General feel of the game versus other Halo games:

[Combat]

It feels like Halo 4's weapons have all been replaced with nerf rifles. I think part of the problem is that in the campaign the new enemies replace strong shields or armor with high amounts of life (regardless of what weapon is used), so that weapons feel weaker against them.

 

In matchmaking, it just feels like my weapons are ineffective. This is partially because Reach's firefights have been replaced, so that most of the time you stumble upon a person and try to shoot them before they find cover (and vice-versa if you are the one running). This makes it harder to get a kill because enemies simply are much better at running away.

 

Other matchmaking problems include the additions, like the Mantis. The Mantis isn't incredibly powerful offensively, but it takes a heck of a lot of fire to bring down (especially if it is able to keep bringing the shield back up). A couple of the new weapons are pretty wimply or hard to use, like the Railgun (so very hard to get a kill with that thing) and the sticky detonater (instant kill, but have to be close to get a kill with it without setting a trap). Also, things like overshields, shield perks, the regeneration field, and others all tend to make it harder to get a kill.

 

These aren't necessarily bad things, but sometimes they can give a negative impression of the game. It feels far less hectic than previous Halo games, and that part of the reason is a general increase in the survivability of our opponents, both in the campaign and on matchmaking. I think it makes one-shot weapons and vehicles a lot more powerful, because otherwise you have to rely on being able to find and kill opponents before they get into cover.

 

Anyway, what differences do you believe this game has compared to other Halo games, specifically in terms of the way the game "feels."