I agree mostly with 1-5.
6 -I've never done well with the sword, but I don't like the deflecting of the sword(unless its against another sword..
7 -I think most of the AA's were a pretty smart inclusion, I am glad 343 isn't bringing in ArmorLock(Dunno how Bungie left that past testing sadly...). It makes sense to me with the fiction of super soldiers in the 2552-like future would have those types of abilities(that are currently in Reach), and gameplay-wise I like them -except Jetpack which I cannot use with BumperJumper.(I like Jetpack, but BJ makes it very hard..) You mention later that the movement allowed for faster gameplay, well that's exactly what default Sprint is doing now..And the gameplay does need to change, or be somewhat updated with new games that are being released and people playing them as well. I do miss the old gameplay style, but I think this change is for the better. Plus Halo 3's multiplayer is terrible with my Moderate NAT and slow internet. Reach improves on that a bit..(And I really hope Halo 4 will also!)
9 - Why wouldn't 343 include some of the most played, well known, and basic game types of Halo??
10 - It's really hard to know if this is a good decision or not at the moment, so let's reserve judgment. I think at least some of this will be good because it helps prevent Power Weapon horing, and it looks like it will help diversify firefights and engagements other than spawn points..
So at the moment, it looks like 343 is doing a great job with the direction of where they want Halo to go now.. I have faith that they will not destroy Halo.
None of us are really going to know what to think of this until we see a lot more gameplay -or even play the game. So I really hope Halo 4 is playable at PAX Prime this year!!
And Spartan Ops is sounding fantastic.. Just kind of weary of the name..
Halo 4: Foreword Unto Dawn seems epic.
I just want no spoilers on the John and Cortana Campaign side of Halo 4(or even Spartan Ops and FUD) until it's released!!
I am looking forward to some explanation of John's MJOLNIR MK VII armor changes -and if he does have the jet pack, those small things should be somewhat explained -yes I know, different art direction, but they have hinted at actual practical uses for the armor change and such..
Also, even if Halo 4 isn't 60 FPS(30 is fine with me), I just want it to play and flow like Halo 3! Not sure what Bungie did with Reach but the campaign and Firefight just seem a bit slow or laggy -and I'm not talking about on Live. Not sure if it's the filters, or particles, but especially during the campaign, it just seems slow(loss of frames or slow with controller data transference to gameplay or something...)
But I am looking forward to Halo 4 very greatly!!