Halo Wars getting Historic Battles map pack July 21

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)