Halo: Combat Evolved Review: Score and Verdict (2001)

Halo: Combat Evolved, released in 2001 for the original Xbox, defined the console first-person shooter. Its campaign gave players a large ring-shaped world, a memorable soundtrack and a shield system that changed how players thought about health.

What works

The campaign mixes open areas with tight encounters, and its enemy variety keeps fights fresh.
Vehicles such as the Warthog add a different style of play.
Its two-weapon limit and simple controls made the game easy to learn.

What does not

The original graphics look dated, and some levels feel repetitive.

Category	Score
Gameplay and shooting	9/10
Visuals and sound	7.5/10
Content and modes	8.5/10
Multiplayer and community	8.5/10
Value for money	8.5/10

Our scores are editorial ratings out of 10, based on each game's design and reported features. They are not a record of hands-on play sessions on this site.

Who should play it

Fans of console shooters and anyone interested in the history of the Halo series.

Verdict

A landmark shooter that still plays well as a campaign. Our score: 9.0 out of 10.

Tips for playing the classic

Use the shield system to your advantage by taking cover when your shields are low, and move on when they recharge. Learn which weapons work best against each enemy type, because the Covenant units react differently. The vehicles are powerful, but a driver is exposed, so consider bringing a gunner or moving carefully.

Why it still matters

The game set the template for console shooters with its shield, two-weapon limit and open combat arenas. Many later games adopted similar ideas, which makes this classic a useful reference for anyone interested in how console shooters developed.