the issues halo has with writing and game design are on full display in this game, but unlike the rest of the series, there are very few charming or memorable parts to make up for it. it's really hard to get attached to any of the characters or care about the things happening to them when the only attempt at introducing and endearing them to you is a 2 minute long unfunny sequence at the start of the game. despite all the witty dialogue and focus on the relationships between the squad of marines, the only character i cared about at all was vergil, an alien that never speaks. everyone praises the atmosphere of this game but they don't mention how the dark new mombasa streets are extremely closed off, drawn out, and devoid of interesting firefights, which is a common theme for missions in this game. all that atmosphere feels pointless when it doesn't serve the gameplay the series is known for and it's only being used to tell a "more serious" story, despite never letting the characters have any genuine interactions that aren't layered in quips. this just feels like only the worst that the series has to offer with none of the good.