Sim-biosis

What is it?

Halo: Spartan Strike was developed by 343 Industries in conjunction with Vanguard Games, and represents the latest mobile-centric entry within the Halo universe. Fans will get a chance to drop into 30 different missions through varying environments, all while having a diverse and devastating arsenal of weapons, abilities and vehicles at their disposal. Let me just say, I’ve had an absolute blast flinging around in a Warthog and flying around in the Kestrel, which players will get their hands on for the first time in a Halo game. Do yourself a favor and wear some good earbuds when piloting the Kestrel, as its twin canons just sound powerful. I’ve found my personal favorite way to play is to use an Xbox One controller on my Windows 8.1 laptop, though it's just as potent on a Windows Phone, iPhone, or iPad. Gunning Grunts on the go has never been so satisfying!

Who are you?

In Halo: Spartan Strike, you play as a Spartan-IV supersoldier clad in orange WAR MASTER GEN2 Mjolnir. As part of an intensive training program aboard the UNSC Infinity, you are put to the test in a series of simulation programs that recount key engagements in the Human-Covenant War. From the heroism of an ODST squad in New Mombasa during the Battle of Earth to the exploits of a classified Spartan Headhunter on the surface of Gamma Halo, you’ll put yourself in their place to see if you can repeat their achievements. Along the way, you’ll uncover a surprising connection between these events and a new understanding of humanity’s conflict with not just the Covenant, but dangerous vestiges of the Forerunner empire.

To dive even further, I grabbed one of the fine folks responsible for crafting this latest handheld-Halo experience and asked him a few questions.

GRIM: Does Halo: Spartan Strike take place in the “past” or the “present” in regards to current Halo fiction?

Frederic Laporte (Producer, 343 Industries): Spartan Strike allows players to take part in a classified ONI simulation that begins during the events of Halo 2 on New Mombasa in 2552.

GRIM: Is the campaign purely simulation, or are there elements where the players are taking part in new fiction unfolding in “real time”?

Frederic: All simulation, but with new story elements revealed within these simulations. The Spartan you play is training by taking the place of the original soldiers present for these missions.

GRIM: Are there any aspects of the Halo story or universe that you were particularly excited to include?

Frederic: The addition of the Warthog is something we’re extremely excited about. Driving it through the streets of New Mombasa brings back some really fond memories. Also, we’re very excited to introduce the brand new Kestrel VTOL which wipes Covenant and Promethean enemies like they were butter on a hot toast.

GRIM: What are you excited to have been able to introduce in Halo: Spartan Strike, or improve upon from Halo: Spartan Assault?

Frederic: Improvements to touch controls is something we’re very proud of and we truly feel that the game plays better than ever. To point out one of those improvements, our grenade throwing has been revamped and made much more precise to truly make taking down enemies both more predictable and more satisfying! There’s also the addition of new enemies, weapons and vehicles that give players a broader arsenal to play with. This both makes the combat more fun, and improves the overall flow of the game. And aside from the gameplay itself, having the chance to bring back award-winning composer Tom Salta – whose work you’ve heard on Halo 2: Anniversary, Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary and Halo: Spartan Assault – was the icing on the cake.

So what are you all waiting for? Go get downloading!