Nice preview by Windows Central. Halo Wars 2 could probaly be one of the best games in the entire Halo series.

http://www.windowscentral.com/halo-wars-2-preview

This article is based on my experiences with Halo Wars 2's first few levels, and I'm already very excited for what I've seen. Halo Wars 2's visuals, environmental detail, and character presentations are nothing short of stunning. The dynamic music systems, voice work, and sound treatment are enrapturing. And for me, best of all, Halo Wars 2 has already invoked an emotional response for its characters and plot in ways Halo 5 simply couldn't.

Halo Wars fans are no doubt familiar with the CGI studio Blur, famous for its work not just on games, but also movies, ads and various other mediums. Blur lent its talents to Halo Wars 2's cinematics, and they simply ooze with emotion. We're beginning to approach an age where the differences between live action and animated CGI will be indiscernible, and Halo Wars 2 more than exemplifies this fact.

It's not only Halo Wars 2's cinematics that impresse at an emotional level, but also the music, which I think is among the greatest soundtracks on Xbox One to date. I found myself sitting on the menu screen for an inordinate amount of time, listening to the evocative soundscapes composed by Gordy Haab, Brian Lee White and Brian Trifon. Their talents feed into the game itself, which dynamically ramps up the tension and urgency of the soundtrack based on the action taking place on screen, and the effect is tremendous.

If Halo Wars 2 maintains this level of quality throughout its campaign, I think we could have an instant classic on our hands. But Halo Wars 2 is far more than its 2-player, co-op capable story mode. Halo Wars 2 will also feature classic RTS multiplayer combat and an arcade-style, card-based strategy battler in the form of Blitz mode, complete with both PvP and PvE modes, and I'll be looking at every aspect of the game in depth over the next few days.

Probably because it's not made by 343.

I hope it's great, but I have to admit I care very little for cinematics, evocative soundscapes, and character presentations. I want deep, varied, and engaging gameplay. Without that, all the rest is window dressing.

Pretty keen to buy a new rts as the SC2 expansions just didnt do it for me. Do i need to play the first?

I've head this game is very self contained.

Not at all. But if you want to play the first one, you can get the Deluxe version, which comes with HW1 remastered.

Looking good. This is exactly the shot in the arm the series needed.

It really is. I'm a lifetime halo fan and after 5's abysmal story I had very little interest in the non mp parts of halo. The narrative for this one is night and day better(so far at least I saw the cutscenes for the first 2 missions. 15 minutes of cgi!!). Keep Brian reed(he was main writer of 5)away from halo.

Game is looking fantastic. Didn't think ill get into the Blitz mode multiplayer however after playing the Beta im hooked and cant wait to play more with my friends.

343 and Co have a great Halo game on its hands. Hopefully the game continues to impress though out its Campaign. Its only obstacle is its Genre. I for one love RTS so i am in for a treat. Hoping others give it ago.

I'm excited because #1 it's a RTS, a genre I haven't played in ages even on PC let alone consoles. And #2 the narrative is shaping up to be pretty great. Doesn't hurt that the beta was very good.