Halo Wars Demo Available

[modeps]

Time to bust out that controller for some good ole fashioned RTS fun! Major Nelson (http://majornelson.com/archive/2009/02/05/demo-halo-wars.aspx) has updated to let everyone know the Halo Wars demo is now available to all on XBLM.

Content: Halo Wars Demo (http://marketplace.xbox.com/games/media/66acd000-77fe-1000-9115-d8024D530808)
Price: Free
Availability: All Xbox LIVE regions
Dash Text: [ESRB: T (Teen) MILD BLOOD,MILD LANGUAGE,VIOLENCE] Halo Wars lets you effortlessly command powerful UNSC and Covenant armies in epic battles. Designed from the ground up for the Xbox 360, experience events in the Halo universe 20 year prior to the events of Halo: Combat Evolved.

GOGOGO! (then come back and post some impressions!

[DSSJ]

Is this US only or for all Regions?

I'd love to get my hands on this demo today.

[Vandenh]

All regions.

Compares very well to SC2 and DoW2 I think. All 3 are different and play great. Year of the RTS!

[DSSJ]

Yes!

That means after work I will be happily downloading this one.

And I have the feeling ActiBlizzard owns me. Between Wotlk, SC2 and Diablo 3 my time for other games in the next years seems scarce.

[Phinor]

I guess you need to put it in perspective before talking about it. If you compare it to any PC RTS games, it's.. well, it isn't impressive at all. But as a console RTS, I guess it does it's job. Bonus Xbox points for being a Halo game, although in my books that's just a negative thing.

[Vandenh]

If you compare it to any PC RTS games, it's.. well, it isn't impressive at al

Looks like you are a bit behind the curve.

[Demo_Boy]

Van: what does that mean? "behind the curve"

[MADxMrMike]

I'm actually looking forward to this. Mainly because of the controls and it's supposed to focus more on action then management. I could never get into RTS's because off all the shit you have to manage before you got into a good fight. From what I've read(I'm at work and I haven't played the demo yet) this game is all about big battles so I'm pretty excited. Plus it does get points for being the halo universe. There is so much they could do there.

[drowsy]

I managed to play the demo for about 5 minutes before I just uninstalled and went back to PC RTS's. Fact is, as long as playing a game like Company of Heroes is an option, I'll probably never buy a console RTS. I guess console gamers might find this game fun, but knowing that there's so much better stuff out there... Meh.

[drakkarim]

so is it available to everyone? or just golds.

[modeps]

so is it available to everyone? or just golds.

Major never puts anything relating to that in his posts, but it looks like its just for golds.

[pwnophobia]

so is it available to everyone? or just golds.

From the download page:

Gold exclusive offer!

[drakkarim]

Major never puts anything relating to that in his posts, but it looks like its just for golds.

crap

From the download page:
Gold exclusive offer!

double crap.

hope i remember in a week... gaming mind is a fickle thing... OOH! LOOK! SHINY THING!!.......

[Froggy]

crap



double crap.

hope i remember in a week... gaming mind is a fickle thing... OOH! LOOK! SHINY THING!!.......

With RE5 the silver embargo only lasted 3 days. Maybe that's the new norm? (I hope I hope I hope).

[Bacarat]

Console RTS that has better controls then a PC RTS? I think not. This game blows, just play starcraft. To the people whining about micro management, if you cant handle it then don't play RTS! Good micro and macro is what sets the skilled players apart from the terrible ones.

[ElektroDragon]

I played through the entire demo to day (a RARE thing for me). I have to say this it the BEST RTS on Xbox 360, hands down. I'm tempted to buy it, even though I suck at RTS games. To me, they are panic and anxiety simulators. I love turn based, because they remove the panic and anxiety. :)

[ElektroDragon]

Ok. this is warped. Why I do love the games you guys hate, and hate the games you guys love? I think I posted the first postive comment about this demo.

[ElektroDragon]

IN FACT: I just pre-ordered the Collector's Edition for only $67.99 shipped at Buy.com based on the strength of the demo. The same edition is $80 BEFORE shipping and taxes everywhere else!

[saulob]

Nice comments ElektroDragon. The game "worked" for you :)
I would love to play this game.. PC only here :(

[saulob]

I mean, the demo worked (selling the game).

No edit :(

[drakkarim]

With RE5 the silver embargo only lasted 3 days. Maybe that's the new norm? (I hope I hope I hope).

ooops, forgot all about that game, thanks for reminding me, i'll have to download that one as well :)

[K0LM]

I can not wait till I can download this.

Also another great RTS on the 360 is RA3. It controls amazingly well.

[Virtuoso]

I guess you need to put it in perspective before talking about it. If you compare it to any PC RTS games, it's.. well, it isn't impressive at all. But as a console RTS, I guess it does it's job. Bonus Xbox points for being a Halo game, although in my books that's just a negative thing.

I'm sure it isn't. Of course when you shit on everything, nothing is impressive.

[JasonGrey]

So I didn't have a single expectation for this game. I enjoyed some Age of Empires stuff, but generally found them to be way too complex for leisure time.

I got the Halo Wars demo this morning after a night of some fun Dawn of War II games with my roommate. I started a skirmish right away, figured out the controls for the first minute, and then pummeled away at a comp on easy.

Great fun! I couldn't imagine an RTS done better on console. It's not comparable to PC RTS games simply because they do so much differently. It plays almost more like a straight-up action game. The base-building was done extremely well, and the units control and animate fantastically. It's very satisfying when you annihilate an enemy force or blow up their bases. One of the most fun things for me in the demo was the Warthog alternate ability - ramming the snot out of enemy troops.

The interface is solid and I'm excited about playing online. The music sounds like the best of the Halo tunes. This has gone from a Gamefly rental to a purchase.

[Wyrm]

I loved the demo. 'Bout to play more right now.

It's pretty simplistic, standard RTS stuff, but it's done in such a way that it works extremely well on the console. Can't wait for the final product.

[Durandal-217]

So I got done playing the demo and first of all I give this game as a whole a D-.

As a RTS Ensemble has done a great job, the game is easy to control, easy to step in without being alienated. Everything works. The gameplay however is not at all fun, it is borderline OK to just boring.

As a Halo game this is by far one of the worst; the story is on the level of Halo 2, (meaning there is none.) The characters are so worthless they are not worth mentioning, the voice acting is god awful, the CGI cut scenes although impressive, lacks quality. And so many things from vehicles, to units, just don't work or don't make any sense, when looking at what has been established in existing canon.

The music is the worst ever composed, and has absolutely no connection to Halo at all. Every time I listen to it I swear I think I'm playing a Japanese game. And skirmish mode is completely pointless and a waste of time.

As a Halo game this must receive the rating of Gay Parade (http://www.fileden.com/files/2007/3/7/861170/eli_porter_vs_the_world_gay_parade_mix.mp3). One of the worst Halo games made since Halo 2, utter waste of time and resources and another bad wound inflicted upon a legendary franchise.

[DeathtollWRX]

It's very interesting. I LOVE the music and I adore the Halo universe. The only issue is that 1080p on my 46 inch still seems too blocky compared to 1050p on my 22 inch monitor. The controls take a little to get used to, There are some interesting options like your vehicles actually trying to run over enemies as opposed to just hitting them my accident. There are also some nice graphical touches I haven't seen yet (depth of field etc) This is by no means Dawn of War 2 or even Starcraft 1 but I'd say it's pretty good.

[InfiniteAmmo]

So I got done playing the demo and first of all I give this game as a whole a D-.

As a RTS Ensemble has done a great job, the game is easy to control, easy to step in without being alienated. Everything works. The gameplay however is not at all fun, it is borderline OK to just boring.

As a Halo game this is by far one of the worst; the story is on the level of Halo 2, (meaning there is none.) The characters are so worthless they are not worth mentioning, the voice acting is god awful, the CGI cut scenes although impressive, lacks quality. And so many things from vehicles, to units, just don't work or don't make any sense, when looking at what has been established in existing canon.

The music is the worst ever composed, and has absolutely no connection to Halo at all. Every time I listen to it I swear I think I'm playing a Japanese game. And skirmish mode is completely pointless and a waste of time.

As a Halo game this must receive the rating of Gay Parade (http://www.fileden.com/files/2007/3/7/861170/eli_porter_vs_the_world_gay_parade_mix.mp3). One of the worst Halo games made since Halo 2, utter waste of time and resources and another bad wound inflicted upon a legendary franchise.

Can I get a review of this demo from a non-Halo fanboy please? :rolleyes:

[lost]

It's really interesting that the huge Halo fans are almost entirely against this game.

[InfiniteAmmo]

IN FACT: I just pre-ordered the Collector's Edition for only $67.99 shipped at Buy.com based on the strength of the demo. The same edition is $80 BEFORE shipping and taxes everywhere else!

I know I give you a lot of crap sometimes, Elektro, but I have to thank you for the heads-up on this one. Buy.com isn't a site I check often, but I may need to more often, with a deal such as this.

I just preordered, too.

[Chimpbot]

Ok. this is warped. Why I do love the games you guys hate, and hate the games you guys love? I think I posted the first postive comment about this demo.

Yeah, you were pretty much the first one to post a positive comment. To be fair, though, you were only the second person to have posted a comment after actually playing the damn demo.
So, thank you for giving us an actual, real informed opinion.

This is going to get shit on purely because it's not a PC RTS. It could be the best game in the genre and people would still shit on it because they can.

I haven't tried it out, but I'm downloading it as I type this. I'm going to refrain from commenting on it until I actually play the demo; I like to give games a fair fucking shot.

[Chimpbot]

It's really interesting that the huge Halo fans are almost entirely against this game.

What's also interesting is this is essentially what the Halo series started out as; an RTS. It didn't become the FPS series we all know until after Microsoft got involved as the publisher.

Way to shit on the franchise's roots, guys.

[Zeal]

this game sucks my balls. end.

[Wyrm]

So I got done playing the demo and first of all I give this game as a whole a D-.

As a RTS Ensemble has done a great job, the game is easy to control, easy to step in without being alienated. Everything works. The gameplay however is not at all fun, it is borderline OK to just boring.

As a Halo game this is by far one of the worst; the story is on the level of Halo 2, (meaning there is none.) The characters are so worthless they are not worth mentioning, the voice acting is god awful, the CGI cut scenes although impressive, lacks quality. And so many things from vehicles, to units, just don't work or don't make any sense, when looking at what has been established in existing canon.

The music is the worst ever composed, and has absolutely no connection to Halo at all. Every time I listen to it I swear I think I'm playing a Japanese game. And skirmish mode is completely pointless and a waste of time.

As a Halo game this must receive the rating of Gay Parade (http://www.fileden.com/files/2007/3/7/861170/eli_porter_vs_the_world_gay_parade_mix.mp3). One of the worst Halo games made since Halo 2, utter waste of time and resources and another bad wound inflicted upon a legendary franchise.

I find it utterly fascinating that you hate it that much. I found the music to be excellent, and while the voice acting was fairly average, it was by no means awful.

The story isn't complicated, but the core gameplay is definitely fun. I played a few skirmishes and had a blast building up a base quickly and then attacking. I can't wait to try it with more people on my team; the battles would be huge!

[DarkDaY]

I will probably be getting this, I like me simple RTS games to relax to, and this is up my alley, also like the Halo universe so thats a bonus.

[Durandal-217]

What's also interesting is this is essentially what the Halo series started out as; an RTS. It didn't become the FPS series we all know until after Microsoft got involved as the publisher.

Way to shit on the franchise's roots, guys.

You don't know what you are talking about.

Halo started out as a RTS until the developers decided that Halo worked better as a third person shooter.

Which is what it was announced as at Mac World 99; a third person shooter. It wasn't until 2000 that Jason Jones decided that the game should be a first person shooter.

[ElektroDragon]

I love this game so far... as I said. Now will some please PLEASE jump all over the people who hate this game like you all jumped over me for HATING Left 4 Dead and MGS4?

[JasonGrey]

I love this game so far... as I said. Now will some please PLEASE jump all over the people who hate this game like you all jumped over me for HATING Left 4 Dead and MGS4?

None of the haters seem like they should be responded to. It looks like a lot of these reactions are extremely knee-jerk, or due to unsatisfiable expectations or unfair comparisons. Not to mention the people just trolling for the sake of it. This thread is full of that, which makes sense given the general fanbase of the Halo series.

Oh and I'd just like to say... yeah, Left 4 Dead was WAY overrated, and MGS4 was absolutely nothing special. They didn't even have the guts to end the story right.

[Primus]

I will probably be getting this, I like me simple RTS games to relax to, and this is up my alley, also like the Halo universe so thats a bonus.

I couldn't of said it better. I would rather be fighting than balancing my fleet's budget, and the Halo setting always has that special charm.

CO-OP campaign seems like it could have potential too.

[Whimbrel]

I haven't played the demo, but how does it compare to Supreme Commander and Red Alert?

[Chimpbot]

You don't know what you are talking about.

Halo started out as a RTS until the developers decided that Halo worked better as a third person shooter.

Which is what it was announced as at Mac World 99; a third person shooter. It wasn't until 2000 that Jason Jones decided that the game should be a first person shooter.

So, I skipped a superfluous step, which means I don't know what I'm talking about? Okay.
The game still started out as an RTS, did it not? I got that much correct...right?

My name isn't a Marathon reference, so I guess I'm just a window-licking dumbass who shouldn't be let out of his cardboard box. Fair enough. At least I know where I stand.

[DarkDaY]

I couldn't of said it better. I would rather be fighting than balancing my fleet's budget, and the Halo setting always has that special charm.

CO-OP campaign seems like it could have potential too.


True story, I have a pc for that, for consoles it sounds like they hit it on the nail, playing to the a d d crowd, the mass market with such a genre is risky at best, so making it accessible is so important. If im on a couch I want to have the illusion of micro management while sipping my wine to an epic Halo score mellowing out and watching the battle ensue.

[Gnomesbane]

I just logged about 2.5 hours on the demo and can not wait for this puppy to hit the shelves. Ensemble is definitely going out on a high note.

Is there really a co-op campaign?

[PopoWRX]

Looked alright to me. Saw my brother play the demo. A bit disappointed in the effects/physics system. The Scorpion tanks didn't have much "oomph" in them ala the Tiger/Panther tanks in CoH. Using a cover system is something I liked.

CoH was such an awesome game, its like become my standard for other RTS games to be judged upon.

Probably the most intuitive control scheme I've seen from an RTS on a console.

[InfiniteAmmo]

Now, I'm sure this isn't in the demo, but can anyone give me a yes or no on this fact?

A friend told me that Halo Wars would support a wired keyboard/mouse (via the 360's USB) as an alternate control scheme. I did a few searches, and didn't come up with anything. Is he off his rocker, or am I blind?

[Zeal]

Now, I'm sure this isn't in the demo, but can anyone give me a yes or no on this fact?

A friend told me that Halo Wars would support a wired keyboard/mouse (via the 360's USB) as an alternate control scheme. I did a few searches, and didn't come up with anything. Is he off his rocker, or am I blind?

why does that even matter. the entire game system was designed from the ground up to use the 360's controller, so a keyboard and mouse wouldn't even be practical at this stage.

[InfiniteAmmo]

Eh. If it's an option, it'd still be nice to know.

[Duskfire]

I haven't played the demo, but how does it compare to Supreme Commander and Red Alert?

Handles a thousand times better then Supreme Commander. Probably on par with Red Alert, maybe a bit better. I am not a huge fan of RTS' and I found it to be quite good. Might pick it up, perhaps.

[Ludoc]

Now, I'm sure this isn't in the demo, but can anyone give me a yes or no on this fact?

A friend told me that Halo Wars would support a wired keyboard/mouse (via the 360's USB) as an alternate control scheme. I did a few searches, and didn't come up with anything. Is he off his rocker, or am I blind?
Your friend is wrong.

[JasonGrey]

I just logged about 2.5 hours on the demo and can not wait for this puppy to hit the shelves. Ensemble is definitely going out on a high note.

Is there really a co-op campaign?

Yes, the entire campaign is playable over Live with a friend from what I understand.

I know I said it before, but the multiplayer for this is really gonna be neat. I'll have Dawn of War II for my thinky times, and Halo Wars for my smashing times.

[Chimpbot]

Yes, the entire campaign is playable over Live with a friend from what I understand.

I know I said it before, but the multiplayer for this is really gonna be neat. I'll have Dawn of War II for my thinky times, and Halo Wars for my smashing times.

Much like the original Halo was one of the best FPS console games, Halo Wars is shooting to be one of the best RTS console games. When compared to a "proper" PC shooter, Halo kinda sucks. Face it.

The same thing is happening with the RTS.

This is why I'm comparing it only to other console games, because it just isn't fair to compare it to the platform the genre was "meant for"...exactly like it was with the original Halo.

[lost]

What's also interesting is this is essentially what the Halo series started out as; an RTS. It didn't become the FPS series we all know until after Microsoft got involved as the publisher.

Way to shit on the franchise's roots, guys.

I heard something about it originally being an RTS where you could hop into individual units. Then they liked the individual aspect so much they pulled the RTS bits.

Or was that another game? I've always thought it'd be a cool idea.

[Freak705]

Yeah, that was Halo. It was originally an RTS to be developed for Macs, but they had so much fun being the single soldier that it was changed to be a FPS and then they were bought up by Microsoft, so it headed for the Xbox.

[WholeWheatCracker]

I really enjoyed the demo, but my RTS experiences are limited to Majesty and Lord of the Rings BFME. LOTR was great - easy enough to pick up and play a short skirmish, but seemed as though you could jack things up to provide a decent challenge. The Halo Wars Demo felt a little like LOTR - not a bad thing!
I'll likely be picking this one up on day one - I'm not a Halo fanboy or hardcore RTS player, so it looks like it should be a hit for guys like me!

[ElektroDragon]

Majesty.... NOW THAT is an awesome RTS.. Probably my favorite RTS ever, right behind Age of Mythology.