PixlBit

I can't believe I'm saying this, but this looked pretty great. Totally Metroid Prime-like, but great nonetheless. Consider me at least cautiously optimistic.

Best part of MS presentation hands down.

I seem to be the big Halo fanboy here on the site, and I'm really excited for this, it's my most anticipated of the year.

The UI looks pretty clean. The new Predator-esk visor mode is awesome and most welcome (ODST added the VISR mode that was extremely useful, but Reach lacked any kind of special visor mode). The BR is back and looks fun to shoot, the Forerunner weaponry looked pretty interesting, the movement mechanics seem solid and familiar, and the non-AA sprint ability is an absolutely necessary addition I'm glad they made. All the people who were afraid 343 were going to screw it up and make it feel like it's not a Halo game can probably rest easier now. It's looks like they're giving fans what they expect while adding some fresh new material, enemies, weapons, and lore into the Haloverse.

My year of Halo has officially begun. Between now and release I'm going to read through Glasslands and Cryptum, watch Halo Legends, play through Halo 3 once more, and get all refreshed on Halo before I dive into 4. This Halo fan doesn't screw around.

oly oly oxen free...

Yeah I was going to say I saw a Predator vibe too.Though why not hold this title back for launch of Microsoft's next system?

It wouldn't make any sense to release on the next console, it would waste time and money. They've been making it for a few years, it's finished, and they need to give people some great games to play before the life cycle is over for 360 and they encourage everybody to move on to the next platform. It would put all 343's work to waste, it would sell the 360 short, cause everybody to begin forgetting about it, and not be excited to see the 360 out to the end of its cycle.

Plus the biggest thing is that Halo 4 is part of the new Reclaimer Trilogy, so they will have all the opportunity in the world to bring the next two games to the next Microsoft console. Just like God of War came out at the end of PS2's cycle and the next two games were on PS3, and that worked out just fine for the franchise.

This is their hook.  My guess, it's a new trilogy. they're hoping consumers will play it, love it, and buy the next console for the rest of the games. That's my theory as to why it's coming out now, not later.