A solid, fun RTS that offers a new take on the genre.
Halo Wars has a very fun campaign where you play as the UNSC. Most fans, including myself feel that a covenant campaign would have been an amazing addition. The campaign is relatively short on a single play through but it has a very high replay value if you hunt for black boxes, skulls, or achievements. It also has a well-working co-op mode in which you and a partner share a base and must work together. Since you share a single base, much strategy is required in managing both your base and army.
The multiplayer is the main selling point for this game. It's an amazing experience. You can play skirmish or over Xbox Live in 1v1, 2v2, or 3v3 matches. Multiplayer matches require more strategy than most people realize. If, for example, in a 3v3 match, one person on your team isn't cooperating, chances are you will loose. And this is a major drawback of multiplayer, most people don't understand how to properly coordinate, therefore, it is extremely difficult to find a good team.
The graphics for Halo Wars are top notch for a console RTS. It feels exactly like a Halo game. The details on each of the units match those in the other Halo games, giving it a very authentic feel. The Audio for Halo Wars is also top notch. The soundtrack is very appropriate and goes well with the mood of the game. The Sound FX further the authenticity of the game. Warthogs sound the way they should, Marines make their quirky comments, etc. The gameplay sounds are that of a Halo game.
Halo Wars, overall is a very fun game. Multiplayer can be frustrating, but if it gets too annoying, Skirmish mode is just as fun with difficulty adjustments. Both Single Player and Skirmish mode offer five difficulty settings. As in every other Halo game, you have Easy, Normal, Heroic, and Legendary. the fifth new difficulty, Automatic, adjusts to your personal skill level based on the outcomes of matches. This new difficulty played in Skirmish offers hours of continuous gameplay that just never gets boring.
Halo Wars is one of the best console RTSs to date. Hardcore PC RTS fans will most likely not enjoy this game as much as more casual players. I would recommend this game to anyone who is looking for a fun, simple RTS game with a short learning curve.