It's pretty safe to say that everyone knows about the 'Halo' games - even if you've never played any of them.

Touted as the definitive reason why you should buy Microsoft's console, they've also become a good example of how the hype machine could be over-utilised to the point of mass gagging.

Bungie did an amazing job with 'Halo: Combat Evolved', crafting a brilliant storyline in a rich and detailed universe, even if the gameplay was pretty standard for FPS games. Both 'Halo 2' and 'Halo 3' further failed to be FPS games that could hook you on the gameplay alone.

They could have been brilliant games if development had been given to say Infinity Ward, who's talents in creating first-person shooters with visceral gameplay is so clearly evident in 'Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare'.

It seems that Microsoft had that in mind when the decision was made to build a real-time strategy (RTS) game for the Halo universe, because they looked to one of its other collaborators, Ensemble Studios, to take the reins.

This is fortunate because Ensemble Studios are the skilled hands behind the legendary 'Age of Empires' series, which means that they have both the experience and the eye for detail needed to create a truly brilliant RTS game. Add the fact that 'Halo Wars' was to fill in on the back story to the events of 'Halo: Combat Evolved' and there was a fair amount of interest from fans during development.

So let me end the suspense for you right away: 'Halo Wars' may not be the most brilliant RTS game ever made and is decidedly short, but it holds up very nicely in both the story, visual and gameplay departments - and, more importantly, it's the best an RTS has played on a console to date.

But let's look at these parts separately. First, the bad.

'Halo Wars' is short. Very short. Playing through its 15 levels is a joy, but at the end of those 15 levels you will wish there was more. And you also only get to play as the UNMC during the campaign - to get your hands on Covenant forces, you'll have to play the skirmish modes.

The gameplay is also considerably dumbed-down. 'Halo Wars' is not about micro-management, building massive bases, or conquering vast swatches of land through clever manoeuvring. Instead, it's about fighting off enemy advances until you've built up a large enough army to go and overrun the enemy's base.

Pretty straightforward RTS fare, in other words. In the year 2009, that would have been a problem but not with 'Halo Wars'. Yes, it does get a tad repetitive. But it lends itself perfectly to the console platform, which is less about micro-management and detailed strategic planning than it is about getting an adrenaline rush through fast paced gameplay.

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