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Halo: Spartan Assault: Difference between revisions

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*[[Sniper Rifle System 99-Series 5 Anti-Matériel]]
*[[Sniper Rifle System 99-Series 5 Anti-Matériel]]
;Covenant
;Covenant
*[[Covenant automated plasma turret|Automated Plasma Turret]]
*[[Covenant automated plasma turret|Automated plasma turret]]
*[[Fuel rod cannon]]
*[[Fuel rod cannon]]
*[[Mega Turret]]<ref name="HSA E3w343"/>
*[[Mega Turret]]<ref name="HSA E3w343"/>
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==Development==
==Development==
===Gameplay and design===
===Design===
Vanguard Games began development of ''Halo: Spartan Assault'' around April 2012 for the Windows 8 platform, before the announcement of Windows Surface.<ref name="build">[http://www.wpcentral.com/halo-spartan-assault-coming-mid-july-will-include-future-game-updates '''Windows Phone Central''': ''Halo Spartan Assault coming mid-July, will include future game updates'']</ref> During initial development, Vanguard experimented with several prototypes by bringing the traditional Halo first-person shooter experience to the mobile platform and found out the gameplay is wholly unsuitable for the platform.<ref name="build"/> The game's AI system is managed by Havok AI, the same AI system management technology used in ''Halo 4''.<ref name="havokai">[http://www.havok.com/news-and-press/releases/halo-spartan-assault '''Havok''': ''Havok’s AI Technology Powering Halo: Spartan Assault on Windows 8 and Windows Phone 8'']</ref>
Vanguard Games began development of ''Halo: Spartan Assault'' around April 2012 for the Windows 8 platform, before the announcement of Windows Surface.<ref name="build">[http://www.wpcentral.com/halo-spartan-assault-coming-mid-july-will-include-future-game-updates '''Windows Phone Central''': ''Halo Spartan Assault coming mid-July, will include future game updates'']</ref> During initial development, Vanguard experimented with several prototypes by bringing the traditional ''Halo'' first-person shooter experience to the mobile platform and found out the gameplay is wholly unsuitable for the platform.<ref name="build"/> The game's AI system is managed by HAVOK, the same AI system management technology used in ''Halo 4''.<ref name="havokai">[http://www.havok.com/news-and-press/releases/halo-spartan-assault '''Havok''': ''Havok’s AI Technology Powering Halo: Spartan Assault on Windows 8 and Windows Phone 8'']</ref> The Microsoft Surface Pro version of the game runs at 60 frames-per-second. The Windows Phone 8 and PC versions are locked at 30 FPS.{{Citation needed}} The game's top-down view and stylization result in an aesthetic very similar to that of ''[[Halo Wars]]''.


===Integration features with Halo 4===
====Sandbox====
The [[sandbox]] features weapons, vehicles, and armor styles from throughout the series' past. Most of the UNSC's arsenal from ''Halo 4'' is represented in ''Spartan Assault''; indeed, all but [[M41 Light Anti-Aircraft Gun|one]] usable UNSC weapon comes from ''Halo 4''. The Covenant's arsenal is instead an eclectic mix of weapons from previous games, notably featuring the [[Type-52 Special Applications Rifle|focus rifle]] and [[Type-51 Directed Energy Rifle/Improved|plasma repeater]] from ''[[Halo: Reach]]''. Several original UNSC vehicles (the [[M850 Main Battle Tank|Grizzly]], [[AV-22 Sparrowhawk|Hawk]], and [[M9 Main Anti-Aircraft Tank|Wolverine]]), as well as the Covenant [[mega turret]], are virtually unchanged from their ''Halo Wars'' incarnations, aside from graphical improvements; given its automated [[Type-52 Directed Energy Support Weapon|plasma cannon]], the [[Type-26 Assault Gun Carriage|Wraith]] also appears to be based on the version seen in ''Halo Wars''.
 
Aside from [[Merg Vol]], the Covenant species are based on their appearances in earlier media rather than their ''Halo 4'' incarnations. Specifically, the [[Unggoy|Grunts]], [[Sangheili|Elites]], and [[Kig-Yar|Jackals]] have the physiology of their ''Halo: Reach'' counterparts and wear corresponding armor. The [[Jiralhanae|Brutes]] and Drones are instead represented with their designs from ''Halo 3'' and ''[[Halo 3: ODST]]''.
 
===Integration features with ''Halo 4''===
The game is closely integrated with the player's experience in ''Halo 4'' where players can unlock experience points, new achievements, and an emblem for their ''Halo 4'' account.<ref name="official"/> After purchasing the [[Champions Bundle]] Pack or the Bullseye Map Pack, the game will unlock:  
The game is closely integrated with the player's experience in ''Halo 4'' where players can unlock experience points, new achievements, and an emblem for their ''Halo 4'' account.<ref name="official"/> After purchasing the [[Champions Bundle]] Pack or the Bullseye Map Pack, the game will unlock:  


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*A new stance called ''Determined''.
*A new stance called ''Determined''.


===Title Update===
===Title update===
On August 29, 2013, ''[[Operation F: Hydra]]'' was released in the form of a title update. ''Hydra'' includes five new missions as well as five new achievements, worth a total of 50 gamerpoints.<ref>[http://blogs.halowaypoint.com/Headlines/post/2013/08/27/New-Halo-Spartan-Assault-Achievements-Released.aspx '''Halo Waypoint''', ''New Halo: Spartan Assault Achievements Released'']</ref>
On August 29, 2013, ''[[Operation F: Hydra]]'' was released in the form of a title update. ''Hydra'' includes five new missions as well as five new achievements, worth a total of 50 gamerpoints.<ref>[http://blogs.halowaypoint.com/Headlines/post/2013/08/27/New-Halo-Spartan-Assault-Achievements-Released.aspx '''Halo Waypoint''', ''New Halo: Spartan Assault Achievements Released'']</ref>


==Trivia==
==Trivia==
*Despite being on the cover of the game, no [[Mgalekgolo|Hunters]] make an appearance.
*Despite being depicted on the cover art, [[Mgalekgolo|Hunters]] do not appear in the game.
*When shot the [[Yanme'e|Drones]] make the same noises [[Huragok|Engineers]] made in previous Halo games.
*When shot, the [[Yanme'e|Drones]] make the same noises [[Huragok|Engineers]] make in ''[[Halo 3: ODST]]'' and ''[[Halo: Reach]]''.
*This marks the first Halo game in which [[Kig-Yar|Jackals]] use and drop [[Type-1 Antipersonnel grenade|plasma grenades]].
*This marks the first ''Halo'' game in which [[Kig-Yar|Jackals]] use [[Type-1 Antipersonnel grenade|plasma grenades]].
*The game can run at 60 frames-per-second when played on Microsoft's Surface Pro while the rest runs at 30 frames-per-second.
*The [[Mission 1: Assault on CF-32|first mission]]'s [[:File:HSA mission overview.jpg|briefing screen]] and the [[:File:Battle for Epsilon Expanse.png|opening cutscene]] for [[Mission 9: Battle for Epsilon Expanse|Mission 9]] depict Unggoy and Sangheili in their ''Halo 3'' likenesses, whereas they resemble their ''Halo: Reach'' counterparts in gameplay.


==Gallery==
==Gallery==

Revision as of 15:53, September 8, 2013

Template:Game Infobox Halo: Spartan Assault is an isometric shooter video game developed by Vanguard Games in collaboration with 343 Industries; it is the eighth game in the Halo series. Spartan Assault is designed for Microsoft Windows 8 (with support for both PC and tablets), as well as Windows Phone 8. Set between the events of Halo 3 and Halo 4, the game features 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] It was released on July 18, 2013.

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 the UNSC TACSIM, 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 Edward 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 instead makes use of motion comic-style animations between missions, much like the terminals in Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary and Halo 4.[3]

Campaign

The campaign is divided into six chapters called "Operations", with five missions each.

Gameplay

Control input

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 has recently been applied to the game (August 29th) which enables the use of an Xbox 360 controller as well.[10]

Player loadout

Player loadout

Players are 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.

Features

Characters

UNSC

Covenant

Equipment and technology

Locations

Organizations

Vehicles

UNSC
Covenant

Weapons

UNSC
Covenant
Forerunner

Development

Design

Vanguard Games began development of Halo: Spartan Assault around April 2012 for the Windows 8 platform, before the announcement of Windows Surface.[24] During initial development, Vanguard experimented with several prototypes by bringing the traditional Halo first-person shooter experience to the mobile platform and found out the gameplay is wholly unsuitable for the platform.[24] The game's AI system is managed by HAVOK, the same AI system management technology used in Halo 4.[25] The Microsoft Surface Pro version of the game runs at 60 frames-per-second. The Windows Phone 8 and PC versions are locked at 30 FPS.[citation needed] The game's top-down view and stylization result in an aesthetic very similar to that of Halo Wars.

Sandbox

The sandbox features weapons, vehicles, and armor styles from throughout the series' past. Most of the UNSC's arsenal from Halo 4 is represented in Spartan Assault; indeed, all but one usable UNSC weapon comes from Halo 4. The Covenant's arsenal is instead an eclectic mix of weapons from previous games, notably featuring the focus rifle and plasma repeater from Halo: Reach. Several original UNSC vehicles (the Grizzly, Hawk, and Wolverine), as well as the Covenant mega turret, are virtually unchanged from their Halo Wars incarnations, aside from graphical improvements; given its automated plasma cannon, the Wraith also appears to be based on the version seen in Halo Wars.

Aside from Merg Vol, the Covenant species are based on their appearances in earlier media rather than their Halo 4 incarnations. Specifically, the Grunts, Elites, and Jackals have the physiology of their Halo: Reach counterparts and wear corresponding armor. The Brutes and Drones are instead represented with their designs from Halo 3 and Halo 3: ODST.

Integration features with Halo 4

The game is closely integrated with the player's experience in Halo 4 where players can unlock experience points, new achievements, and an emblem for their Halo 4 account.[1] After purchasing the Champions Bundle Pack or the Bullseye Map Pack, the game will unlock:

  • The Striped (STP) skin for the DMR.
  • The Vision (VISN) skin for the Air Assault armor.
  • The Rush (RUSH) skin for the CIO armor.
  • A new stance called Determined.

Title update

On August 29, 2013, Operation F: Hydra was released in the form of a title update. Hydra includes five new missions as well as five new achievements, worth a total of 50 gamerpoints.[26]

Trivia

Gallery

Sources

  1. ^ a b c d Halo Waypoint - Halo: Spartan Assault
  2. ^ a b Halo: Spartan Assault Announce Trailer
  3. ^ a b c GameInformer: 343 Industries Reveals Halo: Spartan Assault
  4. ^ Halo Waypoint: The Halo Bulletin 6.5.2012
  5. ^ a b Halo Waypoint - Halo: Spartan Assault - Defend
  6. ^ a b Halo Waypoint - Halo: Spartan Assault -Clear
  7. ^ a b Halo Waypoint - Halo Initiation Writer Interview
  8. ^ Coming this summer: Windows Phone Blog A new Halo for Windows Phone 8
  9. ^ The PA Report: The next Halo game is coming to hardware you don’t have, and software you don’t want
  10. ^ a b YouTube: Halo: Spartan Assault - Debut Gameplay Reveal
  11. ^ a b c YouTube - Halo Spartan Assault gameplay w/ 343i employee Jay Frechette (E3 2013)
  12. ^ YouTube - PC 1080p | Halo: Spartan Assault Gameplay
  13. ^ YouTube - Halo: Spartan Assault Launch Party Demo
  14. ^ YouTube - Halo: Spartan Assault on Surface Pro @E3 2013
  15. ^ YouTube - Halo: Spartan Assault On Surface RT gameplay
  16. ^ Youtube Halo Spartan Assault Walkthrough - Level A-1 (Part 1)
  17. ^ a b YouTube - Halo Spartan Assault Impressions (inc Gameplay)
  18. ^ Vine.co - Xbox: Meet Roland, your A.I. guide in Halo: Spartan Assault
  19. ^ YouTube - Halo: Spartan Assault for Windows Phone 8 @E3 2013
  20. ^ a b c YouTube - E3 2013: Halo Spartan Assault
  21. ^ YouTube - vgBR na E3 2013 - Gameplay de Halo Spartan Assault
  22. ^ YouTube, Halo: Spartan Assault Reveal Trailer
  23. ^ a b c Halo Waypoint: Halo: Spartan Assault Achievements
  24. ^ a b Windows Phone Central: Halo Spartan Assault coming mid-July, will include future game updates
  25. ^ Havok: Havok’s AI Technology Powering Halo: Spartan Assault on Windows 8 and Windows Phone 8
  26. ^ Halo Waypoint, New Halo: Spartan Assault Achievements Released

External Links

The official download site Template:Halo Games