Halo Wars Limited Collector's Edition

Halo going real-time strategy felt like a gamble in 2009, and the Halo Wars Limited Collector's Edition on Xbox 360 bet big on fans trusting Ensemble Studios with the keys to the franchise. This edition came loaded with the Mythic Map Pack for Halo 3, featuring three new multiplayer maps: Assembly, Orbital, and Sandbox, plus a unique in-game "Honor Guard" Wraith vehicle.

The Mythic Map Pack inclusion was a masterstroke. Halo 3's multiplayer was still the beating heart of Xbox Live in early 2009, and bundling three new maps with a different Halo game ensured that even players skeptical about an RTS had a reason to pick up the Collector's Edition. Assembly brought tight, symmetrical arena combat. Orbital offered asymmetric engagements with stunning orbital station views. And Sandbox became one of the most important maps in Halo history, a blank canvas for Forge creators that spawned thousands of custom game modes. The Honor Guard Wraith gave Halo Wars players an exclusive vehicle variant dripping with Covenant ceremonial flair, a unit that standard edition owners could only admire from across the battlefield.

The Halo Wars Limited Collector's Edition sits at a crossroads of two different gaming communities: the Halo FPS faithful and the RTS newcomers. Ensemble Studios poured their legacy into this game before closing their doors, making Halo Wars both a beginning and an ending. For Xbox 360 collectors, this edition bridges those worlds with content that served both audiences. The Mythic maps alone justified the purchase for Halo 3 players, and the Honor Guard Wraith rewarded those who actually dove into the campaign.