Halo Wars getting Historic Battles map pack July 21

  • By philonious_matt, GameSpot
  • Posted Jul 14, 2009 1:39 pm PT

For those who've particularly enjoyed the storyline of Halo franchise, the newest Halo Wars add-on update may be a welcome addition. Microsoft recently announced a new map pack called Historic Battles, which includes four maps that chronicle the pivotal moments of the UNSC/Covenant War. Along with...

For those who've particularly enjoyed the storyline of Halo franchise, the newest Halo Wars add-on update may be a welcome addition. Microsoft recently announced a new map pack called Historic Battles, which includes four maps that chronicle the pivotal moments of the UNSC/Covenant War. Along with the four maps, the pack adds four new achievements to Microsoft's Halo-themed strategy game. The add-on is due out on July 21 for 800 Microsoft points ($10) on Xbox Live.

In the one-on-one map Barrens, the landscape forms corridors that become densely packed kill zones, and the map features a Forerunner artifact that will lend a significant advantage to its possessor. Another one-on-one map, Blood River, allows players to secure bases on riverside cliffs and fight over two narrow crossings. The pack also features Memorial Basin, a two-versus-two map with high ground in the center of the playfield, and the three-versus-three Glacial Ravine, which contains a mountain pass guarded by two controllable energy walls.

Historic Battles also includes four new achievements that are worth 100 GamerScore points. The details for each achievement can be found on the official Xbox Web site.

Blood River (left) and Memorial Basin (right)

46 Comments

  • blackwing55

    Posted Jul 21, 2009 1:56 pm PT

    These new maps sound good finally there is more to play

  • gamegoliath

    Posted Jul 21, 2009 5:20 am PT

    yeah, what time?

  • BILLDENS

    Posted Jul 21, 2009 12:39 am PT

    does anyone know exactly what time it comes out?

  • gameking5000

    Posted Jul 15, 2009 11:38 pm PT

    There not really historical battles they're really Halo Historical battles

  • Merex760

    Posted Jul 15, 2009 9:52 am PT

    As far as current gen RTS's go...Starcraft 2 > *

  • payne6705

    Posted Jul 15, 2009 8:05 am PT

    never understood the hype of halo wars the only good thing about it was the control scheme other than that is was a less than average RTS game using the halo franchise

  • tomo90

    Posted Jul 15, 2009 4:21 am PT

    Looks good. Although probably won't buy it. Don't play Halo Wars enough to warrant that many MS points.

  • jimbob_1977

    Posted Jul 15, 2009 2:39 am PT

    Oh yay, another load of points for something I know I dont need...but will end up getting anyway...damn you game developers *shakes fist in the air*

  • LithuanianGamer posted Jul 15, 2009 12:52 am PT (does not meet display criteria. sign in to show)

    LithuanianGamer

    Posted Jul 15, 2009 12:52 am PT (hide)

    Halo wars ruined halo franchise c`mon people love fps`es and hate RTS`es.

  • kg927

    Posted Jul 14, 2009 11:53 pm PT

    if i bought it would be for achievments not maps... the map you play on in halo wars really doesn't matter $10 FAIL they must not plan on selling much

  • NeonNinja

    Posted Jul 14, 2009 11:34 pm PT

    I hate strategy games, but I like Halo Wars. It's very streamlined and easy to play while still giving you plenty of option to, y'know, strategize. No stupid units that you need to send to the forest to cut trees. God, I hated that in Age of Empires. Halo Wars is all about the combat and it's fun. Four maps for $10, I don't see why people are still complaining about this. I doubt I'll get them since I much prefer the shooters, but the maps sound fun.

  • YoungDab

    Posted Jul 14, 2009 10:58 pm PT

    I didnt buy this game,I looked up quickly and thought it said blood gulch Lool.

  • solidsnake7882

    Posted Jul 14, 2009 10:10 pm PT

    As much as I loved Halo Wars the big disappointment was the short campaign and no Covenant campaign missions. Put that into a DLC and I'll buy it otherwise I'll pass on the DLC.

  • 01_5k001

    Posted Jul 14, 2009 9:55 pm PT

    To Landrack

    There 4 maps not two, Chief. Read before you comment.

  • Landrack posted Jul 14, 2009 9:43 pm PT (does not meet display criteria. sign in to show)

    Landrack

    Posted Jul 14, 2009 9:43 pm PT (hide)

    I have to say, its probably not worth getting DLC's for this. 2 maps for 800 points. Kinda pricy eh?

  • alexkn64

    Posted Jul 14, 2009 9:25 pm PT

    A better than average game in it's own right...not worth any paid DLC though. Not by a long shot. Only if they added the Forerunner as a Civ to choose would I get it. Easily the best console RTS I've ever played....but that's just it. It's a console RTS. As much I enjoyed playing it, it will never compare to the fun I have with strategy games on my PC. But still a fun game.

  • Gelugon_baat

    Posted Jul 14, 2009 8:35 pm PT

    "For those who've particularly enjoyed the storyline of Halo franchise..."

    I detect a hint of sarcasm in this phrase.

  • ItsEvolution posted Jul 14, 2009 8:13 pm PT (does not meet display criteria. sign in to show)

    ItsEvolution

    Posted Jul 14, 2009 8:13 pm PT (hide)

    People still play Halo Wars?

  • avatar_genius posted Jul 14, 2009 7:48 pm PT (does not meet display criteria. sign in to show)

    avatar_genius

    Posted Jul 14, 2009 7:48 pm PT (hide)

    Looks OK, for the fanboys.

  • samissleman17 posted Jul 14, 2009 7:41 pm PT (does not meet display criteria. sign in to show)

    samissleman17

    Posted Jul 14, 2009 7:41 pm PT (hide)

    bad game. 10 dollars for maps. FAIL

  • AlphaWarrior10 posted Jul 14, 2009 7:01 pm PT (does not meet display criteria. sign in to show)

    AlphaWarrior10

    Posted Jul 14, 2009 7:01 pm PT (hide)

    i think halo wars was a big disappointment and the map pack wont make it much better

  • baystatethrashr posted Jul 14, 2009 6:55 pm PT (does not meet display criteria. sign in to show)

    baystatethrashr

    Posted Jul 14, 2009 6:55 pm PT (hide)

    @ColdfireTrilogy

    have fun playing a game that you have to buy 3 times. and offer very little multiplayer support

  • svaubel

    Posted Jul 14, 2009 6:13 pm PT

    Still wondering where the Cov campaign is, instead of these over-priced map packs

  • Wolfie600

    Posted Jul 14, 2009 5:58 pm PT

    Coldfire Trilogy:
    You big noob. SC2 isn't even out yet, How do you expect us to play it.

  • ElectrolightSH

    Posted Jul 14, 2009 5:33 pm PT

    4 maps for $10 @ $2.50 a piece.... No way Micro$haft. If the map pack had 8 or more maps and the Strategic Options add-on then I would buy it for $10 but I am not paying $20 or 1/3rd the games price for 4 MP maps and a 2MB add-on giving players the 3 game modes that should have been in the game in the first place.

  • brian_13un

    Posted Jul 14, 2009 5:30 pm PT

    I wont get it is not free though

  • Ground_Zero

    Posted Jul 14, 2009 5:23 pm PT

    its about time

  • mjk_1 posted Jul 14, 2009 4:50 pm PT (does not meet display criteria. sign in to show)

    mjk_1

    Posted Jul 14, 2009 4:50 pm PT (hide)

    Still won't make the game worth playing .

  • Geetarman42

    Posted Jul 14, 2009 4:42 pm PT

    I wonder who is doing these. I thought Ensemble Studios was disbanded.

  • DarthEthong467 posted Jul 14, 2009 4:39 pm PT (does not meet display criteria. sign in to show)

    DarthEthong467

    Posted Jul 14, 2009 4:39 pm PT (hide)

    This game sucks. I can't believe I wasted $60 on this piece of junk. At least I'm smart enough not to waste even more money on the worthless add-ons for this game.

  • CoolKidX

    Posted Jul 14, 2009 4:25 pm PT

    @ascalon94
    LOL, and hell yeah couldnt agree more

  • NuKkU

    Posted Jul 14, 2009 4:15 pm PT

    @Sendmn23: my bad i totally forgot but still microsoft will get lots of money from this

  • Sendmn23

    Posted Jul 14, 2009 4:11 pm PT

    @NuKku bungie has nothing to do with Halo wars... nothing.. infact the company that made Halo wars is no longer around... the only one getting anything out of this is Microsoft.

  • dewwy

    Posted Jul 14, 2009 3:58 pm PT

    Way over-priced. Most, if not all, the terrain and structures will be recycled from the other palettes, so I can't see how this is worth so much. There's a reason why PC RTS games have such large mod communities - it's easy to make maps for them with a proper editor.

  • NuKkU

    Posted Jul 14, 2009 3:44 pm PT

    awesome man this will sell ALOT and bungie will make lots of money lol

  • CJ1145

    Posted Jul 14, 2009 3:35 pm PT

    If you start off your post with "lol" in a response to a non-funny article, you have no credibility.

  • ColdfireTrilogy

    Posted Jul 14, 2009 3:20 pm PT

    lol or play Starcraft 2 and get millions of better maps for free ....

  • PrivateJessard

    Posted Jul 14, 2009 3:12 pm PT

    I won't be getting this, maybe if they had Campaign DLC I'd buy it.

  • TheGreatEye6

    Posted Jul 14, 2009 3:11 pm PT

    I really liked Halo Wars, but the DLC is taking the piss. 800MP for this?! Get outta here...

  • moose_knuckler

    Posted Jul 14, 2009 2:59 pm PT

    Probably be grabbing these when they come out. Now make the game mode DLC free!!!

  • boblighte

    Posted Jul 14, 2009 2:56 pm PT

    I don't even think I'd pay $10 for both DLC packs that have dropped for Halo Wars...

  • Desolator666789

    Posted Jul 14, 2009 2:52 pm PT

    Way too expensive, won't be getting these any time soon.

  • deathscythe999

    Posted Jul 14, 2009 2:44 pm PT

    What no new units?....ever?

  • enix165

    Posted Jul 14, 2009 2:03 pm PT

    Well, it's only one 3v3 map and I think $10's a little pricey(call me a cheapskate...XD), but it's better than nothing, I guess. =)

  • Paul_GameFury

    Posted Jul 14, 2009 1:55 pm PT

    Geuss it's too much to expect a new solo campaign.

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