The game that started it all. Well, sort of. I'm not a games historian and as such, I find it silly to rate games on their historical importance, but on that front, I'd say that any credit Combat Evolved deserves for revamping the console shooter, it deserves equally as much derision for its cowardly assassination of the weapon wheel. Still, only carrying two weapons does speak to this game's general ethos of simplicity (aside from the expanded universe lore, and the garish and thankfully optional visual overhaul found in Anniversary), which serves to both the benefit and detriment of the game.
Continuing my journey through the Master Chief Collection, I found many of the problems that I had with Reach, from the lack of proper context and humanity to a core structure that merely passes by on good game feel. However, like Reach, there are some strikingly standout moments, from the whole of The Silent Cartographer to the reveal of the Flood to the final escape sequence in the Warthog. As unqualified as I am to speak to specifics about Halo's place in history, it's presence undeniably looms large, and it stands as a solid, decent time twenty years later, and that's because Bungie knows how to serve the meat and potatoes.
Completed on March 14th, 2020
Score: 3/5
Continuing my journey through the Master Chief Collection, I found many of the problems that I had with Reach, from the lack of proper context and humanity to a core structure that merely passes by on good game feel. However, like Reach, there are some strikingly standout moments, from the whole of The Silent Cartographer to the reveal of the Flood to the final escape sequence in the Warthog. As unqualified as I am to speak to specifics about Halo's place in history, it's presence undeniably looms large, and it stands as a solid, decent time twenty years later, and that's because Bungie knows how to serve the meat and potatoes.
Completed on March 14th, 2020
Score: 3/5