Exactly what the game needed to be....
The graphics are the best to date on the 360, I can't tell you how many times I've died already because I was too busy staring at the armor of my warthog or watching my plasma grenade explode. And I don't have HDMI or HD.
The controls are exactly how you remember them and fit perfectly with the play style. There is an annoying issue of picking up weapons while trying to reload. I'm sure the controls can be tailored to remedy that.
The story is engrossing, just as the first 2 were. You can't help but remember the purpose of the fight and the reason for pushing forward.
Between Forge, Multiplayer, and the Theatre, you are looking at months, if not years of replay. Hell, I still play Halo from time to time just to fly around and run over elites.
The vehicles, weapons, and shields add just enough touch to freshen the game and provide a few "Oh shi*, did you see that?" moments.
1. The formula was perfect to begin with. What changes/modifications/upgrades did Bungie need that they didn't provide? Why rewrite the gameplay and try something different when it would have changed the first 2 games. Part of a series is keeping some things consistent.
2. It is not all things to all people. I know a handful of people who bought it and thought it was just "good". Well these people happen to hate FPS. Coincidence?
My qualms so far: The above weapon switching, the minor backtracking, lack of clear direction for the next checkpoint (good and bad). Normal is too easy.
Overall, I love this game. To me, it is exactly what it needed to be, more of the same with some 360 polish and some new features that don't change the storyline or suddenly invent technology/powers/abilities that weren't present in the first 2. Regardless of the flood of kids playing, you (and I) are sure to have hours, and days, and weeks, and months of fun with this purchase. Worth every penny and then some.