A new Halo: Reach trailer was broadcast during Saturday’s 2009 Spike Video Game Awards. Thankfully, Microsoft and Bungie have now made the clip available for all to peruse and dissect. While the two and half minute clip doesn’t include any gameplay footage of the Xbox 360 exclusive, it was reportedly created using the in-game engine.

The video features a number of signature Halo elements, including what appears to be a faceless protagonist, this time in the company of an entire squad of Spartans. The commanding officer informs his new recruit that he can “leave that lone wolf stuff behind” suggesting a greater emphasis on specialisation and teamwork in this iteration. The emphasis on clichéd dialogue appears to be about the same.

Notable squad members include a battle-scarred female Spartan and a brooding knifeman with skull insignia on his helm. The squad will be battling to protect the human colony on Reach from Covenant attack. Halo devotees will no doubt recall the significance of the battle being portrayed in this long awaited prequel.

If October’s Halo 3: ODST confirmed anything in my mind, it was that the series is dire need of fresh ideas. We’ll have to wait until Spring 2010 to see if Halo: Reach delivers on that front.