Halo: Spartan Assault, the first mobile game in the franchise’s 12-year history, has been impressing critics and racking up lots of glowing 5-star reviews since its worldwide debut last month.
Geek.com called the twin-stick shooter crafted by Microsoft’s 343 Studios and Vanguard Entertainment “a milestone in the evolution of mobile gaming.” It’s “spectacular,” Pocket Gamer wrote, and “gives Windows Phone and Windows 8 gamers something to crow about.” Betanews’s Brian Fagioli concluded: “I can say with confidence that Halo: Spartan Assault is the best smartphone game I have ever played.” (And here’s a cool interview Forbes did with the guy who composed the game’s score.)
But for some U.S. gamers, I know it’s been a long month: The title has been available only to Verizon Wireless customers. Until today. I’m happy to report that Halo: Spartan Assault is now available for all Windows Phone 8 smartphones in the U.S. Buy it here.
The game—which costs $6.99 and requires 1 GB RAM—features 25 never-before-played missions set in the years between Halo 3 and Halo 4, offering new insights into the first missions of the Spartan Ops program, the history of the Human-Covenant wars, and the rise of Commander Sarah Palmer. If none of that means anything to you, don’t worry: The game was designed to appeal to both hardcore residents of Halo nation and newbies alike. Played from a top-down—as opposed to first-person—perspective, it features rich storytelling, stunning graphics, and tons of action.
Played it yet? Whaddya think?
