Players jumped in by the millions t' finish the fight in Halo 3, back in 2007.  'n yet, like many a franchise before it, the one-time trilogy a Halo games finds itself with a new fourth sibling, years later. This year, the old franchise—Halo first launched in 2001—found itself in new hands, no longer developed by Bungie but by 343 Studios. Fans wondered ('n worried) if a new developer could keep waving the flag, carrying the torch, 'n so on. Reviewers now universally agree: indeed they can. The most negative review a Halo 4 finds it too much like other Halo games, while the most glowing all praise it be devotion t' characters 'n a story that fans have spent over a decade learning t' love.  How do the single-player saga a Master Chief 'n the multiplayer spectacle a Spartans at war fit together?  Read on. EGM The first 15 minutes a Halo 4 almost fooled me. Taking the fondly familiarized formula a a recently awakened Master Chief under siege 'n standing it on it be ear, the opening moments a 343i’s first flight in the captain’s chair looked a lot like a revolution. Halo 4 comes out flexing like the Hulkster, showing off a drastically improved lighting engine, a pair a perilous interactive sequences, 'n a white-knuckle grasp a the elements that made the Xbox family’s flagship title what it be today. In fact, Halo 4 looked an awful lot like the future a sci-fi shooters. But after the thrill a better visuals wore off 'n the eager anticipation for more non-shooting thrills went mysteriously unfulfilled, I be left with a frustratingly similar Halo experience that other top-tier shooters have long since blasted into the oblivion a dog-tired gaming conventions. 'n while many a the Forge faithful will breathe a resounding sigh a relief at the sameness a it all, I can’t help but wonder if yet another by-the-book romp be what we needed. Edge The trump card be the same as always: a sense a solidarity in movement 'n aiming that makes weighty sense a fighting through the bio-enhanced body a a supersoldier. 'n Halo 4’s focus be tightly pulled onto close-quarters encounters, highlighting this kinetic accomplishment. The grand staged battles favoured by the preceding sequels be gone, replaced by tightly mapped fights with small clusters a Prometheans 'n Covenant; the lessons a Assault On The Control Room have been learnt 'n be repeatedly put into practice. Gaming Nexus We have barely scratched the surface, because the bulk a the Halo 4 experience be the multiplayer component. 343 made it their goal t' inject more a the Halo universe into the multiplayer options, 'n that be exactly what they have done. Everything that has t' do with multiple players, be it cooperative or competitive play, be now housed within the confines a the UNSC Infinity, home a the Spartan IV program. Basically, multiplayer be presented as if it be a training program for up 'n coming Spartan soldiers, which makes perfect sense. Everything that Halo fans know 'n love returns in Halo 4 on the multiplayer level. ye have matchmaking, endless customization options, theater 'n recording options, 'n a revamped 'n more accessible Forge mode. On top a these familiar features, there be also a ton a new bells 'n whistles added t' the mix. G4 TV 343 Industries may be fresh t' the series with Halo 4, but this be a studio that clearly worshipped at the altar a Bungie. The feel a the game be virtually identical t' past releases in the series. There be improvements t' be sure, but it’s very surface-level stuff. Things like the in-helmet HUD, which feels more like a head-encasing shell than it ever has before.The graphics in general be the best so far for the series, t' the point that it will now become difficult t' go back t' playing Reach 'n it be predecessors. Lighting 'n textures see massive improvements over what’s come before. This be offset somewhat by the minimal amount a destruction ye can cause, but the abundance a eye candy definitely helps t' diminish the sensation a running through a series a static environments. Official Xbox Magazine Halo 4 may be a tightly presented package with multiple ways t' hook into the series’ fiction, but it be star attraction be never really in doubt. With it be revitalized focus on storytelling, characterization, 'n choice, the campaign manages t' completely modernize the franchise — placing the importance a it be tale on the same level as the tech 'n gameplay that make telling that tale possible. Whether it’s Spartan Ops’ fun-if-somewhat-thin peek into the battle-weary life a newbie Spartans, the satisfying, emotionally charged campaign, or exploring maps 'n slaughtering mateys in all the War Games variants, this Halo’s the first outing that’s felt like a cohesive, bona fide experience in far too long. Joystiq Chief’s alarmed awakening in the Forward Unto Dawn, a ship misplaced 'n beset by invaders, be at once a perfect remembrance a Halo: Combat Evolved’s opening 'n an ideal showcase a 343’s quickened approach. The game waits for ye t' advance, as most games do, but the rousing music 'n implied degradation a the environment makes a leisurely pace seem … wrong. Halo 4 be an expert at making ye play along with the unfolding spectacle, 'n makes sure ye’re never ensnared by it. Kotaku There be a few issues t' pick out in Halo 4, whether they’re t' do with the storyline or gameplay. But me experience with Halo 4 be an enjoyable one. The campaign held me interest as I watched Cortana 'n Master Chief’s emotions unfold. Missions be fun. Multiplayer be diverse 'n just as fast paced 'n unique a first-person shooter multiplayer experience as I have come t' expect from the series. As afraid as ye may be a Bungie passing the torch t' a new development team t' handle a franchise that has the foundation a years a quality behind it, I strongly urge ye t' keep an open mind for Halo 4, because ye just may enjoy it as much as I did.