E3 2008 – Halo Wars Control Scheme Details, New Screenshots
So consider this equation. Halo Universe + real time strategy + console game controls = recipe for a franchise misfire. Well, that might hold true in the past, but Ensemble Studios is banking on Halo Wars being an exception to the rule. While some may argue that, RTS games should only be played with a mouse and keyboard, Ensemble seemingly has done an good job of optimizing the controls. Ensemble was kind enough to give players face time with the game at E3 and most that we saw went away surprisingly pleased.
As the current control schemes go, you’ll be moving around the map thanks to the left analog stick. Zooming in and out with be handled with the right stick. Unit selection is done via the A button — with a spiffy hold of the A button to select groups via a circle. All units on the screen or every unit in your army is called on with either the right or left bumpers, respectively.
Your units will be commanded to fire on enemy units with the magical X button, with an alternate firing mode tied to the Y button.
A Unit’s special abilities and building options will be chosen from a pop up radial menu, giving quick access to air strikes or expansion buildings. The control experience is relatively easy to wrap one’s head around, thanks to a clean, quickly loading interface.
Building management is similarly straightforward. We started the game with a pre-built base, capable of additions like barracks and vehicle factories. You’ll also have access to defense towers, but Halo Wars won’t devolve into a turret defense mishmash. Base support feels like less of a focus than team-to-team field combat.
Speaking of combat, there’s more than just Warthogs in this game! Scorpions and Vultures can be used to inflict damage on the UNSC side, a Spirit of Fire colony ship can orbit overhead, allowing for called-in airstrikes via MAC cannons. Oh, and if things get really hairy? Call in some giant laser fire. Oh Yea!
Halo Wars has some impressive visuals working for it, its much more colorful than when we last saw it, and the game’s visual effects while in motion look amazing. It may not have the visual sex appeal of our standard First Person Shooter types, but even with it’s mini-me units and overhead perspective, it looks good!
