So Ensemble studios shut down before Halo Wars even released. In my review I assumed, pretty safely I thought, that there would be no further DLC for the title now that their developer had shrugged of the mortal coil.

Seems I was wrong.

Three new multiplayer modes will premiere in the Strategic Expansion to be released in the coming weeks.

Keepaway Mode sees players trying to capture a Forerunner Sentinel. It's like Capture the Flag if the flag could fly around on its own.

Tug of War mode is based on numbers. You need to have more units, building and cash than the other player.

Lastly, Reinforcement involves both sides receiving increasing waves of units to throw against their opponent with the victory going to the one clever enough to outsmart his or her equally outfitted opponent.

Even more surprising is that the expansions adds a bunch of achievements to Halo Wars. Four in fact, each worth either 20 or 30 points.

One and Done: (30 points): Score the winning point in a game of Keepaway against Legendary A.I.'s
Pull Hard, Pull Deep: (20 points): Win and never trail in a Tug of War game (also a great name for a band)
Freak on a Streak: (20 points): Gain at least 15 population from a single wave in a Reinforcement game
Living Loving Bug: (30 points): Obtain a Scarab during a Reinforcement game

I've been a bit lax with Halo Wars since completing the campaign but will definitely be jumping back in for some online play when this content becomes available.