Halo Wars 2 is a military science fiction real-time strategy video game, in which players command armies from a bird's-eye view of the battlefield.[1][2] The game may be played using a gamepad or using a mouse and keyboard.[2] Like its predecessor Halo Wars, it features two playable factions: humanity's military arm, the United Nations Space Command, and an alien faction, the Banished.[3][4] In most game modes, players establish a base of operations at a predetermined location.[2] Barracks and vehicle depots can be constructed at bases to deploy infantry and vehicles. Supplies collected via supply pads or the battlefield are expended to deploy units and construct buildings. Some units and buildings require a second resource, power, which is produced using a generator or extractor building. Base buildings can be upgraded to grant passive bonuses and unlock access to higher-tier units.[5]
The battlefield is initially shrouded by the fog of war, which is uncovered by moving units to clouded regions of the map. Units can be selected and commanded to engage in combat or interact with structures on the battlefield.[5] Combat is balanced by a "rock–paper–scissors" counter-attack system, in which ground vehicles are generally effective in combat against infantry, infantry are effective against aircraft, and aircraft are effective against ground vehicles.[6] Every unit has at least one special ability in addition to regular attacks. For example, Spartan supersoldiers are capable of hijacking vehicles and performing a smash attack after leaping into the air.[7] Players can build additional bases once they have accumulated enough resources and gained control over areas of the map, allowing them to expand their army.[5]
A campaign mode lets players take control of UNSC forces in battles against the Banished on an ancient alien structure.[1][3] The main campaign consists of twelve missions that can be played alone or cooperatively.[2][8] Each mission presents main objectives that involve capturing points, defending bases, or surviving waves of enemies,[1] and often require players to lead Spartan units around the map. Campaign missions offer optional side objectives such as ensuring a certain unit survives over the course of the mission or destroying extra bases within a time limit.[2] Animated cutscenes and dialogue precede each mission to provide context and integration with the game's story.[1] A secondary campaign lets players control Banished forces in a battle against parasitic alien life forms known collectively as the Flood.[9]
Outside the campaign, both the UNSC and the Banished are playable, each with a distinct set of units.[2] Players choose a leader that is based on a prominent character and emphasizes a particular style of play.[1][2][3][5] Leaders have unique abilities that can be upgraded and activated during a battle; using one requires supplies and triggers a cooldown period before it is available again.[2][5][7] Healing groups of units, carpet bombing a targeted area, and deploying special troops are examples of some leader abilities.[7] The game's multiplayer modes support online play with up to six players.[10] Game modes include Skirmish, a cooperative or solo play mode against computer-controlled (AI) opponents;[11] Deathmatch involves eliminating the opponent's army.[10] Stronghold and Domination, modes centered around controlling territory on the map;[2] and Blitz, a mode that combines elements from collectible card games with RTS gameplay by replacing base building with a card-and-deck mechanic for unit deployment.[12][13] Decks are created from card packs earned through the campaign mode and daily challenges. Each card features a deployable unit and has an energy cost; deploying a more powerful unit uses more energy.[12][11] Energy generates automatically throughout a match and more can be collected from pods dropped onto the map periodically.[11] Blitz Firefight is a single-player and cooperative variant that pits players against waves of aritifical intelligence (AI) enemies.[2]
