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Whoever Says Xbox Says Halo: Enter Its Virtual World Of Combat!
Date of Review: Nov 24, 2001
The Bottom Line: If you want great graphics, a storyline you can advance yourself and care about action-packed first-person shooter, Halo is for you!
It's the battle of good vs. evil. I wonder whether this game's developer did not borrow its theme from the book of Revelation. Read on to find out what I am talking about here.No matter what, this game is worth being part of your library these days.
The secret is out now. Superb games sell consoles. Who did not know it before? Microsoft knew it. That's why it acquired Bungie Studios to create its Xbox's major title Halo. The competitors know the value of interesting games to their system. That's why PS2 came out swinging with Madden NFL 2002 and others to be able to stay on top. After selling more than 20 million units of PS2 since last year, it's well poised to claim more consumers this year. In the meantime, Microsoft knew that if it wants a big chunk of this video game industry, it'b better dig deep into its coffer to buy the company that developed Halo. After going through a few levels of this Quake-like or Doom-based first person shooter, I am in good shape to put in my two cents now.
What's Halo all about?
The Storyline Now
How would you like to find yourself in the midst of an all-out combat to save humanity and the current civilization from devil-possessed groups of individuals bent on destruction? Hey don't think too hard yet. That's the premise of the game. Bungie Studios calls back one of the broadly used formula of a futuristic soldier who takes it upon himself to battle hordes of aliens whose mission is to destroy humanity. Playing this game is what you will mostly be doing. Your goal to wipe out as many aliens as you can to end up destroying the Diabolical Covenant, this evil empire. The game comes packed with lots of intuitive controls, coupled with well-positioned environmental eye-candies to great major effects. These environmental elements are waterfalls and weather effects. The more you get into the game, the more difficult and interesting you will find it. It all depends on how fast you can master or progress through the levels. This means you will be spending quite some time playing before getting bored. If you have to leave before completing a level, you can always save it. You can even have the luxury of changing some of the settings when reloading the saved game.
Playability: Single or multi-player appeal is strong
There is no doubt that Halo is the central selling point of the XBox console. One of the best aspects of the game is that it allows many people to play it. Its multiplayer element is one of its main highlights. No reason to be playing alone any longer! Go over to some friend's house or invite him/her to your residence, connect it and you are in business! If you encounter obstacles such as a vehicle, your teammate can help you out while you are aiming at them. Halo's firefights take place on foot and in vehicle. It uses all the buttons of the XBox controller. It is perfect for it. It's true that the beginning may be a bit slow, but once you pass that phase, you start progressing through the storyline and the actions. No matter what, the game has some features that make it addictive and very interactive. It puts in the role of a space marine. And it goes into an uncharted alien planet that is hostile. You will enjoy the constant interaction between friends and foes. As you play, you will hear other marines' silly talk. You will even hear the aliens laughing at your misery. This is why you don't want to stop you take out these creeps.
Jaw-dropping, superb graphics, sound
Now, if you want to show off, if you want your friends to run out of the door straight to the next store, then put in Halo so they can see the wonders of the graphics. Previously developed as a PC-style title, Halo got to be the XBox's main title. It truly shows the potential of this MS's debut console. For a new comer, it sure has something to make you remember it. Besides its great lighting, its graphics are so top-notch that you can even see the dirt being kicked from gun shots. The sound can truly make you drunk. It relies mostly on the XBox's CPU frame. It creates great explosions. You can basically immerse yourself in this virtual combat for as long as you want.
Final thoughts
This is why this game is only recommended for 17-year olds and up. It costs $49.00, but shop around, you may end up being lucky. If Microsoft's Bungie can maintain the same theme and generate such action-packed games, the sales of the XBox will clearly surpass that of PS2. Halo gives Microsoft a headstart. For sure, there will be repeat business. There once was DOA 2, now DOA3 is upon us. Repeat business is what creates wealth. Microsoft and Bungie will surely go for the jugular next time.
If you have XBox, you can't do without Halo!
