Halo Wars: Definitive Edition

Released

Release Date: December 20, 2016

Strategy, Science Fiction, RTS, Tactics, Xbox Play Anywhere, Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, Multiplayer, Singleplayer, Internet, Xbox Game Pass Premium, PC Game Pass

An remastered edition of the realm-time strategy game by 343 Industries, originally released in 2009 for Xbox 360 only. Halo Wars: The Definitive Edition is a spin-off of the popular shooter game series Halo, and it's set 20 years before the events of the first installment, when humanity fights against the Covenant Empire, which considers our kind to be an insult to their gods and species.

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7.7

Users

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Plot
Mechanics
Game mode
Technical aspects

Halo Wars for PC and XONE is a remastered edition of the 2009 real-time strategy game Halo Wars released for Xbox 360. The original game was created by Ensemble Studios, while the remastered version was developed by 343 Industries.

Plot

The game is set in 2531, twenty years before the events of Halo: Combat Evolved. It's been six years since the beginning of the war with the Covenant Empire, who deems humanity as an insult to their gods and species, the Forerunner race.

You lead the crew of the space cruiser Spirit of Fire, the members of which include e.g. Captain John Cutter, Sergeant John Forge, xenobiologist Ellen Anders, and a snarky AI Serina. They're sent to the planet Harvest to investigate the Covenant forces' activity. There it quickly turns out that the enemy has discovered a powerful artifacts, which can turn the tide of the war.

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Mechanics

Halo Wars: The Definitive Edition for PC and XONE is a real-time strategy game focusing on the tactical aspect. You see everything from the bird's eye view and the gameplay consists mostly of leading various units to battle. There are two factions in the game — Humanity and the Covenant — and each of them features different units, characteristics, and special abilities. They also have three leaders each, who provide for various technologies. The Covenant leaders appear on the battlefield, while the humanity leaders only give you the bonuses.

Topography and the units' special abilities are the key factors in combat. The strategy system his heavily simplified. You can gather only one resource type, and there aren't many buildings available to construct. However, bases are still important, as this is where you train your troops and research new technologies.

Game mode

Halo Wars: The Definitive Edition for features a story campaign with many cutscenes. You can visit many alien planets and learn the answers to many questions that Halo fans have been asking since the release of Halo: Combat Evolved in 2001. This mode allows you to play on humanity's side only.

There is also a skirmish mode, where you can play against another player or the AI. This mode allows you to choose from both factions.

Technical aspects

The first edition of Halo Wars was released in 2009; compared to it, the remastered edition features heavily enhanced visuals, utilizing the capabilities of PC and XONE. The game runs in higher resolution and features new visual effects, while the textures are now of higher quality. The online options have also been expanded.

Platforms:

PC Windows

Xbox One

Developer: Halo Studios / 343 Industries

Publisher: Xbox Game Studios / Microsoft Studios

Age restrictions: none

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Game Series

18GAMES

Halo Game Series

The best-selling series of first-person shooters (FPS) in the atmosphere of space opera. The brand is in the hands of Microsoft, for which games in the series Halo are among the most important items for Xbox family consoles.

Halo Game Series

Features

Downloads

Top downloads for Halo Wars: Definitive Edition Video Game:

All Downloads

System Requirements

System Requirements for Halo Wars: Definitive Edition Video Game:

PC / Windows

Minimum System Requirements:
Intel Core i3 2.4 GHz, 4 GB RAM, graphic card Intel HD Graphics 4000 or better, 12 GB HDD, Windows 7(SP1) 64-bit.

Recommended System Requirements:
Intel Core i5 2.6 GHz, 8 GB RAM, graphic card 1 GB GeForce GTX 560 or better, 12 GB HDD, Windows 10 64-bit.

Ratings

Game Ratings for Halo Wars: Definitive Edition Video Game.

91%

STEAM Score

All Reviews: Very Positive (8,865)

STEAM

User Reviews Summary generated by AI

The main pros of the game

Accessible Gameplay: Many reviews highlight the game's simplicity and ease of understanding, making it a great entry point for newcomers to the RTS genre.
Strong Story and Lore: The campaign is praised for its engaging narrative and cinematic cutscenes that expand the Halo universe, appealing particularly to fans of the franchise.
Visual and Audio Quality: The graphics and sound design are noted to be good, with improvements in the Definitive Edition enhancing the overall experience.
Controller Optimization: The game is designed with controller gameplay in mind, making it enjoyable to play on consoles and also well-adapted for PC.
Replayability: Users mention the multiplayer modes and co-op campaign as adding significant replay value, along with the option to engage in skirmishes against AI.

The main cons of the game

Limited Depth: Some players feel that the game lacks the complexity and depth typically found in other RTS games, which may disappoint hardcore RTS fans.
Pathfinding Issues: Several reviews mention problems with unit pathfinding, where units can get stuck or behave unpredictably during gameplay.
Short Campaign: The campaign is considered relatively short, which some players feel could limit the game's longevity.
Multiplayer Limitations: A number of users express disappointment over the lack of active multiplayer matchmaking and the reduced player base over time.

The features or elements that are missing from the game according to users

Workshop and Mod Support: Some users wish for community features like a workshop for user-generated maps and mods, which would enhance the game's longevity and replayability.
Complexity in Strategy: Many reviews suggest that the game could benefit from deeper strategic mechanics, such as more varied unit types or advanced building options.
Halo Wars 2 Availability: A recurring theme is the desire for Halo Wars 2 to be released on Steam, as many players prefer it over the original and feel it would enhance the overall experience.
Improved Matchmaking and Online Features: Users express a desire for better multiplayer matchmaking options and more robust online play features to keep the community engaged.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Halo Wars: Definitive Edition is celebrated for its accessible gameplay and engaging story, making it a worthwhile experience for both Halo fans and newcomers to the RTS genre. However, its simplicity and some technical issues may deter more experienced players looking for a deeper strategic challenge.

Summary generated on: November 21, 2025

7.7

USERS Score

Average score from votes.

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