Halo Wars 2 is a real - time strategy (RTS) video game developed by 343 Industries and Creative Assembly. It was published by Microsoft Studios and released in February 2017 on Windows and Xbox One. The game is set in the science fiction universe of the Halo franchise in 2559. It is a sequel to Halo Wars (2009) and takes place shortly after the events of Halo 5: Guardians (2015). The story follows a human crew that is part of a military organization, the United Nations Space Command (UNSC). The crew 's starship arrives at the Ark, a Forerunner installation responsible for constructing and remotely controlling the titular Halo rings. On the Ark, they encounter a mercenary alien faction known as the Banished, and a war ensues.
halo wars 2 when does it take place
in 2559