In a word, Freaking Awesome. Ok, that's two words, but I can't really stress enough how well the combat system plays out. The storyline is cookie-cutter: I've come to expect that from shooters, but at least it's interesting. And they only give you tid-bits along the way compared to HL2 where you have to go out of your way to figure anything out.

Even on casual (normal) cover is not optional. It's not like Halo on normal where (when you get good enough) you can just melee your way through the game. You just can't take a lot of punishment before going down. And the cover systems is leaps and bounds above the pile of crap that is Perfect Dark Zero. Switching positions is a breeze, diving over obstacles to push forward is great and I love the ability to move sideways while under cover for a flank manuver. Your squadmates will pin down the enemy while you flank to come up from behind.

The combat run is great to. When holding A you will crouch-down and do what I call a "trench run" like what you see in all the WW2 movies, where the camera drops low and bobbles just as much as you do. It really help in the immersion factor of the game.

Oh yea, and the chainsaw bayonet: Aces. Chris would laugh like a maniac everytime I'd used it because gore just sprays EVERYWHERE, including on the camera. And it's not some weak flailing, he puts the chainsaw on the body, then pushes down on the top with his off-hand giving it a realistic "this is how I'd chop someone in half with this weapon" look.

Co-op is handled excellently and with the third-person off-angle view, you really don't lose as much screen space as you did with Halo 1 & 2. Chris and I have been having loads of fun playing through it together.

This game had a lot of hype which turn me off a bit, but it delivers. I suspect a lot more fun to come.

Oh yea, and there's just something funny about hearing "Fenix, FLANK THEM!"