Ooook, so where to start.
I wasn't a big Halo 2 multiplayer fan, it was alright but I joined the party too late and just got my ass kicked too often. So, to be able to play with only a few hundred guys, all on a level playing field was great.
So onto the impressions after 2 hours play and 7 games....
First thing to note is that I "think" this is the first game to feature a "Return to the Dashboard" option in the menu, so you don't have to bring up the guide.
The menu system is very much like Halo 2's, subtle and really nice.
The customisation of your Spartan is much improved with regards to colouring your armour in unique ways.
Gameplay:
Bottom line is that it feels and plays like Halo, which is a good thing. However, the new weapons, especially the Assault Rifle add some balance to the weapon set. The BR in H2 was not a very nice starting weapon where as the AR is, you can pick up kills with it very well.
The deployables are fantastic, they really add another layer of gameplay and tactics to the maps. The Bubbleshield is useful to heavy fire, just remember that people can enter the shield with you so you can still get taken down. The portable grav lift is a brilliant addition to get to high places. The other I used was the shield drainer, again very useful, especially if you are running out of health. Radar scramblers are also available.
Spike grenades are a welcome "sticky" grenade edition and the Spartan Laser is cool, although it takes a while to charge. If you walk up to a mounted weapon, like a chain gun and press RB to use it, then press B you will drop into 3rd person and detach the gun. It slows you down but again, it is a nice addition.
Independant reloading whilst dual wielding is a godsend as it used to take an AAAAGE in Halo2. The control scheme seems strange at first but I think it makes more sense once you are used to it.
Maps:
Druring the 2 hours only High Ground and Snowbound were picked, I didn't get to play the level with the man cannon. High Ground is a great medium sized map with plenty of strategy for CTF games. Snowbound has shield doors which are great and again add to the depth of play on the map. I will add more after more play.
Graphics:
Ok, I am in SD, so I can't comment on how things look in HD. All I can say is that even in SD I think the graphical style is brilliant, the lighting effects are very nice and the texture work is good. It is still Halo, just with an updated engine, which is all anyone expected really. It isn't even worth comparing to GoW as they are completely different beasts. The one thing this does have over Gears...colour.
Sound:
This was the stand out element for me, it is spectacular. The sound of distant firefights, the echo effects off the canyon walls and corridors are all executed brilliantly. The weapons have more ooomph behind them as well. If you have a Dolby 5.1 system it will be put to good use, I used headphones and it was brilliant, especially bullets whooshing past your head.
Medals:
Some new medals include...
KillJoy - Stopping someone on a Killing Spree
Death from the Grave - Killing someone as you are killed
Laser Kill
Bottom line (after a just 2 hours)
Great fun all round whether I was playing Rumble Training or ranked games it was a blast, and this is coming from someone who isn't the most enthusiastic about playing with unknowns. Looking forward to playing more over the next few days/weeks.
I think that is all for now, if you have any questions fire away.