In more ways than one, Halo 4 is a love story. It's a beautifully detailed love letter from 343 Industries-a collection of massive Halo fans and Bungie alumni-to Halo fans. Then there's the plot that, without going into too much detail, explores a very personal story of the two core characters of...

It's four years after the Halo event, and everyone's a Master Chief. First-person shooters don't get any better than Halo 4. Of course, that's what many thought about the previous Halo:Reach .

Beautiful graphics; Rich, textural scenery; Great music; Engrossing gameplay; Non-stop action.

Not much innovation

If it were not for Halo, it's quite possible Microsoft's Xbox dreams would have been resting in a grave right beside Zune. So assuming that Microsoft would have a soft corner for this franchise is understandable.

Very engaging gameplay and storyline; A visual and auditory stunner; Sets the stage beautifully for the rest of the trilogy; Game develops a deep emotional bond with many characters not just the protagonist; The online Halo 4 community is huge

In Spartan Ops; the weapons that are picked up disappear immediately after death; Pricey

Halo isn't allowed to die just because Bungie and Microsoft parted ways. It's too big, too popular, and too vital to the Xbox brand to simply fade into obscurity. And so 343 Industries was assembled, and handed the keys to one of the most popular gaming franchises of all time.

Playing through the thrilling campaign; Keeping up with Spartan Ops; Losing a few hundred hours in multiplayer

How quickly it's over; That Spartan Ops isn't hard enough; That some gameplay elements haven't evolved

Halo 4 takes few risks, but newcomer 343 Industries seems to understand the franchise and what fans want from it.

Series-faithful continuation of Bungie's work; New enemy faction and weapons offer fresh strategic opportunities; Multiplayer progression falls in line with what's expected; Best-in-series graphics

Exceedingly "safe" sequel from this new Halo developer; Soundtrack ditches familiar themes; More corridor shooting; fewer sandbox arenas; No more Firefight

Since Halo's very beginning it has seen many twists and turns, whether it is the epic events in the solo campaign story boards that invest you, or the chaotic action in co-op that keeps you coming back for more and more – the Halo series have been at the forefront of the FPS genre since it's...

Cinematic solo campaign; Stunning graphics.

Predictive maps; Unfulfilling conclusion

Halo 4 is my personal Game Of The Year. I understand that it might be difficult for people to fathom a first-person shooter taking that place, but Halo 4 really does offer an engaging, deep and thoroughly enjoyable experience.

+ Great campaign and story; + Memorable Halo experience; new 343i flavour; + Multiplayer is still great; + Spartan Ops is brilliant co-op fun

- Some new vehicles are a chore to control; - Game sometimes holds your hand

Frankie: relax.

+ Tight, lean sci-fi adventure; + Halo formula still works + New additions (for the most part) great; + New score is fantastic; + Plenty of scope in MP.

- Early escape sequence frustrates; - Spartan Ops opening missions weak; - Gets lost in jargon and fiction history at one point

Halo is in new hands. After chronicling humanity's defeat in Halo: Reach , developer and series creator Bungie passed the reins to 343 Industries, who has charted a new course for the iconic Spartan and his AI companion, Cortana.

Engrossing; emotional story; Stellar combat mechanics; Attractive environments; charismatic characters; and exceptional soundtrack; Greater diversity in competitive multiplayer; Powerful creation and customization tools

Spartan Ops missions are too fleeting

Halo 4 constantly ups the ante in smart, satisfying ways. Everything might've changed under the hood, but 343 did what it set out to do: make a Halo that can stand tall with Bungie's revered classics. That's no mean feat.

Things change A moment comes in Halo 4 when the Master Chief does something we've never, ever seen him do … something I never even thought he could do; The entire universe pivots in that instant.

Things stay the same 343's biggest misstep, if you consider it one, is that it successfully created the next chapter in the Halo saga by sticking to known formulas; In fact, veterans of Halos past will experience déjà vu concurrently and consecutively throughout Halo 4's eight playable levels...