The Halo Wars 2 open beta has officially begun

Update: The Halo Wars 2 Blitz Open Beta has officially launched, giving PC players their first chance to try out the game ahead of its launch next month. The beta is also accessible on Xbox One. The file size weighs in at 11.96GB on PC and 10.1GB on console.

In order to take part in the beta, all you need to do is head to the Windows 10 Store and search for the Halo Wars 2 Blitz Beta, hit download and you should be good to go, as long as the Windows Store co-operates. Occasionally downloads from Microsoft's store front can error out depending on a number of factors, including the drive you are trying to install an app on.

If you want to know more about the Blitz game mode itself, then you can find those details below.

Original Story: Microsoft's first PC game of 2017 is just around the corner and it also happens to double as the first Halo title to launch on PC in years. Halo Wars 2 is a continuation of the RTS spin-off and while some Xbox One players have had a chance to test the game out already, it is now time for PC users to step in, with the Halo Wars 2: Blitz beta set to kick off next week.

This will be a multiplayer beta and will kick off on the 20th of January on PC and Xbox One. Blitz is a new game mode made in an attempt to spice up the RTS genre a bit and make matches more fast-paced.  You can see footage of it in the trailer below: [yframe url='http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z4Z7QIKb87w']

“Blitz is our new twist on RTS gameplay that combines the deck building and split-second decision making of card-based strategy play with explosive tactical combat in the Halo universe. Your card deck, along with your faction leader, are your greatest resources as you assemble a collection of air, ground and infantry units and seek to out-think and out-manoeuvre your opponents on the battlefield.”

Blitz will be one of the game modes launching with Halo Wars 2 in February, so it is a risky one to put out there as a way for users to try the game for the very first time- especially on the PC side. Rather than building bases and units as you normally would in an RTS, Blitz lets you assemble a deck of cards at the start of a match, which can then be deployed in real time during battle. It's more of a fast-paced game mode where you are worrying less about resources and more about getting straight into the action.

The Halo Wars 2: Blitz beta will run from the 20th of January up until the 30th. The final game will be coming on the 21st of February.

KitGuru Says: It has been a while since an RTS has held my interest so I am hoping Halo Wars 2 turns that around. However, it does seem risky to use an experimental new game mode to show the game off for the first time, especially on the PC side where many players don't know what to expect from a Halo Wars title. That said, hopefully it turns out good and generates some interest. Will any of you guys be trying out Halo Wars 2 next week?

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