"Halo: Spartan Strike" Coming Soon to Windows, Windows Phone

Last year, Halo fans got the first mobile game in the franchise's history, the excellent "Halo: Spartan Assault." So this year, Microsoft is turning it up to 11 with a second title, "Halo: Spartan Strike," which provides an all-new story, new enemies, device-to-device play continuation, and great new graphics.

The bad news? You have to wait until December 12 to get it. And while Windows and Windows Phone users will be happy, it's not clear yet when/whether this game will ship for Xbox One or Xbox 360. Though you have to think that's inevitable.

Here's what's happening.

Universal app. Halo: Spartan Strike is a Universal app, so when you buy it on Windows, you own it on Windows Phone. And vice versa. (It will work with Windows 8/8.1 and Windows Phone 8/8.1.)

Price. $5.99, digital download

Storyline. "Set during the events of Halo 2, Halo: Spartan Strike tells a new chapter in the Halo universe. You play as a Spartan in a real-world, classified ONI simulation that starts on New Mombasa in 2552 and will take you through jungles, cities and more. Using your Spartan skills, an all-new arsenal of weapons, abilities and vehicles, including the iconic Warthog, you must lead UNSC troops through 30 challenging missions and prevent Earth from being overtaken by hordes of Covenant and Promethean enemies." Yes, the Prometheans are the new bad guys, "deadly mechanical warriors who seek mankind's annihilation."

What's new? A lot. "A compelling new story, improved touch controls, updated graphics and an all-new score from award-winning composer Tom Salta," Microsoft notes. Plus weekly challenges and even Xbox achievements that unlock content in "Halo: The Master Chief Collection" for Xbox One. And...

New vehicle. In addition to the Warthog, you can pilot the all-new Kestrel VTOL

New weapons. Suppressor, Scatter Shot, Binary Rifle and Incineration Cannon

New armor abilities. Proximity Mine, Bubble Shield, Teleport, Shock Chain and Airstrike

Controller choices. You can choose between keyboard and mouse, USB Xbox controller, or touch-based virtual joystick.

Here's a video showing off some gameplay.