Halo - Universe Expanding

By John W. Hall

The fourth installment of the game actually takes place in the past, at least according to game time. Set in 2531, 21 years before the events depicted in Halo: Combat Evolved. This prequel has several substantial differences that may just throw some gamers for a loop. Let's take a look at what's in store.

Halo has traditionally been a first person shooter; however, Halo Wars takes fans of the games into a real-time strategy game where they must control multiple units and actively engage in directing battles, rather than winning individual glory through one-on-one combat.

The game focuses on the crew of a single ship, Spirit of Fire, a CFV-88. The plot follows the discovery of Forerunner artifacts, as well as Sentinels and revolves around the first days after the discovery and engagement with the Covenant.

While the game play is significantly different, players will have the chance to try their hand at playing the Covenant. The Covenant is a group of allied alien races with disparate genetic makeup. The game designers drew on familiar human-world creatures to help them flesh out the Covenant creatures. Players will find avian, vulpine and many other familiar features facing them across the field of battle.

Halo Wars may also see the (rumored) debut of the Flood as a playable class. Rumors abound that the parasitic enemies of all life may make a playable debut, at least in some of the skirmish scenes of the game. For players leery of playing a RTS (real-time strategy) game, due to the limitations of the control systems, put your minds at ease. The latest reports of the game state that playing it with a controller is simpler than using a mouse and keyboard, which ensures that players are able to navigate their way through the various menus with consummate ease. The highly anticipated release of Halo Wars is set for February of 2009, and fans await expectantly.

John Hall - A hardcore gamer since 1982. Atari 2600 was that first gaming console I owned. Want to receive a Free copy of Halo Wars (not yet released) and a Free XBox360 gaming console, visit http://www.halowars2009.com