Halo Wars: Definitive Edition

 Xbox One
Halo Wars: Definitive Edition Image
Metascore
81

Generally favorable reviews - based on 9 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
7.6

Generally favorable reviews- based on 123 Ratings

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  • Summary: Set early in the iconic war between the Covenant and UNSC - made famous by the Halo FPS games - Halo Wars: Definitive Edition provides a unique angle on the war while bringing new heroes to the battlefield. Control large Halo armies and direct them in action-packed warfare.

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Halo Wars Official Trailer 1

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 9 out of 9
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 9
  3. Negative: 0 out of 9
  1. ICXM
    Jan 13, 2017
    90
    The graphics look crisper even though they aren’t a substantial upgrade over the original. The controls have seen the biggest improvement and it plays even better on Xbox One. While I wish the gameplay was more complex, the title is still a solid entry in the real-time strategy genre.
  2. SomosXbox
    Dec 31, 2016
    80
    A faint attempt to bring this strategy saga to Xbox One and PC users before the release of Halo Wars 2. It’s quite limited on strategic options (especially on PC), but it’s still quite amusing and makes the time fly. In addition, it’s a fantastic way to remember a mythic studio as Ensemble.
  3. Vandal
    Dec 28, 2016
    80
    It's definitely an improvement from the original version, and a great way to enjoy the franchise while we wait for the sequel.
  4. TrueAchievements
    Jan 10, 2017
    80
    To this day Halo Wars remains the most accessible RTS game to have ever been released on a console, and while it may lack the depth of some of its PC brethren, as an introduction to the genre it is still at the top of its class.
  5. TheXboxHub
    Feb 14, 2017
    80
    With an improved matchmaking system on offer, Halo Wars: Definitive Edition provides a truly exceptional title that shows just how well an RTS title can work on console, bringing all the quality of the Halo franchise to the table in a strategic and interesting way, and adding a new level of immersion to the series for newcomers and veterans alike.
  6. GameSpew
    Mar 10, 2017
    80
    [Halo Wars] may not be as strong as some other legitimate classics of the genre, or even the franchise it is associated with. However, what it is, undoubtedly, is an underrated game that deserves more attention.
  7. Video Chums
    Mar 6, 2017
    75
    Halo Wars: Definitive Edition is a solid game for series fans although real-time strategy enthusiasts may be put off by its simplistic gameplay formula. In the end, I'm surprised how well it holds up as it's a wholly worthwhile game even eight years after its initial release.

See all 9 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 10 out of 12
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 12
  3. Negative: 1 out of 12
  1. Carlosrat
    Apr 16, 2018
    10
    May not be as strong as some other legitimate classics of the genre, or even the franchise it is associated with.
  2. PiePieper
    Feb 22, 2017
    10
    All units!
    Love Halo or RTS games, a must buy. Hands down a jump forward in the the Halo universe. Totally builds on the first game while    All units!
    Love Halo or RTS games, a must buy. Hands down a jump forward in the the Halo universe. Totally builds on the first game while expanding on the universe. Smooth looks and sounds, best cuts scenes hands down.    … Expand
  4. juanjp
    Apr 16, 2018
    10
    Halo Wars: Definitive Edition is a solid game for series fans although real-time strategy enthusiasts may be put off by its simplisticHalo Wars: Definitive Edition is a solid game for series fans although real-time strategy enthusiasts may be put off by its simplistic gameplay formula.… Expand
  5. ITZZZPERRY
    Aug 11, 2017
    9
    Halo Wars: Definitive Edition was a walk down memory lane. The original Halo Wars was one of my most played games on the Xbox 360. To replayHalo Wars: Definitive Edition was a walk down memory lane. The original Halo Wars was one of my most played games on the Xbox 360. To replay it on the Xbox One was a treat, as everything was just as good.… Expand
  6. aidanpscott
    Feb 28, 2017
    8
    Holy s***, I have never played a game so smoothly on any console, even on the Playstation 4! For those of you who do not know, this is aHoly s***, I have never played a game so smoothly on any console, even on the Playstation 4! For those of you who do not know, this is a rerelease of Halo Wars that is available as part of the Halo Wars 2 Ultimate Edition (for $80). I actually really enjoyed the first Halo Wars. It had issues and lacked content, especially Multiplayer content, but as someone who had never played an RTS prior to Halo Wars, I thought it was a really good intro point.

    The definitive edition gives you everything in the previous game including all the DLC, just like a Game of the Year edition does, except this game offers incredibly smooth gameplay that, as far as I have played, offers true 60 FPS on a console game. This is largely due to the fact that Halo Wars was a 360 game transferred into the more powerful engine of the Xbox One, so that shouldn't be too surprising, but many other xbox 360 titles, especially backwards compatible games like Halo Reach did not function nearly as well as this game.

    This is smooth! It's just as good as you remembered it! If you haven't played the first Halo Wars, I would highly recommend getting the Halo Wars 2 Ultimate Edition since you are getting 2 games for $80. That said, I am disappointed that Microsoft did not give us the option to purchase this game separately. For me, the first Halo Wars game was a 7/10 (Good) and this one is an 8 considering how smooth the gameplay is and considering it's a part of an $80 package, which includes the Season Pass!

    NOTE: I do not, however, recommend getting the $80 edition of Halo Wars 2 unless you have not played the first game or unless you are a really big fan of the first halo wars and/or a big fan of the halo franchise in general.

    I wish I had waited until today to get this game to play it for the first time because it definitely performs better than before.    … Expand
  7. Stan_Osbourne
    Apr 22, 2022
    8
    For the most part, I really enjoyed this real-time strategy game. This is what the Halo series was supposed to be from the beginning. VeryFor the most part, I really enjoyed this real-time strategy game. This is what the Halo series was supposed to be from the beginning. Very dynamic, cool set. I was pleased with the Russian localization, especially considering its complete absence in the Master Chief's Collection. Also, the game has a pretty good balance and there are interesting solutions in terms of gameplay (strategic positions for infantry on heights or neutral objects, for example)

    The only thing I didn't like here is that the company is extremely one-sided - we only play for the UNSC forces, but you can not go through the company for the Covenant or the Flood. Who knows the genre well, he knows that they give the opportunity to play for all sides of the conflict, given that they have a different structure of combat and construction, this could be expected, but the company came out very one-sided here. Well, in multiplayer you can only play for the Covenant and the UNSC, although for what reason the Flood is not available - I do not know.

    All in all, a good strategy is to play once on Xbox One. No more. Glory to Ukraine!    … Expand
  8. BobbyJoe69
    Apr 15, 2021
    0
    IT SUCKED! It didn't felt like a Halo game. It felt a like a crappy game made by one person.

See all 12 User Reviews

Trailers

Awards & Rankings

45
#45 Best Xbox One Game of 2017
57
#57 Most Discussed Xbox One Game of 2017
20
#20 Most Shared Xbox One Game of 2017

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