Halo: Spartan Assault

74%
Game Brain Score Based on 2,563 reviews
  • story
  • gameplay
  • graphics
Halo: Spartan Assault Game Cover
Halo Spartan Assault is an addictive shooter that retains enough of the look and elements of the Halo universe to please the most hardcore Halo fans, despite a few minor annoyances.
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"Halo: Spartan Assault" is a top-down shooter game set in the Halo universe. Players take control of Spartans as they complete various missions, battling against the Covenant and Flood. The game features a campaign mode with over 30 missions, as well as online leaderboards and a variety of weapons and abilities to use. It's a great addition to the Halo series for fans looking for a different perspective on the iconic franchise.

  • iPad
  • iPhone
  • PC
  • Phone
  • Windows
  • Xbox One
  • Xbox Series X|S
  • Cloud
  • Mobile Platform
  • Tablet
  • Windows Phone
  • Xbox
  • Xbox 360
  • Xbox Game Pass
  • x_box_cloud_gaming
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

74%
Audience ScoreBased on 2,563 reviews
story216 positive mentions
grinding47 negative mentions
  • story1,194 mentions

    The story in "Halo: Spartan Assault" is generally considered minimal and lacks depth, often described as a "barebones" narrative that fails to engage players. While it attempts to provide context through brief text blurbs and cutscenes, many reviewers found the plot uninspired and repetitive, primarily serving as a backdrop for the game's short, mission-based gameplay. Despite its shortcomings, some fans appreciate the connection to the Halo universe and the character development of Spartans Palmer and Davis, though the overall consensus is that the story does not live up to the franchise's rich lore.

    • “I enjoyed the little side story here and kinda wish 343 made more of these little spinoffs in between the main games.”
    • “The story adds more canon to the halo universe.”
    • “The story is interesting and it's written in such a manner that can justify the moments when the game gets really hard.”
    • “And to be fair, the story is a barely-there nothing burger of a story.”
    • “The story is bland when it's not nonsensical.”
    • “The story is the standard stuff you've come to expect from the halo universe, love it or hate it.”
  • gameplay406 mentions

    The gameplay of "Halo: Spartan Assault" is a mixed bag, with many players appreciating its fun, arcade-style mechanics and smooth controls, while others criticize it for being repetitive and lacking depth. The top-down shooter format offers a fresh perspective on the Halo universe, but the short missions and simplistic gameplay can lead to a lack of engagement and replay value. Overall, while it provides an enjoyable experience for fans of twin-stick shooters, it may not satisfy those seeking the complexity and depth typical of traditional Halo titles.

    • “The gameplay is fun and rather simple.”
    • “The gameplay is a ton of fun, the visuals and music are incredible, and overall it's just a really well-polished game.”
    • “Halo: Spartan Assault is a top-down shooter that is a "prequel?" to Halo: Spartan Strike, and as noticed by the gameplay, it is significantly different from all the other Halo first-person shooters you all know and love.”
    • “Absolute barebones story, tedious gameplay, more boring and frustrating than fun.”
    • “The gameplay is shallow.”
    • “The most horrible game I have ever played; it sucks, and if you are a Halo fan, then you will hate this game even more; the gameplay is so boring, seriously the worst game I have ever played.”
  • graphics284 mentions

    The graphics in "Halo: Spartan Assault" are generally well-received, with many players noting that they are impressive for a game originally designed for mobile devices. The visuals capture the classic Halo aesthetic effectively, featuring vibrant environments and polished animations, although some cutscenes have been criticized for their hand-painted style. While the graphics options are limited, the overall presentation is considered solid, making it a visually appealing experience for fans of the franchise.

    • “The graphics are stunning, the gameplay is fast-paced and challenging.”
    • “The graphics looked genuine to the Halo franchise, and I was very impressed with how well it looked for being a multiplatform title.”
    • “The art style, music, missions... they're all awesome.”
    • “Graphics options are minimal, with just resolution, anti-aliasing, and refresh rate settings.”
    • “The graphics are slightly above average, so that's good.”
    • “While its gameplay and graphics feel very antiquated by today's standards (over 15 years later), it still boasts an amazing and memorable soundtrack and an interesting storyline which introduces one of the most badass villains in video game history.”
  • music125 mentions

    The music in the game has received widespread praise for its quality and alignment with the iconic Halo series, featuring compositions by Tom Salta that evoke nostalgia and enhance the gameplay experience. While many players appreciate the soundtrack's ability to create atmosphere and immersion, some critiques mention that certain tracks feel out of place or lack the intensity expected from a Halo title. Overall, the music is considered one of the game's standout features, contributing significantly to its appeal.

    • “What really attracts me to this game and its sequel are their soundtracks, composed by Tom Salta.”
    • “The music felt nice and didn't bore me, which lives up to my expectations since Halo has always had a kick-ass soundtrack.”
    • “The soundtrack is fantastic!!!”
    • “But instead, everything about this game feels cheap and low effort, from most levels featuring no music at all and the story being delivered entirely by text boxes and barely animated images.”
    • “The only problem with this is that the soundtrack to the game is rather unoriginal, and also not really thought out very well.”
    • “Some of the levels are accompanied by music that simply does not suit what is happening, as the sense of wonder and exploration of the other Halo games, which was aided by their incredible OSTs, is not present in this all-action top-down twin-stick shooter.”
  • replayability103 mentions

    The game's replayability is generally considered moderate to high, particularly for players interested in achieving gold stars, completing challenges, and earning achievements. While the missions are short and the gameplay can become repetitive, features like leaderboards, score challenges, and various difficulty settings provide incentives for multiple playthroughs. However, the lack of multiplayer options and evolving gameplay elements may limit replay value for some players.

    • “There are a good amount of achievements with interesting and different mission types to keep playing, and the assault ops also aid in increasing the game's replayability.”
    • “Surprisingly, there's also quite a bit of replayability, whether it's trying to get gold stars on each mission, going for all the achievements and medals, attempting missions with the 'extra credit' parameters, farming for XP to buy upgrades, or playing with various handicaps (skulls) turned on.”
    • “The campaign, while short, is extremely fun and highly replayable, including the standard level clearing medals and dozens of additional objectives.”
    • “The gameplay is not only bland, but it does a good basic idea wrong...with limited replay value, repetitive gameplay, with a lack of in-depth multiplayer and co-op modes, as well as lack of a character creator.”
    • “Replayability is limited, with high score goals available for all levels, but no personal progression to speak of; gameplay and equipment variety does not evolve throughout the game.”
    • “There isn't too much replayability except for the 3 optional objectives per mission, but they are usually just kill this thing with this gun 20 times, that sort of stuff.”
  • grinding50 mentions

    The grinding aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players finding it tedious and repetitive, often requiring multiple replays of missions to complete challenges or achieve high scores. While some appreciate the simple fun and replayability it offers, others criticize it for being bland and frustrating, particularly on higher difficulties where enemy pacing feels off. Overall, grinding is seen as a significant part of the experience, but it can detract from the enjoyment for those seeking a more engaging gameplay loop.

    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “A lot of grinding.”
    • “You have 3 challenges for each mission and they range from being done in one mission to replaying and grinding the hell out of the same mission over and over again.”
    • “There are some score challenge hurdles and mission-specific goals (of which many are really stupid and require farming the level over and over for virtually no reward).”
    • “The game is extremely short and after a time, the levels become very tedious.”
  • monetization24 mentions

    The monetization aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with many users expressing relief that microtransactions present in the mobile version have been removed in the current release. While some players appreciate the absence of in-app purchases and the introduction of an XP system for unlocking weapons and abilities, others still perceive the game as a cash grab, suggesting that the overall design and purpose feel lacking. Overall, the consensus is that the removal of microtransactions enhances the experience, despite lingering concerns about the game's quality and depth.

    • “The polish and presentation let you know very quickly this is a mobile port, but it's refreshing to see a game without in-app purchases.”
    • “This is probably the place to get this game: Steam support, trading cards, it often goes on cheap sales and it has no microtransactions.”
    • “No microtransactions, you get points for beating a level and you can spend those points on, say, a rocket launcher that fires crazy fast to help get past the level.”
    • “Control feels bad, the missions are short but feel long, and the microtransactions built into the concept drag down your customization options.”
    • “Clearly just a cash grab.”
    • “I was expecting this game to be nothing more than a shoddy mobile port and a cash-grab attempt by Microsoft using their most successful game franchise to appeal to casual gamers and nickel & dime them with microtransactions.”
  • atmosphere22 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its immersive qualities, effectively capturing the iconic Halo tone through impressive visuals, music, and artistic direction. While some players note a lack of depth compared to classic Halo experiences, the overall ambiance remains engaging and true to the franchise, appealing particularly to die-hard fans. The game's minimalistic design still manages to evoke a strong sense of the Halo universe, making it a fun and atmospheric experience.

    • “Though it is a short game, I enjoyed the atmosphere that is provided as I ventured through Draetheus V and its moon.”
    • “They nailed the music and the atmosphere; some of the locations and backdrops are extremely well done and really show the scale of the conflict.”
    • “Missing atmosphere (despite the Halo universe!)”
    • “The overall atmosphere is dark but enthralling and debatably the best part of Spartan Assault.”
    • “It may just be my devotion to the series and being a huge, life-long fan of the universe that is fogging up my glasses of reasoning, or it may be the atmosphere the game immediately creates with the unmistakable soundtrack.”
  • optimization19 mentions

    Overall, the optimization of the game is mixed; while some users report smooth performance even on lower-end systems and appreciate the well-scaled graphics, others criticize it for being poorly optimized, particularly on PC. The game generally runs well once launched, but there are notable issues with specific cutscenes and performance stability after extended play.

    • “It runs smoothly even on my bad computer, and loading screens tend not to take very long.”
    • “Everything runs smooth and has good optimization options as well.”
    • “With extremely well scaled and optimized graphics - that don't fail to disappoint at high settings - and great gameplay using a keyboard and mouse combination, one can't argue against it being a good port.”
    • “Halo: Spartan Assault is an unplayable piece of garbage that's horrendously optimized for PC.”
    • “With extremely well scaled and optimized graphics - that don't fail to disappoint at high settings, by the way - and great gameplay using a keyboard and mouse combination, one can't argue against it being a good port.”
    • “What makes it feel like an arcade game is the fact that every mission is timed and your performance per mission is ranked as achieving bronze, silver, or gold status based on how fast you complete the levels and how many points you achieve, which are affected by multipliers, such as going hollow (zero health, only shields) or such: challenge handicaps per mission.”
  • stability19 mentions

    The stability of the game is highly inconsistent, with some users experiencing severe issues such as complete system freezes and black screens upon launch, necessitating hard resets. Conversely, others report smooth performance with no bugs, glitches, or crashes, indicating a divide in user experiences. Overall, while some players enjoy a stable gameplay experience, many others face significant stability problems that detract from the game's enjoyment.

    • “This game runs great, even if your PC is not a gaming PC.”
    • “It runs great and is definitely a must for any Halo fan.”
    • “Runs great, a few video options to choose from, and plays equally well with mouse and keyboard or controller.”
    • “This game has a bug right now where you get a black screen, and it completely freezes your PC when you start it.”
    • “Doesn't launch at all on desktop, my whole computer freezes up, requiring a hard reset.”
    • “When I hit start to select the controller, again the game freezes completely, not allowing me to progress.”
  • humor11 mentions

    The humor in the game is highlighted by its quirky simulation elements and unexpected gameplay accidents, such as the swapped grenade button leading to amusing mishaps. Players appreciate the comedic interactions with familiar enemies from the Halo universe, which add a lighthearted touch to the experience. Overall, the game is described as funny and enjoyable, making it a worthwhile purchase for those seeking humor in their gaming.

    • “The weird/funny thing about this game is that it is literally a simulation.”
    • “Controls took only a moment to get the hang of, and I will say that if you get the follow-up, they swapped the grenade button with something else, which led me to some hilarious accidents.”
    • “It is really funny that this version of Halo:SA is much better looking and very playable.”
  • emotional4 mentions

    Players express a mix of emotional experiences, from heartwarming moments like the comforting sound of shield regeneration to feelings of sadness and deflation when faced with suspicion and aggression during interactions. While some moments evoke kindness and connection, others highlight frustration and disappointment, particularly regarding gameplay mechanics and AI behavior.

    • “The sound of the shield regenerating coming back on after you hear the 'beep beep beep' is heartwarming.”
    • “She proceeded to get weird and accusatory, asking why I was trying to steal her flower. When I said I was just trying to be nice and put a smile on her face, her husband swooped in out of nowhere, credit card in hand, and told me how he 'already has money.' I felt really deflated because I just wanted to do a simple act of kindness for a fellow resident of Portland in a hard time. While I can understand why she would be skeptical of my offer, the level of suspicion and aggression I was treated with just made me feel so... sad.”
  • character development2 mentions

    Reviews indicate a mixed response to character development, with some praising 343 Industries for improving storytelling and character arcs compared to Bungie, while others criticize the lack of character development altogether.

    • “343 is doing a much better job at storytelling and character development than Bungie.”
    • “The character development in this game is incredibly rich and engaging, making each character feel unique and relatable.”
    • “I love how the game allows for meaningful choices that impact character growth and relationships.”
    • “There is no character development at all.”
    • “But 343 are doing a way better job in telling stories and making character development than Bungie.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

66% average critic score

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Play time

5hMedian play time
7hAverage play time
4-6hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 19 analyzed playthroughs

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