Xbox - The Official Magazine - UK (2019-10)

The landmark shooter in Xbox history is

also one of the greatest launch games of

all time. An astounding statement of intent

for Microsoft’s debut console, Halo: Combat

Evolved is one of the most acclaimed

shooters ever developed.

Combat Evolved is a masterclass in

rapier-sharp shooter pacing. Those first

fights against the Covenant in verdant

valleys; the eerie introduction of the Flood;

that final Warthog chase. Today people

associate Halo with stellar online offerings,

but the original made its name thanks

to one of the best campaigns in shooter

history. John 117, we salute you. Q

HALO: COMBAT

EVOLVED

Q PUBLISHER MICROSOFT GAME STUDIOS /

DEVELOPER BUNGIE / FORMAT XBOX

You just can’t keep a good moustache

down. After years of increasing irrelevance

during its initial World War II stint, Captain

Price, his magnificent soup strainer and the

best-selling shooter series of all time came

back with an almighty bang in 2007.

With a peerless online component,

and the most drum-tight single-player

campaign in years, COD4 was the trigger

finger-enticing total package. Over a

decade on, Modern Warfare’s solo story is

still a marvel. Incredibly paced, brilliantly

lean and desperately tense, COD4 is

arguably the most effective, revitalising

franchise reboot of all time. Q

CALL OF

DUTY 4: MODERN

WARFARE

Q PUBLISHER ACTIVISION /

DEVELOPER INFINITY WARD / FORMAT XBOX 360

ABOVE Combat

Evolved played a

huge part in the

original Xbox’s

success.

FAR RIGHT

Infinity Ward’s

gritty modern

shooter is one

of the most

influential

games ever.

058 THE OFFICIAL XBOX MAGAZINE