Screenshots & trailers
How this score was computed
The VGC Score is a weighted blend on a press-comparable 0-100 quality scale. Steam approval rates are first calibrated (95% positive on Steam ≈ 89.5 quality, since Steam approval skews high). Press and tracked creator reviews each count ~2x a player review and share one cap against player evidence (creator buy/skip calls pool into an approval rate, calibrated like Steam approval); all-time sentiment is capped and halved (it's context, not verdict); reviews of the current build carry the most weight when a fresh patch anchors the window; and a 'typical game' prior keeps small samples from pegging the scale. Because press reviews and Metacritic user aggregates describe the launch build, their weight decays as the game ages (3-year half-life after a 1-year grace). That's how a game that launched rough can outgrow its old reception once updates win players over. Reviews under 2h playtime (the refund window), non-Steam activations, and free copies are downweighted.
| Component | Positive | Quality (0-100) | Weight (pseudo-reviews) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Press reviews (Metacritic) | – | 79 | 20 |
| Creator reviews (2 tracked) | – | 48 | 2 |
| All-time Steam reviews | – | – | 0 |
| Metacritic user ratings | – | 68 | 339 |
| Backloggd ratings | – | 74 | 750 |
| Xbox store ratings | – | 65 | 236 |
| Post-patch Steam reviews (trust-weighted) | – | – | 0 |
| Calibration prior (typical game) | – | 72 | 50 |
Scoring window: last 30 days (no significant patch detected) · 0 reviews sampled · 0 total reviews in window · weighted 0 up / 0 down · computed 2h ago · full methodology →
Press & Creators reviews (80)
Individual verdicts from outlets we track: scored reviews first, most trusted outlets first among them. The small badge is each outlet's trust score: how well its scoring history aligns with players.
- 80
“Halo Wars 2 is a very pleasant, fast and dynamic RTS that does everything very well. What's really important it the fact that 343 Industries' game works great as a console RTS. It's less complicated than its PC counterparts but represents the genre with pride and has no competition on Xbox One.”
read full review ↗ - 88
“The most accessible yet demanding real time strategy game for consoles, Halo Wars 2 lives up to expectations while celebrating 20 years of RTS tradition at the same time. Fans of the franchise will love it, but veterans and newcomers to the RTS genre will be satisfied as well.”
read full review ↗ - 89
“Bigger, faster and... better. Halo Wars 2 is a great sequel. Visuals are great, the Xbox One's controller works fine and the sound is a masterpiece. However, the best part of the game is Blitz Firefight, a new card-mode which is really fun. If you enjoyed the first Halo Wars, this sequel is perfect for you. ”
read full review ↗ - 85
“Halo Wars 2 is a great sequel, and being a fan of both the genre and the original game, I am extremely happy with how it turned out. Sure there is a clear microtransaction-heavy mode thrust into the mix, but when it is this fun I don’t mind. Besides, I don’t get competitive enough to get hooked on buying the cards. Add in co-op and the ability to play against solid AI and the package feels complete. Those craving that real-time strategy feeling that has been almost non-existent on consoles for a long time are in for a treat with Halo Wars 2.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“Halo Wars 2 is a better game thanks to the improvements of the ideas that were established by the first title. Better camera/cursor speed and the addition of custom groupings makes it feel closer to a PC RTS title while still maintaining the ease of control that console players want. The campaign and standard multiplayer modes are solid, while Blitz is a great addition for those looking for quicker RTS matches. While the game is undoubtedly better on a PC, the gameplay and presentation do well on a console, if you can overlook some of the issues mentioned earlier. Halo Wars 2 may be the only RTS game on the platform thus far, but it is a good one that's worth checking out.”
read full review ↗ - 80
- 60
“Halo Wars 2 carries forth enough of the series' beloved elements to make any fan of Halo feel right at home at first, but not in the long run. It’s palatable for those used to the FPS games, taking inspiration from favorite missions and putting a strategic spin on them; but just when things become more challenging and actually interesting, it runs out of steam.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“Halo Wars 2 is an excellent and long overdue return for the console RTS, doing everything that can be expected of a sequel. Bigger, better and fresher, the Blitz mode is a welcome addition to an already solid package, and while fans of the mainline Halo games may find the transition too hard to bear, this is a worthy addition to any Xbox One owner’s collection.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“Easily the best real-time strategy on a console, and a fast-paced, accessible wargame that every Xbox owner should try and experience.”
read full review ↗ - 90
“Halo Wars 2 isn't afraid to mess with the standard RTS formula, and it's a better game because of it. Simply put, this is one of the best reasons to own an Xbox One.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“Like with the original Halo Wars, what we have is an experience that can appeal to fans of both the Halo franchise and those who would enjoy your typical RTS experience. But, appealing to everyone can have its detriments, with some of the RTS elements in Halo Wars 2 feeling like they could have been fleshed out just a bit more, and some of the more action-oriented scenes feeling like they would have benefited from a perspective that wasn’t so far removed from the ground. But even so, it’s still an often-thrilling experience, and a great entry in the Halo franchise. And, a friendly reminder that there’s always room in the market for a good RTS game.”
read full review ↗ - 70
“Halo Wars 2 might be a bit shallow compared to Starcraft 2, but as a strategy game on console it works really well. The controls are easy to understand, it’s action packed and the world is fantastic. For console players looking for a strategy game, Halo Wars 2 is an easy choice.”
read full review ↗
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LevelUp
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ZTGD
Worth Playing
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GameSpot
TheSixthAxis
Metro GameCentral
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AusGamers
M3…and 68 more tracked reviews.