Common Sense Media Review
By Brett Molina
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Well-made strategy game breaks from Halo shooter tradition.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 13+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Play
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 19 parent reviews
Based on 71 kid reviews
Kids say the game offers a fun real-time strategy experience, particularly when played with others, emphasizing teamwork and communication. However, many reviews indicate that while it has some enjoyable aspects, it is not on par with other entries in the franchise and is often seen as too simplistic or confusing, making it suitable for younger audiences but less appealing to older fans.
- fun multiplayer experience
- not as complex
- suitable for younger audiences
- mild violence and language
- strategy-focused gameplay
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
What's It About?
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.
Is 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.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
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?
Game Details
- Platform : Xbox 360
- Pricing structure :
- Available online? : Available online
- Publisher : Microsoft
- Release date : March 3, 2009
- Genre : Real-Time Strategy (RTS)
- ESRB rating :
- Last updated : October 9, 2025
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