Ever played Halo Wars? I for one didn't think an RTS can even be played on a console (I still believe that) but it wasn't that bad.. Reach is ok but it doesn't have that "Halo Style" anymore, we have health and we take fall damage, it really doesn't feel like any of the other Halo games but that doesn't have it an "embarrassment".
Reach did lack, but you guys are bagging it a little too hard. I love Halo 3, more than Reach, but Reach wasn't an "embarrassment", it just wasn't up to par with previous Halo games. I admit it lost the regular feeling to the rest of the games, and required readjustment, but it wasn't all bad. And Halo Wars isn't bad whatsoever, it's a different genre altogether. For an RTS, it's not the best, but they didn't maul it, and for a complete blind throw out, it can be given credit as a good addition for the adventurous Halo fans.