An update just came out for Spartan Assault which allows you to finally use an XBOX controller instead of your thumbs on the screen or keys on your keyboard.
This is great news for the less than 10 friends I have who have played the game…COME ON Microsoft/343, release this game on XBOX LIVE Arcade already!!!
Thanks to “JVB” for tweeting his video! Be sure and LIKE his video!!
-Sal
As tweeted by Virgin Gaming, here is the main stage all dressed up for the Halo 4 Global Championship (click to make bigger):
That stage looks AWESOME!
-Sal
As expected this week’s bulletin is heavily focused on the Halo 4 Global Championship. The finals take place this weekend at PAX in Seattle.
First is a look at the XBOX personalities who will be presenting this to you via XBOX LIVE:
Next up are three quick player profiles of the 4th (Strongside), 3rd (Toxic Nate-for whom I interviewed here), and 2nd (Goofy) place finalists from the RTX qualifier.
PAX Prime attendees can come check out the action live from Benaroya Hall on Friday and Saturday during PAX show floor hours. For the Sunday finals, PAX badge holders and non-badge holders can begin lining up outside of Benaroya Hall at 1:30 pm to secure a spot in the audience. (Man, I REALLY wish I was going to be there for this!!!)
Several lucky fans got invites via Twitter. The bulletin has shown some of those tweets with pics. This was my personal favorite of those:
Next up is this week’s Matchmaking playlist update. While not specifically noted, the Ricochet winning score has been increased from 150 to 200. Good move there. Though some games are STILL very fast. I won one in 1:32 minutes even with the score being 200 in Ricochet.
The five maps to be used in the upcoming Ricochet playlist are shown with where the goals are at.
Monolith
Monolith’s goals are located in front of each base.
Skyline
Skyline’s goals are located inside each base.
Haven
Haven’s goals are located where the stairs meet the street.
Adrift
Adrift’s goals are located at the small door-side landings.
Solace
Solace’s goals are built into the sides, with a wall placed behind.
Following text from Waypoint:
Over the past few weeks, we’ve also been discussing consolidating playlists in an effort to optimize our Matchmaking experiences. On Tuesday, Legendary BRs will be offered in the third voting slot of the Infinity Slayer playlist, and the Legendary Slayer playlist will be removed. Additionally, we’ll be offering a new game type in this playlist. Simply named Team Slayer, the variant focuses on a customizable Slayer experience without any personal or random ordnance.
Team Slayer
We hope that players enjoy this new game type, which will offer an alternative to Slayer Pro variant, allowing full Loadout customization yet removing factors such as Random and Personal Ordnance. Slayer Pro will no longer be available in the voting options, and Team Slayer will be available in the second voting slot. We look forward to hearing your feedback on both Team Slayer and Legendary BRs in the feedback thread. Additionally, Ricochet on Monolith as well as Infinity Slayer on Pitfall and Vertigo will be available in the Multi-Team playlist next week. Vertigo has also been added to SWAT, and Pitfall has been added to the Rumble Pit rotation.
In Spartan Ops, we’ll be offering the following selection of missions.
Episode 6, Chapter 2: All the Secrets
Episode 6, Chapter 3: Need to Know
Episode 8, Chapter 4: Crystal Ball
Episode 10, Chapter 3: Seize the Power
Episode 10, Chapter 5: One Last Time
Next we come to the Spartan Assault Title Update:
I’ve already gone over screenshots and the achievements in an article written just a short time ago.
Here are the new missions with the update:
Mission F-1: Battle at the Arid Sea
Location: Western Arid Sea
Mission F-2: Breach of the Bulwark
Location: Eastern Arid Ripple
Mission F-3: Superstructure Assault
Location: Super Structure Lightbridge
Mission F-4: Infiltration of the Cistern
Location: Cistern cave system
Mission F-5: The Source
Location: Heart of the Cistern
Plus there will finally be Xbox 360 controller support. (Now if only this would come to XBOX Live Arcade!!!!)
Surprisingly no Screenshot Spotlight this week. I’m guessing it’s in preparation for the Halo 4 Global Championship.
-Sal
Mega Bloks UNSC Light Assault VTOL: Set #97102
Technical Specifications:
Build Time: 10 minutes
Set Piece Count: 169
Minifigs: Spartan Mark VI Dark Blue, Jackal Sniper (Halo 4 style)
Weapons: DMR, Beam Rifle
Accessories: Yellow Jackal Light Shield
Price: $21.99 (Price may vary by store)
Special Features: The wings pivot at two points each. The tail pivots slightly.
And on with the pics! (Click pics to make BIGGER)
[UPDATE] The pics have a yellowish tinge to them due to a small yellow casing on the lights that were above when I was taking pics for this review. So the color is off. (Even fooled my eyes) The set is indeed a light blue-ish/steel hue and NOT grey as I said below.
The box design is great as has been all of the “white” packaging designs. The Reap-X logo as you see is clearly prominent.
Back of the box. Lots of text here. I kind of wish MEGA would have shown that the wings could pivot. That would have been a nice thing to feature on the back.
Here are the contents of the box. The directions have a cool look to the cover. There’s a neat card with orthogonal views (see below).
The card by itself. I like this. I hope MEGA does this kind of thing more often!
Here 
Here are the pieces sorted out. NOTE: I was missing one of the double sided grey pegs. It’s listed as there being three in the set. However, you only need two according to the directions. So no harm no foul here. Just odd. 
The body starts to take shape. 
The body is complete. There are several pivot points here. While technically the front part pivots away, I do not think that’s part of the functionality of the set. 
One of the wings in progressive stages of building. The other wing is the same, just in opposite build. That’s why I didn’t post pics of that here. I am curious about the red translucent parts. You long time readers know I love translucent toys. I do here too. What’s odd though is that the turbine parts were also originally red. Now they’ve been changed to translucent smoke in color. I guess MEGA or 343 thought there was enough red already in the set.
Here is the tail assembly. The REAP-X decal is already on the left tail wing. So no need to try and put it on yourself.
Here are the final sections to be put together.
And the set is completed! 
There is a DMR, Beam Rifle and Yellow shield (first time in that color!) included with the set.
Here are the left overs, again noting that I was missing one peg, that ultimately was not needed.
I made a little workbench out of the pieces. The black tube is just resting on top of the bench.
Here we see the dark blue Mark VI Spartan. It really is a dark blue too. I hope we get this figure in a lighter color blue done the road. Sculpt is good as always.
Now here is the GEM of the set for me. The Halo 4 style Jackal. I am a BIG fan of Jackals. Loved the classic style and REALLY love this version. I haven’t checked but it looks like MEGA reused the arms. Maybe the legs too. Doesn’t matter to me if they did or not. This is a GREAT minifig. I hope I can build a small army of these. Can’t wait to see this in more sets and/or minifig blind packages.
Two buds hangin’ out and saying hello!
Summary: The REAP-X branch off is a new sub-set of Halo Mega Bloks toys. REAP-X stands for “Reverse Engineered Alien Prototype Experiment.” The idea seems to be to create never before seen vehicles that are created from Forerunner technology. We may never see these in upcoming games, but then again we might. Or if not the games, maybe the TV show. This set is easy to build with little or no difficulty.
Overall Rating: I give this set 8 out for 10 medals. If this were in the game, I’d be more excited about it. It’s a good toy mind you, just very different for the Halo universe.
The price at $22 is a little high for the piece count, especially when you take into account that none of the pieces are new, with exception to the Jackal minifigure. If I were to price this, given the piece count and it being a new untested sub-line of unknown vehicles, I’d have priced it at $17-18. This lesser amount might convince people to purchase a new as yet non-canon vehicle. That in turn might spurn them to buy more REAP-X sets in the future.
Since this is a new sub-line of Halo Mega Bloks it remains to be seen if REAP-X will continue on for awhile. These REAP-X sets have been met with mixed criticism by fans. Some prefer Halo purity, meaning only having sets that have been in the games. While others, like myself welcome new sets even if they are off shoots.
It’s always a bit risky for toy manufacturers to “go off script” like this and create a sub line. I however equate these to the “Minirigs” of the Star Wars toy line from years past. Those became valuable due in part to their uniqueness. I have hopes for the same with the REAP-X line.
-Sal
Mega Bloks UNSC Night Ops Gausshog: Set #97134
Technical Specifications:
Build Time: 25 minutes
Set Piece Count: 239
Minifigs: Spartan Warrior, Spartan Pathfinder, Promethean Knight Lancer
Weapons: Railgun, Shotgun, Suppressor and Lancer Sword (Both attached to Knight minifig)
Accessories: 4 gas cans
Price: $32.99 (Price may vary by store)
And on with the pics! (Click pics to make BIGGER)
I’ve said it before, I LOVE this new white packaging design. Just looks so CLEAN. Makes the toys “POP” off the box better. What’s cool about this box is the window where you can try out the sounds of the hog, as well as get a look at the Lancer Knight included.
The back of the box shows off the hog and minifigures nicely. As well, all the text makes it clear what is included with the lights and sound features.
Here is a composite of some of that text detail closer up.
Here is what you get in the box. NOTE: Be CAREFUL with the tray that has the battery pack and Lancer Knight. Kids, get your parents to take that out. Adults, take it slow. No need to try and rip it out of there. You might damage the battery pack.
Here is the battery pack. I like that it’s molded into a functional blok that you can build on. As you can see the clickable button you could demo actually is taken out for assembly. Now you can choose to toss that button/wire away if you want. I think I’m going to keep mine and see if I can use it elsewhere…
Here are all the pieces sorted out. They do not take up too much space and given the fairly quick build they won’t be on your build table for long spread out like that anyway.
The first few steps in the build. At this point it’s much like previous Warthog builds.
Some more steps along the way. See how that battery pack fits nicely? I will say that you may click the underside button of the battery pack and accidentally activate the sounds a few times while attaching that piece. I did…LOL.
Here the tailgate, “roof” and rooflight are assembled and attached. At this point it still looks nearly exactly like the other Halo 4 Warthog. (Reviewed here)
This is where the set finally diverges from previous Warthogs and with GREAT reason! Look at the massive Gauss Cannon! I LOVE IT!!! Well designed. Much more “meaty” than previous gauss cannons from previous hogs.
Here’s the completed set sans stickers. I RARELY add the stickers on my sets. Just a personal preference I guess.
More views of this fantastic Gauss hog. I’m curious why MEGA called it a “Night Ops” Gausshog though? Their color for night ops is a dark grey. This is really more a desert Gauss hog. Ah well, nothing to fret over.
Here is the Spartan Warrior figure. This is the second version of this figure. It was previously released in the Mantis set as a dark grey color. (As reviewed here)
This is the first offering of the Pathfinder Spartan. Technically it shares that with the new Pelican as well, since they came out at the same time. The sculpt on this is superb! So much detail in such a small minifig. The helmet is SPOT ON!
The two UNSC weapons are a little bland being black only. But that’s a very small nitpick. Given what else you get with the set, I’m totally fine with them.
The Knight Lancer is the second version of the Promethean Knight to date. The color of this knight is darker than the regular Promethean Knight that came in the Cauldron Clash set (reviewed here). It too has room for a Watcher (not included with this set) in it’s back. MEGA did a fantastic job of sculpting this Knight. LOVE that hooked sword!
The full set. Looks like that knight is in for some PAIN!!!
Here are the left over parts. Couldn’t really make much with these. One has all the left over tan camo parts. So I’m calling that a rock formation with a withered stalk sticking out of it. The other Steel/Black leftovers I”m calling a Warthog “Jack.” So if you need to change a tire you’ve got the jack to lift it off the ground.
And finally the yellow “stablizing” bloks.
Summary: This set is quick to build with little or no difficulty. The lights and sounds work great and bring the warthog to “life.” Including a new version of the Promethean Knight makes this a must buy. The Gauss cannon is huge! I happen to like it, though it may be slightly out of proportion.
The price at $33 may seem a little high for the piece count. However, given the electronic features of light and sounds, I think it’s a decent value. Though maybe just a couple dollars less. $29.99 sound more appealing than $32.99. Listing something in the 20s as opposed to the 30s might be just enough to sell more units of this. Without the lights and sounds the set would likely have gone for $25. So $5-8 more for those features really is a good deal, IMO.
Overall Rating: I give this set 9.0 out for 10 medals. Only two things I’d change/add. I’d like to have a different Spartan than the Warrior. But it is in green, which I like the color of. The only other thing is I’d have liked a Watcher included with the Knight.
In the interest of full disclosure, MEGA Brands sent me this set. Other than agreeing to post this review within a timeframe of their choosing, the opinions expressed in this review are my own and have not been evaluated by MEGA beforehand. I give honest reviews regardless if I buy or am given the set. I know you folks wouldn’t expect anything less!
-Sal
Text from Halo Waypoint:
Exploration turns to explosive combat in Operation Hydra, a new Title Update for Halo: Spartan Assault which adds five all-new missions, Xbox 360 controller support, new achievements, and more. Operation Hydra will be available on August 29th.
Here are 8 screenshots of the upcoming missions!
To view without the HFFL watermark go here.
UPDATE: the 5 achievements:
Archeology Complete Operation F – 10 Gamerscore
Silvertip Destroy all Mega Turrets with the Grizzly tank in Operation F, Mission 2 – 10 Gamerscore
Tour of Duty Earn all Gold starts in Operation F – 10 Gamerscore
Vidmaster Challenge 2.0 Complete Operation F, Mission 4 with the Blind and Thunderstorm Skulls active – 15 Gamerscore
A for Effort Complete all Operation F mission challenges – 5 Gamerscore
Okay, now someone tell me why the hell this game isn’t on XBOX Live Arcade? Or rather give me a good reason why it shouldn’t be? I know this is supposed to be for Windows 8 devices, but come on…there are thousands of Halo fans that can’t afford or don’t want a Win8 device/upgrade, but would GLADLY pay for this on XBLA. I’m one of them. The app is only $7. Heck, I’d pay double that for it on XBLA!!! 343???
This is such a beautiful looking game and looks fun to play. I watched Dust Storm from Podtacular play this for a couple of hours on his Twitch stream. Was jealous and excited to watch and play at the same time!
Come on 343/Microsoft, do right by the whole Halo community and bring this to XBLA!!!!
-Sal
If you are to believe the IGN article, Halo 4 is about to have a “Game of the Year” edition hitting stores soon.
A Microsoft spokesperson has confirmed the Game of the Year Edition and provided the following statement to IGN:
“A Game of the Year Edition of Halo 4 will be offered this October, offering tremendous value for fans who want to enjoy one of the most critically acclaimed games of 2012, and additional DLC all in one place. We will have more details to share during the live stream of the Halo Global Championship Finals this Sunday.”
The price is $49.99 and is to include all of the DLC to date. In the IGN article they state that even all pre-order bonuses will be included. So if you wanted those armor pre-orders and haven’t got them yet, here’s your chance. This does however make me curious if those will be put on the XBOX Live marketplace also for those of us who already have the game and DLC. To date I only need the Deadeye helmet and Best Buy’s Armor skin. I’m sure not going to buy a $50 version of the game just for those two…This also begs the question, will the FOTUS armor be included? That is the ONLY one I think that should NOT be included with this. Afterall, that was only available when you purchased the limited edition Halo 4 XBOX. Unlike the other pre-order armors that you got free from specific retailers.
Additionally, Twitch has also reported a new Halo DLC to be announced at PAX at 10:20 am Sun Sept 1. It is believed the leaked Halo 4 GOTY edition is this “new” DLC and is not yet another new map or content pack.
On Sept 24, 2013, HFFL will turn 2 years old. To celebrate this, I invite you to a special daily challenge.
From 7-8pm Eastern time HFFL will be looking to start a new record. Most gamers to play in one specific Halo game in one hour. To do this gamers will only be allowed to game for a maximum of ONE MINUTE during the whole of the hour.
Please do not come back into the game so we can allow for more gamers to participate. The potential for this is 960 gamers in the same one-hour game of Halo if each gamer plays only one minute’s worth of time. To account for players dropping in and out of the game, the variance of time you will be allowed to play is 50-65 seconds. Any less time and you will not be counted as having participated. Anything more and you risk hurting the potential total number of gamers playing in this event. So please adhere to the time limit.
Now given this dropping out of the game, it’s likely we’re going to experience LAG. How that will affect the time, I’m not sure. So the game will be ended at 9pm regardless of actual playing time. To do this, I will be handicapping the potential amount of gamers by being the ONLY one to stay in this game the whole time. This is to also facilitate booting people out of the game if they are staying longer than they should be…
So with all that said, PLEASE get the word out! Message your friends on XBOX, text, tweet, facebook, e-mail, call, skype and whatever other method reasonable you can to tell them about this event!
I’ll have the party open during this game, so you can join in freely.
Search for gamertag: HaloFanForLife1 at that time and put yourself into the queue to join.
Let’s see what kind of record we can set!
-Sal
I want to add that I forgot to mention Postgame Carnage Report in my thanks at the beginning of this podcast. So here is a hearty thanks to them as well for having me on their show last week.
I apologize here that I sniffled a bit through this. Hope to remedy that for future podcasts.
We’re looking into publishing this on iTunes. Once I get that set up, I’ll post that info here. For now you can listen on the blog or download it directly and listen to it later at your convenience.
Please let me know what you think of the podcast. bear in mind this is only our first attempt at this and we will get better as we go along.
Thanks again to Zach and Martin my two co-horts!
-Sal
Send me your video of your epic moves in Ricochet for this week and I’ll look to include them in a new “Top Ten Ricochet Plays.”
Please no links to your fileshare or youtube vids. I need your actual vid files. They can be mpg, move, or wmv files.
-Sal