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  1. Games
  2. FPS
  3. Halo

Halo: Spartan Assault is the two-stick shooter you didnt know existed

Features
By Hollander Cooper published 4 June 2013

Fast, frantic Halo action wherever you may roam

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

Get ready for duty, Spartan

Get ready for duty, Spartan

The next chapter in the Halo saga doesnt star Master Chief, isnt a first-person shooter, and isnt coming to consoles. 343 Industries Halo: Spartan Assault is a top-down, two-stick shooter coming to Windows Phones and Windows 8, and it puts Spartan Sarah Palmer in the starring role.

343 didnt just settle for dropping a Spartan into an arcade shooter--it is attempting to merge the franchise with the genre to create something unique. As such, it has the typical sandbox feel of a Halo game, with massive, beautiful environments filled with enemies to kill, items to pick up, and secrets to explore. If you see a vehicle, you can jump in and drive around; if you find a group of allies, theyll fight alongside you. Though it controls like a two-stick shooter (fairly well on a touch-screen device), Spartan Assault looks and feels more like a real-time strategy game where youre only playing as one character--sort of like League of Legends, except, you know, youre shooting aliens.

Itll tie in with the Halo fiction, as well. Spartan Assault is framed as a training tool, with Spartan prospects aboard the Infinity using it to get a glimpse into important battles in order to gain the knowledge they need to wear the armor. The story-driven campaign will pull players through 25 missions, expanding on the story between Halo 3 and 4 and fleshing out the Halo universe. Playing will also unlock exclusive Halo 4 content, giving Halo fans a reason to fire up their Windows 8-powered PC or device. You know, if they have them.

Check out the following slides for additional images and more information.

Page 1 of 19
Page 1 of 19
Environments are varied and alien.

Environments are varied and alien.

Page 2 of 19
Page 2 of 19
Vehicles play a major role in Spartan Assault.

Vehicles play a major role in Spartan Assault.

Page 3 of 19
Page 3 of 19
You're not the only one on the battlefield, other AI roam the arenas.

You're not the only one on the battlefield, other AI roam the arenas.

Page 4 of 19
Page 4 of 19
Cinematics are well-animated.

Cinematics are well-animated.

Page 5 of 19
Page 5 of 19
...and there are a lot of them.

...and there are a lot of them.

Page 6 of 19
Page 6 of 19
Turrets, shields... everything you love about Halo's world is here.

Turrets, shields... everything you love about Halo's world is here.

Page 7 of 19
Page 7 of 19
You can still get kill medals, like a "Killtastrophe!"

You can still get kill medals, like a "Killtastrophe!"

Page 8 of 19
Page 8 of 19
Expect to see guns you know, and some you don't.

Expect to see guns you know, and some you don't.

Page 9 of 19
Page 9 of 19
You'll explore Forerunner environments throughout the game.

You'll explore Forerunner environments throughout the game.

Page 10 of 19
Page 10 of 19
Mission scores give you plenty of reasons to keep playing.

Mission scores give you plenty of reasons to keep playing.

Page 11 of 19
Page 11 of 19
Killing frenzy! Riding in the big vehicles is really cool.

Killing frenzy! Riding in the big vehicles is really cool.

Page 12 of 19
Page 12 of 19
Vehicle battles epitomize the "sandbox" style of gameplay.

Vehicle battles epitomize the "sandbox" style of gameplay.

Page 13 of 19
Page 13 of 19
Hornets are also going to show up during some missions.

Hornets are also going to show up during some missions.

Page 14 of 19
Page 14 of 19
The visual style looks very similar to classic Halo games.

The visual style looks very similar to classic Halo games.

Page 15 of 19
Page 15 of 19
Smoke trails and explosions make the world feel alive.

Smoke trails and explosions make the world feel alive.

Page 16 of 19
Page 16 of 19
The production value is off the charts, especially when compared to other top-down shooters.

The production value is off the charts, especially when compared to other top-down shooters.

Page 17 of 19
Page 17 of 19
Look at that rocket. Just look at it.

Look at that rocket. Just look at it.

Page 18 of 19
Page 18 of 19
So many wraiths, so many things to blow up.

So many wraiths, so many things to blow up.

Page 19 of 19
Page 19 of 19
CATEGORIES
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Halo: Spartan Assault Halo
Hollander Cooper
Hollander Cooper
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Hollander Cooper was the Lead Features Editor of GamesRadar+ between 2011 and 2014. After that lengthy stint managing GR's editorial calendar he moved behind the curtain and into the video game industry itself, working as social media manager for EA and as a communications lead at Riot Games. Hollander is currently stationed at Apple as an organic social lead for the App Store and Apple Arcade. 

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