I get that this topic has probably been made hundreds of times already, so don't read if you don't want, but i just want to air a few things that worry me about some of the multiplayer updates and why. I'm sure a lot of people share my fears.
1. Loadouts are primary weapon, secondary weapon, grenade type, armour ability and TWO more slots for modifications. Confirmed so far are quicker regeneration and more ammunition.
I'll refrain from using the word 'perks' but 343 have to be careful here, with the clear COD comparison which is bound to alienate some 'hardcore' halo fans, there is also the risk of unbalancing the multiplayer. I have confidence in 343 but still.
2. Sprint now default ability, so sprint + 1 other armour ability allowed. Has a usage meter and slow down mechanic when getting shot.
This worries me a lot, everybody being able to use an armour ability is my worst nightmare. Imagine EVERYONE in the game using jetpack, hologram or camo. It will exacerbate the 'randomness' of the gameplay already present in Reach. By this i mean, in the previous Halo games, skill was everything. If you were better than someone, you could dominate them, which made the game so much more rewarding for players who put the time and effort in to perfect their shooting. With Reach, any old idiot can ruin your day by armour locking, or jetpacking out of nowhere. I really feel that this detracted from the skill-based gameplay that made the previous Halo games so great to continue playing - you felt as if you were getting better every day and were being rewarded for it. You can see how armour abilities and the like make Halo more accessible to new players, but as a player who's been working hard to perfect his BR since the Halo 2 days, the unpredictable gameplay in Reach is incredibly annoying, and it sounds like it's more of the same in Halo 4.
3. New progression system with Spartan Points. Slowly unlock weapons, abilities and modifications for loadouts. Multiplayer AND Spartan Ops use same custom character.
It's quite obvious which game springs to mind here. In the teaser videos a lot was made of 'analysing trends in the gaming industry' and using these to bring to gamers what they want in Halo 4. The only real trendsetter i can see Halo drawing from is COD, but that's been said a million times so i'll leave that. Still - following trends is not necessarily following what people want. Some people hate the trends that COD are setting.
4. Warhouse and Wraparound multiplayer maps
This opinion is hugely subjective, but i'll share it anyway. Maps that have too much of a bottom-to-top flow of gameplay become boring to play. These maps seem like they have a lot of levels, which can sometimes lead to one team patrolling a certain area at the top while one team spawns at the bottom and runs up. (Reflection, Sword Base, etc.) I hope 343 can avoid such routine and monotonous gameplay in Halo 4.
If you read this far, thanks a lot and i'm interested to hear if you think i'm talking crap or if you agree, but please don't flame me for re-posting an old topic, i just wanted to give my two cents.