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this type, but where Halo really is outstanding is in the music department. This is going to sound really strange, but the music is almost film soundtrack-like in its quality. In other, similar games, the music is incidental and fairly bland. Halo's music is completely different (using classical sounding music rather than the obligatory rock) and is quite outstanding, at least in terms of 'game music'.

Sometimes, during the game, the sound is too much though. There's one level where a character called 'Guilty Spark 343' explains quite a bit to you in terms of plot advancement, but you're so busy shooting horrible monsters that you can't actually hear what it's saying to you. I suppose this more of a design issue than a sound issue though.

Gameplay.

As the Master Chief (you're never referred to as anything other than "Master Chief" or a "Class Five"), it's obvious you're really very special; ordinary soldiers look upon you with awe and inquisitiveness when you appear. The reaction of the two people when they're ordered to break you out of hibernation indicates that this is a special occasion and that things can't be going well if this is the result. These little touches add little to the actual gameplay, but add loads to the atmosphere and involvement.

Another point worth considering is that, throughout the game, you are left fairly clueless as to what's going on. That's not to say that you aren't told anything, because you are, but each time you learn a little about the game universe in which Halo is set, you will realise that there's so much more that's left unanswered.

Why have The Covenant attacked humans without provocation? Who built Halo? Why is it abandoned, seemingly empty and in pristine condition? It's the depth of the story which keeps you interested, and keeps you playing. The actual lack of understanding at what's going on (until the later levels, of course) or gaps in the back story are not negative aspects, but show a depth of story which could be unrivalled in computer gaming.

It's not all good though. The actual gameplay is horrendously bad and repetitive. There's rarely a moment where you're faced with a small number of enemy to defeat using skill or stealth. It's almost like a 10 year old game such as Doom where your only goal is to kill as many bad guys/monsters as possible. And that's it! This type of game doesn't appeal to me at all, irrespective of how it's dressed up. I prefer a bit of variety in gameplay and at times, some puzzles to solve

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