Halo: Combat Evolved

[Goodsport]

I'm considering getting this game for my PC. Should I?

This game came out for the Xbox back in 2001, so will the graphics and sound appear dated on my PC (which has fairly-recent video and sound cards) or have they been updated? And is the gameplay and story any good (shooting in games is always fun, but a great story to back it up really takes the game to the next level)?

Thanks in advance.


-G

 

[gariig]

One thing..there's no coop multiplayer like the X-box had. Just letting you know that.

Gariig

 

[Stormfalcon]

I played around with the demo so far (as well as the Xbox full version), so here's what I can tell you.

The graphics are pretty decent and are DX8 quality. The advantage that the PC version has over the Xbox version is the higher resolutions available. However, the game is resource-intensive, so you'll need some heavy-duty iron to run it decently at a good resolution and high-quality.

The story is really good with a fair number of plot twists throughout. Also helping in setting the mood and atmosphere is how both the covenant and the marines fighting by your side react to whatever's going on around them. You'll most likely love the pudgy little Grunts, especially when you stick a plasma grenade on the suckers .

As noted above, multiplayer is a good news/bad news kind of thing. Good news is that you can take it on the net directly and have access to some new toys in the multiplayer mode. Bad news is that you don't have coop mode like in the Xbox version.

If you have the hardware for it (I'd say a 2GHz CPU bare minimum/3+GHz preferrable, along with a GF3 card or better), then by all means get it. If you don't, just get an Xbox and a copy for that instead.

 

[Ashrem Bayle]

The only real advantage the PC version has is the online multiplayer and the keyboard/mouse setup.

As far as the game itself goes, it's wonderful. Great storyline (that spawned two novels) and awesome gameplay.

There a a few places where it gets repetitive, but as a whole it is very good.

Can't wait for part 2!

I suggest hitting www.ign.com for a review.

 

[Ristamar]

If you have the hardware for it (I'd say a 2GHz CPU bare minimum/3+GHz preferrable, along with a GF3 card or better), then by all means get it. If you don't, just get an Xbox and a copy for that instead.

If you are considering buying an XBOX, you'd probably be better off staying away from the PC version. As Stormy said in far more polite words, the performance absolutely sucks ass. Only high-end hardware users need apply. Plus, no co-op. Weak.

 

[Knightcrawler]

I thought the graphics were actually better than the X-Box version. But that may have something to do with being closer to the screen. The controls are much easier to use than with the X-Box.

I'm running a Athlon XP 2200+, 512 MB PC2700 and a 128 MB FX 5200 videocard. I only had to turn off a couple of effects to get great performance, particle and smoke I think.

 

[Desdichado]

The only real advantage the PC version has is the online multiplayer and the keyboard/mouse setup.

How is the keyboard/mouse setup an advantage? I really like the xbox controls, especially with an s-controller. To me that was the big advantage Halo had over games like Half Life or Unreal.

 

[shadowlight]

How is the keyboard/mouse setup an advantage? I really like the xbox controls, especially with an s-controller. To me that was the big advantage Halo had over games like Half Life or Unreal.

I agree. With the analog sticks on the XBox controller, you can move slowly when you need to while with the PC version, the movement is either on or off -- full speed run or stand still. I've found that close combat is much more difficult w/ keyboard & mouse.

That said, I've been playing the PC demo for a while and am really enjoying it (I just got the full version last night). It's great to be able to jump right into a 16 player CTF game without having to lug 4 XBoxes and TVs to your friend's place...

If you've got a graphics card that can handle DX9 well, you should definitely give this game a try.

 

[Ashrem Bayle]

How is the keyboard/mouse setup an advantage? I really like the xbox controls, especially with an s-controller. To me that was the big advantage Halo had over games like Half Life or Unreal.

The mouse is far better for long distance aiming, especially with the sniper rifle. That said,the X-Box controller was actually much better than I thought it would be.

I like the keyboard/mouse setup up better, but not by a large margin. For a console, the Box handles 1st person controls very well.

 

[Desdichado]

I guess it's a question of taste. I never liked the keyboard/mouse set-up of PC 1st person shooters going back to Doom, at least, and I still don't. The Halo xbox controls is a big reason I actually play it, when in general, I find 1st person shooters to be somewhat tiresome. If I get Halo PC (which is a big if, because I'd have to get a new computer first, and I'm more excited about Halo 2 early next year anyway) then I'd get a converter to use an xbox controller in my USB port.