Two downloadable content packs were released for the game by Robot Studios, which handled post release support of the game, until March 2010 when the newly formed 343 Industries took over all support. Shortly after the release of the game, the news broke that Microsoft Studios was shutting down Ensemble Studios. Ensemble Studios also took extra care of the game's controls to ensure that the often-complex actions of an RTS are easy to deal with on the Xbox 360 controller. Some of the specific graphical touches in the game, like getting a scoreboard at the end of each game, the menu system, basic UI and the style of multiplayer lobbies are evocative of other games in the series. During the development, Ensemble Studios stayed in contact with Bungie, creators of the Halo series, to ensure the game retained the proper look and feel.

The game was developed by Ensemble Studios, best known for their work on the Age of Empires series, and is an Xbox 360 exclusive. It begins in year 2531, twenty years prior to the events of Halo: Combat Evolved, and documents the Covenant eradication of the Outer Colonies during the Human-Covenant War. There’s also a greatbattle mode, dedicated maps for 1v1,2v2 and 3v3 skirmishes and a version of Firefight that can be played solo or co-op against waves of relentless AI forces, only ending with your extinction.Halo Wars is a real-time strategy game set in the Halo Universe. In addition to Deathmatch and Domination – which are perfect for those who enjoy base-building – there’s a new quick-fix mode called Strongholds where you can recruit as many units as you wish, provided you keep expanding to increase your population cap. You might expect Creative Assembly to use their Total War: Warhammer expertise to overhaul the multiplayer side of things, and it shows. In fact, getting your hands on Forerunner tech can be an unexpected gamechanger if it comes your way. Finally, although there’s no sign of the Flood in this game, don’t assume that Covenant and UNSC are the only technologies available. The first time you hear your all-terrain Warthogs crunching gravel while turning, or your powerful Spartans slicing through enemies like butter, you’re right back in the core Halo experience. This is a game packed with familiar lore, high production values (including some stunningly atmospheric cut-scenes) and units that look and feel just like their FPS equivalents. Photograph: Microsoftīut focusing on what the user interface (UI) may lack is to ignore all the great things that come from the Halo part of this unholy alliance. This is a game packed with familiar lore, high production values and stunningly atmospheric scenes. Indeed, the AI does a pretty good job of taking care of units when you’re off fighting somewhere else, although it’s less reliable when it comes to attacking, something needs to be micromanaged more closely. Pathfinding is much improved on last time, even with all the alternative routes available. There are only two resources to worry about (supplies and energy), and only a handful of modular buildings, each with their own upgrade paths. Speaking of bases, HW2 retains its pared-down approach to buildings and resource management. In fact, a defiantly sluggish cursor remains the biggest blot on the UI.

You can also create squads, though this never feels as instinctive as simply looping them together with a PC mouse and allocating a hot key. Maps tend to be smaller than a traditional RTS, but even so it can be hard to keep track of what’s going on, despite judicious use of the D-pad to switch quickly between bases, units or flashpoints. If you can grab a bunch of nearby units, or double-tap the button to select ‘all units’ – which is what most people will resort to just to see Halo Wars 2 at its most aggressive and bombastic. To select a single unit click A then X to deploy, attack or garrison that location, or Y to activate special weapons and moves. Halo Wars 2 takes the old interface and tweaks it in just the right places. All about that baseĪ console RTS is always going to stand or fall on how well it copes with troop management.

If you’ve never played an RTS before, this means collecting resources, building various combat units and directing them out on the terrain to do battle with enemy craft, attempting to out-build, out-manoeuvre, and out-gun your foe in every mission. Photograph: MicrosoftĪfter a disappointingly on-rails opening mission, the game throws you straight into the fray – so you’re well advised to try the two excellent tutorial missions to get ready for the first hurdle: learning to live with the UI. Halo Wars 2 includes a range of multiplayer modes.

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