Halo: Combat Devolved
UPDATE: Level 2, Halo, is live! This iconic level sets the tone for the rest of the game. It introduces new enemies, vehicles and weaponry in a semi-open world format that the player can explore as they choose. Double down in the fight against the Covenant in the second installment of Halo: Combat Devolved for the Game Boy Color.
On November 15, 2001, Bungie released its legendary first-person shooter for the original xBox. As a longtime fan of Halo: Combat Evolved, I 'm creating a faithful demake for the Game Boy Color using GB Studio.
I'm sharing a demo with the first level, the Pillar of Autumn and have plans to continue adding levels to the project as time allows. Can you blast through the hoards of Covenant boarders and escape the ship alive? What lies ahead on the mysterious ring formation?
You can download the ROM or .pocket files to play on actual Nintendo hardware and the Analogue Pocket, or play the HTML version here in the browser. However, downloading either game file offers the best experience due to sound limitations with the in-browser emulator.
CONTROLS:
Movement: WSAD or arrows
A: Z or J
B: X or K
Select: Shift
Start: Enter
SEE THE MASTER CHIEF IN ACTION:
FootedGhost:
TwoQuickOnes:
Hack Games Longplay Channel:
Download
Comments
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Demakes are so seldom well done. Especially when you're trying to capture FPS on older systems like this. This top-down is so so good! The pace is great. The artwork is great. The controls are great. The level design is great. The dialogue gives story without bogging down gameplay.
I'd pay for this game once you're done. For real! I know the legal stuff for a demake may make that tricky. But if you finish this and have fuel for more, you've definitely got the skills and drive to make high-quality games.
I see in other comments where you stated recently having had twins! Congratulations! Hope you're enjoying them
I dont even know where to start with this, for a fan demake, this is absolutely beautiful. The music being true to tune even in GBC limitations, the details in the sprites, the choice of mechanics like adding strafe in a 2D space, the adaptations in some scenes, the whole thing is just amazing. I've been a fan of Halo myself for years, one of the first major games I played as a kid, but I never imagined it being designed like this. You were aiming for a faithful recreation, and you have nailed it! I'm excited to get into the second chapter, and to see more updates in the future! I'd love to see how you design the Flood and Hunters for later levels based on your other sprites!
Wow, that’s high praise! Thank you so much for playing and enjoying my game. I’m still developing it, that’s for sure. I’m excited for everyone’s favorite level - The Silent Cartographer. I hope you do come back for level 2; I think you’ll really like it. I added Jackals, warthog driving and sniping sections! Plus you can save the three groups of marines … or kill them all like I did with my friends as a kid.
To be fair, Ive always imagined things like this as a kid, and even now as a self taught techie, Im near illiterate on the software side in some cases, especially coding. So for you to make something like this a reality is amazing. Again, Halo on something like the GameBoy, I never would've thought of due to limitations on inputs and mechanics, but you did an awesome job of making it happen! Definitely coming back for the next level when I can! And I will come back for each level as you put them out. Keep up the fantastic work!
Theres a glitch where if you fire the assault rifle and walk to the left on the autumn you will uncontrollably fly out of the map
Thanks for letting me know! Which room were you in?
Heads up, there's a glitch, where if you're firing the assault rifle then switch weapons, you still fire like the rifle but have the headshot chance of the pistol
Thanks for letting me know! I'll look into this.
This is good! Keep up! Can't wait to play the full game!
This is absolutely bad ass. Can't wait for the full release so I can play it on my Game Boy!
This is so incredibly well done! I hope you are still working on this project, and will see it through to the end.
Thank you so much! I admit, dev is kinda non-existant right now because I just became a father of twins :0 But rest assured, I will continue the project as soon as those pint-size Spartans let me sleep through the night.
Completely understand. I stumbled across this because I'm playing through the original game with my 2 kids.
Best of luck! Your family should ALWAYS come first, I hope you are able to find time... eventually. I assure you, kids will love this game.
Put this game on my Miyoo Mini and am enjoying the nostalgia. You have also inspired to try and make something in GB Studio
Great remake, really liked it! Took a little bit to get used to the shooting, but very fun and can't wait to see more!
Thanks so much for playing and for making this video! It's awesome to see other people play it and learn how to improve. It's not the same when I play it myself since I know all the systems and logic behind the immersion.
I play this game with a silly grin on my face! Thanks for all your hard work!
Thank you so much friend! I'm glad you liked it.
Show post...
does it work on dmg gameboy?
Sorry, it doesn't. It might run, but the palettes will look weird in a lot of places.
THE SOUND OF THE GRUNTS DYING WAS LEGIT, ALSO KILLER JOB ON THE SOUNDTRACK AND BACKGROUNDS
Thank you!!
Finally Halo CE for Game Boy, Halo CE is my favorite game since I played the demo and now I'm playing the Game Boy one, it's very entertaining
I literally cannot wait to play Level 2 on my Analogue Pocket; I loved the first level and the inspired choices to pay homage to the original HCE game, so really excited on the added second level 🤘🏽🔥
Heck yeah, brother. Enjoy it!
Great work, I love the firing/health mechanic. Feels very intuitive. Strafing is great too.
I appreciate it! Glad you liked it.
Is there a developer blog I can follow for updates. Loved the demo!
Thank you so much! Yep, I'm active on the GB Studio discord. I post on a few of the channels and have a WIP thread for core updates. I'm about 75% done with level 2 and there's plenty to see - warthog, sticky grenades, jackals.
I'll check it out! Thanks for sharing :)
Wow bro, this is so cool. If only I can make this level kind of game. Even if it’s a remake. I can see ALL THE HARD WORK you put in this. I haven’t even learned how to do colored version in GB Studio yet. Hopefully next time I can. Or maybe I should convert my game into colored already. Congrats on this creation of yours!
Very kind words! I appreciate it!! Making your systems and assets for others is a fantastic way to teach yourself the engine. Hit up the discord, too. There is no shortage of nice people there who want to help. And feel free to DM me on Reddit or Discord if you want to talk through color mode or anything.
Thanks man! Will definitely ask you for help once I try color mode sooner or later. :)
very good remake
Really enjoyed the game although it was a little frustrating, but fun
Have you got any kickstarter page? And, it will be physic edition?
Can't wait to see finished product
needs some bug fixing. I got stuck once
Its a great start but it needs a bit of work on the monochrome for original Gameboy. Many things go solid dark when its on the DMG instead of color Check with an emulator that has a Gameboy Only mode instead of just with Super Gameboy or Gameboy color emulation. Looking forward to you contiuing the game demake.
Thank you for the kind words! You are right, it actually doesn't support DMG and is made to be a GBC title only. I should add a splash screen that informs the player of this when inserted into a DMG
Awesome stuff, man! I would love to see a fully completed game one day, with all the campaign levels. The gameplay, AI, and soundtrack are all done so nicely. Keep it up!
This is just awesome! The idea of a portable version of Halo, let alone on a Game Boy, is really cool. You made it work well within the limitations. I look forward to seeing more levels being added.
could someone explain to me what makes this 'impressive' aside per-enemy AI and custom text window?
great job dude keep it up :D
Great game
Very fun, the combat is super cool and I love the strafing mechanic. Excited to see more!
This is not only one the most impressive demakes I’ve seen, but also one of the best uses of GB studio. The level of detail in the artwork is just amazing! I can’t wait for more levels. Phenomenal work!!
Well made and it feels like what could be released if halo was made for the gameboy color!
Well done!
Really impressive first level, got surprised by the flickering light section, I don't think I ever saw someone do this in GBS yet, and the enemy AI is really well thought and at the end straight-up funny once you killed their Elite haha. Thanks for this amazing work ;)
Haven't played anything GBStudio related in a while and whoa, things have gone leaps and bounds haha. Loved the use of the voice clips, the flashing-light section was real cool to see and the strafe mechanic was a real cool addition. Lookin' forward to see this get added to, awesome work.
incredible!!!! Please make more levels I need this in my life
An impressive little demo. Really like the art!
I liked it!!!