Halo Wars 2 review: Better than StarCraft 2?

Gary has played through Halo Wars 2's story mode, and the multiplayer on Xbox One, and thinks it might approach or even better StarCraft II. Is he mad? Listen to find out!

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[inkedseahear]

Sorry, StarCraft player here, and I have to disagree.
First, I do love both games (Starcraft for game, Halo for story)
Second, I was super excited for hear Halo Wars 2 on PC, no time really for Xbox. But I was worried about the controls for a game that is supposed to be published on both PC and Xbox, and I was right. Ignoring the graphics problem I have, I find the gameplay controls to be frustrating on a PC game. So much of it is automatic, and I feel like it's a bigger army wins game(not really). Units do have special abilities, but the problem of them ALL using special abilities at the same time makes it frustrating, so when Captain Cutter tells you to use them wisely, he meant "don't select all your units at the same time".
And choosing one unit at the time is even worse, since units like marines are squad based, making multiple marines tend to side-stepping to each other, making selecting one single unit even harder.
Another problem is useless shortcuts, I mean why use ASDW keys to move the camera as default? I can't think of a player who uses the keyboard to move the camera when there's a mouse just like you don't use your keyboard to control your view in an FPS.
The last thing I have with the controls is the "R" button. I already stated the problem of selecting units are hard, but this unifying "R" button make things more complicated. Most times, I don't look which key I press, so I assume I wheeled to the right units; hopefully moved my mouse on the correct unit, and see the ability take effect. But the delayed animation of the unit's ability make me hard to actually see the ability take place in the time to respond, and the "R" button made it even easier to choose the wrong unit and use the wrong ability at the wrong target.
Third and the last thing, is StarCraft definitely had the better campaign. Halo Wars 2 had the traditional "Storyline" campaign. Where missions are lined up for you to play, and progress into the story. StarCraft Wings of Liberty had the "select mission" approach, instead of lining up the missions. They carefully crafted multiple story lines that are both related, and unrelated to the story. You can choose to play them, or completely ignore them and just paly the game with less than 10 missions. But each mission unlocks new units, give you bonus collectibles, which will be translated into more mechanics that will affect your gameplay, and credits to buy permeant upgrades for your army. I noticed the decline of "mission freedom" in Heart of the Swarm, where you HAVE to play through all the mission as crucial to the story. And Legacy of the Void is increased the player freedom in choosing off-mission upgrades, which I find disturbing because it loses the feeling of making decisions because you can simply back-track them.
In the end, I am able to forgive 343 and Creative Assembly on these matters because a) I'm comparing them to possibly one of the best game developers and had extended experience in RTS gaming, and b)mechanics had to be downgraded to suit the Xbox controls

[UnluckyGambler]

starcraft is the godking of RTS games. u can argue halo wars 2 is funner for casuals than sc, thats perfectly fine. but better than starcraft? its just no comparison.

[TJV]

Starcraft 2 is the only game that makes we want to buy a gaming PC

[tojatak]

U know whats better ? Battle for the middle earth2 this is in my opinion the best and i played all the titles in this genre just bad that servers are down

[ScholaProgenium]

I played the Original Halo Wars.. So I will get this if for nothing but nostalgia.

[packlimo]

All you had to say there was micro transactions. I would had stopped then. Every game which comes out now has them, total fucking shitshow.

[Philminator]

Mouse & Keyboard support is coming to Xbox One for Halo Wars 2 in the future.

[somebodyfixmyinternet]

This is a little like comparing a tricycle (halo wars) to a mountain bike. (starcraft 2).

[KentonIGuess]

Played both and honestly Starcraft 2 is superior but I find the halo franchise more appealing

[iidirectxii]

Really like this gaming channel. Non biased, no silly fanboy nonsense, just honest opinions and very well done reviews. Take note larger gaming site's, this is how you do a gaming channel.

[iidirectxii]

Hoping with the said power of the Scorpio it would be awesome if they brought the Total War and StarCraft series to it with the system being compatible with mouse and keyboard, this would stand it apart from other console's.

[christianchristiansen]

YOU NEED SOME TEMPEST AND LESS HORNETS

[NorthernWrath]

Even with the mega franchise name of HALO, it can’t contend with the gladiator Starcraft 2, tbh the only competition for sc2 I’m aware of is Sc1

[holyflame]

It's a watered down RTS, so the the answer is no.