So I never did actually end up logging into the beta for a second time, and now the game is out and I'm really not interested. I'm about 15 minutes into the GiantBomb 45 minute quick look, and it's not really making me yearn for the game. Maybe for the single player, but I still haven't finished 3 or ODST.
Halo 1: When I got the first Halo game, it was great. Better FPS than any before on consoles. The split screen was amazing fun. I plowed through the whole single player in 2 sittings on coop and played a shitload of multiplayer.
Halo 2: Preordered the Limited Edition and picked it up at midnight, but I quickly lost steam on both the single player and multiplayer. I played the first couple missions and enough multi to be familiar with some of the maps.
Halo 3: Bought about a year after it came out, when I got my 360. Played the multi on and off for a week or so and decided to finish Halo 2's campaign first, but didn't manage to do it.
ODST: In anticipation of ODST, I played through all of Halo 2's campaign. That was enough Halo for me, and I barely touched the campaign or multiplayer for ODST.
So now that Reach is out, I still don't feel like I need more Halo yet. I wanted to be excited about Reach, but the core gameplay just doesn't grab me enough. I'm compelled to finish the others in the series first, but then I get my fill quickly. So every time I decide to play a Halo game, I'm playing one from 2-3 years ago and it seems dated in visuals and gameplay. Though maybe that's just Halo: dated. I mean, Reach moves so slow, and instead of letting you sprint, you need a powerup first. Enemies are bullet sponges, so your guns just feel really ineffective. Also I guess it doesn't help when the main character has no face so you can't relate to him.
I guess I like the idea of Halo a lot more than the actual thing.