‘Halo Wars 2’ Coming For Xbox One And Windows 10, ‘Halo 5’ Limited Edition Console Inbound


Xbox fans have clamored for the return of Halo Wars since it original Xbox 360 release. Microsoft closed out its 2015 Gamescom media briefing on Tuesday with the surprise return of the real-time strategy title for the Xbox One and Windows 10 PCs. Additionally, there is yet another Xbox One custom console, emblazoned with Halo 5: Guardians.

The reveal of Halo Wars 2 suggests the sequel is picking up where the original left off, with the crew of The Spirit of Fire battling Covenant forces, this time led by a Brute commander. The original was developed by Ensemble Studios and was a big test on making a real-time strategy title work successfully on a console.

Now, a new developer with an established pedigree in the real-time strategy genre is taking over the reins.

“An exciting new strategy game packed with fast-paced action, massive battles and an all-new Halo story, Halo Wars 2 is coming to Xbox One and Windows 10 in fall 2016,” Microsoft announced. “Developed by Creative Assembly, a SEGA company and the creators of the popular Total War series, in partnership with 343 Industries, Halo Wars 2 is the sequel to the game that redefined real-time strategy on consoles.”

The partnership with Sega and Creative Assembly is possibly the most intriguing part of the Halo Wars 2 announcement. Microsoft has hinted at bringing one of its RTS franchises back, but going with Halo Wars over Age of Empires is a bit surprising.

Still, this news dovetails nicely with Xbox Head Phil Spencer’s recent comments that mouse and keyboard support are coming to the Xbox One soon. Xbox One owners will likely have the opportunity to choose one control scheme or the other, and it should allow better support for cross-buy and cross-play between the console and Windows 10 PCs.

The other big Halo announcement during the Gamescom briefing revolved around the all new Xbox One Halo 5: Guardians Limited Edition console. The 1TB console will launch on October 20 with a $499.99 price and a heavy Halo influence. Both the console and controller borrow design elements from Spartan armor and the UNSC Infinity, such as the honeycomb patterns and blue metallic accents.

The Halo 5 console also comes with the ability to pre-download the game early, plus the Warzone REQ Bundle, Halo: The Fall of Reach animated series, FOTUS-class armor, and exclusive multiplayer emblem.

This is the latest entry in the console bundles and limited edition consoles for the Xbox One this fall. A Forza Motorsport 6 limited edition console is on the way, in addition to the Gears of War: Ultimate Edition bundle and Madden NFL 16 bundle.

[Image by Microsoft]

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