Halo Wars

1. ButtonMasher

   22 April 2009

   Halo Wars is the swan song of the now disbanded Ensemble Studios. Responsible for the multi-award winning Age of Empires series, Ensemble were charged with the unenviable task of creating a real-time strategy game without a mouse and keyboard input, while also keeping ardent fans of the Halo universe happy. Ensemble promised much with Halo Wars , claiming that it would be built “from the ground up” for the Xbox 360. Read more

2. Gameplanet

   8.0/10
   26 February 2009

   If you do find yourself getting bored, Skulls have once again been implemented as in Halo 3. These Skulls can be activated to either give your troops some kind of a disadvantage, thus boosting your score, or an advantage if the enemy is too tough. Not to mention Grunts that explode into Confetti and Scarabs that shoot rainbows of pure love, as well as enabling more intense destruction physics. Read more

3. clearnet.co.nz

   
   20 February 2009

   Bungie Studios has spent the last decade refining its winning formula for first-person shooter success with the Halo series. The epic sci-fi saga about humanity's battle for survival against the alien Covenant collective has now spanned three games on Microsoft's Xbox consoles, and that number will only grow in the years to come. Read more

4. CLEARNET

   
   20 February 2009

   Closing Comments 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. Read more

5. AusGamers

   8.0/10
   12 June 2009

   Halo Wars is easily the most competent RTS to grace a console, and it is so because of elegant design. The ethos here was clearly on accessibility and working within the confines of the platform, and for that Ensemble really ought to be applauded. The game is a little short, and does leaving you wanting more (especially because this is Ensemble's last game), but it's satisfying, and the multiplayer and co-op components will keep you coming back. Read more

   • Awesome representation of the Halo universe, Stunning CG sequences, Overall game looks lush, Controls are simplified, but work quite well, Multiplayer is handled very ...
   • Game is just a bit too short, Still not as extensive as a RTS on PC, No Covenant playable missions in the single-player campaign, Ensemble's last game. Ever

1. "Gets better as you go"

   

   10/10
   Reviewer: Mighty Ape
   2 April 2009

   I got this game when I bought my xbox and i was putting off playing it because personally i thought it sounded like rubbish, HOWEVER, i played it for a few hours and found out that it is actually a pretty good game. Then i took it online, personally i found this awesome! even if i kept losing but still, if you like halo then this game is worth a buy, or at least a rent even if you don't like games like Age of Empires and etc. Read more

2. CNET

   

   9.0/10
   Reviewer: Megarath1, CNET
   28 April 2009

   Cnet/ Gamespot aren't giving this game enough credit, sure it isnt perfect but for a strategy game that had heaps of hype and made specifically for the Xbox 360 it is quite good. Read more

   • - Good diversity of Units and upgrade options - immersive single player campaign - Impressive Multiplayer
   • -Short campaign ( no campaign for flood/covenant) but probably DLC. -Could be larger scale battles

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