Halo Spartan Assault hits Windows 8, WP8, Surface tablets exclusively today

Consider yourself a Halo completionist? Then you’d better have a Windows 8 device: the latest entry into the Master Chief saga, Halo: Spartan Assault launches exclusively today on the Windows 8 platform, including desktop PCs running the latest version of Microsoft’s operating system, Windows Phone 8 smartphones, and Windows 8 tablets including the Surface range.

A top-down RTS game rather than the first-person shooter gameplay the series is known for, Spartan Assault is set between the Halo 3 and Halo 4 games, offering tactical, strategic play across maps familiar to series stalwarts.

Available today for £4.99 across devices, it’s one of the few Windows 8 app exclusives that may make people sit up and take note.

And indeed, at least in terms of tablet sales, Microsoft will hope they do – the Redmond company posted strong Windows financial results today for the Q4 2013 period, but had revenues tarnished by a $900m loss due to underwhelming sales of the Surface RT range.

Pick up Halo: Spartan Assault for Windows Phone 8 handsets by clicking here. Desktop and tablet users can pick up their version here.