Halo Wars Demo

The Halo Wars Demo is the pre-released version of Halo Wars. It was released on February 5th, 2009.

Campaign
The demo contains two campaign levels, Alpha Base and Relic Approach. In the first level, playing as Sergeant Forge, the player is tasked to help the marines to fight against the Covenant. Eventually, you will receive a convoy of Warthogs and move into the base. You then fight the remains of the Covenant and take it back.

In Relic Approach, the player starts the level by fixing up the base, building a Barracks and Supply Pads to train Marines. The player then follows Sergeant Forge to the Relic, killing Covenant forces along the way. Reaching the Relic, the Covenant inside it must be killed and a detonator intended to destroy the relic must be taken out. A cutscene starts when you finished the level. In the cutscene, Sergeant Forge and Anders with Marines escorting them venture into the Relic, only to be ambushed by Stealth Elites. The level ends with Forge requesting for backup from the Spirit of Fire.

The Campaign only features Easy, Normal and Heroic difficulties. (Legendary is not included in the demo.)

Skirmish
In Skirmish mode, you can only play against an AI on Chasms. The only hero units players can choose are Captain Cutter and Prophet of Regret.

Mistakes

 * The Magnetic Accelerator Cannon is called a "Mass Accelerator Cannon." However, this name is also occasionally used in other Halo works, such as Contact Harvest. The name is also similar to that of the related Mass Driver.
 * SPARTANs have access to energy shields. The MJOLNIR Mark IV armor did not have shields.
 * An SOEIV can carry an entire ODST squad.
 * SPARTANs can be outfitted with Spartan Neural Interfaces. The MJOLNIR Mark IV armor could not support an AI.
 * SPARTANs can wield two SMGs simultaneously. The Mark V armor did not have the ability to track two weapons at a time so it is unlikely that the less advanced Mark IV could, though the SPARTANs could probably wield two with their own skill.
 * Marines seem to know about SPARTANs, but the SPARTAN project did not go public until 2547.
 * When an area is glassed, that area can still be touched by units.
 * Rocket Launchers are called RPGs.
 * Jackals can operate a beam rifle with one hand and use their shields at the same time.

Trivia

 * At the main menu it gives you tips and trivia for Halo Wars.
 * The main menu screen shows the first Halo Wars trailer in the background.
 * The demo has been downloaded over 2 million times in the week following its debut, setting a "day one record" in its initial release.