I've read through all the posts that are in this thread and I agree with just about any point that anyone has made thus far.
I have to say that I was looking forward to Halo 4 and wondering and hoping that 343i could pull it off, in some ways they did and did not.
I have been a very long time Halo fan, ever since it was first supposed to be a PC, then MAC, finally a Xbox game. To say I love this series is pretty accurate, and I had likes and dis-likes with each title but generally very happy.
WARNING THIS IS LONG! and potentially funny.
SPOILERS!!!
SO WHY I PLAY? (or why use bad Engleesh)
This is not a bad game. It's not a overly good game either. It is enjoyable, it has lots of parts that are wonderful! It has terrible bits and plenty of average to sub-par too. 343 Industries, you had pulled together a rather clean first attempt at a solo project. You have given us plenty of the familiar, plenty of new twists on those as well as brand new memories. Do I see more exciting things to come from you? Yes, yes I do. Do I think that Halo 4 should have been your first game to make away from the Bungie yolk?
Probably not, but that is a hard thing to say. At this point I don't know whether to love you or hate you. I don't think I can hate you. I'm not sure we can hate you. This effort, this potential wonderful work - so much attention to detail, so much expectation. These things are not easy to achieve or to balance out. Anyone who has made a game, written a book or posted a way too long review rant failure at criticism comedy on a forum knows that you can never get it all right for everyone.
I think we all hope, maybe expect that your efforts to continue the wonderful Halo universe in your own light will grant you lessons from this game for the future titles. That we may play them and enjoy them even more. To love them as we did the past titles. Best of luck Halo guardians, I look forward to seeing where you take us next time.
Also Multiplayer! What is up with that anyway!?