Halo Wars: First Impression

[HaLo2FrEeEk]

So I hope I assume correctly that by now most if not all of you have played the Halo Wars demo. If not, this might contain story spoilers, so read at your own risk. You've been warned.

First thing I noticed was that the UI for the menu was a little bland, I'm hoping that they improve this for the full release. It's workable, but it needs work. I do like the simple streamlined feel though. While it may be bland and plain in appearance, it's strong point is the usability.

I loaded up the game and was treated to the "5 Long Years" cutscene, in glorious beautiful High Definition. It looked great and really gives a great introduction to the story being portrayed in this game. After that cutscene there was another cutscene showing some of the new characters. Captain Cutter, Professor Anders, Sergeant Forge, and the Shipboard AI Serena. First thing that hit me was the stunning visuals. You can tell that Ensemble really outdid themselves, this game is beautiful. Another thing I love is the incredibly realistic facial expressions characters are able to make. At one point Professor Anders gets annoyed at Forge and smiles at him, then walks away and rolls her eyes. It looks so real I could think I was watching a movie. After a brief conversation about the Covenant and preparations that Cutter is taking, the cutscene ends.

After that we're shown a quick scene showing the Covenant destroying Alpha Base. Forge, Cutter, and Serena have a quick exchange of words about what should be done, then the gameplay starts.

It only took me about 2 minutes to get used to the controls. They're layed out in an undeniably "console" way. You can tell this game was meant to be played with a controller and not a mouse or keyboard. You start out in a tutorial-type level rescuing Marines from attacking Covenant. Once you've rescued all the Marines (which you can't help but do as they're on the path to your destination) you're allowed to retake Alpha Base. Destroy the forces holding it and another quick cutscene pops up before the end of the level. This last cutscene is barely more than Cutter telling Forge good job and telling him to scout around.

The next cutscene is absolutely stunning. I could have sworn my xbox was malfunctioning and showing a real movie, with how realistic it looked. You see Forge climbing to the edge of a mountin ridge, spying on the Covenant, who are unearthing a Relic. Now, don't get me wrong, this game as it is isn't without it's faults. The voice acting could have been done better, as could the script, some of the lines seemed too strained, too forced to be entirely believable. We're shown an Elite (who's wearing armor that looks remarkably like the Arbiter armor) forcing a inferior to open the relic, that he doesn't care about the Infection (which I'm assuming is the Humans). The first Elite looks toward the ridge where Forge is hidden and snarls in another incredible display of the facial expressions.

Finally you're allowed to really get down to business. You start in Alpha Base, there is a lockdown in progress and you have to start rebuilding your base to lift the lockdown. You start by building a Fortress, which is almost literally your base of operations. Around this you construct other buildings such as a Barracks, Vehicle Depot, Supply Pad, or Reactor. You can also upgrade your buildings and your main base. Upgrading your main base will allow you 2 more slots for buildings. Upgrading a supply pad will produce supplies faster, you use supplies to build buildings and to train troops or vehicles. There are 4 slots to build erect turrets which can be upgraded for anti-air, anti-infantry, or anti-vehicle specialization. You can also upgrade troops and vehicles, but I don't want to go too much into that. Suffice to say that you'll spend a good few minutes building up your base and making as many troops, warthogs, scorpions, and even a few new vehicles.

When you start your mission, after all that, you're confronted with many enemy troops. Being the go-get-em guy that I am, I just select all my troops and have at one group of Covenant...which probably isn't the best way to do it. You can select one or multiple groups of vehicles or troops by pressing or holding the "A" button, and you direct them with the "X" or "Y" button.

I won't give away what you're supposed to do, so that means this review is almost over. However, there is one more cutscene for you to feast your eyes on. This one shows Professor Anders activating some sort of map inside the Relic the Covenant were unearthing, then the Covenant attack, and the demo ends.

Overall...I'd have to say that I'm even more excited for this game now that I've played the demo...and I'm super excited that I've pre-ordered the limited edition. My main concern is that I'll have to choose between Halo Wars and the Mythic Map Pack.

March 3rd can't come soon enough.

As an extra, I mentioned the stunning visuals. Mostly you don't see these in game. Developing an RTS where the user will never be less than 25 feet off the ground gives you alot of room to get the close up shots right, and Ensemble does just that. I mentioned the new AI, Serena, she's no Cortana, but DANG! They took their time on her, I can't wait to see more of her in game. Here's a screenshot to whet your appetite, if you can't play the demo:




_________________


~HaLo2FrEeEk

[HaLo2FrEeEk]

So I hope I assume correctly that by now most if not all of you have played the Halo Wars demo. If not, this might contain story spoilers, so read at your own risk. You've been warned.

First thing I noticed was that the UI for the menu was a little bland, I'm hoping that they improve this for the full release. It's workable, but it needs work. I do like the simple streamlined feel though. While it may be bland and plain in appearance, it's strong point is the usability.

I loaded up the game and was treated to the "5 Long Years" cutscene, in glorious beautiful High Definition. It looked great and really gives a great introduction to the story being portrayed in this game. After that cutscene there was another cutscene showing some of the new characters. Captain Cutter, Professor Anders, Sergeant Forge, and the Shipboard AI Serena. First thing that hit me was the stunning visuals. You can tell that Ensemble really outdid themselves, this game is beautiful. Another thing I love is the incredibly realistic facial expressions characters are able to make. At one point Professor Anders gets annoyed at Forge and smiles at him, then walks away and rolls her eyes. It looks so real I could think I was watching a movie. After a brief conversation about the Covenant and preparations that Cutter is taking, the cutscene ends.

After that we're shown a quick scene showing the Covenant destroying Alpha Base. Forge, Cutter, and Serena have a quick exchange of words about what should be done, then the gameplay starts.

It only took me about 2 minutes to get used to the controls. They're layed out in an undeniably "console" way. You can tell this game was meant to be played with a controller and not a mouse or keyboard. You start out in a tutorial-type level rescuing Marines from attacking Covenant. Once you've rescued all the Marines (which you can't help but do as they're on the path to your destination) you're allowed to retake Alpha Base. Destroy the forces holding it and another quick cutscene pops up before the end of the level. This last cutscene is barely more than Cutter telling Forge good job and telling him to scout around.

The next cutscene is absolutely stunning. I could have sworn my xbox was malfunctioning and showing a real movie, with how realistic it looked. You see Forge climbing to the edge of a mountin ridge, spying on the Covenant, who are unearthing a Relic. Now, don't get me wrong, this game as it is isn't without it's faults. The voice acting could have been done better, as could the script, some of the lines seemed too strained, too forced to be entirely believable. We're shown an Elite (who's wearing armor that looks remarkably like the Arbiter armor) forcing a inferior to open the relic, that he doesn't care about the Infection (which I'm assuming is the Humans). The first Elite looks toward the ridge where Forge is hidden and snarls in another incredible display of the facial expressions.

Finally you're allowed to really get down to business. You start in Alpha Base, there is a lockdown in progress and you have to start rebuilding your base to lift the lockdown. You start by building a Fortress, which is almost literally your base of operations. Around this you construct other buildings such as a Barracks, Vehicle Depot, Supply Pad, or Reactor. You can also upgrade your buildings and your main base. Upgrading your main base will allow you 2 more slots for buildings. Upgrading a supply pad will produce supplies faster, you use supplies to build buildings and to train troops or vehicles. There are 4 slots to build erect turrets which can be upgraded for anti-air, anti-infantry, or anti-vehicle specialization. You can also upgrade troops and vehicles, but I don't want to go too much into that. Suffice to say that you'll spend a good few minutes building up your base and making as many troops, warthogs, scorpions, and even a few new vehicles.

When you start your mission, after all that, you're confronted with many enemy troops. Being the go-get-em guy that I am, I just select all my troops and have at one group of Covenant...which probably isn't the best way to do it. You can select one or multiple groups of vehicles or troops by pressing or holding the "A" button, and you direct them with the "X" or "Y" button.

I won't give away what you're supposed to do, so that means this review is almost over. However, there is one more cutscene for you to feast your eyes on. This one shows Professor Anders activating some sort of map inside the Relic the Covenant were unearthing, then the Covenant attack, and the demo ends.

Overall...I'd have to say that I'm even more excited for this game now that I've played the demo...and I'm super excited that I've pre-ordered the limited edition. My main concern is that I'll have to choose between Halo Wars and the Mythic Map Pack.

March 3rd can't come soon enough.

As an extra, I mentioned the stunning visuals. Mostly you don't see these in game. Developing an RTS where the user will never be less than 25 feet off the ground gives you alot of room to get the close up shots right, and Ensemble does just that. I mentioned the new AI, Serena, she's no Cortana, but DANG! They took their time on her, I can't wait to see more of her in game. Here's a screenshot to whet your appetite, if you can't play the demo:




_________________


~HaLo2FrEeEk

[AppleJacksz]

lawl thx for all that info, i think halowars will be a fun and interesting game :] tomorrow is the big day, w00t!
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AppleJacksz Was Here~

[Poisonblood]

[Poisonblood]

[HaLo2FrEeEk]

Tonight, not tomorrow. The fiancee and I are going down to the mall tonight to wait for the midnight release.
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~HaLo2FrEeEk

[HaLo2FrEeEk]

Tonight, not tomorrow. The fiancee and I are going down to the mall tonight to wait for the midnight release.
_________________


~HaLo2FrEeEk

[Pivot]

Lucky bastard, you'll has recon before me ):
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This user has been banned

[HaLo2FrEeEk]

No I won't, we still need to wait for Halo 3 Recon (I refuse to call it ODST) to come out, that's when we can get the rest of the 'cheevements. Although...Reconz...I haz it.
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~HaLo2FrEeEk

[HaLo2FrEeEk]

No I won't, we still need to wait for Halo 3 Recon (I refuse to call it ODST) to come out, that's when we can get the rest of the 'cheevements. Although...Reconz...I haz it.
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~HaLo2FrEeEk

[snailthatflies]

meh
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Si vis pacem, para bellum