IGN: Halo Wars Review

Halo Wars deftly dodges between the hardcore micromanagement of real-time strategy and the instant gratification expected by Halo fans. Ensemble has nailed console RTS controls, but at the expense of some depth. The campaign missions often seem overly scripted and the experience doesn't have the wide-open feel of some other RTSs. But the Halo feel is most definitely present, and serves as one of the game's biggest strengths. The cinematic cutscenes are gorgeous, if the narrative is somewhat thin in places. Overall, Halo Wars is a fresh and expertly polished approach to the console strategy genre, and it's a fitting goodbye from a beloved studio.

[tatotiburon]

Nice score, can't wait for this

[BRACHATTACK]

Yep, good score.

Looks like a pretty solid 8 across the boards, not bad for a console RTS.

[Monchichi025]

The demo totally convinced me to buy this game. Being a Halo fan but absolutely HATING RTS games I was not looking forward to this game. Now it's a day one purchase.

I'm guessing it was simplified and made straightforward for people like me. and since there are a lot more casual gamers like me then hardcore RTS fans, I'm guessing it was a great business move by Ensemble.

Happy Gaming!!

[Anon1974]

LOTH BFME II also received good scores, but in playing it I just found I didn't like RTS on the console. Maybe one day, if my 360 lives long enough I'll pick up a used copy of this and give it a shot, but there's still too many other great games out at the moment that I actually want to play. Games I'm on the fence about can wait.

[Harry Pothead]

I thought 8 was bad? Oh wait you guys grew up, its about damn time! Now i can have fun in the open zone, without hurting someones feelings and lose my bubbles.

[Aquanox]

8.5 in average is very good for the genre, especially in consoles.

First day buy for me.

[Bnet343]

Already paid off the game, can't wait.

[Lifendz]

An 8 or higher for a console RTS is great. Most hardcore Halo fans I know are skipping it. My cousin downloaded the demo and deleted it after two playthroughs. When/if I get my 360, the first game I'm playing is Halo 3. I doubt I'd ever think about getting this. Not because its a bad game but because I think Halo is best as an FPS and have no interest to play an RTS version of it. But what do you think.

Agree: I'll rent it but probably won't buy it.
Disagree: I love Halo and the Halo universe. Buying this one for sure.

[BRG9000]

What do I click for "I'm not particularly hooked on the Halo universe, but played the demo and it was one of the better RTSs I've played on a console so I'm going to buy it." Report?

[EL MAESTRO]

I like halo and this even though not FPS its a nice fresh spinoff. on another note, has anyone notice the new terms of use in facebook. I deleted my account and encourage everyone to do so, this MIGHT have been a move by the goverment with the same of excuse (terrorism protection) or maybe a move by corporate to therefore bombard us with advertising, either way its a move that facebook did or is goin to permatnetly do. REMOVE YOURSEVES FROM SLAVERY, REMOVE YOURSELF FROM FACEBOOK.

[jammy_70]

360 exclusive review n4g comments are so much different to the ps3 exclucive review n4g comments lol

good score... thou im not a halo fan.

[1ikedamaster]

@Darkride

We know, you will never be convinced. Resist the temptation to troll though.

[MrJack]

Nothing? Then why aren't reviews saying so, why should PS3 exclusives be forced to take games to another level, whilst Xbox games get a seemingly free pass?

[Nonsense 4 Gamers]

I remember when LBP got a 9.5 from IGN you were trolling around saying "9.5 FLOP!" but suddenly 8.4 is a "great score"

[caladbolg777]

Receiving an 8.4 is extremely generous. IMO, 8.4 is a GREAT score and, sadly, Halo Wars is not a GREAT game. It's more worthy of a 6.5 or 7.0, in my opinion, which is still a GOOD score but not a GREAT one.

[cayal]

Pretty good score considering the previous RTS on consoles. Sounds like it was done right.

Though not getting it, since I do not like the genre.

[Fiona]

Looks good. still on the fence, so i might give it a rental and see how it goes. The demo didnt do it for me. But its been getting pretty good reviews. so i might give it a chance.

[Zeus Lee]

A solid 8,definitely worth a rental.

[RUPITY]

I can't believe Garnett lee said this would revolutionize console RTSs

[Kushan]

Perhaps revolutionise is the wrong term, but I think it definitely does a lot for Console RTS. Until now, Console RTSs have been little more than PC RTSs with a weird control scheme. Pretty much every Console RTS claimed to have a control scheme that "worked well" on consoles, but I think there's more to it than that.
On a PC, it's pretty easy to micro manage. You've got all sorts of key combinations you can use to trail troops, designate them a team/regiment, build your base, etc. but on a Console, you've just got the pad to work with and suddenly that Micromanagement becomes tedious at best.
Halo Wars seems to have stripped away a lot of this and given console goers the "bare basics" of an RTS game, the core elements and that's not a bad thing at all, it works and it means most consolers that never played RTSs before should be able to pick it up and get to grips with it easily enough. It's what Halo did for FPS games, cut them down a bit and focused on making it just casual enough that it works on consoles.

[Jdoki]

Good post Kushan.

Developers need to stop thinking in terms of shoehorning 'traditional' RTS mechanics in to a console, and instead do as Ensemble have done and build an RTS for a console from the ground up.

There's plenty of innovation to be found in the console RTS genre. Devs just need a bit of creative lateral thinking.

I haven't had chance to try the demo yet, and will reserve judgement until I do - games with Halo attached tend to get over-rated in my humble opinion - so I'm cautiously optimisitc...

[titntin]

Sorry Kushan but I absolutely have to disagree.

I've just had a 5 hours playing the full game and it simply hasn't got the depth or the controls you need to make a game like this play well. The unit selection options are simply not good enough to give orders to the correct units in the heat of the battle, and many tried and tested strategic elements of the RTS game are completely missing.
To suggest this is better than CC3 or even Battle for middle earth is plain wrong. Those titles took a game with depth of control and made them work well on a console. This game has dumbed down the RTS to the extent where it feels like your playing a script- go here, do this, build this - fight!
Its simply not as enjoyable an RTS as others on the same system. If you cant' get enough of halo, then I'm sure you'll love the story, which is the strongest element and presented beautifully, but the core gameplay, rather than adding anything the genre, has removed the sense of freedom and tactics that make RTS games so much fun. The 'S' stands for strategy - heavily scripted and linear designed levels don't leave you much in the way of choice at all for strategy.

You can call it a good game if you will, but trying to assert that its simply the best console RTS means one of two things: You haven't actually played this yet, or you haven't actually played any other console RTS yet.

[Kushan]

tintin, you would have made an excellent point had I have said that Halo Wars was the best Console RTS out there.

I never said it was the best, what I said was they made a game that was a more casual RTS, a game that people who weren't big on RTSs with depth could pick up and enjoy without much trouble. Yeah, if you are big on RTS games, you're only going to see it as a dumbed-down RTS without much depth - a lot of FPS fans (particularly those on PCs) said the same about Halo (After all, "FPS" on the PC meant something like Deus Ex or System Shock, very deep games), but on the same note that's kind of the idea of the seires, you relax on your sofa in front of a big TV and just have a quick blast of fun. I think Halo Wars pulls that off well.
Best RTS ever? Probably not, but I stand by my statement that it'll do a lot for RTS games on consoles, you know, like a stepping stone for people who aren't big on PC gaming and never considered other strategy games before, or maybe didn't like them because they were "too complicated".

[titntin]

Fair enough mate - no one is wrong, I'm just offering an alternative viewpoint having just played the full game for many hours.

Your right of course that many non RTS gamers will play this - but not becuase of any 'accessability issues', but because its in the Halo universe. Whilst they might well enjoy the experience they have, my concern is that they won't experience the freedoom and depth of stratagey that usually makes these kind of titles so compelling, and I think thats a shame. Of course it won't matter enourmously, as long as people have fun, and the game will no doubt sell monsterously!

People not monster fans of the halo universe and seriously into RTS titles, will be a very small number in comparison to the many who will love it. But that is who I am, and for the small few of us like me, its a little dissapointing how much its dumbed down. Thats all I'm saying.

[Bnet343]

I wouldn't say revolutionized, but more of, setting a standard for RTS games on consoles.

[JokesOnYou]

I do think you make a great point tintin but I agree largely with Kushan. First let me say that I'm not much of a RTS fan so I can't say that I have a ton of experience to base my judgement on; the first RTS I ever played was the original C&C on PC like 10+ yrs ago, I really enjoyed it and for the most part it wasn't very complicated, since then I dabbled in a few RTS's like AoE over the years but found them less and less likeable because of all the needed micro-management. Also alot of console RTS ports have claimed to be "user-friendly" for consoles, C&C:TW was the first I actually gave a shot and brought for 360 the controls aren't bad but I didn't think they were really intuitive, I think LOTR was close but they didn't nail it imo so other than those two I haven't even touched any of the other console RTS's and haven't even looked at PC ones in years.

Now with Halo Wars the controls are great imo, its accessible and fun, so while the "S" is definitely for strategy maybe the "dumbed down" approach to making a console *Strategy game is what I've always really wanted, either way I don't think giving you simplified controls over more complicated controls equals somehow less strategy, I think its more about preference and somewhat a different focus from being a all out "build, manage, fight" traditional RTS, where I feel Halo Wars is definitely more focused on the fight element. The demo assured me that you don't have to micro-manage a RTS to make it fun and finally its a vivid example that controls in a console RTS could work so well. I can see how this might be the same reason that "serious" RTS fans may not love it, but I think both of these concepts go hand in hand are the whole reason Halo Wars appeals to me. The fact that its set in the Halo Universe is just icing on the cake.

JOY

[Blademask]

Many blind FPS fans are going to be let down on just buying this due to the name, MS should do a better job explaining what it is to the general halo audience, eitehr way.

It is a slightly modified version of traditional RTS's. I think its more approachable than say, red alert. Glad to see Edge is smoking crack as usual.

[edgeofblade]

To me, this is doing for console RTS what Civ Rev did for Civ games. Make it digestible on a console while focusing on fun and deep mechanics.

@titntin:

It might be dumbed down and scripted on the campaign... but the alternate is having a series of bot matches that play no differently than skirmishes. The skirmishes are what I'm really looking forward to. But you seem to get the point that it's plenty fun and it's deep enough to draw in crowds that don't normally play RTS. Think of it as a gateway RTS.

[titntin]

@ JokesOnYou
thanks for the reasoned comments! I pretty much agree with what you say.
The only thing I would like to 'elaborate on' is that its not the control scheme that I believe lessens the strategic element of the title, as you suggested. Rather its several other things that combine to rob the game of many strategic elements I personally enjoy:-

1) The design and scripting of the campaign levels makes how you deal with each level a linear experience planned by the designer, not a set of objectives that you can explore different strategies to try and achieve in the best way. I'm only half way through the campaign so maybe this changes in the second half of the game.

2) No gathering of resources (they are dropped straight into the base), so theres no tactics involved in maintaining your supply line or attacking an enemies which is classic RTS strategic planning.No exploration of far flung corners of the world map in order to gain an advantage over you enemy by claiming a remote resource that helps tip the balance.

3) You cannot create bases anywhere except at the one or two places that are predefined for you. There is no strategic skill in choosing a good defensible location, or a location near resources, good for defense etc. You also can only use predefined slots to create resource buildings - not a huge issue but still a removal a choice that could be strategic in other titles.

4)You cannot group together a series of strategically matched vehicles and units and then call them up as a group. This is a major failing as you often need to balance the strengths and weaknesses of a battle group to ensure you are not vulnerable to particular attack type. In this game, to achieve this, I'm having to individually select vehicles and units and send them to a clear area of map to form the group so that I can frame the map window with just them in sight and then do a local select. Its tedious and time consuming, and destroys the flow, but without it you just try and churn out one of evertyhting and throw it all forward - no strategy at all! :)

As I say - for those new to stratagey games, none of this will be anything they miss or even care about, and good luck to them! But I'm not the only person who enjoys and plays RTS games, and many people who do like the strategic aspects of this genre will be a bit disapointed with the above points, which make the title a lot less 'strategic'. You might say it more consoley, but I regret that people assume console games should be more brain dead - I would have loved to see this game require thoughful deep stratagey, and I think if it had, it could have done very well for itself and attracted some of the millions of people who play this genre on PC only!

[Mogabu]

Is there a mode where you can just go you vs cpu and build a base and fight or is it all linear mission style?

[RUPITY]

Or was it David Ellis anyways one of those guys was wrong,I think Brad Shoemaker isnt a big fan of this game judging by the latest giantbombcast

[frayer]

This'll be on renting queues for awhile....

[Dpa]

I have to be the first to say OMG FLOOOP.

Nah im kidding, im buying it, enjoyed the demo.

[Harry Pothead]

CONFIRMED HALO WARS IS TRASH, HALO WARS IS ALREADY IN TEH BARGAIN BIN BUY 1 GET 3 FREE FOR 6.99$ FLOP!!ONE!!1!1!!!!!

[Bill Gates]

.

[cryymoar]

i'm sure there will be a fanbase for this game and possibly a sequel. 8.4 isnt bad.
i think we all knew it wasn't gona score A or A+.
good try though.
Starcraft FTW

[blackbeld]

IGN big fan of 360 gave 8,4 hahaha.. Gamespot gave it a 6,5 hahaha.. That means Halo wars is a MEGA FLOP!!!

The end of 360 is near... This year they will end 3e place.. if they not trying to get better AA games then they will be 3e place very soon.

[frayer]

8 point flop...

[BGDad]

HA HA if Killzone is a flop at 9.5; then this game should be in the bargain bin in 2 months or less LMAO...

Way to go Microsoft, run outta games to buy? Chaaaa Chingggg

EPIC FAILING FLOP

[Foxgod]

wow, even ign gave it 8+
Must play this, sounds like its at least as good as dawn of war 2 on pc.

[Jdoki]

Whoa there buddy! Lets not get ahead of ourselves! :)

[Rampant]

I still think it's unfair to put PC-RTS' and Console RTS' in the same category. RTS on PC was this simple years ago, and has evolved to be more advanced with a lot of micro management. Halo Wars does the opposite, keeping the basebuilding, resource management and battles simple.

[edgeofblade]

The ability to select all and shift between the unit classes, the quick shortcuts on the d-pad, and the quick base building structure is what makes this work. They did their research.

If you watch the demo main menu, lots of tips will roll by. Those tips give you an idea just how deep the game really is.

I'm expecting Covenant Campaign DLC and Flood DLC in the future.

Humans, pious nuts, and an all consuming race. Sounds a lot like the factions of Starcraft, doesn't it?

[Gobuz]

As good as Dawn of War 2? lol, you made a funny.

[Foxgod]

For the Halo haters out there:

So far only 0.8 difference in scoring averagely with holy KZ2 :)
And that for an RTS.
Eat that!

[Pennywise]

I have something for you to eat.

avg is 8.4 right now. L2Math.

[Foxgod]

Yes, and if you can count, 8.4 + 0.8 = 9.2

9.2 = KZ2 = marginal difference with Halo wars.

[Pennywise]

Call me when this game gets 50+ reviews. Call me when it scores a 100/100.

BTW Meta = 8.0. 9.2-8.0 = 1.2. Eat that.

Only where this games average is going is DOWN.

[Mr_Bun]

I hope your lack of education doesn't represent the rest of the 360 fanboy demographic.

[Foxgod]

Here in the Netherlands the educational level is a lot higher then the rest of EU and most of USA, so i wouldnt talk too much about education, especially since i work on master degree level as a software tester.

and if you havent notice, KZ went down the more reviews came in, Halo is actually scoring higher with every review so far.

most of the latest scores have not been added to meta yet, so lets not bring meta up you shallow lil boy.
Cause like i said, the average is going up now with every review added, while KZ2 keeps falling.

[Doctor_Doom]

KZ2 and Halo wars both are good .

Be a Gamer ^^

[lokiroo420]

Bragging about the education in the netherlands, fail! I didnt know "software tester" was a degree, lmao.

[YonasJonas]

If you're not counting meta then what are you counting? Because the N4G average of K2 is 9.3 bucko. If you'd done a three second search you'd at least know that much. Now I'm not here to say an 8.4 is bad by any means, but a .9 difference is basically a point, which is quite a lot when it comes down to it. A point difference often dictates a must buy from a rental for a lot of people out there. More importantly that point is what often ultimately defines if it's a AAA game or not.

Personally I could really care less as I own both systems, and only K2 interests me. If I'm going to play a si-fi space RTS it's going to be Starcract 2.

[dustgavin]

Foxgod....just stop right now, please. You are just embarrassing yourself.

[Mr_Bun]

I can't imagine you being any form of an accomplished "software tester" as you don't seem to do your 'homework'.

A simple view of my profile would inform you that I am not from the US either, but I suppose someone who is as uninformed as you wouldn't care about a little thing called 'facts'.

[Pennywise]

Master degree as a software tester? lol

I've earned by self-issued software testing degree on my own.

You need to earn your AA in common sense.

[Foxgod]

No, the level is work on is master degree, you can be masters educated, but still do crappy work.
I do a job that actually requires your brain, and from the comments i get i can tell you people hardly have any professional experience at all, let alone that you people can tell what software testing is about.

enfin, i never claimed you are from the us, i just stated the dutch schooling systems are head and shoulders above that of most of europe and most of usa.
Read next time, i dont like people who make a fool out of themselves, its hard for me to take people like that seriously.

and i do my homework fine, i never failed a ICT test so far.

[Fiona]

wow omg, even i have to say that is a lame comment.

[Mr_Bun]

I know...you got your masters from "software testing for dummies".

You never claimed I was from the US?...Apparently your "masters" wasn't in English as you typed:

"Here in the Netherlands the educational level is a lot higher then the rest of EU and most of USA, so i wouldnt talk too much about education"

See the part where you typed "so I wouldnt talk too much about education"...That is a direct infer where you imply that I am from the EU or USA...Maybe you should work on "English for dummies"

As for using "enfin", maybe you should stick to french...it suits your unfounded arrogance better!

[Pennywise]

"Read next time, i dont like people who make a fool out of themselves, its hard for me to take people like that seriously."

You must hate yourself.

[fishd]

Foxgod lives in Netherlands
Mart lives in Netherlands
Hmmm...Aren't you guys same person by any chance?

[Foxgod]

Indeed, you said it yourself, EU or usa, so i never implied your from usa, and it was never to say your from the usa or eu either, it was to imply that dutch educational standards are some of the highest in the well respected usa and the EU.
Your intepratation is just way off, so off its lame.
And that you try to discuss about it makes you a fool.

And no, we are not the same person.
mart owns a ps3, i wouldnt know what to do with a ps3.

[Mr_Bun]

The only "fool" here is you....you got caught not only trying to insult Most of EU/USA, but caught assuming. You can pretend that you are right I guess.

Speaking of fool:

"And no, where not the same person."

Maybe you got the french version of "English for Dummies", but "where" does not = "we're/we are".

What will you do with your last bubble?...Will you:

1.Give us more ammo only further proving your idiocy
2.Inform us that you have a lot of friends on Facebook
3.Deny that your avatar name is "Foxgod"
4.Learn from your mistakes and keep your moronic comments to your self?

I am going with #1.

[Foxgod]

there i fixed it, you want to learn some dutch ?
anyway, yeah i gave an insult to most of the eu/usa, cause their educational level is sub par compared to the dutch level.

[Pennywise]

This guy really takes the cake for dumbest poster. Everything he says just proves how dumb he is. He is carrying on about his edumication and he says: "And no, where not the same person."

I dont care where you are from and what your first language is... if you are going to carry on about how smart you are in english than you are held to the same standards as any 3rd grader.

"mart owns a ps3, i wouldnt know what to do with a ps3." You could be a hypocrite like him, but I am sure your PS3 wouldnt tolerate you making love to it like you do with your 360.

[Mr_Bun]

I already know Dutch...wooden shoe, wooden think, wooden listen.

And it looks like I was right going with #1....I win a new addition to my ignore list!

[Queers of War]

foxgod, before you try to spin and make this flop of a game look good

KZ2 - AAA
Gaylo Wars - No

"omgz wow 8+ for halo warz, good scorez" LOLOLOL

if kz2 got that score from IGN you'd be calling it a flop, wouldn't you b*tch?

[Bob Dole]

Damn that comment made Bob Dole laugh so hard... bubble up buddy, and don't even say "I'm not your buddy guy!". Cause Bob Dole's not your guy friend!

[Microsoft_Spokesman]

LOL, keep spinning.

[queerbearandchicken]

get foxgod's bubbles! troll

[snipermk0]

Foxgod = Killzowned!

[Hercules]

good score, i was expecting sevens..but no one is perfect..im sure the game will sell either way

happy gaming!!!

uncharted2 ftw!!!

[Strikepackage Bravo]

have gotten a 8.7 but this will do I guess. I will have to read the review.

[Jdoki]

Are you serious? :) Because that extra 0.3 would have made so much difference?

[Cartesian3D]

if you like RTS games and havent a decent PC its a must buy not just a rental.. .. imo its good to see this genre on consoles

Im a RTS fan (Blizzard fan in other word) and cant imagine myself playing a RTS on console, but may be these kind of games with some innovation in gameplay make people love this genre on Consoles.

Good Bye essemble studio :( .. hope to see them again as an independent studio

[Kushan]

They already are back under a different name. In fact, they're doing support for Halo Wars and everything.

[gamesmaster]

Robot.. or something like that i believe

[123360]

is any real 360 halo gamer that excited,there was a couple of my friends who down loaded the demo big halo fans,they were a little bemused by the idea,i can,t think of any one who,s getting it.its to different thats the problem.

[Imallvol7]

It's a solid RTS thats GREAT for the console. THe cutscenes are awesome. Definitely worth it. I just don't have the money right now . . . Killzone :).

[CID]

He even beats pp and the Mart
oh btw 84 = FLOP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Pennywise]

Its hard to make people dislike you more than Mart or pp. I agree. He is on the top of most annoying, dumb people on N4G.

[Mikerra17]

but I have to say anything above an 80 shouldent be called a flop

even if this game scored a 60 halo fans would pounce on it and sell millions, this game was created for profit and thats it

[Magic_The_Celt]

8.FLOP LMFAO

[chidori666]

lmaoooooo FLOP WARS!!!!! :)

[nix]

btw my comment is 7/10 'cause there's nothing new.

[Doctor Strange]

It still sucks that Ensemble studios is no more, at least they went out with one last good game.

[gameman]

this is a fact whether you like it or not

[gameman]

and it will sell like hell and that's just cause of halo name on the cover i bit most who will buy it will play it only for a week and then the trade store here we come

[tonywood]

Just like Ninja Gadien 2, Mass Effect, and Too Human sold a lot. In NG2 case, this is a flat out discrase to 360 gamers! I played it on my buddies 360, and the game was sweet. (You would know if you look at the sale numbers.)

360 heads only like the online shooters. In fact, I heard that Japan is using their 360's as furniture! (LOL) MS will rebound from this though...I mean, they will just get the 360 noobs with more DLC content for older games and try to pass Halo Recon off as a NEW title. MS laughed all the way to the back with the Left 4 Dead port....a 3 hour game for $49.99 hu? The noobs bought it too. (LOL)

[PureGamer]

cannot wait for it.

[titntin]

opps meant to reply!

[Ldubbz]

Why is "oops" commonly typoed as "opps"? I do that sometimes myself, and its sweet irony...

[tonywood]

Man, it doesn't matter if 360 brought out an RPG with naked Sports Illustrated swimsuit models. These types of game don't appeal to 360 fans because they aren't real gamers, only FPS online players.
(I know..that's breaking news!!) People who got Xbox systems, only care about Halo, Gears, and Call of Duty....look at the numbers. Out side of this, MS is using smoke and mirrors to sell systems. NInja Gadien, Fable, Mass Effect, and Too Human would have killed on the PS3. Getting Resident Evil won't help the 360 because people are not trying to play this type of game. (Look at the wasted money on SF4....Yea, it's not selling like crap, but the cost/benifit isn't as good as the "so called" failed PS3 system.)

Bottom line, the chink in the armor is showing for MS. Better hurry up and bring out the Halo Recon expansion (don't be fooled, it is indeed a expansion and NOT a new game. Although, I'm sure, as usual, MS will charge like you "noobs" like it is!), and Gears of War 3. May need to send strippers to the developers of God of War and Grand T., just to keep in the game. How much money did MS waste on this?

[Ldubbz]

I dont speak troll, but hopefully I can convey this to you in a language you can understand.

Your opinion is worthless.

[Condemnedman]

WOW I'm stunned I just read through the comments and mostly no nasty stuff :} I agree with kushan this is not my cup of tea normally but i played demo and may give it a wizz at some point because its simple to get into .

SPOKE TO SOON DONKEY POSTER ABOVE "sigh" idiot

[tonywood]

If you buy this game, don't cry about getting ripped off. RPG's are not 360's strong suit. This Halo game isn't going to sell....most 360 heads know that. What will happen is that the modders will burn this game, and pass it around. These guys need to bring out AlanWake and the Halo Recon expansion. That's right, EXPANSION!! why do you think MS hasn't released any in-game footage? Because noobs.....it's Halo 3. (LOL)

O.K., here's a great idea. some no-named guy will fall out of the sky, bend down to tie his shoe, and sudently....his team has left him. (A situation that only happens to little kids, shopping with their parents. NOT ELITE SPECIAL FORCES SOLDERS, you Bungie idiots!) Why not just say that Master Chief had a child out of wedlock, with one of the flood enemies. Or even better...CMD Keys didn't really die, he was merely "turned"!! Now, he is after Master Chief for letting his daughter die, and is also pissed because of his military pension! (LOL) This Halo RPG is about as bad an idea as Street Fighter and G.I. Joe coming to the big screen.

[jack who]

love the demo its a buy for me

[Power_Of_Flops_]

It would be a buy for me too if I only had a 360 since there's nothing else out now for this dying console.

You can't play Halo 3 during the 10 next years after all.

[WickedSick]

sad bot real sad, when the only game you can think of buying is this piece of crap. I pity you ...

[Traveler]

The demo was pretty good. In the end though, RTS games just aren't my thing. I might pick it up later when the price is lower.

[Traveler]

Pretty good score. The demo was fairly accessible and fun, so I may pick this up eventually.

Also notice how much lower Edge's score for Halo Wars was than the majority. I've said it before and I'll say it again, Edge are too harsh and inconsistent (selectively harsh) to be useful.

[Rhezin]

I'm sure that your level of intelligence would drop if you said that to a US/EU individual in person, seeing as they would bash your already meager brain in.

[Chaoticsoulx]

So, that's really more like a 3 or a 4, considering gamespot is paid by microsoft.

WOW this game must suck so bad.

[Power_Of_Flops_]

And that's before the rest of the 2009 Xbox exclusive lineup :

-
-
-

(I'll fill those lines as soon as Microsoft announces at least one game, even a crappy one like Banjo 2009 or Alan Vaporware, please save us).

[interrergator]

i dont care if it gets a 7.5 im still gettin this i love it and im gona buy it

[dustgavin]

Now watch as Microsoft destroys the Killer Instinct franchise.

[KoB4EMvPi]

Day 1 purchase.
Another SOLID game to add to my 360 library

[Xbots play games]

and IGN gave it 8.4! Easy purchase for Halo fans. I could care less about all of the RTS elitists coming out of no where trying to smear the game. When everyone knows this is the first true console game for the masses and not for the niche.

Fear 2, Star Ocean 4, Halo Wars, Lost and the damned. Yup..Xbox gaming life is good.

[odisho68]

it might be just me but Fear 2 is for the PS3 as well...and when you can find a decent exclusive that comes out after March let me know...the funny thing is that the only exclusive that is worth buying in that list is Star Ocean 4 (HUGE FAN regardless of reviews)

i'll be enjoying killzone 2, uncharted 2, heavy rain, next ratchet & Clank, and whatever else is coming out this year while you're looking for 360's answer to PS3's lineup =)

[Xbots play games]

Who said Fear 2 was an exclusive? It's in MY Elite right now...which is ALL I care about. Like I said earlier life is good right now for Xbox gamers. We have a Fear 2, new RPG (which HUGE fans like yourself can only play on Xbox), Halo Wars, and an official GTA spin-off that's as big as most games on your list. The point is we are playing these now, while all you guys can keep talking about are game that won't be out for at least 8 months to a year. Please Wake me up when that happens.

[Ldubbz]

This game could have been a real diappointment, but its shaping up to be a solid entry to the Halo universe.

I really liked the controls, and the way you build a base. Its much more straightforward, and plays more to console player's taste rather than a PC gamer. Not that a PC RTS fan couldnt play and really enjoy this game, but if youre looking for AoE in a Halo skin look elsewhere.

Ensemble and MS arent dumb, and they know that really hardcore RTS fans arent gonna be satisfied with a console RTS no matter how you do it. BUT, the same thing was once said about FPS...

[Chaoticsoulx]

lol, 360 sucks, all it has is 4 flops, yayyy

[SuperSharpShooter]

Check this out???!!!...

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/...

Now thats what i call sad!! :(

[Power_Of_Flops_]

Now I'm afraid their 2010 only exclusive 'Halo Barbie Girl' will be a flop too.

[lelik]

they just need to start throwing a keyboard and mouse combo in with every rts game and call it "keyboard stratego hero" or something along those lines. that'll get the job done and revolutionize rts.

[OhMyGandhi]

My big problem with RTS's is that I'd rather walk my squad to the next location rather than click an area for them to walk to.
that's it.

[-IronMan-]

The Real Review Gamespot. 6.5/10 Easy Ai, short campaign, no nav points, limited resources, boring, etc.. etc..

No thanks saving my 59.99 for something else.

[bewrong666]

halo fans should rethink, this game needs brain cells to play :P