Systems: Xbox360
ESRB Rating: T (for Teen)
Introduced to the world in 2001 as Halo: Combat Evolved, millions of video gamers around the world flocked to local gaming retail stores to purchase the new sensation. Now seen as a major achievement in the science fiction shooter genre, the Halo franchise recently released its newest independent title, Halo Wars. Being the first game in the series to not focus on recognizable icon Master Chief, Halo Wars takes a stab at a prequel setting of 20 years before the events of Halo: Combat Evolved.
With the human race in the middle of a war with the alien race known as the Covenant, players are thrown head first into the human colony of Harvest. With the mystery as to why the Covenant has remained on the planet for more than six years, players are charged with finding the answer to that question. Centering on protagonist Captain James Cutter, the ensemble of marines and Spartans (a group of enhanced super soldiers) do not even come close to holding a candle to Master Chief and the cast of previous characters. With a game play time of 15-20 hours, Halo Wars spends more focus on the new Real Time Strategy, or also known as RTS, aspects than story development.
However, as quick as character interactions are, the RTS elements of the game emerge as oddly addicting. Stepping away from the previous installments of first person shooter, game creator Ensemble Studios incorporates the strategic elements of a RTS into an easy to use and understand game play. As players take control of the marines or Covenant aliens, basic missions are plotted out to achieve in ways they see fit. Veteran RTS players will probably walk away from Halo Wars somewhat disappointed as levels of challenges are not mind blowing. Taking the open ended viewing of the world map from RTS’s on computers are sadly not also present, often presenting a feeling of restraints and limited access to the surroundings around them. Although this adds a damper to the overall feel of Halo Wars, newcomers to the RTS field of game play will experience a relatively easy game to begin exploring the genre in.
While the overall appeal of Halo Wars may be short lived in the long haul, the game presents a fun escape into the Halo franchise for both newcomers and veterans alike. With creator Ensemble Studios now disbanded, gamers will most likely have to wait awhile before seeing new downloadable content. However, with anticipated content promised in the future, Halo Wars proves to be an enjoyable addition to any video game collection. Though Captain James Cutter proves to be no Master Chief, Halo Wars will most likely go down in history as the only RTS game with the beloved Spartan warriors the world has come to love time and time again.
Overall Score: 8 out of 10
