RemasterPC (Microsoft Windows)Xbox One2016

Halo Wars: Definitive Edition

Definitive Edition of Halo Wars

Halo Wars: Definitive Edition is an enhanced version of the real-time strategy classic, Halo Wars, updated to run natively on Xbox One and Windows 10. Set early in the iconic war between the Covenant and UNSC - made famous by the Halo FPS games - Halo Wars: Definitive Edition provides a unique angle on the war while bringing new heroes to the battlefield. Control large Halo armies and direct them in action-packed warfare. Halo Wars: Definitive Edition includes improved graphics, new achievements and all the DLC from the landmark game. Re-live the epic campaign or compete in online multiplayer battles with armies of powerful Halo forces at your command.

Community

Critics

Storyline

The Covenant has declared war on humanity, and Harvest is the first battleground. Set 21 years before the events of Halo: Combat Evolved, Halo Wars is an exciting real-time strategy game set in the legendary Halo universe. In this unique installment in the Halo franchise, players experience the epic battles that marked the beginning of the Covenant War. With the UNSC Spirit of Fire at their disposal, players fight in the intense and enormous conflicts that would define humanity's relentless heroism in its darkest hour.

Trailers

Screenshots

Very Positive

60 Steam reviews

Review History

Reviews

60 total

≥h

Steam User 4795STEAMRecommended

crazy to think this game is the original vision of Halo: Combat Evolved

Mar 17, 2026·91h·1·Verified

Steam User 3238STEAMRecommended

Good game Wart wart.

Mar 17, 2026·4h·Verified

Steam User 6742STEAMRecommended

jerome mi viejo 10/10

Mar 17, 2026·2h·Verified

Steam User 8680STEAMRecommended

I generally don't play RTS games myself because I find them to be either too complicated or just not fun to play in general (sorry, I'm built different) but this game...is very good! As a huge Halo fan this bridged the gap for me when it comes to RTS. Highly recommend to fans of this genre and/or lovers of Halo in general!

Mar 16, 2026·633h·Verified

Steam User 0910STEAMRecommended

Si disfrutaste en su momento el juego y te encanta, te recomiendo instalar el mod all units, es una locura de mod divertido y te da bastantes horas de juegos

Mar 15, 2026·13h·Verified

Steam User 2898STEAMRecommended

This is super fun, and feels like a bungie game even though they didn't make it . . . the music is awesome, the characters are all well-designed and creative, and the wide variety of options and extra little features really elevate the experience.
My only critique is that sometimes the infinitely spawning enemies in the campaign missions kind of make the fight feel cheaper or less meaningful

Mar 15, 2026·29h·Verified

Steam User 5917STEAMRecommended

BEST GAME EVER MADE. IF YOU THIINK OTHERWISE ITS BECAUSE YOUR OBVIOUSLY A LOSER.

Mar 15, 2026·15h·1·Verified

Steam User 3610STEAMRecommended

This game has an original feel and an mysterious story from before the events of Reach. It's unique in its gameplay, and something different! The idea of all of your resources coming from one UNSC ship throughout your battles is so cool.

Mar 15, 2026·19h·Verified

Steam User 4998STEAMRecommended

O melhor RTS que ja joguei, nao particularmente porque inova a formula, mas porque é maneiro, aliens, entidades lovecraftianas, robos gigantes e batalhas espaciais, o que mais poderia pedir?

Se é fan de halo é um otimo game para adentrar a Lore.

Mar 14, 2026·25h·Verified

Steam User 4877STEAMRecommended

some of the best halo game in bungie era abd even non bungie halo game, with the comeout of halo war, it mark that HALO can n have potential to become RTS game and even more

Mar 14, 2026·12h·Verified

Steam User 0589STEAMRecommended

ALL UNITS

Mar 13, 2026·56h·Verified

Steam User 8146STEAMRecommended

Great short campaign with engaging story and cool mechanics added with each level.

Mar 13, 2026·9h·Verified

Steam User 8774STEAMNot recommended

Sehr lagweilig, das Spiel kann nicht mal 2017 interessant gewesen sein 😢

Mar 11, 2026·Verified

Steam User 3844STEAMRecommended

This reminded me of a game i used to play with my uncle, i think it was called Generals?

Mar 11, 2026·4h·Verified

Steam User 6816STEAMRecommended

Fun

Mar 11, 2026·11h·Verified

Steam User 3273STEAMRecommended

EXELENTE JUEGO

Mar 10, 2026·6h·Verified

Steam User 3621STEAMRecommended

Fun and simple Halo RTS without the 343

Mar 10, 2026·8h·Verified

Steam User 3908STEAMRecommended

A Halo-themed action-RTS. You build your army and attack everything that moves. It works excellently on the Steam Deck; the controls are intuitive and very well-done. The story is classic Halo: bad guys are looking for a weapon that can destroy humanity, and you have to stop them.

Mar 10, 2026·9h·3·Verified

Steam User 9269STEAMRecommended

WORT WORT

Mar 10, 2026·30h·Verified

Steam User 5982STEAMRecommended

While it is not the best RTS game out there it being in the HALO universe fighting enemies we know and love does definitely boost its ratings. If you like RTS games and HALO I'd recommend giving this game a shot.

Mar 10, 2026·15h·1·Verified

Steam User 5130STEAMRecommended

This is an amazing classic.

Mar 10, 2026·8h·Verified

Steam User 2776STEAMRecommended

Mesmo antigo esse continua sendo um dos meus RTS favoritos.

Mar 9, 2026·5h·Verified

Steam User 4272STEAMRecommended

LOCAL UNITS ALL UNITS LOCAL UNITS ALL UNITS LOCAL UNITS ALL UNITS LOCAL UNITS ALL UNITS LOCAL UNITS ALL UNITS LOCAL UNITS ALL UNITS LOCAL UNITS ALL UNITS LOCAL UNITS ALL UNITS LOCAL UNITS ALL UNITS LOCAL UNITS ALL UNITS LOCAL UNITS ALL UNITS LOCAL UNITS ALL UNITS LOCAL UNITS ALL UNITS LOCAL UNITS ALL UNITS LOCAL UNITS ALL UNITS LOCAL UNITS ALL UNITS LOCAL UNITS ALL UNITS LOCAL UNITS ALL UNITS LOCAL UNITS ALL UNITS LOCAL UNITS ALL UNITS LOCAL UNITS ALL UNITS LOCAL UNITS ALL UNITS LOCAL UNITS ALL UNITS LOCAL UNITS ALL UNITS LOCAL UNITS ALL UNITS LOCAL UNITS ALL UNITS LOCAL UNITS ALL UNITS LOCAL UNITS ALL UNITS LOCAL UNITS ALL UNITS LOCAL UNITS ALL UNITS

Mar 9, 2026·66h·2·Verified

Steam User 4440STEAMRecommended

one of the best and smoothest RTS games i have ever played and extremly addicting and a very cool story line

Mar 9, 2026·25h·1·Verified

Steam User 5756STEAMRecommended

Holds up as one of the best RTS games of all time. I wish there was more content.

Mar 8, 2026·211h·1·Verified

Steam User 6846STEAMRecommended

Good game, not for kids

Mar 8, 2026·44h·Verified

Steam User 2953STEAMRecommended

Mar 7, 2026·28h·Verified

Steam User 2403STEAMRecommended

10/10 One of the best RTS of its time remember playing when it came out for far too long sad to see they just dont want to release the second one in steam

Mar 7, 2026·9h·Verified

Steam User 7578STEAMRecommended

Halo Wars is a brilliant twist on the Halo franchise, bringing real-time strategy (RTS) gameplay to the iconic universe of Master Chief and the Covenant. Developed by Ensemble Studios and released for Xbox 360, it was a bold departure from the traditional first-person shooter formula. However, it proved that the Halo universe could expand into new genres and still deliver an exciting, immersive experience.

One of the things that stands out the most about Halo Wars is how it successfully translates the fast-paced action of Halo into a strategic, tactical format. The game takes place before the events of the main Halo games, focusing on the story of the UNSC’s efforts to fight the Covenant and uncover mysterious forces threatening humanity. The plot is engaging, offering a fresh perspective on the war between the Covenant and the humans, and it adds depth to the lore of the series.

The gameplay is incredibly accessible, especially for players who might not be familiar with RTS games. The controls are intuitive, especially for a console RTS, and the game’s streamlined mechanics allow for fast-paced combat without being overwhelming. Despite its simplification compared to traditional PC RTS titles, Halo Wars still offers plenty of strategic depth. The player has to manage resources, command units, and make quick tactical decisions on the battlefield, all while balancing offensive and defensive strategies.

The game’s visual presentation is top-notch, with stunning representations of Halo’s iconic vehicles and characters. The beautifully crafted environments, from the lush alien landscapes to the massive spaceships, really bring the world of Halo to life in a way that feels unique to the RTS genre. The cutscenes are cinematic and well-directed, which further draws you into the experience.

Halo Wars also features an engaging multiplayer component, offering competitive and co-op gameplay. The multiplayer is a blast, allowing players to face off in fast-paced strategy battles that stay true to the tactical combat of the Halo universe. The ability to control massive armies and legendary vehicles like the Warthog, Scorpion tank, and even the Covenant's powerful units adds a layer of excitement and nostalgia for Halo fans.

In terms of storytelling, Halo Wars does a great job of fleshing out new characters and giving fans a different look at the Halo universe. Captain Cutter and his crew offer compelling new perspectives, and the story complements the larger Halo lore while standing as a strong narrative on its own. The game's plot ties well into the series, offering some exciting backstory and context for the events of Halo: Combat Evolved.

In conclusion, Halo Wars is a standout title for fans of the Halo franchise and strategy games alike. It takes the essence of Halo—epic battles, memorable characters, and thrilling action—and successfully reimagines it in a whole new genre. Whether you’re a Halo fan looking to try something different or an RTS enthusiast, Halo Wars delivers an engaging, fun, and accessible experience that remains one of the best console RTS titles to date.

Mar 6, 2026·51h·Verified

Steam User 2508STEAMRecommended

a freaking classic

Mar 6, 2026·2h·Verified

Steam User 2583STEAMRecommended

Meu primeiro jogo RTS e não podia começar melhor, Halo é fantastico tanto em fps quanto rts.
Ótima história, personagens e gameplay divertida!

Mar 6, 2026·9h·Verified

Steam User 8660STEAMRecommended

one the best implementations of console controls for an rts.

i still play the auto difficulty against ai every so often.

its great on steamdeck.

keep in mind i played hundreds of hours of the original version of this on xbox which isnt reflected in my hours.

Mar 4, 2026·122h·Verified

Steam User 6757STEAMRecommended

ODSTs are the GOATS

Mar 3, 2026·228h·Verified

Steam User 4239STEAMRecommended

Solid Campaign, the hero powers are a really cool mechanic that change up the mechanics of a typical RTS nicely. The cutscenes are superb but the pathfinding is diabolical, best to warthog swarm rather than watch your entire force come to a standstill because of tonk blob

Mar 3, 2026·12h·Verified

Steam User 6047STEAMRecommended

a pesar de los años sigue siendo un muy buen juego, lo recomiendo

Mar 3, 2026·9h·Verified

Steam User 1386STEAMRecommended

Fun rts in the halo universe.

Mar 2, 2026·31h·Verified

Steam User 9488STEAMRecommended

Halo Wars delivers some truly amazing cutscenes

Mar 2, 2026·8h·Verified

Steam User 9051STEAMRecommended

Es un exelente juego

Mar 1, 2026·14h·Verified

Steam User 5876STEAMRecommended

magnificent game

Mar 1, 2026·57h·Verified

Steam User 1698STEAMRecommended

I could recommend it on sale for fans of RTS and the Halo universe. Not as fleshed out as some of the all time greats but decent variety of units and missions. I'd recommend checking out series like Command and Conquer, Starcraft, Grey Goo, Dark Reign, War Wind, and Blood & Magic first if you haven't already.

+Visuals
+Variety of settings, key rebinding
+Campaign
+Fully voiced
+RTS gameplay
+Cutscenes, story

-Lacking tooltips
-Some unclear abilities
-Base locations locked/limited
-Lack camera zoom
-Single save only

Mar 1, 2026·2h·4·Verified

Steam User 5445STEAMNot recommended

Not a fan. Doesnt control like most RTS games. Made for controller more than likely. Mouse wheel does nothing. could probably change in settings

Mar 1, 2026·2h·Verified

Steam User 2147STEAMRecommended

Very good game, if you like the halo universe and are into strategy games you will love this one. Even better with the LeaderOverhaul mod

Feb 28, 2026·112h·Verified

Steam User 3742STEAMRecommended

good

Feb 28, 2026·9h·Verified

Steam User 4881STEAMRecommended

헤일로 워즈2 스팀 출시 해줘!!

Feb 28, 2026·2h·Verified

Steam User 1654STEAMNot recommended

don't buy they are pushing for ID

Feb 26, 2026·28h·5·Verified

Steam User 4112STEAMRecommended

crazyboys is a ♥♥♥♥

Feb 26, 2026·1483h·3·Verified

Steam User 1622STEAMRecommended

Best strategy game ever

Feb 26, 2026·34h·1·Verified

Steam User 3055STEAMRecommended

fist had this on xbox had to get in on pc one of the best games 100% recomend

Feb 25, 2026·42h·1·Verified

Steam User 0528STEAMRecommended

Un clásico que siempre se disfruta.

Feb 25, 2026·906h·Verified

Steam User 5673STEAMRecommended

UN ENNEMI PREVOIT D'ATTAQUER CETTE BASE

Feb 24, 2026·15h·Verified

Steam User 7673STEAMRecommended

This game is good enough and unique in that it's an RTS playable on a gamepad.
The story is simple, a side story in the Halo lore, unsure if it's technically canon, not that it really matters, as canon's a mess after Halo 1/2/3/ODTS/Reach.
For an RTS, there's minimal base building. There are locations where a base can be built and then those bases can be upgraded for additional resource income, upgrade research, and unlock different units. You can build a turret on all 4 corners of the base of minimal effectiveness.
The units often have special abilities, with the spartans being able to commandeer vehicles (including enemy vehicles) as a nod to being able to hijack enemy vehicles in the Halo games.

It's also one of the biggest fumbles in gaming history.
Imagine how good this could have been as an RTS/FPS hybrid.
Multiplayer: 5v5, 1 player on each team is the commander, creating and commanding units. The other 4 players play as spartans or elites in FPS mode. So much possibility, all flushed away needlessly.

A good game, definitely not nearly as good as it could have been, but not bad either.

7 out of 10 rating (good but not great)

Feb 23, 2026·17h·3·Verified

Steam User 2308STEAMRecommended

My son Play, I play! BASIC REVIEW I guess. ;) 10/10 LOVE FITI!

Feb 23, 2026·10h·Verified

Steam User 1787STEAMRecommended

Great game!

Feb 23, 2026·14h·Verified

Steam User 6631STEAMRecommended

Halo Wars Too

Feb 23, 2026·25h·Verified

Steam User 7970STEAMRecommended

ALL UNITS

Feb 22, 2026·12h·1·Verified

Steam User 9592STEAMRecommended

local units

ALL UNITS!

Feb 22, 2026·60h·3·Verified

Steam User 5168STEAMRecommended

gud

Feb 21, 2026·8h·Verified

Steam User 4192STEAMRecommended

Starcraft lite. My favorite casual game.

Feb 20, 2026·23h·1·Verified

Steam User 9576STEAMRecommended

There are mods for you to breathe life into the game, is better with friends (obviously) but the AI can be...dumb you'll have mixed results. Runs well too.

Feb 17, 2026·31h·1·Verified

Steam User 3690STEAMRecommended

Feb 16, 2026·28h·Verified

LANGUAGE	AUDIO	SUBTITLES	INTERFACE
English	Y	Y	Y
Chinese (Simplified)	—	Y	Y
Chinese (Traditional)	Y	Y	Y
Czech	—	Y	Y
French	Y	Y	Y
German	Y	Y	Y
Hungarian	—	Y	Y
Italian	Y	Y	Y
Japanese	Y	Y	Y
Korean	—	Y	Y
Polish	—	Y	Y
Russian	Y	Y	Y
Spanish (Mexico)	Y	Y	Y
Spanish (Spain)	—	Y	Y