Halo Wars 2: Blitz beta arriving to Xbox One and PC

Microsoft has announced that they will be releasing a new game mode for Halo Wars 2. They named it the "Blitz". The beta is scheduled to be released on the 20^th of January.

For those unfamiliar, "Blitz" is a new card-based game mode for Halo Wars 2 which introduces "new twist" on the real-time strategy gameplay.

Microsoft explains to MSPoweruser that Blitz is the new twist on the 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, alongside with your faction leader, are your greatest resources as you amass a collection of air, ground and infantry units and seek to out-think and out-maneuver opponents on the battlefield.

Card games are the current trend among games. Over the past few years, gamers have dispensed hours after hours of gameplay into collectible card games like Hearthstone and Gwent while trading card games like Magic: The Gathering and Yu-Gi-Oh! have continued to hold large fan bases over the years. While there are other games dedicated to card collection, several other titles have in-game card systems applied, allowing players bonuses for their character or the ability to collect or create cosmetics through cards.

According to Forbes, the "Blitz" beta is coming to both Xbox One and PC and will play out on the map 'Proving Grounds' and will feature 1 vs 1, 2 vs 2 and 3 vs 3 gameplay. However, none of the player's progress will carry over to the main release of the game, but all the cards available in the main game are coming to the beta as well.

'Blitz' beta is open to everyone except for Xbox One gamers. They will need an Xbox Live Gold subscription to play. PC gamers on the other hand, will also get it for free. It will run from the 20^th to the 30^th of January, just enough to get players familiar with the new game mode which Microsoft hopes to be a big hit.

Halo Wars 2 will liftoff on February 21^st.