ie8 fix

Halo: Combat Evolved

CNET Editors' review

by: CNET Staff on November 09, 2008

Two years after the phenomenal success of Halo for the Xbox, Microsoft has finally ported this first-person alien shooter to Windows--just in time to promote the release of Halo 2 for Xbox. In Halo, you control the Master Chief, an enhanced soldier awakened from cryogenic sleep to save humankind from a nasty group of aliens called the Covenant. Although the PC version only adds a few maps and loses the cooperative mode, the impressive graphics, exciting gameplay, and variety of weapons and vehicles make Halo worth a try for any fans of first-person shooters.

The demo features two vehicles, a substantive single-player mission, and one multiplayer map that supports up to 16 players on the GameSpy network. Both enemy and friendly intelligence are realistic, and a unique (for two years ago) defense system with rechargeable shields allows for intense firefights that don't permanently cripple the Master Chief. Once learned, the mouse-steering system allows for some fancy driving. The environments look awesome, and a subtle soundtrack enhances the experience. Be warned that the listed system requirements are a bare minimum. Adjusting video settings may be necessary to improve performance on some systems.

 
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Publisher's Description

From Microsoft Games:

Bent on humankind's extermination, a powerful fellowship of alien races known as the Covenant is wiping out the Earth's fledgling interstellar empire. You and the other surviving defenders of a devastated colony-world make a desperate attempt to lure the alien fleet away from Earth. Shot down and marooned on the ancient ring-world Halo, you begin a guerrilla war against the Covenant. Fight for humanity against an alien onslaught as you race to uncover the mysteries of Halo.

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All User Reviews
  • All versions:

    4.4 stars

    out of 477 votes

    • 5 star: 347
    • 4 star: 64
    • 3 star: 24
    • 2 star: 5
    • 1 star: 37
  • Current version:

    4.4 stars

    out of 477 votes

    • 5 star: 347
    • 4 star: 64
    • 3 star: 24
    • 2 star: 5
    • 1 star: 37
  • My rating:

    0 stars

    Write review

Results 1-10 of 424

  • 5.0 stars

    "you need mods"

    February 7, 2012  |   By thedarkelite555

    Version: Halo: Combat Evolved

    Pros

    ITS A FUN GAME!!!AND ITS FREE!!

    Cons

    you need mods to make trial version more funner like more vehicles and cool weapons and in multiplayer to many people hack,flirt,sexiul abuse,virtual abuse,and take the game to serously!

    Summary

    ITS A FUN GAME BUT YOU NEED MODS AND YOU NEED ANTI VIRUS BECUASE TO MANY HACK I ALMOST GOT MY COMPUTER HACKED BY PLAYING THIS GAME!!WARNING WATCH OUT WHAT SERVER U GET ON IN MULTIPLAYER!!over all the game is really fun but if u want more of the game without paying u need to download mods i use SNAKE MOD but thats for champain only not multiplyer these are some multiplayer mods u might need to make the game funner snow gulch,gruntwars,H3BLOODGULCH,and u can find the rest at mods.com/halotrial and i would prefure you to get anti virus so u wont get hacked like i did i am a pro at halo trail been playing almost my whole life so u should take advice from me

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  • 1.0 stars

    "The download from cnet would not open up to play."

    February 6, 2012  |   By curt07

    Version: Halo: Combat Evolved

    Pros

    I downloaded the game and the Icon did not open up anything to play the game. so i feel like I downloaded a virus or something,because there was no game to open up and play.

    Cons

    what a joke this download was. I downloaded crossfire and that the only game from cnet that ever played. so i don'tthink I will ever go thru the time to download a game and then it wont open up to play from cnet again.

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  • 1.0 stars

    "Download stopped near the end"

    December 14, 2011  |   By tazmo8448

    Version: Halo: Combat Evolved

    Pros

    None while on a limited broadband connection this thing cost me MBs then stopped.

    Cons

    Downloaded the Crossfire game and came to find that it is an internet game only and this game got over three quarters downloaded then stopped and charged me the MBs....bummer

    Summary

    Not worth the effort....will stick to the review section

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  • 5.0 stars

    "goooddd game!!"

    December 7, 2011  |   By ross2788

    Version: Halo: Combat Evolved

    Pros

    easy to play, good graphics, intense action on hard mode(i cant finish it).damn!

    Cons

    too shooooorrrtttt trial! they should give the full version for free!! hehehe

    Summary

    very good game!

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  • 5.0 stars

    "amazing game"

    November 17, 2011  |   By jeremiah_01

    Version: Halo: Combat Evolved

    Pros

    it works, plus the sound effects

    Cons

    the graphics sticks a bit

    Summary

    i just want to thank the developer for designing a game thet works

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  • 5.0 stars

    "I can't stop playing it over and over!"

    November 16, 2011  |   By lunkerousfop

    Version: Halo: Combat Evolved

    Pros

    Glitch-free super playability, fun weapons and vehicle, realistic movement, just a riot!

    Cons

    Since im not a heavy-duty gamer, i could not find anything bad to say about it.

    Summary

    Im not a huge gamer, i just like what i like. This game plays great and even though it's just a tiny DEMO, I can't stop going back and playing it over and over! When set on most difficult, it is VERY challenging. What a blast! Now i want the full game for SURE!

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  • 4.0 stars

    "fun playing online"

    October 14, 2011  |   By fraus333

    Version: Halo: Combat Evolved

    Pros

    its fun playing with people online

    Cons

    bad graphics too

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  • 5.0 stars

    "A lot of fun.. easy to to use, plus online help!"

    July 30, 2011  |   By mhojai

    Version: Halo: Combat Evolved

    Pros

    loaded and plays easily...

    Cons

    so far, no problems

    Summary

    A lot of fun.. easy to to use, plus online help!

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  • 5.0 stars

    "HALO TRIAL"

    July 26, 2011  |   By N3rDforc3

    Version: Halo: Combat Evolved

    Pros

    How classic is Halo?

    You can "Host" a game and kick-ass like a rock star!

    Damn...I'm so good, I own @ your "server".

    Halo is one of those games that just doesn't get old...Blood Gulch is the best multi-player map in the world, and it's Fr33!!!

    Cons

    Team-Swap exploit. (Easily side-stepped by going Slayer)

    Summary

    Capture The Flag with vehicles, both Air (Shees) and Land (Hogs). Human and Alien weapons that are better than COD...imo. Don't get me wrong..CoD is fun, but..it gets old. I've been playing Halo trial for YEARS and have yet to get burnt out. It has low system requirements and is a nice break from the High-end cookie-cutter games.

    HALO..Combat Evolved..................

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  • 4.0 stars

    "Great game, but a little laggy."

    June 21, 2011  |   By sdmitch16

    Version: Halo: Combat Evolved

    Pros

    Fun, Variety of difficulty settings. They let you play online

    Cons

    Occasional lag in game. Lots of lag online. There may be hackers online. Extremely short since its a trail. Repetitive.

    Summary

    Download it. Its free.

    Reply to this review

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Results 1-10 of 424

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