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Halo: Combat Evolved for Windows

Used Halo: Combat Evolved for Windows?

Editors’ Review

Download.com staffSeptember 15, 2026

Battle an alien invasion as a marooned soldier on the ring-world Halo. Uncover ancient secrets while fighting for humanity's survival.

Top Recommended Alternative

LifeAfter

Free

Frequently called a genre defining classic even now, with people praising the story, sound design, and core gunplay, and noting the PC port runs smoothly with solid graphics options.

What The Community Is Saying

The Highs

The Lows

The most repeated complaint is repetitive, corridor heavy level design in the later stages, and some say the pacing shows its age.

The Verdict

Still worth playing for its place in FPS history, though expect some dated pacing and level design by modern standards.

Pros
- Engaging alien onslaught narrative
- Guerrilla warfare gameplay mechanics
- Exploration of ancient ring-world mysteries
Cons
- Focus on extermination narrative
- Limited backstory on human defenders

Halo: Combat Evolved for Windows

Used Halo: Combat Evolved for Windows?

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Full Specifications

GENERAL

Release: October 22, 2003

Latest update: September 15, 2026

Version: 0

OPERATING SYSTEMS

Platform: Windows

Operating System

Windows XP
Windows 10
Windows 2000
Windows 98
Windows ME

Additional Requirements: DirectX 9 drivers

POPULARITY

Total Downloads: 6,589,231

Downloads Last Week: 0

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Last Updated

User Reviews

4.4/5

449 User Votes

I hope that I can figure out how to do this. .
poppabear1978April 12, 2013
Pros
still not sure how to do this
Cons
technology sucks
Summary
this game is awesome
amadli3January 11, 2013
Pros
not support my laptop
Cons
great game
Summary
great game
Awesome game! btu whats the product code?
SGTTHERMALTAKEAugust 17, 2012
Pros
Awesome game, Great PvP, Awesome weapons, and good graphics for it's time.
Cons
I don't know what the product code is. some one help?
Summary
Brilliant!
dinxton2July 21, 2012
Pros
..........
Cons
..........
Summary
A "Must Play"
NitClotJune 27, 2012
Pros
I think the history is awesome, the multiplayer is also very good. The developer did a awesome job of making this video game.
Cons
Sometimes a little bit laggy, and the DEMO version shows less of 2% of what you can do in the FULL game.
Summary
it didnt work
spork2007February 13, 2012
Pros
there where None
Cons
It wouldn't work, and kept telling me that my internet was down.
Summary
if anybody knows a REAL site to download from please let me know
you need mods
thedarkelite555February 7, 2012
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<br /><br /><span class='notifyMsg'> Updated </span>on May 30, 2012<p/>GET CALL OF DUTY MONDERN WARFARE 3 AND CALL OF DUTY BLACK OPS ON PS3 AND XBOX360!
The download from cnet would not open up to play.
curt07February 6, 2012
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.
Summary
Download stopped near the end
tazmo8448December 14, 2011
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
goooddd game!!
ross2788December 7, 2011
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!

Developer’s Description

By Microsoft Game Studios

Fight for humanity against an alien onslaught.

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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.