I've been playing Halo: Reach for what, the past three weeks. I haven't been able to post just because Halo: Reach is that addicting. I tell myself I'll get up next game, but before I know it, the next game has already started. I don't want to be put on probation (come on, 15 minutes without Halo? That's hell right there), so I play, and the process just repeats.

That's saying a lot. But, I feel Bungie's big send-off to the well-established Halo community could've been a lot better. Multiplayer is already at it's peak and couldn't be any better. Firefight, Forge, and Theater are already great. My main concern, however, lies with campaign.

I already pointed out that the campaign needed better character development, but in truth, that was being nice. There was so much more that could've been added to create the ultimate Halo experience and as a great wave goodbye to the universe they took so long to create.

Starting off with everybody's concern: we don't care much about the characters. An easy solution: extend the cutscenes a bit (maybe by like 7-10 minutes) and let the characters drool their emotions out to you. The cutscene at the end of New Alexandria (warning: SPOILER) could've extended a bit longer to let you see Carter weep over Kat's death, since she is the only original Noble member, thus making her his closest friend.

But there so many other points that could've been improved on. Continuing on with the story, it could've integrated the little references to all the Halo characters a lot better. I'd much rather see Buck than just hear his voice. Considering that Master Chief, Cortana, Gunnery Sergeant Stacker, Sergeant Johnson, Sergeant Buck, and Dr. Halsey were all critical (or simply took part in) to the defense of Reach, I'd actually like to see them in action. Maybe a level where you are on the streets of New Alexandria (like a daytime version of ODST) where you begin by pushing back the Covenant assault on a government building where you meet Stacker. Then you get transported through the city by Falcon for a thrill ride and then link up with an elite ODST squad commanded by Buck and then take back a critical building. Or perhaps a level where you are sent to space to defend an ODP (orbital defense platform) alongside Master Chief.

And the mysteriousness from Halo: CE could've been brought back as well. Maybe a couple levels fighting alongside SPARTAN-IIs. Halo lore always describes them as mysterious soldiers, but why not let us gamers see it? Why not have them be treated rudely by fellow soldiers? When the SPARTANs are turned around or far away, a couple Army troopers might comment that "the freaks were just here".

The fact that an entire planet was under attack was also never apparent to me. I saw one level (Exodus) where it felt somewhat like we were under attack, but not enough. I'd love, scratch that, die to see some more emotional impact. Maybe even chance their game with a little controversy. Picture this scene in your head. Noble Six is milling about fending off Covenant squads when he/she notices a large plasma mortar inches away from killing him. Thus, utilizing his reflexes, he locks his armor. But because of the excess heat left from the plasma, his/her suit malfunctions and he cannot leave this state. Now, all these civilians are running past him, and he/she watches helplessly as THEY are bombarded with plasma mortars. Or you are defending an airport terminal as wave after wave of civilians board a transport. Maybe even include teenagers and children in the mix, so you feel at home. I mean, what kind of city doesn't have kids? You face increasingly difficult waves of Covenant aliens, and your objective is to not let x amount of civilians die (with x lowering with each difficulty). Then, a Covenant Corvette shoots down the transport. You scream in terror as all that hard work you just put up with now is gone with those civilians. This would've raised the emotional bar immensely. Even at the expense of some controversy, many would overlook it for it's storytelling capacity if it were done well.

My final complaint would be none of the levels were really memorable. Maybe Tip of the Spear and Exodus, but other than that, not really. It didn't feel Halo-like with massive set pieces and giant levels. It seems Bungie went in favor of intricacies and small details than large wide-open levels. I especially appreciated The Ark and the Covenant just because they were huge. And I loved those Warthog runs scattered throughout Halo 3's campaign. But in Halo: Reach, you don't get these massive Warthog runs at all, simply because there's nothing Bungie created with that long of a stretch of path. The new physics engine for the Warthog fascinates me because now, not only do you need to worry about enemy fire, but also how you drive as well. Driving through Hemorrhage at full speed will give you many, many, many flips and rolls. Driving through a little bit more careful will result in less roles. This feels better than Halo 3's Warthog physics model, where you'd drive perfectly no matter the terrain.

Scratch that, THIS is my final complaint. This being their swan song to Halo, I would've appreciated a bit more to those true Halo fans, and those that actually completed Halo: Reach on Legendary, more so on solo. I like the ending cutscene (warning: SPOILER) for The Pillar of Autumn, being an HD remake of the original opening cutscene for Halo: CE. But I would've liked to see a bit more. Finishing on Legendary, I'd like to see a bit more from that HD remake, maybe even the entire beginning cutscene, redone and redesigned. And for those that finished on Legendary solo, maybe even a small hint at Master Chief's next adventure, similar to the Legendary ending of Halo 3.

So, there are quite a few "mistakes" with campaign. But given their dream for what this game should've been, I don't blame 'em. Look at all the detail in the game, with the massively expansive game modes included. Nonetheless, I am satisfied, but I am one of those people that enjoy a good campaign, specifically a good Halo campaign.