Joyswag: Win one of five 'Halo Wars' demo codes

by Xav de Matos on Feb 2nd 2009 1:00PM

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Since the beginning of time, man has attempted to unlock the secrets of two ancient mysteries: 1) The meaning of life and 2) how the hell you make an RTS both intuitive and enjoyable using a console controller. On February 5, Halo Wars will attempt to answer the second of life's greatest mysteries when a demo for the title releases on the Xbox Live Marketplace. Will it succeed where others have failed or will it too suffer a tragic fate of mediocrity? We don't know, but this week you have a chance to find out by winning an advanced code for the demo courtesy of Jade, Jake and the entire Xbox Canada Community Blog.

Here's how you win:

Leave a comment conveying your completely accurate (even though you've never played it) review of the Halo Wars demo.

You must be 18 years or older and a resident of the US or Canada (excluding Quebec)
Limit 1 entry per person
This entry period ends at 5:00PM EST, today (February 2, 2008). We'll randomly select 5 winners at that time to receive an Xbox Live Marketplace code to download the demo of Halo Wars (ARV: $0.00). Please check your e-mail!
For a list of complete rules, click here

Tags: demo, ensemble-studios, fanswag, halo-wars, joyswag, xblm, xbox-live-marketplace

Reader Comments (451)

This demo makes you wish Microsoft hadn't shuttered Ensemble and given Bungie it's walking papers. Here's hoping the powers that be don't screw the Halo franchise up like almost everyone expects them to

First off, I just want to say this game is absolutely breath taking in every way. Its hard to believe that Bungie didn't make this game. For starters the game play is splendid and the controls are smooth and easy to navigate, it makes you feel like your really in control of the war itself. The graphics are absolutely amazing, it feels as if its running in halo's newest engine itself. It gives you the feeling that the developers were really hard at work at polishing every detail. The beauty of this game is magnificent and the sound quality really puts you in the battlefield, I give this game a 9.5/10. If you haven't already pre-ordered this game, I would get on it as of right now. My only regret is that EVERYONE doesn't own this game. This is a trophy to all RTS.

This is an awesome game that gamers of all ages can play!!!

It looks well made
The gameplay looks smooth
Could be a very good Starcraft replacement until Starcraft 2 is released

Could be tough to place it on a console though

demo of the year - 5/5

Well after inventing a time machine and playing the game I have to say that this is the best thing ever created by mankind. (and I went pretty far into the future) I would of brought the game back with me but it got lost with my luggage.

Gameplay is smooth, great AI, short matches. Fun game for a great franchise!

"Halo Wars is the best RTS on the Xbox 360."*

* - Which isn't saying much.

why is a demo code restricted to the US thats completely ridiculous

I agree

and Canada!

don't worry.. you'll only have to wait a few days

My Review

Halo+Spartan+Warthog = 11/10

i didn't realize that games that make you a sammich - that is, a real life sammich - were so close in the future! But Halo Wars demo did indeed do it. There were some quirks with the sandwich, though, that I hope is fixed in the full retail version. Can't wait till the full game releases in a few weeks where they promise to prepare a whole 5 course meal!

The demo was a letdown due to the fact that it didn't let you play the entire game.

I'n not realy fan of RTG Games but, Halo Wars cold be interesting.

I've come back in time to let everyone know,
John Spartan isn't in this game.
As I cruised into the Flood areas in my Battlecruiser, it felt strangely like StarCraft.
In fact shortly into the demo the whole world became flooded with Hydralisks and Dark Templars I couldn't even see.
It was a gruesome end indeed.

this would be awesome to have

For being a console RTS, it doesn't suck!

The AI is decent, but doesn't bring anything that we haven't seen from Starcraft or other titles. Multiplayer has potential but the experience unfortunately doesn't live up to it, as it is riddled with adolescents who just realized they can curse while their parents aren't in the room.

Meh! It was so-so. the balancing was a bit off and left something to be desired. if your sitting at home with all the games from this past fall beaten, then you might want to pick this one up to pass the time.

Its exactly like starcraft, except for the xbox and it's based on halo

Two thumbs up, 5 stars, 10/10... need any reviews, just send check to...

Master Chief and Cortana do it again. My favorite FPS to date!

Halo Wars revolutionizes strategy on the console!

flame decaled warthogs? 90 infinity stars. (and thats the most you can earn)

This game a a gem among the world of RTS and looks to be a platinum seller, The controls are responsive, the sound effects stand out in this vibrant world that Ensemble Studios has created here for us. The ability to control the forces of the Covenant and humans alike have been a dream for many if not all of the fans of the Halo Universe.

That's what I would be saying if I got to play this as I'm sure that word for word I would be satisfied...

I only had to play for about three hours to write a good review. But I got carried away and now have 1000 achievement points for this game. 4.5 out of 5.!!!

Its sick, make you quit your job, Halo at its best.

Best Halo RTS of 2009

I like the circle menus, but I hope that some of the other controls have been tweaked to be a bit more intuitive.

FPS fans of Halo need not buy. Halo Wars an RTS, unless you need a to have all things Halo. Demo shows that this game has low replay value and lots of used copy's will be at your local gamestop weeks if not days after it's release.

Ensemble's swan song

Halo Wars sets itself a step above past entries into the Console RTS subgenre. With stunning visuals, organizational additions which set its competitors to shame, and a heavy dose of halo, there isn't much not to like here. Look forward to the full release at the end of the month.

Interested to see how this one comes out, hopefully it's as good as Ensemble's pedigree makes me believe it to be.

Can I haz 1 plz?

The game runs smoothly nice change from a FPS franchise.

I really liked the part with the violent sex scene between Olivia Newton John and that Ethiopian marathon runner.

::Review::

simply awesome... why?

you get to control Warthog...Ghost...Spartans... what else do you need?

--Z

Best RTS Ever! 11/10.

One word, "Awesome".

This game will introduce a whole new group of gamers to the RTS format. Will they stick around past the first hour of learning a whole new control scheme?

Best Halo RTS out there!!

There are halo units in an RTS! 5/5

Controls are great as long as you aren't a Covenant Grunt

Halo Wars stays true to the Halo Universe and continues this award winning franchise. A vivid RTS with excellent cutscenes. A must for any Halo or RTS fan.

I give Halo Wars a 4 out of 10, but that doesn't matter, since it's the first RTS to sell more than 15 copies on the 360. You finally have a decent matchmaking pool to draw from.

In it to win it!

This game looks like the RTS I have been looking for!!!

The best console RTS since Starcraft for Nintendo 64!

Halo Wars is something entirely new, though not unexpected. The world of Halo fits perfectly into the snug realm of RTS, and plays like some of the best out there.

I plan on picking up the full game upon its release.

The control scheme lives up to potential but not surprisingly, there is a few path finding issues for the AI. Best RTS on a console ever.

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Joyswag: Win one of five 'Halo Wars' demo codes

Reader Comments (451)

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