Here is your first look at Halo: Spartan Strike

By Mark Guim
last updated

We had a few details about the upcoming game Halo: Spartan Strike on Wednesday. Today, we have all the things you need to know. The Halo top-down shooter is coming to Windows, Windows Phone, and Steam on December 12th, 2014 for $5.99. You can buy it once for both Windows and Windows Phone, but the Steam version is a separate purchase.

This is a chapter in the "Halo" universe, which will take you through 30 challenging missions through jungles, cities and more. I spent a few minutes with some of the levels on the Surface Pro 3 and the Lumia 930. I was impressed, but I do share some of your concerns about the controls that stemmed from the previous version, Halo: Spartan Assault.

Main Features:

  • Crush your enemies using the iconic Warthog jeep, or sweep them from the battlefield using the all-new Kestrel VTOL.
  • Use all-new weapons (Suppressor, Scatter Shot, Binary Rifle and Incineration Cannon) and armor abilities (Proximity Mine, Bubble Shield, Teleport, Shock Chain and Airstrike) to dominate on the battlefield.
  • Face off against new Promethean enemies; deadly mechanical warriors who seek mankind's annihilation.
  • Experience an all-new story that will take you from New Mombasa on Earth to the enigmatic Gamma Halo located at the edge of charted space.
  • Pick and play through shared progress between Windows 8 devices or between PCs/Tablets on Steam via Steam Cloud.
  • Complete weekly challenges and take the top position in leaderboards that showcase your "Halo" gaming skills.
  • Take control! Choose between keyboard and mouse, USB Xbox controller, or touch-based virtual joystick.
  • Earn achievements in "Halo: Spartan Strike" to unlock an exclusive emblem, nameplate, and avatar in "Halo: The Master Chief Collection" on Xbox One (sold separately).

In Halo: Spartan Strike, you play as a Spartan in a real-world, classified ONI simulation that starts on New Mombasa in 2552. You must lead UNSC troops to prevent Earth from being overtaken by Covenant and Promethean enemies. It feels a lot like Halo: Spartan Assault, but there's a new story, improved touch controls, updated graphics and an all-new score from award-winning composer Tom Salta.

You move and shoot with virtual joysticks. They glow as you shoot or move. You move with the left joystick while you aim with the right joystick. It's pretty straightforward, but there were a few times when maneuvering the vehicles were difficult. The good news here is you can also use keyboard, mouse, and USB Xbox controller with the game on Windows.

Speaking of vehicles, you can drive the iconic Warthog jeep. But my favorite would be the Kestrel VTOL, which is basically a killer hovercraft.

It's also worth noting that there are no in-app purchases in Halo: Spartan Strike. You buy things with the in-game currency.

If you have Windows and Windows Phone devices, your progress is able to transfer with each other. Windows Phone users will also be happy to know that the game will be supported by devices with 512MB RAM.

I've enjoyed my brief time with Halo: Spartan Strike. It looks great on the Surface Pro 3 and that's probably where I'll be playing this game mostly. When I'm on the go, I'll continue playing on a Windows Phone device.

Are you looking forward to Halo: Spartan Strike? Sound off in the comments!

Mark Guim
Mark Guim

Mark Guim is Video Editor at Windows Central. He switched to Windows because the MacBook Pro isn't Pro enough. You can follow him on Twitter at @markguim.

115 Comments
  • No in app purchases?! Now I just need multiplayer and I'll be happy! :-)
  • I'd say a Co-op mode would be good to have as well.
  • I think that's what he was trying to say. I really don't see deathmatch being a hit for this type of gameplay :)
  • I feel like pvp in this game would be like the multiplayer in that old Bomberman game. It was actually quite fun.
  • Both
  • Of course no in app purchases
  • My wallet's ready for battle.
  • if it's a good game i'll manage
  • But it's quite expensive
  • don't care. as long as they gave me trial version 1st. if I like the game play I'll get it
  • Don't understand why people think a few bucks is so expensive. I used to pay $49.99 for a single game 20 years ago. Those old games were 1000 times less complex too. Anything under $20 is an absolute STEAL in my opinion for the sheer amount of work put into game development.
  • Agreed. Not sure why people undervalue games so much, especially mobile games.
  • Even free is too expensive. The developer needs to pay me $5 for every game I buy. 
  • So buy the entire app store. See, no matter how cheap games are, you inevitably reach the point where you need to be selective. Some reach that point sooner than others.
  • what?  Your comment makes no sense.  Why would I want to buy the entire app store?  Of course I'm selective.  If you like a particular game and want it, a few bucks for all the enjoyment you get from it is well worth it.  Everyone is selective, that has nothing to do with it.  Nobody pays for games they don't want. 
  • Not when you consider that for that 5.99 you get the windows phone version or the windows 8.1 version the only version you will have to pay for again is the steam version
  • My wallet almost ready for this battle
  • No Xbox One version?
  • Same thought. Guess like spark for 360 they've decided to hold off porting it
  • Looks awesome..
  • Definitely can't wait for this. I love the Halo Franchise.
  • Does wp8.1 have Wi-Fi direct like feature ?
  • The hardware and drivers are there on the newer phones, the apps to use it aren't.
  • Novron, naturally, isn't it..im in a foul mood. Watch my comments be deleted by wpcentral, again, and again. Lol
  • GDR2 will bring this feature. http://www.wpcentral.com/cortana-poland-new-features-listed-update-2
  • I really hope so. Thank you for the source
  • Dude according to your source developer preview must have got the update by 8th October. Today is 16th. Also the wpcentral has rated the rumor 2/10.
  • My worst fears, lol. I didn't read fahmi's article. Thanks, trying to multitask. Epic failure.
  • Halo Wars 2 please.
  • Yes please
  • I'm all over it when it comes out
  • Waiting for red stripe deal lolololo....
  • There is no space for it between the perpetual cycle of Pacman CE and Halo: Spartan Assault
  • By body, and wallet is ready!
  • Bring it on!!!
  • When My friends used Bluetooth to transfer files but I couldn't I held on. My friends used voice assistant I held on. My friends used to play angry birds but I held on. My friends used screen mirroring I held on. Now friends use OTG , "Share it" app (wifi-direct) should I still hold on ? Always behind
  • Just switch and stop whining if you want to be one of the crowd so much.
  • Switch what? I'm using both devices as we speak, if that is what you are referring to. I am a windows person. However, I have no need to fit in with you or yours. Your are a subspecies to me.
  • u can transfer files via Bluetooth woth the files app.
  • Yes. WP is getting there. I just find it paradoxical MS, owning Xbox, does not offer OTG or have a Bluetooth stack to provide the ability to use a controller or OTG support to connect a flash drive and watch a movie on the go. Yes, WP, specifically a 1520, which is what I own, is perhaps not ideal for video, but it works for me. Additionally, the 1520's display is, omg, gorgeous. Lol. Thanks.
  • @Peg Leg couldn't agree more lol MS
  • I have e-books and movies on my 1520 which takes ages to transfer a file using Bluetooth. Android phones 1/3rd the price of NL1520 can transfer the same files Faster.
  • Have you put in your votes for these features at the WP uservoice site? That's MS's new tool and they seem to be utilzing it well. 
  • No. I will. I usually complain like a loser, with the assumption ms/WP has a clue. However, I could be so wrong. Thank you for the user voice idea. I will do it shortly. Must deal with niece bringing new iPhone to set up, oh no, the enemy is infiltrating my defenses!
  • Thanks a lot
  • @Aashish13 please check out "shareit alpha" app on wpstore.
  • Will do, as well. I am having trouble with Miracast using a 1520 and an LG 55LN5600-UI so called Smart TV. Would love to use TV for gaming with phone. Children conquered other TV and Xbox. You know I can't win that war and I cant play that much anyway. Really just want to toss anything, rather than a few media types to tv for short time as desired. Can toss videos (minus some file types MKV, etc.) utilizing Play To app. Moreover, no success pairing using "Project My Screen." Also, I am trying to update, if available, the software of TV, yet LG made this difficult as well. I appreciate any advice from anyone and a big Thank You as well.
  • @Peg Leg even I have a NL1520 and LG tv LA-6910. Miracast connection is like winning a lottery.
  • Ahh, see. Ok, I'm not alone.
  • @Aashish13 is there any game on which we can play multiplayer using Bluetooth?
  • Speed a card games only one I know of
  • I am so gonna buy it! But my 820 gets kinda hot (in a bad way) while running spartan assault :(
  • Yeah, mine feels like I'm cooking it when I played it O.o
  • You're not alone but if your phone gets dangerously hot it will turn itself off. My 920 does the same thing, it does make it tough to hold but it never turns off. I assume the phone was ment to get that hot.
  • Love it, Halo is Love, Halo is life. O3O
    Started with Halo CE back in 2002, hooked ever since, I own all currently available Halo games, including both classic CE and Day One CE Anniversary. C:
  • Assuming it will be an Universal Xbox game...I'll wait for it to go on Red Stripe Deal to get it =P
  • 5.99 to expensive for you
  • Not necessarily. Just a "cheap ass gamer." It pays to demonstrate patience. I wait for price drops all the time.
  • Yes. Problem?
  • Come on we have the power to make it multiplayer at least on local wifi. And moga. Or Xbox controller dear god!
  • God will not help you. He has been quite for centuries.
  • Your grammar has, too, been quite bad for a few centuries.
  • Good point. Yet, if you look closely, nor is yours (comma splice) lol. I'm on a phone man.
  • Farm autocorrect
  • I thought the controls worked almost perfectly personally. The best top down touch controls I can think of. I am really psyched for this
    ..can't wait.
  • Looks awesome
  • The best thing in this article for me that's it's the first time I see a WPCentral posted video in 1080p! They always were 720p, for some odd reason - finally, WPCentral noticed the 1080p setting on YouTube! :D I hope it won't take them too much time to start posting 4K videos when that'll be the standard... ;)
  • 4k that can see Dan's blackhead
  • I can't wait for this to come! A definite buy for me.
  • Wanted to see if this goes through cause it's not letting me comment on the forum itself:\
  • Side load a pirated one. Sorry, I can't afford the game. It's very expensive in my country currency. If I spend the money on this game, I wont have enough to pay my rental.
  • Just play 'Words by Post Free'...
    Costs nothing & sharpens the mind.
  • So you want to break the law f#ck good developers out of money cuz it cost 5.99
  • Spartan Assault was okay. But am I the only one, who doesn't understand why Microsoft keeps annoying us with top-down-scrollers.
    I mean: Seriously. Back then with the original Halo we didn't have 2,3 GHz-quadcore-CPUs in our PCs, like now in Mobiles. So I really don't understand why they can't bring a Halo-game in real 3D.
  • Idk, but I like these top dwn halo shooters, if u want a fps check blitz brigade for your phone, that's a good one
  • I'm kind of with you on this one. I own Spartan Assault on both my Lumia 920 and Xbox 360 and almost completed all achievements on Xbox. I can't stand playing it on my phone because the controls do nothing but aggravate me. The game's difficulty remains the same across versions but the touch-screen controls makes the game a lot harder. Overall though, I never found the game to be very enjoyable or rewarding. I only wish the Xbox achievements carried over to my phone so that I don't have to force myself to play it on my phone again, someday, but that's not the case.
  • It's really about the amount of space it would take up on your phone and the heating problems, but since all good WP come standard with 16gb HD, I think Halo CE could work. Just would have to cut out a lot of the background work and tone down the graphics a bit. But I'd easily spend $9.99 for Halo CE for my WP!
  • This.
  • Original Halo came on a DVD. So it was either 4.7 or 8.5 GBytes. Should be feasible on today's phones... ;-)
  • Stick shooters are a far more natural control scheme for phones than FPS games.
  • Might have been in the past. But Gameloft proved the opposite multiple times.
  • Sounds excellent, now on my wish list
  • Why does a "map-pack" for the price of a full game sound good to you...?
  • Cool
  • A**h*** game.
  • Meanwhile I still not playing the 1 one. Lol! (low on storage)
  • Will Verizon have an exclusive on it again? xD
  • i wish I could plat sunswt overdrive on my windows phone. not possible with such huge graphics after all
  • I don't know why an official Halo game made by Microsoft has the worst touch controls. They should fix them to have people buying it, I bought Spartan Assault and it's frustrating that I can't even play it comfortably.
  • If this game can have multiplayer,  it might just be a good substitute MOBA for RAYCRASH - an old but awesome game!
  • I want controller support on Windows Phone. Why can't I have it?! :'( Android and iOS have it...
  • Can't wait to hit red stripe deal.. Instabuy!
  • Same here. That's when I bought Halo: Spartan Assault
  • I'm going to wait and see impressions of it plays correctly without lag on 520. It's a third person shooter, right?
  • No, sadly. Again another top- down-scrolling game.
    Something I can't understand, when you compare the hardware specs the original Halo required on PC with the specs today's mobiles provide.
  • It's not a first person, it's not third person, what it is then? :o
  • Oh...why it isn't free..?? At least this should be free for windows phone from Microsoft...
  • And why can't we get free phone as well??? xD idiot
  • Good argument. ;-)
    But people pointed out, that in some countries Microsoft didn't engage in carrier billing deals.
    So these people might really have a hard time BUYING apps, because credit cards aren't self-evident in every country around the world.
  • As gas as I know, credit card is just one way to buy from store ;) oh, and btw, I don't use credit cards, I don't even have or will get one
  • Of course I'm looking forward to it!
  • Seems even more like halo wars than Spartan Assault does. I like it! Really like the crossover between an rts game and a fps game.
    I know there is "bubble shield" in this game...but would be cool to see them bring back "armor lock".
  • So many cheapskates and whiners.....
  • That's my birthday
    Thanks Microsoft
  • I'm sorry, but that logo totally looks like the midsection of some yahoo wearing a brown sumo suit. My eyes bleed.
  • But, the Halo: Spartan Strike isn't available in some regions, including my region, Indonesia
  • is mark guim filipino? I feel like he is with that accent.
  • im already sold tot his game.  5.99? woo!
  • It is third person?
  • Multiplayer damnit! Co op and vs!
  • My fingers are READY!
  • Should have been free since its a Windows OS exclusive it would make more users of others OS,s port to windows
  • Yeeeee-haaaawww!!!! Bring it!
  • Why its not fps. I hate this.
  • Where is the game? :)