Halo Wars: Definitive Edition

This isn’t your typical RTS—it leans more toward simplified management, built with controller gameplay in mind. So if you're looking for deep mechanics like Age of Empires, this might not be it. But if you’re a Halo fan, this hits a sweet spot. Commanding squads of Marines, rolling out Scorpions and Warthogs, deploying ODSTs, sending in Falcons and Vultures—it feels so good. Watching the battlefield fill with familiar UNSC firepower while slaughtering waves of Covenant is just plain satisfying. I’m really enjoying it so far. And when it's on sale? It's dirt cheap. If you love the Halo universe, this is absolutely worth grabbing.

The games in Halo's main series are slow paced first person shooters simplified for a controller. This one follows the exact same idea in real time strategy. The focus is less on clicks per second micromanagement than balancing opportunity costs in building only what you need. Thinking ahead is more important than thinking quickly, because matches only last for 10-15 minutes. You never get the time to max out every unit, if any, not the way I played multiplayer back on Xbox. The campaign does a great job showing you around though. The story is pretty well told for what it is, judging by the disproportionate amount of fanfiction dealing with the Spirit of Fire, and you can play it in co-op if you have friends.

I hope halo doesn't forget it's strategy roots and does more in the tapestry & variety that is the strategy sphere.

Halo Wars: Definitive Edition brings the beloved real-time strategy classic into the modern era with revamped visuals and refined gameplay, making it a must-play for both Halo fans and strategy enthusiasts. This edition enhances the original game’s already solid foundation, delivering a polished and accessible RTS experience set in the iconic Halo universe. The story campaign dives into an intense conflict between the human crew of the Spirit of Fire and the Covenant forces, with cutscenes and voice acting that expand the Halo lore in engaging ways. The narrative is straightforward but compelling, providing a solid backdrop for the strategic battles that follow. Gameplay is smooth and intuitive, with a focus on base building, resource management, and tactical unit control. The controls translate well to both controller and mouse/keyboard setups, making the game approachable regardless of platform. Missions range from large-scale assaults to defensive holds, keeping the gameplay varied and challenging. Visually, the Definitive Edition shines with updated textures, improved lighting, and higher-resolution models that bring the world of Halo Wars to life in vivid detail. The iconic units, vehicles, and environments are beautifully rendered, capturing the franchise’s sci-fi aesthetic perfectly. Multiplayer modes add great replayability, with balanced matchmaking and multiple modes that encourage strategic play and teamwork. If there’s a minor downside, it’s that the core RTS mechanics remain relatively simple compared to more complex PC-only strategy games, which might feel limiting for hardcore RTS veterans. Bottom line: Halo Wars: Definitive Edition is a fantastic re-release that offers a visually stunning and strategically satisfying experience. It’s perfect for fans who want to experience Halo in a new genre or newcomers looking for an accessible yet deep RTS set in a familiar sci-fi universe. Rating: 9/10

I've played this game since its original launch on the Xbox 360. I played it on launch of when they relaunched it for Xbox One and here I am playing it again on Steam. I love this game, one of my favorite games ever. Solid story, tight gameplay, excellent RTS to play with your family (my daughter and wife play with me). The story campaign is fully playable in coop. I've beaten it a couple of times with one of my old time friends. It also plays perfect on the steam deck so sometimes i just skirmish while laying in bed which means its plays excellent on a controller. I highly recommend this for any RTS fan or player that wants to start getting into RTS games. There is Halo lore to explore in here as well.

Stupid unit AI, can't figure out to find a way if another friendly unit in the path. Also not much adjustable controls for example i can't even adjust camera controls, and most importantly can't even adjust select and move control, which are always adjustable in command and conquer games with option "alternate mouse clicking" also available in age of empire series. music is good, graphics fine, camera panning options, totally bad.

Halo wars 1 was and still is an excellent, simple RTS. The beauty of it being initially designed on Xbox is its very approachable for newer RTS players, and plays well with controller or keyboard and mouse. I played the entire campaign in co-op on linux using proton and had zero stability issues. It was a great experience. The story in this game is good and the gameplay is fun. Because of the controller support from xbox, this is also and RTS that would play excellent on a Steam Deck. It took me 11-12 hours to play through the campaign. This is an excellent buy on sale. It also has a great soundtrack which is burned into my brain from the thousands of multiplayer matches I played on xbox when it came out. And never forget; ALL UNITS, LOCAL UNITS

Buy it, it's a fantastic rts game and runs great.

Cool game, AI could use work on some maps, remember playing this game on xbox and it was great.

I picked this up on sale because I remember loving it on 360. Absolutely awful PC port, lacks basic quality of life features that are standard for pretty much any other RTS. I can cut it some slack given that its a port, its not really designed for super serious gameplay, and at least they tried, but I really struggled to get into it. I wish they had ported Halo Wars 2 instead. I'll probably play this like twice a year for an hour max. If you really love Halo and have a controller, pick it up on a steep sale, like 5 bucks or less. Otherwise, save your money.

For a strategy game, that one felt very poor, little mechanics and so on. There are MUCH better games of the same genre.

This is a great game and gives off those classic halo vibes.

Super boring and lame gameplay

Love going back and playing games from when I was young. Steam Deck runs this like a dream

I'm a big fan of halo when this released i really wanted it. It's pretty cool to summon a scarab or like 20 vultures. I would recommend this game.

The story, music and presentation are all fantastic. Not every level equally fun but I respect that they tried to keep it varied.

Love this games set up with the added bonus of it being halo. Wish they would put halo wars 2 on steam. But that aside I love halo wars

Still an extremely fun game all these years later. The adaptation to PC has brought remappable controls and control groups, allowing for instant manipulation of individual unit types/separating forces however you see fit!

A polished RTS from the era when the genre wasn't dead. It's simple enough to control with a gamepad. The campaign presents some unconventional mission objectives, there's depth in macro strategy / unit composition choice, and building up a huge ball of units to steamroll everything is both visually cinematic and as fun as it is in any other RTS.

Great for people who arent really into RTSs, simplified gameplay and maps make it very manageable if you are inexperienced with the genre. Presentation is strong with great cutscenes and a decent enough story, with many different mechanics dispersed throughout

Microsoft ---- Please for love of God add " Halo War 2 "

enjoyable RTS, not greatest controls

Great classic Halo Title

Classic -- gameplay is still solid in 2025

This game is still as peak as i remember it being

not bad for my first halo game

yes, very many good

if you like rts and halo get this game

better than 2 but thats just my 2 cents

Best game ever. tbh

RTS Controller Friendly :)

yeah, its alright

Peak gameplay.

Throw men at problem men die throw more men repeat until problem is solved

I mean it's pretty good

good

the toys are more enjoyable than this tbh

fun

love it

add more leaders plz

love it

Warthog go brrrr

A Classic RTS

mustard chief no

ALL UNITS!

goated

Best

ALL UNITS

Neat

yes