Top production values and great game mechanics mean only minor flaws keep Halo Wars from being an instant classic.
What aids Halo Wars in stepping above other RTS titles on the console are three main aspects. The fact that building sites are tethered to the main base means that the map does not get cluttered, and adds depth of strategy in that you will have to choose what to build, whether to upgrade or full out attack as soon as possible. Also, the introduction of the wheel interface means that technologies and units are side-by-side to choose from, no selecting or de-selecting in switching between buildings, access to all areas of your bases is easy and progression with unit development is simple to grasp. Furthermore, the fact that there are no resource deposits means that there is no need to pan across the map 24/7 - you're always in the fight and the pace of Halo Wars is upheld, keeping the player enticed while the game plays out.
The campaign is in itself an engaging feature, finding yourself in the midst of a Covenant plan to unleash an armada of dormant dreadnaughts upon the UNSC, and have to stop it as soon as possible. Without giving too much away, the plot structure is executed to perfection, with beautifully-rendered cutscenes that will be begging to be watched again and again. The environments and foes that you come across are varied and exciting to fight, although neither the Flood nor the Forerunners are accessible to play and also the fact there is no Covenant campaign which would have fleshed out the story mode significantly. However, the objectives are tasked to you are diverse and engaging, keeping you drawn to the UNSC's fight for survival until the climatic finale, from rescue missions to all-out assault, you will also get the opportunity to collect skulls and black boxes across the campaign missions which again add to the replay value of the story mode which also gives added bonuses in battle for you to enjoy. However, there is no doubt that the campaign is too short - which is then compounded by the fact that you will be begging for more.
Multiplayer modes are limited however, with standard skirmish and deathmatch the options available. Standard starting from scratch with tech levels and resources, while deathmatch has all the techs already and an abundance of resources, making for a thoroughly fast-paced and exciting game. However both are solid, with the ability to play in parties, with 1v1, 2v2 and 3v3 available across varied and open maps meaning that games can range in time yet are fun throughout. Again centering around fast-paced skirmishes, you're in the fight from the off and engaged from the start with either friends or complete strangers alike. Huge battles are a regular occurrence that are detailed magnificently, especially when calling in ODST squads with the leader Captain Cutter and employing super tanks or choppers make for adrenaline-fuelled full on warfare that anyone remotely interested in either the RTS genre or Halo itself will enjoy thoroughly. The varied selection of units for both the UNSC and Covenant in the multiplayer is also a magnificent feature, and will surely please any Halo fan with a rock-paper-scissors method of play, requiring you to build a range of units to take down the enemy with complete combat effectiveness.
There are some flaws however that prevent the multiplayer from being one of the best. There is a huge imbalance between both the UNSC and the Covenant. This is so due to the Covenant being able to upgrade their leaders to the extent of which they can take out entire armies of infantry and/or tanks, meaning that as the UNSC you will be immediately at a huge disadvantage, and begs the questions why the UNSC could not have deployable leaders as in the campaign. Furthermore it is this imbalance that allows for 'rush' tactics to be used, meaning that you can be under attack within around five minutes, and with no defences, you will almost certainly be destroyed, if you're inexperienced at how to counter such tactics.
Considering these slight downsides, the experience that Halo Wars provides is hampered, but not to the extent that you will be put off of the game itself. Ensemble studios really have introduced some top production values in this RTS title that will keep you glued both the campaign and multiplayer for some time, and while the original Halo redefined the fps genre, Halo Wars is surely one of the most innovative titles on the console systems for quite some time.