Why You Can Trust CNET Halo: Combat Evolved gets surprise launch on PC
Go back to where the battle with the Covenant started.
Get back into the fight, Master Chief.
Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary, a remaster of the game that started the franchise, had a surprise release on PC on Tuesday. Fans can now purchase the game by itself or as part of the Master Chief Collection, which includes the first six games in the series.
Those who purchase Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary can enjoy 60 fps and 4K resolution along with several other PC-centric updates including mouse and keyboard support. There are also new multiplayer match options to keep things competitive or to deliver more fun playing online.
Halo: Combat Evolved is available in the Microsoft Store or Steam for $9.99. Those who have Xbox Game Pass for PC (beta) subscription can also play the game as of Tuesday.
The Halo: Master Chief Collection for PC launched in December for $39.99, but at the time, only had Halo: Reach available. Developer 343 Industries is working through the process of remastering the six original Halo games and releasing them when they're ready. The rest of the series that have yet to be released are Halo 2: Anniversary, Halo 3, Halo 3: ODST and Halo 4.
First developed by Bungie, Halo: Combat Evolved was originally set for release on Macs and PCs, until Microsoft acquired the studio. The developer was then tasked with bringing the game to the Xbox as the console's premiere launch title in 2001. A PC version of the game came later, in 2003. The sequel, Halo 2, was released in 2004 for the Xbox, and its Windows Vista counterpart showed up in 2007. The rest of the series stayed on the Xbox platforms developed by Microsoft's Halo-exclusive developer, 343 Industries.
