Halo Wars 2 is just around the corner, but that’s not stopping the developers from holding yet another Beta period for the title, on Xbox One and PC. On January 20th, the second Halo Wars 2 beta will take place, and will give all fans a chance to try the game out before it’s official release on February 21st. The new multiplayer beta will focus on a new game mode which is entitled “Blitz”; the game mode is quite unique from anything else we’ve seen in the RTS franchise, and the developers had the following to say in regards to the mode:
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-maneuver your opponents on the battlefield. We’re really excited about this new mode and look forward to unleashing Blitz upon the community to play and run through its paces prior to launch.
The Halo Wars 2 Blitz Beta will officially begin on Friday, Jan. 20 and is slated to run through Jan. 30, 2017. The Blitz Beta will take place on the map “Proving Grounds,” and will offer 1v1, 2v2, and 3v3 gameplay via matchmaking on both Windows 10 PC and Xbox One. One thing we’re particularly excited about is the fact that all of the Faction Leaders and Blitz cards that will be available in the full game at launch on Feb. 21 will be included and available to play and experiment with during the beta, offering wide breadth of strategic and gameplay options. You’ll also find a series of daily and weekly challenges to participate in as we work to stress test those systems.
Blitz definitely sounds like it’s shaping up to be a fun game mode. The developers have also announced that this upcoming beta will be very close to the final build of the game, with that said, all final faction leaders and Blitz cards will be available in this beta, as opposed to the final release only. Despite this, your progress within the upcoming Multiplayer beta will not be carried over to the final release, but just from playing the beta in general – you’ll be able to receive some special in game-rewards as a special “Thank You” from the developers for participating in the beta.
“As a special incentive and thank you, everyone who participates in the Blitz Beta will be awarded up to two free in-game Blitz card packs in the final retail version when it ships in February. You’ll earn one card pack just for logging into the Blitz Beta and another one after you’ve completed your first match.”
Halo Wars 2 will arrive on both Xbox One and Windows 10 PC on February 21st, with the beta period running from January 20th-30th.
