Halo Wars Demo

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

Campaign
The Halo Wars Demo contained two campaign levels, Alpha Base and Relic Approach. In Alpha Base level, you, playing as Sergeant Forge, are 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 level, you start by fixing up the base. You would be able to build up Barracks and Supply Pads to train Marines. You then follow Sergeant Forge to the Relic, killing Covenant forces along the way. When you reach the Relic, you must kill the Covenant inside it and destroy the detonator planted by the Covenant in order to destroy the Relic. A cutscene starts when you finished the level. In the cutscene, Sergeant Forge and Anders with Marines escorting them ventured into the Relic, only to be ambushed by Stealth Elites. The level ends with Sergeant Forge requesting for backup.

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

Trivia

 * At the main menu it gives you tips and trivia for Halo Wars,such as revealing that the Arbiter's birthname is Shirley.
 * The beginning screen that says press start shows the first ever Halo Wars trailer in the background.
 * The menu is very similar to the Halo 2 menu.