Halo: Spartan Assault: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 18:27, June 7, 2013

Template:Game Infobox Halo: Spartan Assault is an upcoming "twin-stick shooter" video game developed by Vanguard Games in collaboration with 343 Industries. It is designed for Microsoft Windows 8 (with support for both PC and tablets such as the Microsoft Surface), as well as Windows Phone 8. Set between the events of Halo 3 and Halo 4, the game will feature 25 missions that tell the story of the SPARTAN-IV Program's earliest operations.^[1]^[2]^[3] The game went by the codename "Bootcamp" prior to its official announcement.^[4]

Plot summary

Set sometime between March 2553 and July 2557, Halo: Spartan Assault explores the SPARTAN-IVs' first Spartan Ops during the Battle of Draetheus V.^[5]^[6] This battle is part of the second war between the UNSC and the remnants of the Covenant, which is still being waged during the events of Halo 4.^[1]^[7]^[8] The story unfolds through a historical computer simulation which the SPARTAN-IVs use for combat analysis and training, much like Halo 4's War Games mode;^[2]^[9] this framing structure likely explains some of the game's arcade-like elements, such as weapons' ability to fire continuously.^[5]^[6]

The campaign has two protagonists, Commander Sarah Palmer and Spartan Davis, whose first meeting will be depicted in the Halo: Initiation limited comic series.^[7] Rather than the in-engine cutscenes used in most Halo games, Spartan Assault will instead make use of motion comic-style animations between missions, much like the terminals in Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary and Halo 4.^[3]

Gameplay

Control

Touch input for Halo: Spartan Assault

As a twin-stick top-down shooter title, Halo: Spartan Assault is developed primarily for touchscreen platforms. The default controls for the game use some of the common control mechanics of touchscreen games: the movement control is located on the left screen whereas the aiming and firing control is located on the right. Halo's staple abilities, (such as grenade with a single button and using vehicles seamlessly), are readily accessible to the player and are placed next to the aiming and firing controls for ease of use.^[10]

On Windows 8 PCs and tablets, the game can also be played with a mouse and keyboard. Keyboard controls use a standard shooter format: the "WASD" key group controls movement and the mouse is for aiming and firing. An update will be applied to the game following its release which would enable the use of an Xbox 360 controller.^[10]

Player loadout

Player loadout with a skull enabled

Players will be able to customize their Spartan character's primary and secondary weapon loadout, armor ability, and booster (akin to Halo 4's a tactical packages and support upgrades) at the start of each mission.

Integration features

Halo: Spartan Assault will be closely integrated with the player's experience in Halo 4. Experience points, all-new Achievements, and unique emblems can all be unlocked for one's Halo 4 Spartan career. Additional integration features available after launch.^[1]