Halo Wars 2 puts you in the Commander's seat for some of the biggest battles in the Halo universe, directing Marines, Warthogs, Scorpion tanks and Spartans from above as the crew of the Spirit of Fire faces a brutal new enemy. Developed by 343 Industries together with Creative Assembly, the studio behind the Total War series, it is a real-time strategy game built around fast, readable command of entire armies.
A New War on the Ark
Set after the events of Halo 5: Guardians, the campaign returns to the heroes of the original Halo Wars. After nearly three decades adrift in cryo sleep, Captain Cutter, Professor Anders and the Spartans of Red Team wake to find themselves at the Ark, the vast Forerunner installation beyond the edge of the galaxy where the Halo rings are built. They are not alone. The Ark is held by the Banished, a mercenary army led by Atriox, a Brute warlord who broke from the Covenant and survived to build a force of his own. Told across action-packed missions, the story pits a single, outgunned UNSC ship against one of the most formidable enemies humanity has faced.
Command the Battlefield
Every match rewards planning as much as firepower. You build, expand and defend, then commit your forces where they will count most.
- Bases and resources: Construct a base, gather supplies and generate power, then spend both on new structures, unit production and upgrades that shape how your army fights as the battle develops.
- Units and counters: Infantry, vehicles and air units each hold a clear advantage over one another, so scouting the enemy and adapting your army composition matters as much as sheer numbers on the field.
- Leader powers: Each leader brings a distinct set of abilities, from orbital MAC strikes to battlefield-wide bombardments, that can break a stalemate or save a failing push at exactly the right moment.
Two Factions, Six Leaders
The UNSC fields Captain Cutter, Professor Anders and the AI Isabel, each with a different approach to the same Marines, Warthogs, Scorpions and Spartans. The Banished answer with Atriox, Decimus and the Shipmaster, commanding Grunts, Jackals, Hunters, Ghosts and Wraiths in an army built on brute force and ferocity. Learning which leader suits your style, and how to beat the others, is where the long-term depth of Halo Wars 2 lives.
Campaign, Skirmish, Blitz and Multiplayer
- Campaign
- Follow the Spirit of Fire's fight for the Ark through a full story campaign, played solo or alongside a friend in two-player online co-op, with each mission building on the last as the Banished close in.
- Skirmish
- Take on the AI across a range of maps and settings, a relaxed way to learn each leader, test new strategies and sharpen your build orders before you face other players online.
- Blitz
- A fast, card-driven mode that strips away base building. Assemble a deck of units and leader powers, collect energy across the map and deploy straight into the fight to hold capture points.
- Multiplayer
- Battle other commanders online in matches of up to 3v3, where teamwork, map control and smart counters decide who walks away with the win and who gets overrun.
Built by Strategy Veterans
Halo Wars 2 continues the console strategy formula established by Ensemble Studios in the original Halo Wars, bringing it forward with 343 Industries' command of Halo lore and Creative Assembly's long experience with large-scale strategy. The result is a game that feels authentically Halo in its units, music and storytelling while delivering the tactical depth strategy fans look for.
The Spirit of Fire is awake and Atriox is waiting. Take command, rally Red Team and show the Banished exactly what the UNSC can do.
