Microsoft has announced the details regarding the launch of Halo Wars, the new real time strategy title from Ensemble, which would be the last title the studio ships before closing down. The game is set in the Halo universe, before the adventures of Master Chief as seen in the Halo shooter trilogy.

You can get the game, which is only launched on the Xbox 360, the gaming console from Microsoft, in two varieties. The standard box comes with a price tag of 59.99 dollars, while the limited Collector's Edition is set to cost 79.99 $.

If you get the Collector's Edition, you will be the proud recipient of some game related goodies. You get one exclusive in game vehicle in the form of the Honor Guard Wraith, alongside six big Magic the Gathering like cards which describe the attributes of the leaders seen in the game. Players will also get the Halo 3 Mythic Map Pack, which contains three all new multiplayer maps but also a crew patch with the emblem of the Spirit of Fire that can be attached to a piece of clothing.

The big addition to the Collector's Edition is the Halo Wars: Genesis graphics novel. It was created by Phil Noto, Graeme Devine and Eric Nylund and it will detail the very first confrontation between Covenant forces and the United Nations Space Command. All those who pre-order the Collector's Edition from game stores are also set to receive another exclusive in game unit.

Previews show Halo Wars to be a pretty interesting real time strategy game which manages to implement a control scheme that makes a lot of sense given the Xbox 360 controller. The action is also pretty intense and will instantly appeal to those who are interested in everything Halo related. Halo Wars is set to arrive in February 2009.