Take command of this weekend’s Free Play Days and put on your real-time strategy hat! Xbox Live Gold members can experience the Halo universe from a unique angle with Halo Wars: Definitive Edition and Halo Wars 2. The Free Play Days event begins Thursday, February 21 at 12:01 a.m. PT and runs through to Sunday, February 24 at 11:59 p.m. PT. You can find and install the games here. To download on console, click on the Gold member area on the home dashboard on your Xbox One.

The games are also available at a discount (see below) so you can continue playing while keeping your Gamerscore and achievements earned in-game.

Halo Wars: Definitive Edition

Halo Wars: Definitive Edition enhances the iconic real-time strategy game, Halo Wars, for a native Windows 10 and Xbox One experience. Set early in the Human-Covenant conflict, players can build and command their own Halo army to turn the tide of war against enemies in an epic campaign or in online multiplayer matches. With all the downloadable content from the original release, updated graphics and new achievements, Halo Wars: Definitive Edition is the best way to start your Halo strategy journey.

Halo Wars: Definitive Edition (PC) Microsoft Studios ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ 14 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ Get it now Supports Xbox Play Anywhere: yours to play on both Xbox One and Windows 10 PC at no additional cost. Halo Wars: Definitive Edition is an enhanced version of the real-time strategy classic, Halo Wars, updated to run natively on Xbox One and Windows 10. Set early in the iconic war between the Covenant and UNSC - made famous by the Halo FPS games - Halo Wars: Definitive Edition provides a unique angle on the war while bringing new heroes to the battlefield. Control large Halo armies and direct them in action-packed warfare. Halo Wars: Definitive Edition includes improved graphics, new achievements and all the DLC from the landmark game. Re-live the epic campaign or compete in online multiplayer battles with armies of powerful Halo forces at your command. Network play for this product is exclusive to Windows 10. Cross-play with Steam versions of the same game is not supported.

Halo Wars 2

Halo Wars 2 delivers an epic sequel to the iconic real-time strategy game, Halo Wars. Take control of Captain Cutter and his forces aboard the UNSC Spirit of Fire to battle humanity’s newest terrifying threat: The Banished – a ruthless Brute faction commanded by the deadly warrior known as Atriox. Lead your army of classic Halo units like Spartans, Warthogs and Scorpions to outsmart the enemy and survive the brutal war. Experience the largest and most exciting Halo battlefield to date on Windows 10 and Xbox One.

Halo Wars 2: Standard Edition Microsoft Studios ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ 57 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ Get it now It’s the Halo experience you’ve dreamed of – controlling entire armies of Marines, Warthogs, Scorpion tanks, and Spartans on the battlefield from the Commander’s point of view. Halo Wars 2 is a real-time strategy game playable in native 4K Ultra HD graphics with HDR on the Xbox One X and Windows 10. Halo Wars 2 also supports Xbox Play Anywhere: Buy once, play on both Xbox and Windows 10. All-new, Action-packed Story – The heroes of Halo Wars awake to find themselves - and the galaxy - in more danger than ever. Following the events of Halo 5, the all-new story is told in action-packed missions set on the legendary Halo destination known as the Ark. Players will command overwhelming firepower in large-scale battles against a terrifying threat facing the UNSC and all of humanity. Build Your Halo Army – Construct your bases, prepare your vehicles and amass your troops. Lead them into huge battles across campaign skirmish matches against the AI, and with and against friends in up to 3v3 matches on Xbox Live. Learn new strategies as you play as different leaders across Blitz and Multiplayer game modes. With Halo Wars 2, you’ll be able to explore and battle in the Halo universe like you never have before. Online multiplayer features require Xbox Live Gold membership (sold separately). PHOTOSENSITIVITY SEIZURE WARNING: A very small percentage of people may experience a seizure when exposed to certain visual images, including flashing lights or patterns that may appear in video games. Visit Xbox.com for more information.

Halo Wars 2: Complete Edition Microsoft Studios ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ 50 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ Get it now It’s the Halo experience you’ve dreamed of – controlling entire armies of Marines, Warthogs, Scorpion tanks, and Spartans on the battlefield from the Commander’s point of view. Halo Wars 2: Complete Edition is the comprehensive version of the real-time strategy hit that includes ALL content for Halo Wars 2. And now you can play in native 4K Ultra HD graphics with HDR on the Xbox One X and Windows 10! Halo Wars 2 includes an epic story taking place after the events of Halo 5, told across 12 campaign missions with ultra-realistic cinematics. Once you’ve honed your skills as a commander you can jump into a variety of multiplayer modes against the computer and play online with Xbox Live. The Season Pass included with the Complete Edition grants you 7 additional leaders to use is Multiplayer and Blitz modes, as well as 2 additional campaign missions. Each leader includes a variety of new units and powerful leader abilities and will change the way you strategize on the battlefield. The Complete Edition also includes Halo Wars 2: Awakening the Nightmare, the new expansion that allows you to play as Atriox’s Banished forces in a fight against the awakened Flood. You’ll get two new Banished leaders as well as the new co-op tower defense mode Terminus Firefight. In Terminus Firefight, play with up to two other players and defend your base against endless waves of enemy forces. *Online multiplayer on Xbox console requires Xbox Live Gold membership (sold separately) Includes: • Halo Wars 2 – 12 campaign missions playable solo or co-op online, 6 multiplayer leaders across the UNSC and Banished forces, a variety of traditional multiplayer modes, plus Blitz PVP and PVE • Halo Wars 2: Season Pass –7 additional multiplayer leaders and 2 campaign missions • Awakening the Nightmare – 5 campaign missions, 2 new multiplayer leaders, and an all new tower-defense co-op mode – Terminus Firefight

Don’t miss out on this weekend’s great games! Learn more about Free Play Days here and stay tuned to Xbox Wire to find out about future Free Play Days and all the latest news on Xbox.