Halo Wars
Preview
A Halo RTS.... on a console?
by Keaton Arksey
previewed on X360
Controls (cntd)
Pressing up on the D-Pad opens up the Leader Power menu, which is full of goodies. The two sides, the UNSC and the Covenent have different leaders, and thus different powers. The UNSC can call down a Magnetic Accelerator cannon from the Spirit of Fire to blow up enemies. The Covenets leader can call down a “Cleansing ray” that destroys anything in its path, all while sucking up supply points. While the UNSC leader power is accessed from a different menu, the Covenent power is treated like a special power and is accessed through the Y button.
Gameplay
In the first mission of the game the Covenent has attacked Alpha Base. Starting off with the UNSC leader Sergeant Forge, you rally the troops and take back the base. This is your first real taste of combat, as you battle a variety of Covenent attack groups. After picking up a few groups, you will be faced with an energy barrier that only infantry can go through. You have to select an individual group of units instead of just one or all. While you can hold down the A button to create a circle that selects all units within, you can also use the Right Trigger to select individual groups of units in the army. For example, in the above situation when you are trying to select your infantry to get through the barrier, simply select all units with the Left Bumper and use the Right Trigger to select all of the infantry units. When you are fighting on multiple fronts and want to select and issue orders to only one group, the Right Bumper can be used to select all units on screen.
Graphically, the game looks very good. While the main gameplay is nothing to write home about, the cut scenes are amazing. While the demo only included snow levels, various screen shots have proven that the environments will be included in the game.
The game will include various multiplayer modes, from 1 vs. 1 versus game modes to a cooperative campaign mode. Hardcore Halo fans can take note in the fact that a version of the Blood Gulch map from Halo: Combat Evolved will be included, while people who just want to play will take solace in the fact that 14 maps are listed for 1v1, 2v2, and 3v3 games.
Almost there
Halo Wars seems to have stepped over the biggest pitfall of most console RTS games with the easy to use controls. With less than a month until release, things seem to be wrapping up nicely, but we will withhold final judgment until Halo Wars drops on March 3rd.
