Name: Halo Wars 2

Platform(s): Xbox One, PC

Genre: Real-Time Strategy

Release date: February 21, 2017

Developer: 343 Industries

Publisher: Microsoft Studios

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Trailer/Review Scores/Discussion

Halo Wars 2 is a real-time strategy (RTS) video game developed by 343 Industries and Creative Assembly. The game was published by Microsoft Studios and released in February 2017 on Windows-based personal computers (PCs) and the Xbox One video game console. The game is set in the science fiction universe of the Halo series in the year 2559, and is a sequel to the 2009 video game Halo Wars. The game sees the return of the human crew aboard the UNSC warship Spirit of Fire and introduces a new alien faction known as the Banished. A war between the two factions ensues on the Ark, a Forerunner installation. Gameplay in Halo Wars 2 builds upon the foundation established by its predecessor; players construct a base of operations and command armies from a bird's-eye view of the battlefield.

E3 2016 Trailer

Metascore: 79 / User Score: 5.8 (XB1)

Halo Wars 2 feels like a return to the C&C era of real-time strategy - PC Gamer - /u/S14Vine

• Did you play Halo Wars 2? Did you like it? Why or why not?

• How does it compare to other games from 2017?

View all 2017 game discussions

Its getting very rage inducing and I love the game, they are changing a core mechanic in the game just because of supposed balance and "better" options.

Many people in the community are furious about it;

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Many are also waiting too see if this system is really better. Those who looked at the numbers can see they are going to steer the game in a direction of twitch based shooters, one shot kills and I feel like they are vastly changing things for the worse.

Its like they are taking one step forward and two steps back.

One thing to note is High-Rez said they would monitor the feedback of players but I personally would not like too see any of these changes be made. (in its current form)

I like this game, I have dedicated 600 hours into this game, it was the first game I bought in game stuff for(cosmetics) because I felt the game was fair and fun. Now I want to play it less and less, my friends who I used to play it with have just left the game or are like me and only play the game a fraction of the time they used too, it isn't keeping old players.

I hate to say this but Paladins which was very unique might be digging its own grave.

Game Information

Game Title: Xenoblade Chronicles 2

Platforms: Nintendo Switch

Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xjpao-nD5YU

Developers: MONOLITHSOFT

Publishers: Nintendo

Review Aggregator:

OpenCritic - 86

Reviews

Attack of the Fanboy - Kyle Hanson - 4.5 / 5 stars

Xenoblade Chronicles 2 is a delightful and fantastic JRPG experience. A long story full of adventure, character, charm, and whimsy will keep you playing for dozens of hours without breaking a sweat.

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Cerealkillerz - Gabriel Bogdan - German - 8.5 / 10.0

Xenoblade Chronicles 2 is besides some tedious mechanics and an unnecessarily long introduction a game that shouldn't be missing in any Nintendo Switch Collection. You'll be entertained for at least more than 40-50 hours of Main Quests and even after that the game still manages to keep you playing with plenty of side activities and hidden areas.

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CGMagazine - Derek Heemsbergen - No Verdict

Is it the dream sequel we've been waiting for? My gut says that while it's an excellent RPG in its own right, it's going to fall just shy of measuring up to Shulk's magnum opus.

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Critical Hit - Umar Bastra - 9 / 10.0

Xenoblade Chronicles 2 suffers from some technical issues and takes a really long time to kick it into high gear, but when it does, it manages to become a sublime RPG, standing toe to toe with the behemoths of the genre.

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Destructoid - Chris Carter - 8 / 10.0

To the delight of many, Xenoblade Chronicles 2 is less X and more traditional Xenoblade. Although they all have a special place in my library, I appreciate the return to what brought Monolith Soft back into the public eye after a series of portable games.

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Digitally Downloaded - Matt Sainsbury - 4 / 5 stars

I enjoyed my time with Xenoblade Chronicles 2 a great deal, but it saddens me that I only enjoyed it a great deal. I honestly can't believe that a studio of Monolith's size and prestige would somehow miss that its narrative is rife with tonal inconsistencies, and leave me wondering whether I was playing something serious.

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DualShockers - Azario Lopez - 9.5 / 10.0

Xenoblade Chronicles 2 is one of those RPGs that I didn't want to end. Luckily, there is enough post-game content to satisfy players looking to sink 100's of hours into more adventures with Rex and the party. However, I can't seem to shake the feeling that I was left with as the end credits rolled. I feel like Xenoblade Chronicles 2 showed me what it's like to go on a real adventure and it happens to be one that I don't think I will ever forget.

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Game Revolution - Jason Faulkner - 4.5 / 5 stars

Xenoblade Chronicles 2 is an outstanding title to finish out the Switch's first year on the market, and it's a must-have title if you're a fan of RPGs and own the system.

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Gameblog - Yann Bernard - French - 9 / 10

Xenoblade Chronicles 2 gets bolder in every direction, with a colorful character design backed by a caricatural tone to mask the gravity of the purpose underneath, a denser world deployed vertically, that literally breathes life through atmospheric compositions and folklore. Some ideas deserved more development, but most concepts are organically integrated, the versatile talents of the Blades sharpening the whole gameplay. A way to cut deeper into this huge adventure enriched by the variety and random nature of such symbiotic support creations, while its slight impression of d'j' vu only comes from the essential elements scavenged to forge the saga's most refined iteration. Nothing disappears, everything transforms indeed.

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GamesBeat - Mike Minotti - 82 / 100

It's not a technical masterpiece, but Xenoblade Chronicles 2 is a deep and fulfilling JRPG. It's a great game to show just how well this genre works with Nintendo's newest system.

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GameSpot - Peter Brown - 7 / 10

Xenoblade Chronicles 2 is a massive and dense game littered with small issues that hold it back from greatness.

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Gaming Nexus - Matt Mirkovich - 8.8 / 10.0

Xenoblade Chronicles 2 is a great game to finish off the Switch's stellar first year, and offers a massive adventure that will scratch the itch felt by both MMO and JRPG fans.

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GamingTrend - Noah McGuire - 85 / 100

While it's definitely got its flaws, and it doesn't quite reach the same exceptional standards as its predecessor, Xenoblade Chronicles 2 is definitely worth playing. With robust, customizable combat, fun characters and an interesting story, and huge environments to explore, it's one of the best games on the Switch and an excellent RPG.

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Hobby Consolas - David Martinez - Spanish - 89 / 100

Xenoblade Chronicles 2 is the latest great exclusive for Nintendo Switch; a huge, deep Japanese RPG, which sometimes feels "too generic". We love the titan made world and its complex battle system, but sometimes we lose track of the main story.

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IGN - Leif Johnson - 8.5 / 10.0

Xenoblade Chronicles 2 is a standout RPG that manages to keep its story, combat, and exploration interesting over the course of at least 70 hours of adventure through an impressively varied and rich world. Getting from place to place can be confusing, but outside of that and a multi-hour progression roadblock near the end this is an excellent game full of tough, memorable battles and a positive message.

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MMORPG.com - William Murphy - 8.5 / 10.0

We've had Breath of the Wild, we got Skyrim, and Disgaea 5, but for many JRPG fans, Xenoblade Chronicles 2 will be the first really exciting release on the Switch. And I'm here to say that it's been worth the wait for the follow up to the Wii's original classic.

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Nintendo Life - Thomas Whitehead - 9 / 10

Xenoblade Chronicles 2 on the Switch won't disappoint series fans, especially those that love the Wii original (or even experienced it on New 3DS). It's a new cast and world, with some fresh mechanics and ideas, but much is still familiar. The story has high points, the world and its varied Titan lands is intriguing, and it draws you in for many dozens of hours.It's Monolith Soft doing what it does best, albeit without shaking off the occasional flaws of the series. It's ultimately an important part of an incredible launch year for the Switch - a reminder that while system concepts change some things are constant. This is another Xenoblade gem, and a must-have for the most dedicated of adventurers.

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NintendoWorldReport - John Rairdin - 9.5 / 10.0

It sets a precedent for JRPGs on the Switch that I doubt will be topped, unless of course Monolith Soft somehow manages to pump out a Xenoblade Chronicles X 2 before the end of the generation.

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Paste Magazine - Garrett Martin - 8 / 10.0

Like a great novel or a TV show that you're binging, you'll start to think about Chronicles when you're not playing it. You might even dream about it.

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Polygon - Jeremy Parish - No Verdict

It feels like both a relic out of time and a welcome glimpse of handheld gaming's future. For all its sloppiness, Xenoblade 2's combination of classic RPG concepts and flexible on-the-go play make for one of the most engrossing takes on the genre I've encountered since Dragon Quest 9, which possessed a similar appeal.

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RPG Site - Josh Torres - 9 / 10

An excellent tale accompanied by incredible cutscenes, a charming cast, a thrilling battle system, and an exceptional soundtrack make this a worthy successor to the first Xenoblade Chronicles.

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SA Gamer - Garth Holden - 8.5 / 10.0

Xenoblade Chronicles 2 is a return to the heights of Xenoblade Chronicles after a dip with X. Get ready for a long adventure filled with amazing sights and revelations.

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Stevivor - Steve Wright - 6.5 / 10.0

Xenoblade Chronicles 2 isn't a bad game by any means, but it's one that only die-hard JRPG fans will love.

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TheSixthAxis - Dominic Leighton - 9 / 10

Xenoblade Chronicles 2 is a phenomenal RPG. It's a truly incredible piece of work that builds and expands on the series' staples, while turning into a unique and heartfelt adventure all of its own.

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USgamer - Nadia Oxford - 4.5 / 5 stars

Xenoblade Chronicles 2 applies an energetic signature and wax seal to a wonderful year for the Nintendo Switch, and for JRPGs in general. Between the amount of time it takes to get used to the game and getting through everything it has to offer, Xenoblade Chronicles 2 is a worthy investment for series fans and newcomers.

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Wccftech - Dave Aubrey - 8.8 / 10.0

Xenoblade Chronicles 2 is an essential JRPG for fans of the genre. If you own a Switch and have enjoyed JRPGs in the past, then you should get it, absolutely. In a year which had games like Tales of Berseria and Persona 5, it just might be the best JRPG of 2017, and that's saying something.

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We Got This Covered - Jon Hueber - 4 / 5 stars

With Xenoblade Chronicles 2, the Nintendo Switch wraps up its first year with one of the biggest games in recent memory; JRPG fans have yet another epic game to enjoy before we head into 2018.

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Just got the update on Steam earlier and I had a chance to test them out. The default bindings are somewhat weird (sprint/dodge is middle mouse by default), but everything can be remapped (except mouse look, which is bound to camera control). I'd imagine with some tinkering, you could have something reasonably comfortable.

Menus are now mouse controlled, though you use the mouse scroll to navigate through options as there's no cursor for the menus. The mission map's cursor is controller by mouse look, though.

I don't think I'll play Nioh with a keyboard and mouse, but this update makes it a viable method of playing the game.

Screencaps:

Change type to Keyboard & Mouse

Action Key Mapping

Camera Mapping

Stance Mapping

Menu Mapping

Gesture Menu Mapping

Modifier Keys