Honestly, to me the story was gripping. I wasn't happy with the way it turned out, but even so I am willing to say it was a great story. And now I'm wondering what's coming next, which is what a story is supposed to do.
Also, to all of the "this isn't the Halo I've known and loved", guys, it's 2012. Nearly 2013. Halo CE came out in 2001. It's been over a decade, and you are expecting it not to have changed drastically? I mean seriously, I was kind of expecting more change than what actually happened. It's true, I miss the old characters, but they are setting up new ones. So it'll be okay. Welcome to getting older.