RST sucks.But best rts game
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Halo Wars
(2009, Video Games - Real Time Strategy (RTS), Rated T, Play it on: Xbox 360)
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Is it age appropriate?
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Not age appropriate for kids under 11, age appropriate for kids over 13; suggested age 13. -
Is it any good?
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Common Sense says
Well-made strategy game breaks from Halo shooter tradition.
In this game kids can: battle others, kill humans (with blood), kill non-humans (without blood), strategize
Why We Rated This 
for Ages 13 and Up
The good stuff
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Educational value:
What to watch out for
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Violence:
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Drinking, drugs, & smoking:
What Parents Need to Know
This review of Halo Wars was written by Brett Molina
Parents need to know that this is the first Halo game rated "T" instead of "M." Unlike the other Halo incarnations, Halo Wars in not a first person shooter but a real time strategy game with less gore and violence. There is still some violence as you watch tanks, ground troops, flamethrowers, missiles, and other military weapons do damage, the action is far enough away that you can't see the details. For example, you can see bodies flying through the landscape, just not the carnage. A few video cutscenes show closeup fighting with human bodies impaled and some blood which is why the game is rated "Teen." Players will also hear mild cursing. The game can be played online where colorful language is the norm. Common Sense Media does not recommend children under the age of 12 playing online games.
Families Can Talk About
Talk to your kids about the media in their life. We have more tools and tips that can help
- Families can talk about how this game compares to the rest of the Halo franchise. Do you prefer commanding many forces or just one super-powered character? Since this game is T-rated and set 20 years before the other 3 M-rated games, do you think this is a good way for the publisher to expand the Halo's license to younger players?
More on Halo Wars
What’s the Story?
Long known as a first-person shooter, the Halo franchise shifts gears in HALO WARS, a simple real-time strategy (RTS) game that should entice diehard fans. Set about 20 years before the original Halo game, the game follows the United Nations Space Command (UNSC) as they battle the alien race called the Covenant. Instead of commanding one character, players take charge of multiple UNSC squads. Units range from Infantry and flamethrowers to big vehicles such as the Scorpion Tank.
Players will build up a base, gather supplies, create units, and bolster military technology. They can navigate the map and select single units, or hit the shoulder button to select all units. To attack, players point their cursor to an enemy and hit an attack button. Most units have a standard strike and a stronger secondary attack. For example, Infantry units can lob grenades. Each level is broken down into specific objectives, such as destroy an enemy base or defend a particular area. Players can also engage in online skirmishes against human players, assuming either the UNSC or Covenant armies.
CloseIs It Any Good?
Halo Wars is a fun RTS that is pretty easy to control. Between excellent tutorials and four levels of difficulty (which can be changed mid-campaign), this is a game that newbies can play. And you don't need to be familiar with the previous Halo games to enjoy it. The game streamlines military commands, making it simple to switch between units in different areas of the map as well as give orders. The one problem is the inability to create custom groups of units. Breaking up units into special groups requires a few too many steps. The action is quite intense, particularly as you progress to the later stages of the single-player campaign. At times, combat is frenetic as you're hopping between units dispersed throughout the environment. One moment, you may fight enemies on one portion of the map while your base is enduring an assault from a surprise attack.
Halo Wars look sharp, an impressive feat when you consider how small each unit looks. When big vehicles or weapons are destroyed, debris flies across the landscape. Battles also look very smooth, even when dozens of units litter the screen. While the real time strategy approach is different from previous Halo titles, Halo Wars is a worthwhile strategy adventure. Plus the cooperative and competitive online modes make it something you can explore with friends. Close
Halo Wars look sharp, an impressive feat when you consider how small each unit looks. When big vehicles or weapons are destroyed, debris flies across the landscape. Battles also look very smooth, even when dozens of units litter the screen. While the real time strategy approach is different from previous Halo titles, Halo Wars is a worthwhile strategy adventure. Plus the cooperative and competitive online modes make it something you can explore with friends. Close
Publisher’s Details
Released on 3/3/2009, price $59.99, online enabled
ESRB rating: T (for Mild blood, mild language, violence)
ESRB rating: T (for Mild blood, mild language, violence)
Our Members Say
See all 26 member reviews
Most Recent Reviews
- I rate this title iffy for age 10 and give itMy concerns are:
- Excessive violence
- Inappropriate language
- I rate this title on for age 6 and give it
The worst game I've ever played
The worst game I've ever played. Period. RTS games do NOT work on a console, the makers of Halo Wars are oblivious to this fact. Even clumsy controls aside, the game is still pathetic, with you being forced to build in set build plots, eliminating a whole dimension of strategy. As far as content, very little bad stuff in it at all, but DO NOT buy it. It's a waste of money. Pick up Supreme Commader or Command and Conquer for the PC instead.
- I rate this title on for age 13 and give it
Great Game! I got it free!
I LOVE this game but it can be a little expensive. I got mine for free Here: http://swagbucks.com/refer/Teejay9393 It's free at least sign up and try it out! Great prizes
- I rate this title iffy for age 9 and give it
- My highlights are:
- Easy to play
there is only some violence, because you can only see blood in the cutscenes because you are to far away to see it when you are playing. Sure there will be a few bodies flying around, but that why its rated teen
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Ratings at a Glance
| 50% | of parents say kids find it easy to play |
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