What's to Like: Everything. FPS goodness at it's finest (on a console, no less). What's Not to Like: Getting used to the controller rather than a mouse/keyboard combo.
Every home in America that has an Xbox should not go without Halo. Microsoft acquired Bungie in order to get this game on Xbox, and after playing it, you can definitely see why.
First off, you'll notice the somber music and graphics. The graphics are amazing-as in better than what you've seen on a PC. They are just incredible to look at and you'll drool in awe.
Now, let's talk about the gameplay: in the beginning you'll awake from your cryo-sleep and you'll have to knock out the cobwebs by re-training your systems. (What a great way to do a tutorial). Then you'll see one of your fellow crewmen get killed as the evil Covenant troops overrun your ship. Next you'll have to get off the ship, but of course the Covenant are after you-and boy are they smart. You'll have other troops with you helping your cause and they actually protect you with covering fire and suppressing fire.
You can hide behind obstacles and take cover, but in later missions, you are attacked from above so be careful. You are only allowed two different weapons to carry at one time and boy you'll find a huge number of weapons to choose from, adding another strategic element to the game. Grenades aren't considered a weapon so you also have them in your arsenal. Weapons are as lame as an 'energy pistol' and move up to more impressive guns, such as a very cool sniper rifle that lets you zoom in up to 10x and really pick your targets.
Of course you don't have to go in all guns a blazin', instead you can also sneak attack and take out some of the Covenant baddies. The sounds these guys make can help you out in order to determine their location, especially with the bad guys I like to call clowns, and when you play the game, you'll see why I call them that.
The levels of the game are incredibly deep and there's no one way to finish a level, which adds immensely to the replay value. The game is very challenging as the Covenant soldiers don't act the same way twice, and I mean that in a good way: they react to where you are and what you are doing.
Halo isn't just a first person shooter-in fact you'll also have to do a bit of driving of certain vehicles in order to get where you want to go. The Warthog is a nice vehicle with one problem-the gun is in the back. Since you can't be in two places at the same time, you should go on a quest and find some other troops that have crashed in the forest so they can operate the gun.
This is the great thing about Halo-the missions make a heck of a lot of sense and you'll enjoy your time playing it.
While I enjoyed my time in a single player quest, a multiplayer split screen option is also available (sorry, no internet play yet). Everything looked smooth and enjoyable in the cooperative mode as well. You can link multiple players and Xboxes together using the system link, but I'm not sure how many will take advantage of this.
Load times are very fast and you'll see the game auto save at various checkpoints which makes it a snap to stop and play again later.
One of the biggest issues people have mentioned with any FPS on a console is "Yeah, but it doesn't support a mouse and keyboard.." The Xbox controller feels good in your hand and you'll find it very easy to play the game with. The right trigger shoots, while the left trigger is your grenade button. The left stick allows you to move while the right stick lets you look around. It is very intuitive and not once during the game did I say "I wish I had a mouse and keyboard."
If there is any game that is a system seller, it is this one. You need to have this game. Now.
-Dan Clarke
Company Line
Halo is a sci-fi shooter that takes place on a mysterious alien ring-world. Packed with combat, Halo will have you battling on foot, and 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.
Features:
Huge Weapon Variety: Vanquish your enemies with a vast array of Human or Covenant weaponry ranging from the stealthy (semi-automatic pistols and needler guns) to the fierce (rocket launchers and flame throwers).
Vehicle and Foot-Based Action: Tackle missions anyway you choose - be it storming an enemy base or taking the wheel or gunnery position of a variety of powerful vehicles. Vehicles range from stolen Covenant flyers to Human buggies and more.
Indoor and Outdoor Combat: Fight seamlessly in Halo's ultra-realistic indoor and outdoor environments as you hunt the Covenant in a variety of single player missions and multiplayer battles.
Intense Multiplayer Shoot-outs: Form a team, choose a role, and fight cooperatively with your friends, battle it out Deathmatch style via intense split screen, LAN-play or fight co-op with a friend through the single player missions.
Incredible Mission Variety: Fight the Covenant in a variety of missions as you uncover the dark secrets of Halo. Among your many objectives ― attack enemy outposts, raid underground labs for advanced technology, rescue fallen comrades, steal alien vehicles and weaponry and snipe enemy forces.
Reality Bending Special Effects: Halo features the most advanced graphic system on the most advanced gaming platform in the world. Gunfire rips off the screen, explosions light up a living room, and environments blur the line between your couch and fantasy.
Rich Sci-Fi Experience: Halo transports gamers into a science fiction universe fresh out of a Hollywood movie. With a detailed twisting story line, complex characters and cunning enemies Halo will fulfill every sci-fi enthusiast's dreams.
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