Editing Halo: Spartan Assault

{{Game infobox

|platform= [[Wikipedia:Windows 8|Windows 8]] (PC and tablet)<br>[[Wikipedia:Windows Phone 8|Windows Phone 8]]<br>[[Xbox 360]]<ref name="HWP">[https://blogs.halowaypoint.com/Headlines/post/2013/10/29/Spartan-Assault-is-coming-to-Xbox-One-and-Xbox-360.aspx '''Halo Waypoint''' - ''Halo: Spartan Assault Is Coming to Xbox One and Xbox 360'']</ref><br>[[Xbox One]]{{Ref/Reuse|HWP}}<br>[[Steam]]{{Ref/Reuse|steam}}<br>[[Wikipedia:iOS|iOS]]<br>[[Xbox Cloud Gaming]]<br>

|releasedate= July 18, [[2013]]{{Ref/Reuse|windows8only}}<ref name="waypoint">[http://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/games/halospartanassault '''Halo Waypoint''' - ''Halo: Spartan Assault'']</ref> {{C|Windows 8}}<br> December 23, 2013<ref name="Xbone">[http://www.oxm.co.uk/68528/halo-spartan-assault-is-out-now-for-xbox-one/ '''Xbox The Official Magazine''' - ''Halo: Spartan Assault is out now for Xbox One'']</ref> {{C|Xbox One}}<br> January 31, 2014{{Ref/Reuse|console dates}}<ref name="XM">[http://marketplace.xbox.com/en-US/Product/Halo-Spartan-Assault/66acd000-77fe-1000-9115-d80258411412 '''Xbox.com''' - ''Halo: Spartan Assault'']</ref><ref name="official360reldate">[https://blogs.halowaypoint.com/Headlines/post/2014/01/30/Halo-Spartan-Assault-for-Xbox-360-Release-Date-Revealed.aspx '''Halo Waypoint''' - ''Halo: Spartan Assault'' for Xbox 360 Releases Tomorrow!]</ref> {{C|Xbox 360}}<br>April 4, 2014 {{C|Steam}}<ref name="steam">[https://blogs.halowaypoint.com/en-us/blogs/headlines/posts/halo-spartan-assault-is-coming-to-steam '''Halo Waypoint''' - ''Halo: Spartan Assault Is Coming to Steam!'']</ref>  

|modes= [[Campaign]]<br>[[Cooperative]]{{Ref/Reuse|HWP}}

 

[[Wikipedia:Pan European Game Information|PEGI]]: 16+ (Europe only)

{{Quote|Halo like you have never played before.|Halo Waypoint{{Ref/Reuse|waypoint}}}}

'''''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. Originally designed and released for [[Wikipedia:Windows 8|Microsoft Windows 8]] and [[Wikipedia:Windows Phone 8|Windows Phone 8]], enhanced ports of the game were subsequently released for [[Xbox 360]] and [[Xbox One]].{{Ref/Reuse|HWP}} Set in [[2554]], between the events of ''[[Halo 3]]'' in [[2552]] and ''[[Halo 4]]'' in [[2557]], the game features 30 missions that tell the story of the [[SPARTAN-IV program]]'s earliest operations.<ref name="windows8only">[http://www.gameinformer.com/games/halo_spartan_assault/b/pc/archive/2013/06/04/343-industries-reveals-halo-spartan-assault.aspx '''GameInformer''': ''343 Industries Reveals Halo: Spartan Assault'']</ref><ref name="official">[http://www.halowaypoint.com/en-US/games/halospartanassault '''Halo Waypoint''' - ''Halo: Spartan Assault'']</ref><ref name="firsttrailer">[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BxsYQtltOco ''Halo: Spartan Assault'' '''Announce Trailer''']</ref> The game went by the codename "'''Bootcamp'''" prior to its official announcement.<ref name="Waypoint 652013">[http://blogs.halowaypoint.com/Headlines/post/2013/06/05/The-Halo-Bulletin-6513.aspx '''Halo Waypoint:''' ''The Halo Bulletin 6.5.2012'']</ref> ''Spartan Assault'' was released on [[2013|July 18, 2013]] for Windows 8. The complete version of the game (including all DLC) was released on December 23, 2013 for Xbox One and released on [[2014|January 31, 2014]] for Xbox 360.{{Ref/Reuse|Xbone}}<ref name="console dates">[https://blogs.halowaypoint.com/Headlines/post/2013/12/09/Halo-Spartan-Assault-Release-Date-Revealed.aspx '''Halo Waypoint''' - ''Halo: Spartan Assault Release Date Revealed'']</ref>{{Ref/Reuse|XM}}{{Ref/Reuse|official360reldate}}<ref>[http://www.totalxbox.com/70364/halo-spartan-assault-xbox-360-now-available-on-xbox-live '''Xbox The Official Magazine''' - ''Halo: Spartan Assault Xbox 360 now available on Xbox Live'']</ref> The game was released on April 4, 2014 for [[Wikipedia:Steam (software)|Steam]].{{Ref/Reuse|steam}} ''Halo: Spartan Assault'' was also released on the iOS App Store in 2015. The game is no longer available for purchase on the iOS App Store, but people who bought it in the past years are still able to re-download the game through the "Purchased" tab on the App Store as the game is tied to their Apple accounts.

A spiritual successor, ''[[Halo: Spartan Strike]]'', released for Windows devices, Steam and Apple devices on April 16, 2015.<ref name="delay">[https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/community/blog-posts/halo-spartan-strike-coming-in-early-2015 '''Halo Waypoint''' - ''Halo: Spartan Strike Coming in Early 2015'']</ref>

 

===Characters and setting===

Set sometime in [[2554]], ''Halo: Spartan Assault''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s main narrative explores the SPARTAN-IVs' first Spartan Ops<!--This is the in-universe term, not the game mode.--> during the [[Battle of Draetheus V]].<ref name="gameplay 1">[http://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/games/halospartanassault/mediadetail?title=halo-spartan-assault-defend&id=984bc596-d52b-49e4-be4c-93457bd55bf3&category=Videos '''Halo Waypoint''' - ''Halo: Spartan Assault - Defend'']</ref><ref name="gameplay 2">[http://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/games/halospartanassault/mediadetail?title=halo-spartan-assault-clear&id=8704efa0-1cc1-4920-8209-5c9e13440c97&category=Videos '''Halo Waypoint''' - ''Halo: Spartan Assault -Clear'']</ref> This battle is one of the [[Post-Covenant War conflicts|numerous conflicts]] waged between the [[United Nations Space Command|UNSC]] and the [[Covenant remnants|remnants]] of the former [[Covenant]] in the years after the end of the [[Human-Covenant War]].{{Ref/Reuse|official}}<ref name="Reed">[http://blogs.halowaypoint.com/Headlines/post/2013/06/03/Halo-Initiation-Writer-Interview.aspx '''Halo Waypoint''' - ''Halo Initiation Writer Interview'']</ref><ref>[http://blogs.windows.com/windows_phone/b/windowsphone/archive/2013/06/04/coming-this-summer-a-new-halo-for-windows-phone-8.aspx Coming this summer: '''Windows Phone Blog''' ''A new Halo for Windows Phone 8'']</ref> The story unfolds through the [[UNSC Tactical Simulator|UNSC TACSIM]], a historical computer simulation which the SPARTAN-IVs use for combat analysis and training, much like ''Halo 4''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s [[War Games]] mode,{{Ref/Reuse|firsttrailer}}<ref name="pareport">[http://penny-arcade.com/report/article/the-next-halo-game-is-coming-to-hardware-you-dont-have-and-software-you-don  '''The PA Report''': ''The next Halo game is coming to hardware you don’t have, and software you don’t want'']</ref> though the framing story takes place at some point after ''Halo 4's'' campaign.{{Ref/Note|[[Roland]] was activated on December 5, 2557, roughly five months after the [[Battle of Requiem]], to replace ''Infinity's'' previous AI, [[Aine]]. The game's framing story thus takes place after the events of ''Halo 4's'' campaign, though when it occurs in relation to ''[[Spartan Ops]]'' is unclear. However, ''[[Halo: Escalation]]'' indicates that ''Infinity'' returned directly to Earth after [[Requiem]]'s destruction, suggesting that the framing narrative takes place in the gap between Roland's creation and the [[Requiem Campaign]].}} This framing structure explains some of the game's arcade-like elements, such as weapons' ability to fire continuously;{{Ref/Reuse|gameplay 1}}{{Ref/Reuse|gameplay 2}} indeed, [[Roland]] jests that the TACSIM doubles as "a fun game you can play in your spare time".<ref>''Halo: Spartan Assault'', opening cutscene</ref>

The campaign has two protagonists, Spartans [[Sarah Palmer]] and [[Edward Davis]], whose first meeting is depicted in the ''[[Halo: Initiation]]'' limited comic series.{{Ref/Reuse|Reed}} 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 [[Terminal (Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary)|Terminal]]s in ''[[Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary]]'' and ''Halo 4''.{{Ref/Reuse|windows8only}} [[Halo: Spartan Assault/Quotes|Various quotes]] are displayed in the game's mission loading screens, some acting as gameplay tips while others provide backstory for the events of the game.

{{Spoiler/begin}}

''Spartan Assault'' begins with the {{UNSCShip|Infinity}}'s [[AI]] [[Roland]] giving several [[Spartan-IV]]'s a lesson on historical battles. Using [[UNSC Tactical Simulator]]s, Roland reveals that the Spartan users can assume the roles of Spartans [[Edward Davis]] and [[Sarah Palmer]] during the [[Battle of Draetheus V]], to enhance strategic skills. Roland explains that the engagement started when a [[Merg Vol's Covenant|splinter sect of Covenant]] ignored the Ceasefire of [[2552]] and attacked [[UNSC]] forces on the former [[Forerunner]] world of [[Draetheus V]].<ref name="umbra">'''Halo: Spartan Assault''', ''[[Operation A: Umbra]]''</ref>

[[File:Operation A.png|thumb|250px|Merg Vol's Covenant fleet arriving at [[Draetheus V]].]]  

The splinter Covenant forces are led by [[Sangheili]] [[Zealot]] [[Merg Vol]]. Vol leads a fleet of ships to the planet and his Covenant deploys troops on both Draetheus V and its [[moon]] [[X50]]. Palmer and Davis lead the UNSC in defending the planet from Merg Vol's Covenant. After thwarting the initial assault, Davis moved to secure the UNSC's [[Research Facility Alpha]] and the Forerunner artifact located therein, which appeared to be Vol's Covenant's main target.<ref>'''Halo: Spartan Assault''', ''[[Mission 1: Assault on CF-32|Assault on CF-32]]''</ref> However, Vol's Covenant resumed their assault and the UNSC feared the research facility would soon be crushed. Palmer, with a Marine detachment, infiltrated artillery positions Vol's Covenant had set up and destroyed them.<ref>'''Halo: Spartan Assault''', ''[[Mission 2: The Mirror Mantle Counter-Assault|The Mirror Mantle Counter-Assault]]''</ref> Spartan Davis later noticed Vol's Covenant's heavy reliance on dropship insertion. Davis realized they would be vulnerable to focused anti-aircraft fire, so, using [[M9 Wolverine]]s, he began establishing air defenses west of the facility at a location designated [[Glacial Perch]].<ref>'''Halo: Spartan Assault''', ''[[Mission 3: Reinforcement of the Perch|Reinforcement of the Perch]]''</ref>

While Spartan Davis was successful in slowing the enemy advance, Merg Vol's Covenant forces were too overwhelming. Sarah Palmer began fighting her way upstream through the invasion in an attempt to reach one of the northern outposts. Her plan was to destroy Covenant air support and give the [[AV-14 Hornet]]s a chance to land near the outposts. The ultimate goal was to get off X50 and warn Draetheus V of Vol's Covenant invasion. Within an hour of their arrival at X50, Vol's Covenant owned the moon. Despite the ferocity of the assault on X50, the UNSC forces on Draetheus V had no idea anything was going on because the planet's unique magnetic resonance frequently made off-world communication nearly impossible.<ref>'''Halo: Spartan Assault''', ''[[Mission 4: Live to Fight|Live to Fight]]''</ref>

While Davis defends the moon, Palmer and a small amount of UNSC forces remains on Draetheus V, outgunned and out-manned. Merg Vol's Covenant attack Draetheus V's main military outpost, [[Faraday Base]], and breach the first defense lines before the base's sentry turrets were fully operational.<ref>'''Halo: Spartan Assault''', ''[[Mission 6: Siege of Faraday|Siege of Faraday]]''</ref> After securing Faraday, Palmer began trying to establish the location of Vol's Covenant officers leading the invasion. After taking significant losses, Marines of the [[21st Scout platoon]] had managed to uncover a set of promising coordinates. After tracking the officers down, she quickly eliminated them.<ref>'''Halo: Spartan Assault''', ''[[Mission 8: Hunt for the Sangheili Command|Hunt for the Sangheili Command]]''</ref>

As Spartan Palmer led the charge on Draetheus V, Spartan Davis continued to face considerable enemy threat on the moon. Furthermore, it was revealed that X50 was not a natural moon after all, but a [[Forerunner]] megastructure capable of constructing and destroying planets. Upon finding his way into the control center, Merg Vol tuned X50's main weapon on Draetheus V and began to dismantle the planet. Merg Vol's Covenant forces activated the primary weapon of the X50 construct. Directed toward the planet, the beam began to disintegrate Draetheus V, destabilizing it.<ref>'''Halo: Spartan Assault''' - ''[[Operation C: Monolith]]''</ref> Enormous slabs of rock were slowly floating away from the planet's surface and both UNSC and Covenant troops were scrambling to get to safety as the UNSC continued to evacuate the planet.<ref>'''Halo: Spartan Assault''', ''[[Mission 16: Escape from the Southern Fields|Escape from the Southern Fields]]''</ref> Vol's Covenant continued to attack the planet and the UNSC quickly realized that Draetheus V was ill-prepared for a full evacuation. There was not enough transportation to allow everyone to leave Draetheus V. However, the UNSC raided a Covenant airfield and stole numerous Covenant aircraft. With Palmer's help, 23 Covenant aircraft carrying civilians made it off the planet.<ref>'''Halo: Spartan Assault''', ''[[Mission 20: Defense of the Enemies' Airbase|Defense of the Enemies' Airbase]]''</ref>

In a stroke of luck, the {{UNSCShip|Eminent Domain}} was able to outmaneuver Covenant forces in orbit over the moon and offer some support by deploying [[ODST]]s to the southern [[Mirror Flats]]. The [[3rd Helljumper Platoon]] was the first to land on Draetheus V's moon. Their drop zone was less than a mile from Alpha facility but the landing scattered them across the razor sharp rock face of the Glacial Perch. They were quickly surrounded by Covenant infantry and taking heavy losses, but Davis came to their assistance.<ref>'''Halo: Spartan Assault''', ''[[Mission 11: Descend from the Perch|Descend from the Perch]]''</ref> Davis connected with UNSC combat technicians who believed they could render the Forerunner structure inert; they just needed the chance to get inside the structure.<ref>'''Halo: Spartan Assault''', ''[[Mission 13: Assault on the Supply Lines|Assault on the Supply Lines]]''</ref> Davis and the remaining Marines assisted the combat technicians securing the Forerunner structure while Merg Vol's Covenant reinforcements did everything in their power to stop the technicians. With supporting sniper fire from higher grounds, Davis and his men were able to buy the technicians just enough time to do their work. However, even with their job complete, it was too late for Draetheus V. The planet was already breaking apart.<ref>'''Halo: Spartan Assault''', ''[[Mission 15: Superstructure Stand-off|Superstructure Stand-off]]''</ref>

While defending the moon, Spartan Davis was killed by an overwhelming amount of [[Sangheili]] forces. With transportation secured, one last hurdle remained in getting the colonists safely off of Draetheus V. The leader of the splinter Covenant forces, [[Merg Vol]], was still present on moon X50, providing the remaining Covenant forces with a rallying point and cry. If the colonists were to leave Draetheus V's orbit alive, Merg Vol would need to be terminated. Palmer suspected Vol's officer on Draetheus V, [[Parg Vol]] had a [[R'shwupa-pattern Phantom|personal transport]] hidden away. After completing the evacuation operation, locating Parg Vol's ship became Palmer's highest priority. After fighting through heavy Covenant forces she was able to locate Vol's Phantom and used it to get to X50.<ref>'''Halo: Spartan Assault''', ''[[Mission 21: Hunt for the Phantom|Hunt for the Phantom]]''</ref> Having successfully piloted the Phantom through Vol's Covenant fleet orbiting Draetheus V's moon, Palmer was able to land south of Merg Vol's camp, out of range of his [[Cheru-pattern Tyrant|turrets]].<ref>'''Halo: Spartan Assault''', ''[[Mission 23: Infiltration of the Cult Leader's Base|Infiltration of the Cult Leader's Base]]''</ref>

Merg Vol was convinced he had been chosen by his gods to wield the power contained within the Forerunner structure. Having spent considerable resources to unlock its secrets, Vol managed to activate the structure's emergency defenses. With the deadly defenses at his command, Vol had become extremely dangerous. Unable to contact Spartan Davis since landing on Draetheus V's moon, Palmer prepared to battle Vol on her own. Vol's exact location had not been difficult to find: the direct area at the foot of the Forerunner structure was littered with a trail of dead UNSC soldiers. After facing Merg Vol's final forces and Forerunner [[beam turret]]s, she engaged Merg Vol himself. Despite a difficult fight, Palmer was able to overtake Vol and executed him with her [[M6H magnum]].

With Merg Vol killed and his Covenant forces defeated, the surviving colonists of Draetheus V were able to safely evacuate the system. After killing Vol, Palmer sabotaged the Forerunner device on X50.<ref>'''Halo: Spartan Assault''', ''[[Mission 25: Battle for the Moon|Battle for the Moon]]''</ref>

;[[Halo: Spartan Assault co-op missions|Flood missions]]

[[File:HSA touch input.jpg|thumb|250px|Touch input for ''Halo: Spartan Assault'']]

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. On August 29, an update was applied to the game which enables the use of an [[Xbox 360]] controller as well.{{Ref/Reuse|debut}} The console versions of the game feature an altered control scheme in which the player must press the Right Trigger in order to fire weapons; in contrast, the other versions do not distinguish between the "look" and "fire" controls.{{Ref/Reuse|Ellis}}

[[File:HSA loadout.jpg|thumb|250px|Player loadout]]

Players are able to customize their Spartan character's primary and secondary weapon [[loadout]], [[armor ability]], and [[Boosters|booster]] (akin to ''Halo 4''<nowiki />'s [[tactical packages]] and [[support upgrades]]) at the start of each mission. For additional challenge, the player can select up to two of six skulls to gain more bonuses achievements.

The Xbox 360 and Xbox One versions of the game include a two-player online cooperative mode. In this mode two Spartans battle against hordes of [[Flood]] forms across five missions.{{Ref/Reuse|HWP}} The also mode features never-before-seen weapons and equipment, including [[Machine Pistol|a machine pistol]] (which is [[Dual-wielding|dual-wielded]] like the [[M7/Caseless Submachine Gun|M7]]), a [[Slipspace translocation|teleportation]] armor ability, and a what appears to be a "cryo bomb" which emits a cloud that the Flood cannot penetrate.{{Ref/Reuse|Ellis}}<ref name="WP co-op">[https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/games/halospartanassault/mediadetail?title=spartan-assault-xbox-one-co-op&id=c6a8539d-34ee-4bda-8b0a-a5f1c2615f14&category=Videos '''Halo Waypoint:''' ''SPARTAN ASSAULT XBOX ONE - CO-OP'']</ref>

 

*Spartan [[Edward Davis]] {{1st}}{{Ref/Reuse|windows8only}}

*Spartan [[Sarah Palmer]]{{Ref/Reuse|official}}

**[[Pod infector]] {{C|Simulation only}}

**[[Merg Vol's Covenant]] {{1st}}

****[[Spartan Operations|Spartan]]

***[[Faraday Base]] {{1st}}{{Ref/Reuse|HSA E3}}

*****[[Research Facility Alpha]] {{1st}}{{Ref/Reuse|YSAG}}

**[[Battle of Kenya]] {{Mo}}

**[[M6H magnum]]

*{{Pattern|Anskum|plasma grenade}}

*[[Type-25 Brute Shot]]{{Ref/Reuse|H:SAA}}

*{{Pattern|Mamua'uda|Shade}}

*{{Pattern|Nakata'vho|plasma repeater}}

*{{Pattern|M'tara|focus rifle}}

*{{Pattern|Emp'seam|Antlion}}{{Ref/Reuse|HSA E3w343}}

*[[Gravity hammer (fiction)|gravity hammer]]

*{{Pattern|Kewu Umppi'pa'|citadel turret}}

*{{Pattern|Okarda'phaa|plasma rifle}}{{Ref/Reuse|HSA E3w343}}

*{{Pattern|Gadulo|needle rifle}}

*{{Pattern|Cheru|Tyrant}}

*[[M8900 drop pod]]

*{{Pattern|Zurdo|Wraith}}

*{{Pattern|Karo'etba|Ghost}}

*{{Pattern|Ogab'd|anti-aircraft Wraith}}

*{{Pattern|Ket|battlecruiser}}

*[[Covenant drop pod|Orbital insertion pod]]{{Ref/Reuse|HSA E3}}

*{{Pattern|Taaku Xur|Spirit}}

*{{Pattern|Ru'swum|Phantom}}

**{{Pattern|R'shwupa|Phantom}}

*[[M2705 regeneration field]]

*[[Repel]]{{Ref/Reuse|WP co-op}}

*[[Seeker Drone]] {{1st}}{{Ref/Reuse|H:SAA}}

*[[Combat harness|Sangheili combat harness]]

*[[Stationary shield generator]]

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 mobile devices, only to find the gameplay wholly unsuitable for the platform.{{Ref/Reuse|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 Xbox One and Xbox 360 versions runs at the same frame rate with a native 1080p resolution.{{Ref/Reuse|Ellis}} The Windows Phone 8 and PC versions are locked at 30 FPS.{{Ref/Reuse|build}} The game's top-down view and stylization result in an aesthetic very similar to that of ''[[Halo Wars]]''.

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''. Merg Vol's Covenant arsenal is instead an eclectic mix of weapons from previous games, notably featuring the [[M'tara-pattern focus rifle|focus rifle]] and [[Type-51 Directed Energy Rifle/Improved|plasma repeater]] from ''[[Halo: Reach]]''. Several vehicles and stationary weapons which originated in ''Halo Wars'' are virtually unchanged from their incarnations in that game, aside from improved textures. The [[Zurdo-pattern Wraith|Wraith]] and [[Type-26 Ground Support Aircraft|Banshee]] also appear to use their models from ''Halo Wars'', evidenced by the former's plasma turret and the latter's canard layout.

Aside from [[Merg Vol]], the former 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]]''.

In-game statistics are integrated across the four Microsoft platforms: Windows 8, Windows Phone 8, [[Xbox 360]], and [[Xbox One]]. [[List of Halo: Spartan Assault medals|Medals]] unlocked, [[Experience point|XP]] earned, and [[Credit|cR]] purchased are each deposited into a single repository. [[Assault Ops]]/challenge progress carries across all platforms.

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/Reuse|official}} After purchasing the [[Champions Bundle]] Pack or the Bullseye Map Pack, the game will unlock:  

*The ''Striped'' (STP) [[Weapon skins (Halo 4)|skin]] for the [[M395 Designated Marksman Rifle|DMR]].

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

{{Halo: SA reviews}}

The microtransaction features of ''Spartan Assault'' were generally negatively received. While reviewers such as Destructoid's Carter felt that the microtransactions could be ignored and did not impact enjoyment of the game,{{Ref/Reuse|destructoid}} Hillard wrote that "it’s hard not to feel as though an important part of the game is being withheld after buying into the agreed-upon price of admission."{{Ref/Reuse|gameinformer}} IGN's Stapleton stated "the worst thing about Spartan Assault is its obnoxious microtransactions."{{Ref/Reuse|IGN}}

*Despite appearing on the cover art, [[Mgalekgolo|Hunters]] and [[T'vaoan|Skirmisher]]s are not encountered in the game. Curiously, the Skirmisher in the background (either a [[Skirmisher Commando|Commando]] or a [[Skirmisher Champion|Champion]]) carries a [[Kig-Yar point defense gauntlet|Jackal shield]].

*This marks the first ''Halo'' game in which [[Kig-Yar|Jackals]] use [[Anskum-pattern plasma grenade|plasma grenades]]. This also marks the first time that Jackals will use melee attacks.

File:HSA Roland with Flood-infection form.jpg|Roland with a Pod infector.

==Notes==

{{Ref/Notes}}

 

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