Halo is looking good!

This is just one of many previews about Halo that says its a great game

11.2.2001 6:39:56 PM Xbox Software
Halo Preview

1. Does this Xbox launch title take first-person console games to new heights?

I thought long and hard on how to kick-start this preview after completing Halo, but strangely enough the only thing I can muster to covey to our readers is that HALO ROCKS. The reason I say so, strangely enough, is because there are very few titles, on any of the existing platforms, including PC that have managed to grasp that "magic" spark that sets new standards for everyone else to follow.

For starters, Halo boasts very impressive visuals, starting with basic textures to incredible models and various effects. The scene, which was shown at E3 earlier this year, where marines storm the alien beachhead, is incredibly detailed, smooth as silk and full of action. Some other literally jaw-dropping scenes make you wonder how the Xbox can pull off such incredible graphical feats. Just wait till you see a dozen or so marines duking it out with an alien force of the same size, all set in an incredibly detailed and lush environment. Among the things that I personally can\'t get enough of is lobbing frag grenades behind enemy cover. Sometimes, they will notice the grenade and yell out "Grenade!" as they scramble for cover. But when the \'nade goes off, they literally take off into air, their broken bodies and limbs violently twisting in the shockwave.

Expanding on the subject of the game’s graphics, Halo also features some of the biggest indoor/outdoor environments that I have seen outside of Tribes II. From narrow corridors and tunnels, to valleys, swamps and enormous structures, the environment are detailed and nicely designed. And to top it off, there are virtually no loading times! The only loading you see is between chapters. When you progress from one mission to another within a chapter, there are checkpoints, so to speak, that load in less then a second. The final version of the game coupled with a retail Xbox unit will probably eliminate those altogether, but even now, it’s just a slight jerk rather than loading pause.

Another feature definitely worth mentioning is the sound. As you might already know, Xbox supports Dolby 5.1 and playing Halo with anything less doesn\'t do the game justice. The game comes to life with dynamic 3D sound. It literally adds a new dimension to console gaming experience when you hear things like debris drop to the ground after the plasma shot that you just dodged hits the wall behind you.

Despite the graphics and sound, one of the coolest things about Halo is the artificial intelligence of the enemy units and your squad mates. First, the marines that come to your aid from time to time can hold their own turf; it’s a lot of fun to sometimes keep your distance and just watch them do their stuff. Enemy AI is just as good if not better. The aliens will ambush you, rush you, run for cover and call reinforcements so efficiently that it puts the much-acclaimed Half-Life AI to shame. Sometimes, it gets downright annoying because they evade you and use cover so well. But in the end it just boils down to more fun, challenge and replay value.

As far as control goes, I\'m happy to say that it’s nearly flawless. Being a hard-core PC FPS junky and avid console gamer, I know what it’s like to play first person shooters on both platforms and Halo delivers here again. Both analog sticks are being used for movement and view, and both can be fully configured to your liking, including sensitivity, inverted option, auto center, and so on. The overall control scheme is very similar to Red Faction for PS2, it just feels a bit snappier. It\'s safe to say that if you have played any first person shooters on DC or PSX/PS2 with analog sticks, you\'ll be right at home with Halo. Additionally, to help your aim, there is also a degree of auto-aim, meaning that shots will sort of pivot toward the target as long as its in the gun sights.

The entire single player story is broken up into multiple chapters, each chapter containing numerous missions and objectives. The story that unfolds during the single player campaign is an interesting one to say the least. It might not be the most original, but it’s certainly well executed and presented through the environments and in-game cinematic cut-scenes. Although we don’t want to spoil the details of the story for you , you can expect a few really exciting twists.

In addition to single player game, there is also a multiplayer feature. The two-player coop campaign game is pretty interesting, as you can execute some very cool ambushes and other fun strategies. Other multiplayer features include two-player split screen deathmatch, four-player a la LAN hook-up and several different game modes, like capture the flag and an option to create you own game rules.

I can\'t exactly figure out why Halo impressed me so much, but there are a couple of things that attribute to its overall success. First and foremost, is the atmosphere. Bungie did an amazing job of conveying the story, setting, mood and general feel of a "would be" space marine to the gamer. The graphics, sound effects and music, weapons, environments and missions all contribute to the great gaming experience that Halo provides. It simply looks, sounds, and feels fun to play. If Halo is any indication of things to come, Xbox fans should be a very happy bunch

yeah unfortunatly the xbox version will be inferior because it doesn\'t contain any multiplay actross the net, which it was originally designed for

it would look better if it was locked at 60 FPS

quit complaining, it will be amazing even at 30fps and there is always the posibility of a patch for online play.  thats the beauty of xbox! and it already has been proclaimed by mainy reviewers as a likley game of the year!

*yawn*

where\'s my PC version that i can run at 1280x1024 at 100FPS?

good thing i spent my XBOX money on a geforce 3 card instead

*oh and box is ONLY console to offer online play?  thru a patch?  

lol, im already playing ONLINE with my PS2

the resolution on xbox will be better asuming u have a flat screen or better tv.  100fps?

yippie your playing online! there is no ps2 game worth that except maybe TH3, also going to be on xbox, no game as close to the greatness of halo will show for ps2

I doubt that the resolution will be any higher on a flatscreen... and LOL, I hope you don\'t honestly believe that HALO will eventually be online on Xbox?

how many people do u think have a flatscreen or digital TV, 5% of the population?

the market isnt ready for digital TV\'s.  remember minidisks?

yes, 100 FPS

1.5 gig Pentium 4 + Geforce 3 = sweet 3D love

*oh, and gamepads + 1st or 3rd person shooters = lame

the XBOX BETTER accept USB plugins like a mouse to play shooters

**xbox, have u played halo, and its great huh?  if not please open mouth, and remove foot

and it already has been proclaimed by mainy reviewers as a likley game of the year!

 This I have to see.

Originally posted by xbox
yippie your playing online! there is no ps2 game worth that except maybe TH3, also going to be on xbox, no game as close to the greatness of halo will show for ps2

No game?

yes, yes, TH3 on XBOX

but while yer frickin waiting and waiting, ive been playing and playing

What is wrong with you guys, this game is ment to be amazing, most of you are carrying on like a bunch of ps2 fanboys, that is one thing that i thought these forums were so good for, because when you saw a good game you said it was a good game, no matter what console it was on, but know what has happened?

"yeah unfortunatly the xbox version will be inferior because it doesn\'t contain any multiplay actross the net, which it was originally designed for"

I mean this is the first comment, this game sounds amazing, and all i hear is good things about it, and this is what you come up with!!!!

Anyway i cant wait to get my hands on this game, it is going to be great!

Originally posted by mm
yes, yes, TH3 on XBOX

but while yer frickin waiting and waiting, ive been playing and playing

WORD.

Off topic:  Is it just me, or was this "attack" planned?  We got a new post from ProfessorX, TheOgodlyThing, Tshirts, and xbox all in one day.  Well, if it was planned, my advice to you guys is to plan harder. If anything, all these posts made me even happier to own a PS2.

ethan, i dont care HOW great Halo looks or plays

if it does not

*possess mouse support
*run above 30 FPS AT ALL TIMES
*have netplay

then halo = suck

the xbox is COMING OUT OVER A YEAR AFTER THE PS2
wheres the netplay, microsoft chumps?

what do we get for 299$ + tax?

slight better graphics?  i\'d but a gamecube if that was the only case