Halo: Combat Evolved (Xbox, 2001)

Halo is a popular first person shooter that supports both single and on line play.
This review concentrates mainly on the gameplay itself, so I will start by giving a VERY brief analysis of the non-important aspects, and why they do not matter:
Venue: Space/Scifi: Not important because it has no effect on game play. you still have gravity, air, etc. You are fighting on a ring-shaped world, but it is background decoration. Unless you look up, it's not even scenery.
Plot: You are a good guy, you take orders from a naked purple lady. Not important because: You don't have to know what you are doing. Shoot everything, and run around a lot, and you will get through just fine. The game is fairly linear, it will funnel you the way you need to go.

Beneath the veneer of plot and setting, the game is very well planned.
The gameplay is easy and natural, and translates well across the various platforms. The graphics are crisp and generally interesting. Apart from the "story" plot, the "tactical" plot moves smoothly and logically. Gameplay is easy to master, and you can select your own level of difficulty simply by adjusting your level of engagement. You will probably not die at all for some time, unless you like to "rambo" a lot.
The game wisely limits you to two main weapons, which enforces good logistical planning on the player. The weapons have a balanced trade off of capabilities and limitations, allowing you to adjust your loadout on the fly, to your situation and style of play.
The vehicles are easy to use, and very forgiving. You can drive very poorly and not kill yourself or your passenger. Aside from that, they move realistically and convincingly.
The tactical scenarios escalate by means of confined spaces, ambushes, increasing numbers of assailants, and eventually, respawns. The respawn areas are well thought out, and obviously intended to help pace the game, in which capacity, they are effective.
Other pacing devices include changing the enemies, which helps keep it fresh. In the beginning, your opponents include amusing MDK-style critters, but later your opponents get far more sinister. In this respect, the plot has some value, because it tells you why you are suddenly killing different beings, if that matters to you.

Downers:
The scenarios tend to be INCREDIBLY repetitious. Its like re visiting the same deathmatch arena time after time with different opponents. Or worse, the same ones. At one point when you are following the "guilty spark" (you'll know what I mean) he says "There are ten more doors" and you know, with a sinking feeling, that you have to repeat virtually the same set ten times. Sadly, you are not wrong. Still, if it were not for repetition, you would finish the game in about two afternoons, and that would not feel like your money's worth. Even so, older games like Unreal and Far Cry were able to create widely varied scenarios using a more limited component set than Halo had.
Overall, I liked the game very much, and would recommend it for an easy, fun shooter.
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