Halo: Combat Evolved (PC port)

Template:Ratings Template:Game Infobox Halo PC refers to the version of Halo: Combat Evolved built for home computers including both the PC and Mac platforms. Halo: Combat Evolved was originally planned to be made for the Mac platform. Bungie changed platforms to the upcoming Xbox after being bought by Microsoft. On September 30, 2003, Gearbox Software ported Halo for the PC and added a few extra features, too. Later, a Macintosh version of Halo was made, referred to as Halo Mac.

A demo was also released before the PC version. The game demos and videos that were included in the Xbox version were removed from the PC version.

Features

Multiplayer

Halo PC contained several new features that the Xbox version of Halo lacked, namely the ability to play the game in "Safe Mode". However, Safe Mode was not necessary for the Xbox version because the Xbox has a standard graphics card and does not slow down. The game comes with several exclusive multiplayer additions such as the six new multiplayer maps which are Timberland, Death Island, Gephyrophobia, Danger Canyon, Ice Fields and Infinity, discarded weapons from the Xbox version which are the Fuel Rod Gun and Flamethrower and vehicles such as the Banshees and Rocket Warthog.

The Xbox version did have its equal share of special features as well such as the ability to play split screen multiplayer and co-op in campaign. The PC version was also outfitted with an online multiplayer mode, and a year later with the stand alone custom edition for modding, with downloadable maps from many Internet websites. It was one of the most popular online shooters played until November 2004 before its sequel Halo 2 was released.

Modding

Main article: Halo Custom Edition

The PC community has adopted Halo: PC and began making enormous amounts of modified maps for other users since its release. With another release of a non-supported 3rd party software, Halo: Custom Edition, it increased the popularity of Halo: PC and its players became even more involved into modifying maps.

Reception

Halo PC garnered mixed reactions and received a score of 83% on Metacritic. GameSpot stated that it was "still an incredible action game ... [and] a true classic", awarding it 9.0 out of 10. It received a score of 8.2 out of 10 from IGN, who stated, "If you've played the game on the Xbox, there's not much for you here." Eurogamer called the game "a missed opportunity", but stated that the online multiplayer component was "a massive draw ... for Halo veterans".

Trivia

• Some changes were made from the Xbox version in the graphics; Jackal shields are not different for Major and Minor, and do not change color as they get damaged (which were probably problems that the bitmaps and animations weren't loaded, from a release-time perspective), stationary shields have a different appearance, the reflection of some weapons reduced their strength, and Shades change as well.
• Halo was originally for the Mac, until Microsoft's acquisition of Bungie, which prompted the Xbox, and later, PC version. The game was intended for use on PowerPC Macs, and will crash if used on a newer Intel Mac. Bungie and MacSoft have since released a patch allowing for universal use of the game.
• Halo PC (and its demo, which has attracted a large number of players due to its online play, which is limited to the Blood Gulch map and Silent Cartographer level) has remained incredibly popular since its release. In May of 2007, over 130,000 players played Halo PC online, nearly 4 years after the game's release. Its popularity with PC gamers continues today.
• Halo PC can be played without the CD as of Patch 1.08.
• On Bungie.net, it has been announced that the key code for Halo CE will unlock Visual Flair for your player in Halo Reach, if you have played Halo CE for the PC. Bungie has allowed players to input their CD codes when changing their nameplate on bungie.net to unlock the flair.

Gallery

• 

  Several weapons, such as the Fuel Rod Gun, made it to Halo PC, but not the Xbox version.

• 

  The newly added Flamethrower made its debut in the game.

See also

• Halo: Combat Evolved (Xbox)
• Halo PC in the Microsoft Store
• Mac How.net (for Apple users)