Ok, we get it.Halo 3has ahigh probability of being awesome.Halogameplay aside (I’m not opening that can of Shai Hulud), fans and haters alike have to agree that the Haloverse is one of the most immersive and rich in the genre. Think of it as theHarry PotterorPokémonof FPS: the content may be derivative, but the narrative and the history are so well designed that players can’t help but get sucked in. Look at the success ofRed vs. Blue— even people who aren’t necessarily fans ofHalolove it (like me).Microsoft and Bungie know that they have an immersive world rich with financial milk, andHalo Wars, at a glance, seems like a good chance tosuckle at its teat. And why not? People are going to snap up any chance they get to ruthelessly slaughter the Covenant.But if the above gameplay footage is anything to go by,Halo Warslooks like it could shape into a very solid real-time strategy game. The video shows the standard trappings of RTS: lots of units and explosions. According to Dean Takahashi over atMercury News, the game won’t be out this year. Control up to 20 units via a circular, iPod-style menu (Secret of Manamenus? Be still my palpitating heart!). Warthogs still have the same physics, fishtailing and jumping crevasses with ease. Resources are brought from a mothership down to the battle field, a mothership that can also orchestrate “orbital bombardments.”The RTS genre has a checkered history on the console, butHalo Warslooks to have as good a chance of any at providing solid gameplay, with an immersive universe to boot. At the very least, it’ll keep you occupied while you wait onStarcraft II.
Ok, we get it.Halo 3has ahigh probability of being awesome.Halogameplay aside (I’m not opening that can of Shai Hulud), fans and haters alike have to agree that the Haloverse is one of the most immersive and rich in the genre. Think of it as theHarry PotterorPokémonof FPS: the content may be derivative, but the narrative and the history are so well designed that players can’t help but get sucked in. Look at the success ofRed vs. Blue— even people who aren’t necessarily fans ofHalolove it (like me).
Microsoft and Bungie know that they have an immersive world rich with financial milk, andHalo Wars, at a glance, seems like a good chance tosuckle at its teat. And why not? People are going to snap up any chance they get to ruthelessly slaughter the Covenant.
But if the above gameplay footage is anything to go by,Halo Warslooks like it could shape into a very solid real-time strategy game. The video shows the standard trappings of RTS: lots of units and explosions. According to Dean Takahashi over atMercury News, the game won’t be out this year. Control up to 20 units via a circular, iPod-style menu (Secret of Manamenus? Be still my palpitating heart!). Warthogs still have the same physics, fishtailing and jumping crevasses with ease. Resources are brought from a mothership down to the battle field, a mothership that can also orchestrate “orbital bombardments.”
The RTS genre has a checkered history on the console, butHalo Warslooks to have as good a chance of any at providing solid gameplay, with an immersive universe to boot. At the very least, it’ll keep you occupied while you wait onStarcraft II.
