I honestly don't know if I'll ever be able to adaquetely explain why CE was so amazing. I first heard about it from my brother's friend back in 2004. Keep in mind I didn't know Halo 2 was almost out until maybe it was 2005. Anyway, he told me stories of the game. Bits and pieces of the plot. I was hooked instantly. Then came the day where I would be able to play it. I still remember my first Multiplayer match ever on Blood Gulch. The true magic really started to happen when I saw and played the campaign. Just... Everything was perfect. It was so cinematic. And even after the scripted sequences stopped on the Autumn, it felt cinematic for the rest of the game. The set pieces are so incredible, and the enemies and allies that filled them really brought it to life. I really don't think any Halo game to date has been able to convey the same sense of scale and enormity that Halo, Assault on the Control Room, and Two Betrayals had. Most people say the most identifying moment with Halo is when they step out of the Bumblebee and see the world curve up before their eyes. Words can honestly not explain why, but after you cross the Forerunner tube, that trek up that hill next to the cliff wall is easily the most nostalgic moment I have ever had. Maybe it's because at that moment, Halo felt truly alive to me. The Covenant were searching for survivors, we're stranded on a mysterious ring world, and we're completely lost with no back up. Then, two strange craft would appear and spot you. The light string instruments playing while you hear the ghastly whine on the Banshee's Anti-Grav engines is so amazing. I've tried the best to sum it up, but I still don't feel like I've explained that raw emotion from that simple trek up the hill. As a kid who was into Star Wars and aliens, Halo was truly a godsend. And unlike Star Wars, I was directly linked to the action. Halo has been such an incredible ride for me. I cannot stress the fact enough that I really would not be who I am right now if it weren't for Halo. I'm not even joking, Halo has shaped my morals directly and indirectly more than my parents have. And as I sit here typing this, I'm reminded of when my brother got his 360, and I bought Halo 3. My brother and I came together and actually assembled the halves of the Janus Key. Halo 3 was my most prized possession, yet it would not work without my brother's Xbox. That night, playing Halo 3 was perfect... In retrospect, it was not Halo 3 that was so exciting. It's what Halo 3 meant compared to CE. It was finishing what was started. My hype for Halo 3 was the fact that it would conclude the conflict that arised in CE. Who knows, maybe the power of the Xbox One will make Halo 5 a magical journey like Halo CE. If Chief is on the Ark, it'll be so full of adventure and mystery. Halo CE was about unlocking the secrets of Halo. I'm hoping Halo 5 will be about unlocking the secrets of Mendicant Bias. Who knows, we hardly know anything. But gosh darn it, I love Halo.