'Halo Wars 2' release date, news & update: Different looks for main character; new plot coming

"Halo Wars 2" will be coming out a few months from now. After being delayed from its original release date, the real-time strategy video game will now be available to play in the Xbox One and PC in February 2017 instead of this year.

It's been a long wait for fans since the first title was released back in 2009. But if all things go well for the Microsoft Studios game, players will be able to once more see main characters Capt. James Gregory Cutter and Professor Ellen Anders.

However, fans should be prepared to see some changes as the sequel of the game will feature new looks for the two protagonists. A blog post by developer 343 Industries explained that Cutter and Anders are different from the original game for "both casting and technical reasons."

"The first 'Halo Wars' game, for all its glitteringly wondrous CG, contained characters that Blur essentially 'made up.' They were effectively 'hand-drawn' amalgams of character, rigging and aesthetics," 343 Industries wrote.

The blog post also explained that the characters were developed back in 2008 using 2007 tech. But due to the advancements in technique and technology as well as in today's trends, the team decided to create something new with proper facial and performance capture. They made use of real performance recordings instead of a simulation or cartoon.

Reports said that Gideon Emery of "Battlefield 3" plays Cutter while Fay Kingsley of "Mirror's Edge Catalyst" plays Anders. Moreover, it's noted that the game will be introducing a new villain named Atriox. The new antagonist is described as the leader of a vicious mercenary force called The Banished. Fans can expect to see some classic weapons of war from the group.

Reports also stated that "Halo Wars 2" will come with a more interesting plot compared to the previous version of the game. The setting will have a time jump of 28 years after the events in the original title of the series.

"Halo Wars 2" is available for pre-order in GameStop, Microsoft Store and Amazon.