Halo Wars 2 Open Beta Begins, Here's How to Get In

Right on schedule, the open beta for Halo Wars 2 has begun.

Xbox One and PC players can download it on their platform right now or through these Xbox.com links: Xbox One, PC. The file size is 10.1 GB on Xbox One and 11.96 GB on PC.

Unlike the first Halo Wars 2 beta from June 2016, this second one lets you try the card-based mode, Blitz. You build a deck and then deploy units in an attempt to capture and hold control points to score points. There are 1v1, 2v2, and 3v3 options, and the beta supports matchmaking.

Progress from the Halo Wars 2 Blitz beta does not carry forward to the full game, but you can earn two card packs, one for logging in and the second for completing your first match (win or lose).

Watch the video above and read this in-depth blog post from 343 to get an incredibly detailed breakdown of how Blitz works. The beta runs until January 30.

Halo Wars 2 launches in full on February 21, though people who buy the $80 Ultimate Edition can start playing on February 17. It is an Xbox Play Anywhere title, so buying it digitally on one platform gets you access to the other for free. All progress, including saves and achievements, is available on each platform.