'Halo: Spartan Assault' coming to Windows 8, Windows Phone 8 in July

Microsoft and 343 Industries have announced a new Halo game set to debut on Windows tablets and smartphones, "Halo: Spartan Assault." In what is said to be an exclusive title for Windows 8, Windows RT and Windows Phone 8, it could finally see Microsoft begin to properly leverage its Xbox gaming credentials.

Gameplay will consist of a tablet- and smartphone-friendly top-down view and should have its skill level set for a wider audience. The game is said to have something for both the fans and newcomers too.

Microsoft said the game is set between the events of "Halo 3" and "Halo 4," placing the new entry firmly in the canon of the series. The game follows the first mission of the Spartan Ops program (a multiplayer mode available in "Halo 4"). Players control either Commander Sarah Palmer or Spartan Davis, both of whom are seen in "Halo 4," as they fight Covenant forces.

Even though Microsoft has now built in Xbox into both Windows Phone and now Windows 8 they haven’t capitalized much on their big franchises. By bringing Halo in whatever form to its tablet and smartphone devices, they could finally be taking the ecosystem seriously.

Here are some of the features of the games:

Original "Halo" gameplay: An action-packed, single-player campaign spanning 25 missions in battles never before experienced in the Halo Universe, all played from a top-down camera view
New and immersive storyline: An original story set between the events of "Halo 3" and "Halo 4," experience a new war with the Covenant, the first missions of the Spartan Ops program and the rise of Commander Sarah Palmer, all with best-in-class graphics and audio
Built for simplicity: A unique fusion of touch and console like controls for easy pick-up-and-play gaming, with the added flexibility of keyboard and mouse controls on Windows 8 PCs and tablets
Integration with "Halo 4": Earn experience points, all-new Achievements, and unlock emblems for your "Halo 4" Spartan career, with additional integration features available after launch
Nonstop competitive fun: Compete against friends in Leader boards or hone your skills against an onslaught of Weekly Challenges while collecting more than 40 in-game achievements and medals
In-app purchases: Grind to earn upgrades or speed up your training by purchasing credits for boosts, unique weapons or armor abilities
Only on Windows: Available only on Windows 8 PCs and tablets and Windows Phone 8 devices.