseguire, se non altro per scoprire cosa ci aspetta oltre la prossima porta, oltre il prossimo colle, di quel misterioso pianeta ad anello...

Xboxdynasty (XD) (9 out of 10)

Fazit: HALO Kampf um die Zukunft gehört in jede XboX Spiele Sammlung. KAUFEN und genießen... Dieses Spiel allein macht die XboX Konsole zu einem Pflichtkauf.

Computer and Video Games (CVG) (9 out of 10)

Halo is truly blessed with its slick sci-fi storyline, buckets of gut-buzzing atmosphere and explosively intense alien-annihilating action. Awesome in both single and multiplayer, this pushes console shooters to an all-new high and even gives the finest the PC can offer a run for its money.

Mygamer.com (8.8 out of 10)

Halo's single-player campaign is worth the price of an Xbox alone, but several multiplayer options make the deal even sweeter. You can play with four friends on a single screen or with up to 16 through LAN connections. There's also a fun co-op mode that allows you and another player to conquer the single-player quest. Halo also offers four difficulty settings. At the now reduced price of $29.99USD, picking up a copy of Halo is simply a no-brainer. It's not difficult to understand why Halo is held in such high regard within the gaming community. While not a perfect title it certainly raises the bar of quality for console based FPS games. Can't wait to pick up a copy of Halo 2.

Game Critics (8.5 out of 10)

In the end, Halo delivers as Bungie's and Microsoft's showcase release for the Xbox. It is technically sound and manages to incorporate most of the innovative ideas that drew praise from audiences at its debut. The vehicle-based combat, huge outdoor environments and complexity of the AI—though old hat for PC gamers—are quite groundbreaking in a console video game. We can only hope other developers will try to incorporate them into future FPSs. Halo does suffer from repetitive gameplay, a lack of full exploitation of the ideas and gameplay introduced at the beginning of the game and a disappointing multiplayer mode. But all in all, it is a worthy release for gamer's willing to bet on Microsoft next-generation console.

Jeuxvideo.com (17 out of 20)

En somme, si on savait que Microsoft fondait de nombreux espoirs dans ce titre on comprend mieux pourquoi. Halo devrait sans nul doute se placer comme l'une des références majeures en terme de FPS sur console. On en a beaucoup parlé avant sa sortie et on devrait continuer après tant il s'avère d'une qualité absolument remarquable.

PAL Gaming Network (PALGN) (8.5 out of 10)

It's most certainly one of the Xbox's best, and one of the top games of all time, but that doesn't excuse the fact that the game still has some glaring flaws in its design, flaws which could easily have been fixed with more time, and will hopefully be corrected in the sequel.

MS Xbox World (8.5 out of 10)

So in my view if you are a FPS lover and you can't get enough of them then this is another FPS with a good story and weapons and graphics to boot. But if you're just getting into FPS it's one to try too, the control pad makes it ideal for newbies to play at a competitive level. Halo has the best of both worlds it has a brilliant multiplayer and story too but is let down only slightly by the feel of repeated backgrounds whilst playing and the feeling that this has been done ever so well before by Half-Life and Deus-Ex, but still it keeps up a good standard not bad for a console only FPS.

MS Xbox World (8 out of 10)

Halo is one of the better games that you can find on the X-Box and worthy of buying if you're a first person shooter fan. Yes, people have said that the game rips off other ones and that the ideas here are nothing that you haven't seen before, but in the end, no game out there is a true 'original'. If you like the science fiction format of FPS games, and you like killing aliens with really big energy guns, the you'll find this to be right up your alley. However, if you don't like games where you have to kill everything in sight, then you need to move on to something else, because this one is for killers only!

Eurogamer.net (UK) (8 out of 10)

Halo is very much a game of two halves. The first half is fast, exciting, beautifully designed and constantly full of surprises. The second half is festooned with gobsmacking plot twists and great cinematics but let down by repetitive paint by numbers level design. Bungie could quite comfortably have cut several overly lengthy sections from this second half and still ended up with a respectably time consuming game while maintaining the adrenaline-pumping pace of the first few hours. As it is Halo is a flawed masterpiece, one which is well worth owning but which may start to grate after a while.

All Game Guide ( )

The development team at Bungie has done a remarkable job with Halo, taking many successful elements from previous standouts in the genre to make one very playable game.

Games Finder (8 out of 10)

For its time Halo was a revolutionary experience from the larger game levels to the regenerative shield to the mixture of human and alien weapons. The game still stands up against modern games quite well so you can return to the roots of the Halo series and still enjoy the game.

GameSpy ( )

If it's just the $50 you're worried about, by all means go out and pick up a copy of Halo -- it's hard to imagine any action gamer not enjoying it. On the other hand, if you're wondering if you should be spending (at least) $350 on a new console just to play the game, the answer is "no" -- for the same money, you can buy an entire library of fantastic games for any system you may already own.

GamesFirst! ( )

HALO is an excellent benchmark for future Xbox FPS titles, but it is not unbeatable. I can foresee some company taking the lessons learned from not only HALO but Deus Ex and Perfect Dark and combining them into a truly amazing game. Perhaps Bungie will do so in a HALO sequel, which is bound to come along. If you own an Xbox and have the slightest interest in FPS titles, get HALO now. If you don’t, go see it at a friend’s house. Either way, you need to check this one out.