Just Played: Halo
2004-02-19 23:04![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
blufive[SF First-Person Shooter - Official Site]
Graphically, Halo looks somewhat dated compared to other recent PC games - a legacy of the delay porting it over from the XBox. Despite the crudity of the graphics, the general visual design is superb, capturing the sense of two different sets of alien technology, plus human. The music works well, too, combining with some VAST levels to generate a sense of awe.
The story is unusually strong for an FPS (OK, that's not saying much, given the hordes of games that don't get much above "shoot everything"). The player is a cybernetically-enhanced super soldier in a battle between humans and the numerically superior alien Covenant forces. Both sides are attempting to gain control of and understand a mini-ringworld - a Banks-ian Orbital - the "Halo" of the title.
It's the gameplay that matters, though, and Halo delivers. Small-scale tactical decisions abound. Which weapon, the weak but rapid-fire assault rifle, or the more powerful Covenant plasma rifle, which will overheat if fired in prolonged bursts? Use a grenade or save it? Which enemy to engage first, the one charging you with a power sword who'll kill you if he gets close, or the one taking potshots from afar who'll strip your shields in seconds?
The enemies are surprisingly smart, ducking, weaving, taking cover, and catching you off-guard with well-aimed grenades and surprising levels of patience.
It's fun, and has the "just five more minutes" factor by the truckload.
Graphically, Halo looks somewhat dated compared to other recent PC games - a legacy of the delay porting it over from the XBox. Despite the crudity of the graphics, the general visual design is superb, capturing the sense of two different sets of alien technology, plus human. The music works well, too, combining with some VAST levels to generate a sense of awe.
The story is unusually strong for an FPS (OK, that's not saying much, given the hordes of games that don't get much above "shoot everything"). The player is a cybernetically-enhanced super soldier in a battle between humans and the numerically superior alien Covenant forces. Both sides are attempting to gain control of and understand a mini-ringworld - a Banks-ian Orbital - the "Halo" of the title.
It's the gameplay that matters, though, and Halo delivers. Small-scale tactical decisions abound. Which weapon, the weak but rapid-fire assault rifle, or the more powerful Covenant plasma rifle, which will overheat if fired in prolonged bursts? Use a grenade or save it? Which enemy to engage first, the one charging you with a power sword who'll kill you if he gets close, or the one taking potshots from afar who'll strip your shields in seconds?
The enemies are surprisingly smart, ducking, weaving, taking cover, and catching you off-guard with well-aimed grenades and surprising levels of patience.
It's fun, and has the "just five more minutes" factor by the truckload.
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Re:
Date: 2004-02-20 14:26 (UTC)Sequel is X-Box only - Boo! Hiss!